15 The Date (6)

It was not until they were inside the mall and Jun Yang could feel some of the shoppers' eyes on them that he wiggled away from Feng Qi's embrace. He did not slap Feng Qi's arm away but instead slithered his way out and then proceeded to introduce some distance between them.

Feng Qi noticed this but he did not comment on it, he merely smiled to himself as he nudged closer to Jun Yang.

The two walked to the elevator and Feng Qi pressed the button for the 5th floor where the cinema was located.

They were the only ones in the elevator. It was probably still too early in the morning for the shoppers to arrive even though it was the weekend.

The doors closed and the atmosphere between the two young men caught in close proximity became strange and awkward. Jun Yang sweated under this environment but Feng Qi did not seem to mind it one bit. The former looked at the floor, the walls and even the ceiling but his neck seemed to be unable to turn to his right where the latter stood.

Feeling the pressure to do or say something to ease the atmosphere, Jun Yang took one step forward and extended his finger to press for the 2nd floor on the elevator panel. The second floor was for men's fashion.

Jun Yang took a step back and even though Feng Qi did not say anything, Jun Yang could feel the question floating in the air.

He wanted to just ignore it but he failed to resist it for even several seconds. "I never did say I come to the mall to go on a date with you, I actually came to do some shopping today," Jun Yang's words echoed in the small space. He hated how petulant he sounded like a child whining when he was unable to get his way.

In any case, before Feng Qi could provide a response to his statement, the elevator doors pulled open on the second floor. Jun Yang strode out with as much nonchalance as he could.

As he walked out, he heard footsteps coming from behind him. As much as he hated to admit it, the suppressed smile on his face belied the real feeling in his heart.

Suddenly, Jun Yang whipped around to face Feng Qi. He questioned, "Why are you following me?"

"Where else am I supposed to be other than by my boyfriend's side when we're on a date?" Feng Qi shrugged and answered casually.

Jun Yang lowered his head out of the man's utter shamelessness and he grumbled as if to himself, "Who is your boyfriend…"

Then, he turned and stomped away.

Jun Yang walked through the shops which plied their wares but he found it much too difficult to focus with Feng Qi tailing him like a shadow. On top that, he was not really there to do some shopping anyway.

Feng Qi followed him silently and without complaint. He had an entertained smile on his face like spending time with Jun Yang was the most amusing time ever and he did not mind if they were at the movies or just window shopping.

The mall was only so big, so eventually they finished taking a lap around the entire second floor, with no purchase on either man's hands to show for it. Jun Yang stopped before the escalator, caught between hard decisions. Was he going to take another lap round the place or continue on with this 'date'?

He stole a glance at Feng Qi and the man merely stood there with a patient smile on his face, waiting for Jun Yang to come to a decision. He was going to follow no matter what Jun Yang decided.

After some time, Jun Yang said in a voice that was barely above a whisper, "Let's go to the movie then."

With Feng Qi so attuned to Jun Yang's behavior, he caught the words the latter said and he replied with a charming smile. "Sure, anything my boyfriend wishes."

Jun Yang felt his face burn and he raced up the escalator, leaving behind Feng Qi whose eyes trailed Jun Yang's escape with joviality.

Feng Qi caught up to Jun Yang at the ticket counter of the cinema.

"Do you mind waiting for me here? I'll go get the ticket for both of us," Feng Qi said. That was how Jun Yang was left standing at the corner. He observed the posters of the movies that were showing. There were a famous cartoon, an action flick and a romance film. Jun Yang wondered what type of movie Feng Qi would choose. Would he go for a romance film since he kept on insisting that they were on a 'date'?

Feng Qi soon returned with the tickets. Jun Yang glanced at them and glanced Feng Qi had bought them the tickets to watch the action flick, a rather common choice for students their age. Jun Yang did not know how to feel about that.

As he was about to walk away towards the viewing hall, Feng Qi pulled on his sleeves. "One sec, I bought us tickets with snack combo. So, let's go grab those first."

Jun Yang nodded and he was led to the confectionary stand. The person that manned the counter had heavy dark circles under his eyes and he looked like he had not slept in days. He could barely stifle the yawn when he asked Jun Yang and Feng Qi for the type of popcorn flavor that they wanted.

Like everything else that had happened on this date so far, Feng Qi referred to Jun Yang to make the final decision.

The choice was between normal buttered popcorn and caramel popcorn. Jun Yang picked the latter without hesitation, "I would like the caramel popcorn please." The smile on the young man's face was as sweet as the caramel syrup that was poured over the popped kernels.

Seeing this, Feng Qi commented with a grin, "I didn't know you have such a sweet tooth. Then again, shouldn't things be sweet enough being on a date with your boyfriend? Looks like I'll have to try harder to make things sweeter."