Since she was so close up, she couldn’t see all the people who had come in and filled up the theater. A few people had ventured down to her row, but everything in front of her was clear. The audience murmured with a hundred different conversations. Out of the corner of her eye she could see someone coming down the aisle toward her and she lowered her feet in case they needed to pass. But the guy took a seat right next to her.
Julia turned to look at him and saw that it was Brett. He kept his eyes on the screen and reached over for some popcorn casually, jerking it back when he felt the wetness of the hot sauce.
“What the hell?” He examined his fingers.
“Hi, Brett.”
Brett sniffed at his fingers. “Is that hot sauce?”
“Indeed it is.”
“Weird.” He reached over again and grabbed more cautiously.
“What are you doing here?”
“My friends brought their girlfriends, so instead of fifth-wheeling it I’m gonna sit next to you, if that’s okay. I spotted you from back there.” He motioned vaguely behind him. “Your hair makes it easy.”
“No, I mean, what are you doing watching this movie? It’s based on a book. No explosions. No boobs that I’m aware of.”
“Don’t be naive, all these artsy flicks have boobs in ’em.” He smiled through a mouthful of popcorn and reached over for some more. “Just kidding. I’ve been looking forward to this movie for a while. Didn’t read the book, but I’m a fan of the director. Hey, I like this popcorn–hot sauce thing.”
“Yeah, me too.”
The theater turned dark and the chatter quieted to a murmur. Brett leaned in to Julia, close enough that she could smell something fruity on his breath. “You don’t mind if I sit with you?” he whispered.
“It depends. Do you talk during movies?”
“All the time. It’s my favorite thing to do.”
Julia shoved him away with her elbow. “If you finish my popcorn, I’ll kill you.”
“Or I can go get us a refill. I’ve got one of those rewards cards, so I get ’em for free.”
“Look at you, moving up in the world.”
Brett grabbed a piece of popcorn and tossed it at Julia. Then they quieted to watch the previews.
After the movie, they walked out together, Julia taking one last quick glance at the corner of notebook paper sticking out of a cup holder in the third row. Julia thought about her mom—how Julia had, in many ways, done the list for her mom’s sake, and how little that would mean to her mom.
They didn’t say anything for a bit, following the slow-moving mass of people making their way outside. A few people rushed to their cars; some stood around discussing the movie, making plans for dinner or drinks. The night was absolutely lovely, and Julia thought she might go get a cup of coffee, sit outside somewhere with a book, leave her phone in the car all night.
“I’m sorry about you and Dave,” Brett said. He had his hands in his back pockets and was looking sheepishly around.
Julia laughed. “It’s not really your fault.”
“I know. But maybe I can make it up to you?”
“It’s okay,” Julia said. “You don’t have to do anything. You kept me company during the movie; that’s more than enough.”
Brett’s friends came out of the theater and called him over, and he said he’d be with them in a second.
“I’m parked this way,” Julia said, pointing down the block.
“I’ll walk you,” Brett said, still looking embarrassed, which was the only time Julia ever saw similarities between him and Dave. He was bigger and more self-assured, but right now she could see a flicker of insecurity, too. She wasn’t sure why she’d never thought of it before, but Brett had at one point lost his mom, too.
They walked slowly, not saying much until they reached Julia’s car.
“I know you said I don’t have to make it up to you,” Brett said, breaking the silence. “But I want to anyway. I know up until the promposal, you and Dave were always planning on going to prom together. Now you need a date. How about I take you? Not like a pity thing,” he added quickly. “This is a little embarrassing, but I’ve had a crush on you for a while.”
He wasn’t nervous, like Dave might be. But he wasn’t as sure of himself as usual. He gave her a smile, raised his eyebrows. “What do you say? I know you were looking to go with the future prom king, but maybe a past one will do?”