I wish it was easy to be in this world. My shades conceal deep bruises I hope not to share with anyone. I’ve grown to be attached to them somewhat. It’s like my wobby.

I didn’t interact much with others. My usually “yeah” and “uhuh” sprouted life every now and then. But Billie was kind of quiet. Trev was doing most of the talking as usual. Billie was oddly quiet at times. Like you’d think it took him a while figure out the punch-line. I was so annoyed with it I had to know what was going through his head.

Oh, goody, there’s Pacific Theaters. This one was twice as big as The Promenade. 20 theaters, built like one of those classy rundown opera houses on Broadway. It was cute, always cold. That’s the thing about theaters, they got the temp going like its Antarctica but those douche ticket tearings always slow things down. Always.

We passed the fandango people and stood in line. I already had some money for all 3 of us from my last allowance so I figured taking it out now would be a good idea.

“I got it, its cool.”

I knew something like this was gonna throw.

I didn’t wanna break my streak of the quiet game so I just ignored and rolled eyes at him. Well, whatever, he’s paying.

“Thanks.”

“Sure. What movie are you guys gonna see?”

“Hey, Jeremy’s here!” I whip my head around to see Trevor running over to some kid and his mom.

Jeremy? Oh yeah… Blond weirdo he talks about at school. I was about to jog over until they all came to stand in line behind us.

“Hey, how you doing?” A bit dirty but than again, 12-year-olds never heard of the soap concept. But his mom, jeez, Nancy Regan eat your heart out.

She extended her hand to me to which I accepted warmly. Didn’t wanna give her any ideas.

“Hi, I’m Marlena, Jeremy’s mother. What’s your name sweetie?”

“Mia. I’m just taking Trevor out.”

“Oh,” she pause, looks behind me, “Hello, who are you?”

Oh. I move getting out of the way.

I pulled Trev’s hand taking him to the side while “the grown-ups” chat away.

“Hey, what’s up?”

They both seemed more into something else. Trevor looks at me. I know what he’s gonna say.

“Hey Mia, could I see this new movie with Jeremy and his mom? Please?”

“Why, what movie? What‘s the rating?”

“Oh, don’t worry, its PG-13 and his mom’s gonna be there still. Please?”

“What movie?”

“Brother’s Grimm.”

“Fine. Behave.” I hit his head as they went to the lines.

I went after him, “Wait, hold up, you need some money?”

“Oh, its OK. His mom’s gonna pay. See ya. Bye Billie!” He went with the kid and his mom at the front of the line.

“Great.”

Stared in his direction, waving back at Trevor and his friend getting his tickets torn. Slowly, seriously, is it that hard?

My eyebrows twitched, “What’s going on?”

“Oh, um, wanna hang out until…” he checks his watch, “2:15, its like almost 2 hours from now. Did you wanna see a movie still?”

I sat on the auburn couch behind me, breathing out, “It doesn’t matter. Its not like I need a sitter or what have. I actually need to get something to drink I’m dying.”

I picked myself up and yawned my way to Barns & Noble. Fraps are the ones for me there. I just need to chill. Get my mind out of some things. Its one of those quarps still unsolved.

I knew he was on my tail, being me for a second, I let it slide.

I turned around facing him, “What?”

“You OK?”

“I swear to the lord if you ask me that again, I’ll pop something. You’ll be wearing real eyeliner.”

“Heh, graphic. That’s not fair. I only asked you a total of once but its cool. We both know how you feel anyway.”

“Yeah, what’s that?”

“Do I really need to tell you when you already know? I’m sure you’ll deny it but you can’t fight that its true.”

“OK, what the FUCK are pulling at?”

He sat on the table folding his hands behind his head. “You’re afraid to be beautiful.”

Ugh…? “What does that have to do with anything?”

“You don’t even know you. You don’t welcome people because you’re scared they’ll go against you.”

With my mouth hanging open longer catch stray flies, I had enough. Its disgusting now and I don’t wanna deal now.

“You don’t know me.”

“OK, but you didn’t deny it.”

“Just, shut up!”

I was up, frapped by the bell.

I know I was always considered someone who just spoke it but its weird. I never felt regret for. Never, maybe now. The way she was piercing me fucked me over and I knew was just as bad as smacking her face but I said it. I could take it back, but it would be wrong, she’s mad anyway.

I can’t take when woman are mad because of me. I didn’t grow up in abuse but I knew people that had and it was really harsh to remember that it’s a reality.

She stand good, lofty distance at the pick up corner, drumming her fingers on the marble impatiently. She’s all tweaked. Virgin? Could’ve had me fooled. Maybe she isn’t. I still wanna know.

“Hey, wanna come over here and wait?” Worth a shot.

She says nothing. Boy, the shit I said really got to her. She takes her order and sits in the left corner booth. My steps follow and sit down opposite her.

OK this is getting annoying. “Why are you mad?”

A roll of the eyes followed with, “… not mad.”

“What?”

She finally looks at me, “I wasn’t mad, you just pissed me off.”

“Yeah, cuz I was right. You still haven’t denied it.”

“Look…” she clears her throat, “I appreciate the wonderful efforts on your part but no thanks. I don’t like to talk to people I don’t know.”

I wiggled my finger at her playfully, “Bailing.”

She laughed, “From what exactly?”

“You’re just too predictable. But more on that later. How long have you known Trevor?”

She sighs and takes a sip, “Since he was 5. His family isn’t very compatible. He would hang over at Leo’s and sometimes my cousin would come over play games and stuff. He’s someone I consider tolerable if you will.”

Hmm, “Tolerable? Sounds like he’s your only friend. I mean, don’t you have other people you go with?”

She starts picking at her nails, “Not always, I have a couple people back home, but whatever. Besides, I don’t so many people all at once. I’m satisfied with one.”

“Where you always this much of a loner?”

“Pretty much. I’m not ashamed. Doesn’t make me a bad person. Personally I--”

“I didn’t say you were. Just never met someone who doesn’t care much for friends. Besides Mike and Tré, I got a couple people I hang with. And by hang I mean drink.”

“Heh, oy, why is this relevant again?”

“I never said it was, you can pick whatever you wanna talk about too.”

“What time is it?”

“Dunno, uh, I guess its been 20 minutes since we left the theater. Why, is there somewhere more important than this?”

“Uh, yeah. It’s called everything. I hate small talk. I never learn anything. Got any good drunk stories in your purse?”

“Not that I remember any clearly. Just remember the shit in the morning. How old are you?”

She smiled. “How old are you?”

“33 and you?”

She seemed like a stranger all of a sudden. The way her face turned slightly as she spoke, “I’m 20.”

She seemed unsure like there was more. “Ah, well that’s cool.”

She giggled, “Wow, now I’m starting to miss small talk.”

“Whatever you want.”

“I wish it was that way.”

“What?”

“Forget it.”

“Well than you shouldn’t have said it.”

“OK than.”

“You’re a wee bit difficult you know that?”

“Thanks a lot.”

“Anytime Mia.”

“Don’t call me that.”

“Is that not your name?”

“It’s the name my dad gave me alright. I’d change it but I don’t have the time.”

“I never even knew mine. Can’t remember a lot. I was just a kid.”

“As far as I’m concern I have no father. I never had him for a second.”

“Sorry, didn’t wannt drug up all the shit.”

“No, your not. Heh, its only small talk.”