twelve
N ate had never seen someone watch a movie and look so entranced.
And that was the only way to describe Madison. Even if he hadn’t already known it by the way she had been so adamant that they watch this movie in particular, it was clear that she loved it.
Because she watched it with her whole body.
They were sitting on the sofa, which was large enough for both of them to spread comfortably.
Yet Madison had progressively turned into a ball, hugging her knees tightly, her chin perched on top of them.
She mumbled the lines of the characters, she swayed to the soundtrack of the film, she even hissed at the screen when anything she didn’t approve of happened.
Every time she would move, her long dark hair would brush against the middle of her back, or even cover momentarily her upper arms like a thick blanket.
Whenever he’d try to ask questions on a specific scene, she’d shush him quite aggressively, which was funny considering how she’d told him she’d already watched these movies more times than she could count.
Nate couldn’t help but chuckle at her reactions, and watching her was as entertaining as watching the movie itself.
He was beginning to realize that Madison was one of those people you wanted to do things with because you got to experience those things from their eyes.
It was impossible to watch her enjoy something so much and not get sucked in.
The movie was good, he’d give her that, but if he was honest with himself, his attention was focused elsewhere.
When the credits rolled, Madison turned fully towards him, scooting forward until her knees almost bumped his left thigh. She was lit up like a kid on Christmas morning.
“So? What did you think?” she asked eagerly.
Nate knew he shouldn’t tease her since it was obviously a big deal to her but he couldn’t stop himself.
“Meh.” He shrugged.
Madison’s expression quickly morphed into one of a kicked puppy’s before turning into one of an enraged kitten’s. She was going through a whole arsenal of animal analogies.
Nate could feel his lips twitching.
“Meh?” she asked when she’d regained her composure. “What’s ‘meh’ supposed to mean? What about anything you just saw was ‘meh?” There was utter disbelief written on her face and he knew he wouldn’t be able to keep this up for long.
“I mean, it was okay. But if it wasn’t for the little girl of the trio, everyone would have gotten themselves killed three times over.”
Madison blinked at him. “She’s my favorite.”
Nate’s heart skipped a beat seeing Madison with such an open, vulnerable expression.
“Figures,” he said, his voice a soft whisper.
Madison looked at him hesitantly. “Why do you say that?”
“Because she reminds me of you.”
The smile that dawned on her face could have eclipsed the sun.
“So you did like it then?”
“I did like it then,” he said and he basked in her obvious happiness.
Before she slapped the back of her hand against his bicep.
“Then why would you say it was ‘meh’? Are you trying to make me dislike you?”
Nate couldn’t contain the grin that took over. She was so cute when she was angry. A fact that would probably make her angrier if he told her.
He lifted his hands up in a form of surrender. “I’m sorry but it was too good a chance to pass.”
Madison shook her head in mock disappointment. “That you would use this of all things to joke about.” Her expression was so serious that it only made him want to chuckle more.
Crossing his arms to his chest, Nate decided to be frank. “Look, the truth is that I can see why someone would like it, and if I had watched it when it had been released, it would have had me waving a gold and red scarf around, myself,” he paused throwing her a loaded look.
“Oh, so you’re telling me you would be a Gryffindor?” she teased him, her eyes sparkling in the low light.
“Of course I would be. I am the perfect example of courage and chivalry,” he deadpanned.
Madison laughed at his expression, but then her own went soft and he had trouble looking away.
“Yes, I suppose it would suit you to be the caring kind, always there to take care of everything and protect others in need, wouldn’t it?
” she asked this with no means to know the gravity that question actually carried.
She was probably just thinking about the incident that had brought them together in this situation, the accident he’d tried to prevent.
Nate felt his throat tighten, a lump making difficult to speak for a moment. He thought of his father, and then of his mom and brother.
“I try,” he managed to croak, his voice a low rasp. He couldn’t look her in the eyes for a few moments as he attempted to keep the surge of emotions under check. The last thing he wanted was to ruin their movie night because of things that should stay in the past.
Nate felt a small hand tug on his sweater, at the same spot where it had slapped him a few moments earlier, and he was met with eyes full of understanding.
She didn’t say anything else or ask any questions, and he was glad for that.
She was not prying, but she was there, a steady presence next to him, radiating calmness and warmth.
She, then, surprised him again by saying, “At least your House would suit you. I would have loved to be in Ravenclaw but I would have probably shamed them immensely. They are smart and studious and are supposed to know pretty much everything and do everything right. You already know how I am with maths and science. And you should see me try to drive anywhere without a GPS. My sense of orientation is shot to shit. You could point me to the grocery store and I would drive myself to Alaska. Map reading is not in my survival skill set.”
Nate knew what she was doing, changing the subject like that. She was trying to make him feel better even without knowing what had gotten him down in the first place. He shook his head in amazement, which she probably thought it was only because of what she’d just told him.
“I would pay good money to see that, Mads.” He didn’t know when he’d started shortening her name, but it felt natural as it passed through his lips.
“Well, it’s just too bad that you won’t, isn’t it?”
“Why not? We’re here, with no GPS in the car available, and I’m sure you have your driving license already. We could use my car. It wouldn’t get us to Alaska even if you wanted it to.”
“I do have a driving license and though the problem is not my driving skills, I still think I’m just going to let you do the driving, if we need to get anywhere for some reason. It’s probably safer.”
“Okay. You’re in good hands, Mads.” He grinned suggestively at her, making her laugh.
“I’m sure I am, big guy.”
“And Ravenclaw would be lucky to have you.”
He saw her eyes soften as she smiled so sweet, someone would think he’d given her the best compliment.
“Thanks, Nate,” she said, their eyes catching and holding for what felt like hours but could only be seconds. “You’re a good friend.”
Nate felt her words strike a chord somewhere inside him.
“Is that what we are, Mads? Friends?” He couldn’t avert his gaze even if an explosion were to happen right next to him. He wanted to read every expression on that beautiful, honest face of hers.
“I think so.” Her voice betrayed a kind of hopeful longing that made him want to give her anything she wanted.
“Then you got yourself a friend.”
A hint of that tell-tale mischief he’d already seen before entered her gaze.
“And a jock at that. Just imagine; the possibilities are endless.”
Nate’s laughter caught him off guard. “I’m not sure you’re really ready for that.”
“Why not?” she frowned.
“Why tell you when I could just show you?” He knew his smirk had turned evil, and that was exactly his goal.
“And,” he continued, stopping her as she had just opened her mouth to say something more, “we have another movie to watch now, so save your questions for later. You got me into this, so now I’m invested. ”
He settled even further into the sofa but not before stealing a glance at her, drinking in the complex emotions that seemed at war in her eyes.
Finally, Madison simply smiled at him, before starting their second movie. And this time, she even allowed him to ask questions and throw in some commentary here and there, while they slowly ate their way through their snacks.
“Hey, Nate?” Madison’s voice cut through the lull in the film, about an hour later.
“Hm?” he tilted his head at her in question. She seemed to hesitate before taking a small breath.
“Is there anything you miss? You know, from our time?”
He studied her serious expression while he thought of his answer.
If he had to be honest with himself, no. Not really. Not now.
Sure, he’d left his job behind, and this moment in time wasn’t the easiest. But there was no one important left behind to miss.
Was it a bit selfish? Leaving all responsibilities aside to stay put in these moments, watching movies about magical places next to a girl with sparkly eyes, hair as unruly as her attitude, and a touch so warm his skin felt branded even through his clothes?
He didn’t think he would want to change a thing even if it was.
So many times he’d felt robbed of so many things in his childhood, he was convinced that he was owed these moments. And he intended to grab them with both hands.
Clearing his throat, he said “I’m not sure.” He held her gaze steadily. “I probably should, but I don’t think I do. Plus,” he added, hoping it would lighten up the mood, “why would I miss anything when I got myself a new friend who forces me to watch whatever she wants?”
Her belly laugh was so sudden her eyes crinkled at the edges.
“Which reminds me, I believe it’s my turn to choose what we’re going to watch next time. And I don’t want to hear any sort of complaint from you.”
“Why would I complain?” She narrowed her eyes at him.
“No reason, I just get this feeling.”
“Well then, just don’t give me a reason to complain and I won’t.”
“Sorry, can’t do that,” Nate shrugged.
“What’s that tone? I don’t like that look on your face, Nate. What are you planning?”
Nate rubbed his jaw, pretending to think hard.
“I was thinking something along the lines of a good thriller.”
Her horrified expression told him everything he needed to know.
***
Nate’s phone alerted him to a text message.
It was later that evening, and Madison had already gone home.
After the second movie had finished, he’d offered to take her home but she’d insisted that it was just a short walk. He’d relented but only if she texted him when she got home okay, which she had.
He’d watched her take the few steps from his door to the sidewalk. Watched her turn her head briefly, looking back at him with a smile and small wave of her hand. And kept watching her until she’d disappeared from his view.
Nate could still feel the pang of something he’d felt in his chest before he’d shaken himself out of whatever that weird feeling had been.
Closing the door behind him, he’d cleaned up the empty bowls of their snacks, and had headed to his room after calling out a round of ‘Goodnights’ to his family.
Which brought him back to the text message that could only be by either Liam or Cooper.
He sighed seeing Coop’s name.
Coop : Don’t leave me hanging here, how was the date?
Nate loved his two best friends. He really did.
They’d always weirdly complemented each other, Cooper being a constant shit-stirrer, Liam the most reasonable one of the three, and Nate falling somewhere in between depending on the situation.
They had met when they were kids and had stuck together through thick and thin.
Even going to different universities later on hadn’t succeeded in breaking them up.
It’s just that there were times, like now, he wished they’d fuck off.
Nate : What date?
Coop : Didn’t you have a girl over for “movie night?”
Nate : Why are you using quotation marks?
Coop : Because we all know what that’s code for.
Nate : With my mom and brother in the next room? Sure.
Nate : Plus, it wasn’t a date. She’s a friend.
Coop : Bummer
Coop : Hey, was that the girl Liam saw you leaving with after practice?
Nate : Yes
Coop : Because Liam said she was really cute.
Coop : If she’s just a friend maybe you could introduce me.
Nate went rigid at Cooper’s words, his heart suddenly speeding up.
Like hell he’d introduce him to Madison. She was Nate’s friend and no other introductions were necessary.
Yes, there was nothing weird about that line of thinking. Everything was perfectly normal.
Nate : No
Coop : Ha! I knew it.
Nate : Know what?
Coop : Nothing, just something Liam and I were talking about.
Nate : Do I wanna know?
Coop : Probably not, judging from your reaction.
Nate : I have no idea what you’re talking about and I’m going to bed.
Coop : And now you’re evading.
Coop : Don’t think this is over.
Nate : ‘Night
Coop : Yeah, yeah ‘night
Nate silenced his phone, sending a silent prayer Cooper would let this go. A prayer he knew would go unanswered.