"Shit," I said. I was soaked from the rain. I hate it when James makes plans with me and then shows up late. I'd finished work unusually late today. Not that I'd say I liked it, but I prefer getting off in the afternoon rather than late at night. James said he'd be here in a moment, but he still wasn't in sight, and I was getting more and more anxious because I knew what he was like. Plus, I hate standing outside in the cold rain when it's pouring down like crazy.
I quickly turned around and glanced at a small cinema that was still open at this hour. They were showing old films from the forties and fifties. I never liked those, and I hadn't set foot in that cinema even once.
I jogged to the building and peeked through the small window in the door. The lights were on, and behind the counter stood two people — a girl and a boy.
I quickly texted James that I was waiting in the cinema and for him to pick me up there.
I stepped inside. Immediately I felt warmer and more comfortable, just knowing I could heat up a little here.
"What movie for you, ma'am?" asked the girl with short blue hair and pale skin. She was wearing a checkered shirt and grey trousers. It wasn't anything stylish — just the work uniform they had to wear unless they wanted to risk getting fired.
Honestly, it was the first time I'd ever seen her in my life. The boy, on the other hand, I knew — I often saw him in the school hallways.
"Umm… it's raining and I came to take shelter," I said bluntly. I didn't want to lie to her. "And by the way, I'm only eighteen, and I felt old when you called me 'ma'am.'"
The boy left the counter and disappeared behind the door that was to the left of the counter.
"I understand, sorry," she cleared her throat. "Though I guess I could've guessed you're not here for the movie."
"What's that supposed to mean?"
"Not many people our age come here to watch films, especially when they're… old."
"Well, there's a surprise," I thought.
My gaze was drawn to the huge film posters. Whenever I was in a cinema, I always looked at them — they seemed cold and at the same time beautiful.
"Invasion of the Body Snatchers," the girl said.
"Sorry?"
"That poster on the left. A cult classic, though I didn't like it. But what do I know," she raised her hands in the air and dropped them as if admitting defeat.
"Do you watch a lot of movies?" I asked, curious.
"Maybe. It's my job — movies are my job."
"And you like just sitting here in the cinema? Doesn't it get boring?"
She started coughing. She grabbed a tissue and pressed it to her face.
"What's wrong? Do you need help?"
"No, no. Just a little cough."
I wasn't so sure.
"Wait, do you know Mike?" she asked, still holding the tissue over her mouth.
"Yes, why?"
"You're Mary, right?" She cleared her throat again. "Fits the exact description he gave me. Everything matches."
"And what did you—"
A car horn cut me off. It was James.
"Your future husband?" The girl asks.
"More like a future criminal."
"Criminal? I don't know… he looks gay to me."
I didn't want to press her about what Mike had said — I'd find out sooner or later. The only thing I wanted to know was:
"What's your name?"
"Lilou."