Two weeks passed, and Northdale started to feel… normal.
Too normal.
The people were friendly, the streets quiet, the days predictable. Nothing ever really happened here. That had to mean it was safe—right?
Lily was the one who broke the routine.
She asked if I wanted to go to the movies. Said she didn't want to go alone and could use a friend. I had nothing better to do, so I said yes without hesitation.
Somehow the group found out.
Mila teased her relentlessly. Jas suggested we all go together. Everyone agreed—except Lily, who went quiet. She didn't argue, didn't complain, but the look on her face stuck with me the rest of the day.
It bothered me more than it should have.
By the end of school, I texted her.
You okay? We could hang out before the movie. Just us.
Thirty minutes passed before her reply came through.
I'd love that. A lot.
I sat back in my chair, smiling like an idiot. I didn't know it then, but that moment—that feeling—was the happiest I'd ever been. The first time I'd felt something close to love.
Cheesy, maybe. Still true.
The next day, we met at a small pizza place near the theater. We talked easily—movies, music, things that mattered and things that didn't. She laughed more than I expected. It felt… right.
What we didn't know was that Max was wandering town that afternoon.
He saw us through the window.
And jealousy has a way of thinking for people.
We arrived at the theater late. Lily was still laughing as we walked in.
"You two look happy," Mila said immediately.
"They look good together," Nick added.
Max scoffed under his breath.
Jas showed up moments later, and we filed into the theater to watch Dead Reckoning Day. Everyone bought popcorn and drinks—everyone except Lily, who only got a soda.
When we reached our seats, Lily didn't hesitate. She sat beside me.
The rest followed: Nick, Mila, Jas, Max, and Kevin.
Before the movie started, Max leaned toward Nick. "You wanna switch seats?"
Nick glanced around, then shrugged. "Sure."
Suddenly, Max was next to Lily. Nick ended up beside Jas.
As the trailers played, Lily reached into my popcorn without asking. We whispered back and forth, laughing quietly. Max offered his popcorn.
"I'm okay," Lily said. "I'm not that hungry."
He frowned. "Then why are you eating his?"
I glanced over, then back to the screen.
"He said he didn't mind," she replied simply, continuing our conversation.
Max didn't say anything after that.
On the other side, Nick tried talking to Jas, but Kevin interrupted every attempt with perfect timing.
Near the end of the movie, a sudden jump scare filled the screen.
Lily grabbed my hand.
Max stood up immediately. "Bathroom," he muttered, pushing past the row.
I smiled as he left.
The credits rolled.
Just before the lights came on, I leaned toward Lily. "I really enjoyed tonight," I whispered. "Thank you."
I kissed her—soft, quick—and stood up, walking out before she could respond.
She stayed frozen in her seat.
"What was that?" Jas asked her gently.
"Nothing," Lily said, forcing a smile as they followed me out.
Max had me pinned against the wall when they exited.
"What the hell is going on?" Jas yelled.
Kevin answered calmly, "Nick told Max Jack kissed Lily. Max didn't take it well."
"Let him go," Jas snapped.
I leaned closer to Max and whispered, "Strawberry. Nice choice."
Her lipstick.
Max stepped back and punched me.
Nick smiled and walked away.
Max looked around, panic flashing across his face, then bolted.
Lily rushed to my side. "Are you okay?"
"Yeah," I said. "Not the first time I've been hit."
She hesitated. "What did you whisper to him?"
"All I said was, 'Can you let me go now?'" I replied. "He got mad because I kissed you."
I paused. "I think he likes you. Did you know that?"
She didn't answer.
I stopped listening and walked out.
The next day—Saturday—Lily texted me.
I didn't respond.
She sent fifteen more messages over the weekend. By Sunday, she called Jas, frantic. Jas told her I was probably just recovering.
Sunday night, I finally replied.
Sorry. Slept all day. My face is swollen.
Oh my god, Lily wrote. I was worried you died on me.
No chance, I replied. Not when I've got someone like you.
I went to bed smiling.
Monday morning, I headed to school, fully prepared to deal with Max.
But first, there was something else.
Kevin had told me something important.
Something I couldn't ignore.
So I set a plan in motion.