Zai cuddled me and stayed nearby, but overall he was much less ... aggressively affectionate than I was used to.
My music video was set to be released tonight at eight. I was excited to watch it together, but as soon as the sun started to set, he stood up and said,
"I'll be back soon." Zai kissed me goodbye.
He put on an expensive-looking black suit and the red gems in the earrings I gave him. Before he walked out, he tied his hair back and exhaled heavily.
I watched the door quietly, and after suppressing my disappointment, I decided to do something while I waited for him...
I texted Lisa to see if she wanted to hang out but didn't get a response, so I tried Valin and had the same issue...
Maybe they're together right now.
So as a last resort, I messaged RJ,
"Do you want to hang out?" Zai trusts him... so I should have nothing to worry about.
"Where?" He replied quickly, which was shocking. I expected immediate rejection.
We should go somewhere public.
"Maybe a movie? I have a couple of hours I need to kill," I replied.
This reminds me of my first date plans with Smoke... If I went to see a movie with Zai, I doubt he'd allow me to focus on the screen.
My cheeks are tingling just imagining it.
"Sure." After his reply, I used Zai's element to run to RJ's house and knock on the door.
He opened it to find me wheezing and panting on the porch, holding up one finger to gesture to him to wait for me to catch my breath.
"I would've picked you up," he commented. At first, he observed me stone-faced, then he gave a light chuckle and walked past me to the garage.
Once I regained my composure, I met him at his car; it was the green one.
I should've known.
It was the same color as his eyes.
"Which movie do you want to see?" he asked as soon as my seatbelt was buckled.
"I'm not sure, but I definitely want to see an action movie!" I answered, my voice full of excitement. "Maybe a superhero movie if the reviews aren't too awful," I added.
He drove quietly. Since he wasn't talking, it was hard to keep my mind off Zai... I wonder what he'd be doing if his business didn't involve RJ or Valin.
What could it be?
"How about Ms. Stiletto? She's not an overpowered hero, but she's a well-trained assassin. She uses a stiletto sword and stiletto heels to fight. I think you'll like the plot, and there should be a showing soon," he offered.
"Yeah! I'll watch it!" I replied.
I guess he'd been quiet because he was trying to think of a good suggestion for me.
"It's three hours long, though."
That... is a lengthy movie... I texted Zai letting him know I was going to watch a movie at the theater with RJ. Even though he was busy, I got a reply within seconds.
"Okay, I miss you... Tell me about it when I get home, and maybe we can watch it together next time, if you like it."
My heart felt warm reading his message, but I put my phone away without replying. Soon we were there. The ceiling was very high, and arcade games were scattered about the lobby. RJ purchased our tickets and asked me what I wanted as a snack.
I had merely thought of caramel popcorn before he walked away and purchased it, along with the bottle of water I wanted.
This is the first time he made it obvious that he's reading my thoughts...
The viewing room was packed, so I had to scoot past a few people just so we could sit together, which felt a little awkward.
The main character worked as an assassin because her natural fighting ability caught the attention of a certain organization.
Her parents died, so she was tasked with watching her little sister. It was hard to work at her age. Out of necessity, she agreed to darken her soul for money and her little sister.
Years passed, and a new head of the organization was elected, who deemed her and a few others too dangerous and knowledgeable to keep alive, so they planted a bomb in her home and set it off when they thought she was there, but it was only her sister.
After her sister's death, she tracked down everyone involved in the murder and exterminated them. Then she went completely off the grid, only appearing to fight crimes that she felt a personal connection to.
I actually cried when the sister died, and RJ stroked my back to comfort me with one hand while stealing popcorn with the other.
"It was so good!" I yelled while leaving the building.
He nodded in agreement.
I couldn't wait to watch it with Zai. I instantly pulled out my phone and texted him my thoughts, telling him I'd love to come back and see it together.
"Are you still hungry?" RJ asked.
I thought for a moment.
"Yeah... popcorn isn't very filling, I guess."
He entered the car first and waited for me before driving to a fast food place and ordering tacos for both of us.
RJ parked his car, and we ate, so I took that opportunity to thank him,
"Thanks for spending time with me and the food. I can pay you back soon!" I announced proudly.
"... Pay me back by treating me the next time we hang out," he replied. It makes me a bit happy that he wants to hang out again.
"I really appreciate this. I would have gone crazy at home alone..." I admitted.
He wrapped up his half-eaten taco and put it in the bag, then pulled out a bottle of wine from underneath his seat and drank heavily.
"You're not supposed to have open bottles of alcohol in the car!" I scolded, as someone who very recently reviewed all the driving laws.
He smirked at me and said, "Don't tell the cops," before finishing off what was left and tossing the empty bottle into the back seat.
"And you don't need to keep thanking me. I like spending time with you," he muttered.
I was stunned again... I can't imagine why. I would think I'm pretty boring to most people.
"Then I should have asked you to hang out sooner... I'm sorry."
He wiped his mouth with a napkin and said,
"Are you ready to go home yet?" I looked at my phone... There was still no reply from Zai, and then RJ groaned loudly, pulling my attention away.
"I'm ready..." I answered.
"You don't understand me," RJ blurted, stunning me a bit.
I had assumed he groaned because he was ready for us to separate, even if Zai wasn't home, could he be referring to that?
He took several deep breaths, trying to calm down.
"I'm... not the best at reading people," I admitted solemnly.
He muttered something under his breath, tightening his grip on the steering wheel.
A few moments later, he began driving me back home with one hand, and his free arm lying against the car door window.
My house was about fifteen minutes away, and when we parked outside, my legs didn't move.
"I miss him too," RJ commented, laying his head on the steering wheel and facing me. I suppose that's the plus side of hanging out with someone who can read my thoughts but also can't lie; it's much easier to admit the things I'd usually be shy about.
There's no point in trying to hide it.
"Oh!... Then I apologize for hogging him so much."
RJ sighed and said,
"He's the one hogging you, and choosing to spend less time with me." He sounded a little bitter. "Zai... has always been hard to get close to," RJ grumbled in frustration.
Is he about to open up to me?... I can do this; I can be emotional support!
"But you succeeded! You're his best friend," I declared.
He scoffed.
"Sometimes I believe that..."
Maybe I should encourage Zai to hang out with his friends more... but the thought of having less time with him troubles me.
"I think some days, I remind him of my father, and ... we can't get along on those days," RJ admitted.
I almost feel like Zai should be the one to have this convo.
"He told me he thinks of you as family! You're very important to him..." I assured.
RJ smiled at me.
"Alright."
He doesn't sound convinced.
"And... he said he can trust you because you have to be honest," I muttered.
"Ah... and because I wouldn't touch a woman who isn't interested in me," he added, knowingly.
He must know the conversation I'm recalling right now.
"Yeah, I remember..." he said, cutting his eyes at me and replying to my thoughts directly. "Plus, your thoughts are always so clear, they're loud, like a screaming child in a park."
That description makes me very self-conscious!
"Well, it's not just that I'm not interested, it's because I'm with Zai, right?" I asked light-heartedly.
He scrunched up his face as if he was thinking, then sat up and turned away,
"You should go inside, good night, Snowe."
Should I press him?
He can't lie without intense pain, so maybe I put him in a tough position.
Knowing that he'd cross the line if I showed interest isn't something I need to confirm...
I should let it go so our relationship can stay as it is.
"Good night," I replied, and then I exited the vehicle.
Zai was home around 30 minutes later. I sat on the porch so I could see him as soon as he arrived and ran to hug him.
"Oh wow... you're awfully excited for someone who didn't say, 'I miss you too,'" he commented, playfully.
"I missed you too!"
Then he laughed and returned my embrace...
"What's wrong?" Zai asked, reaching for my hand.
"Nothing important," I replied.
Zai patted my cheek and said,
"Tell me about the movie after we watch your music video together."
I blushed and pouted. I'm glad he remembered the video. I'm sure he'll tell me what he was up to today when he's ready.
"Yeah, let's see the video."