Chapter 7

THE REST OF the week passed quickly: we were busy trying to compile a playlist for the booth, painting the banner, collecting all the necessary decorations and making signs and posters. Not to mention everyday things like homework.

And I did my very best to avoid Noah when I was over Lee's house.

I was still mad at him, and didn't want another full blown row.

Friday rolled around, and I couldn't sit still all day. I'd be going to the movies with Cody tonight. I was supposed to be meeting him there at seven. I decided I'd aim to show up for five past. You were meant to try and keep a guy waiting a little, right?

I got home to raid my closet. My hands trembled slightly, and my breathing was shallow. Worries and doubts rampaged through my head, but I refused to listen.

I wanted something that looked good but not desperate. It was just a movie, so I couldn't go too fancy, anyway. And since Cody wasn't that much taller than me, heels were out.

I picked out a pair of dark gray jeans. Okay, good. Progress.

But I still only had half an outfit.

I hadn't asked any girls for advice: I was too embarrassed to admit I'd never been on a date before and didn't know what to wear to the movies. Sure, I went to movies with guys all the time, but always as friends. This was different. The guys didn't care what I wore, but this . . . Well, Cody was going to notice.

I knew I was panicking over nothing, but I couldn't help it.

At long last, I decided that I'd wear a pale pink jumper with sleeves to my elbows. It had darker pink lace around the neckline, so it was a little nicer than a plain jumper. I threw on a silver necklace and some bangles and decided that looked okay.

But maybe I should've worn something a little more flattering? This sweater didn't really make the best of my boobs – and if you've got it, flaunt it, right? Or not?

I checked the clock.

Crap. It was already five minutes after I should've left.

It'd have to be the jumper.

'Bye!' I called as I ran down the stairs.

'Have fun,' Dad called back. Brad carried on yelling at his video game. I slammed the door on them and saw that Lee's car was already waiting outside. Oops.

I ran around and climbed in the passenger seat.

'Sorry,' I said, slightly breathless. 'But it can't hurt to keep him waiting a little, right?' I laughed nervously, looking sideways. Then I let out a loud groan. 'Noah. What are you doing here?'

'Lee had to finish some chores. Which means I have to be your chauffeur.'

'If you'd told me, I would've got a taxi, or asked my dad to give me a ride. Why didn't Lee text me and let me know?'

'I assumed he did.'

'No.'

'Well, then, I don't know.' Noah twisted round to eye me critically.

I plucked my sweater nervously. 'Does it look okay? I don't know if it's too casual or what . . . Thanks to a certain someone, I've never done this before.'

He smiled dryly. 'It's fine.'

'How's my hair?'

'Okay?' he answered, unsure. He put the car in gear and shrugged at me. 'At least you dressed like normal.'

'What do you mean, like normal?'

'Normal for you. I mean, you're not showing too much skin or anything.'

'Wow. I think that was almost a compliment?'

'Not quite. But Elle, if this guy tries anything, and I mean anything–'

'Noah. He is a guy. I am a girl. Lots of people kiss on the first date, you know. It's not like he's going to try and get me to sleep with him halfway through the movie. This isn't you we're talking about.'

Noah shrugged, scowling a little. 'I'm just saying . . .'

We sat in silence a while.

'I think I've spoken to you more in the past week than in the whole of this last year,' I commented casually.

'Yeah. Weird.'

I rolled my eyes at him. Yup, there was definitely nothing between us, even if I had still had that crush on him. He was totally indifferent to me – apart from being all over-protective. All the time I'd wasted crushing on him . . .

Though he was really good looking – especially with his hair falling into his eyes and the dashboard glow shadowing his face like that.

You're going on a date with another guy! Hello! Earth to Elle!

I shook myself mentally. 'Thanks for the ride. You can just stop here.'

'Fine. Are you going to need a ride home?'

'Cody said he'll take me home. If not, I'll call my dad or Lee.'

'Okay.'

I rolled my eyes and got out of the car, walking up to the doors of the cinema.

I looked around. No Cody. Had he stood me up? I checked inside, but he wasn't there either . . . Where was he? My palms started to sweat a little; my stomach was made of butterflies.

After a couple of minutes I texted him to say, I'm here. Are you inside?

There. Perfect. It didn't sound too clingy or anything. I sent it and waited for the reply. I waited a full three and a half minutes for one.

Almost there.

Oh, great. Now I was the one waiting aroaround. I leaned against a lamppost, looking at my phone like I was actually doing something. Really, I was clicking on random apps and then going off them again. I hoped I didn't look as worried and nervous as I felt.

'Stood up?'

I jumped out of my skin, and smacked Noah across his incredibly rock-hard chest. 'Don't scare me like that! And no, actually, he's on his way.'

He smirked. 'I thought you said you wanted to keep him waiting.'

'Yeah, well . . .'

'Told you so.'

'Noah, go home. What are you, stalking me?'

'Just enjoying the show,' he smirked. 'You look like you've been stood up, you know.'

'Well, not so much now you're here, really,' I retorted. 'Ha. Don't look so stupid now, do I? Besides, Cody's probably just caught in traffic or something. It's no big deal.'

He nodded dubiously. We stood in silence another endless minute. I kept wondering if I should start conversation, but then I'd remind myself I was mad at him and close my mouth. I must've looked like a fish, opening and closing my mouth like that.

It didn't help that Noah was incredibly distracting: he leaned on the post opposite me, watching me wring my hands nervously.

'Hey!'

I turned and smiled, seeing Cody walk up to me. 'Hi.'

His eyes flitted past me to Noah, who was giving him the coldest look I'd ever seen. Scary. Threatening.

I tried not to grind my teeth. 'Isn't it time you left, Noah?'

He glared a second longer at Cody before shrugging and getting back into his car, leaving without another word. A sigh of relief escaped my lips and I relaxed.

'Sorry, I had to stop for gas. Queues were unbelievable. Sorry. Let's go on in,' Cody said, jerking his head at the doors. I smiled and followed him. 'Do you want to grab some snacks? I'll get the tickets.'

'Sure. Uh, salted popcorn okay?'

'Yeah, that's great.' He shot me a smile, but as I turned away I wondered if it had been a little strained. Huh. Probably just me imagining things. As I ordered the popcorn, I wondered if I should've gone for something less . . . well, something that didn't get stuck in your teeth. If we did end up kissing at all, then . . . I sighed. I was just way too inexperienced when it came to date etiquette.

I thanked the vendor and made my way back to where Cody was waiting, a scowl on his face.

'What was Flynn doing out there?' he asked me. Oh, so that's what the frown was for!

'Just . . . being Flynn,' I muttered, shaking my head. 'Forget about it.'

'I didn't know you guys were close.'

'We're not. Lee couldn't give me a ride, so Noah – so Flynn did.'

'Oh. Right.'

We walked into the screen, the adverts already playing. I let Cody lead and pick the seats. He went for some more toward the middle. Not at the back, where the couples would all be making out. I didn't know whether or not that was a good thing.

'Do you want to get something to eat after?' I whispered, plucking up the courage.

'I ate earlier, sorry . . . I didn't know . . . but, I mean, if you're—'

'Oh, no, that's fine,' I said quickly.

'Shh!' somebody hissed behind us.

I rolled my eyes and ducked back down in my seat. The movie came on, and I didn't know what to do. I wondered if Cody would be cheesy and do The Yawn, and put his arm around me. Or if he'd claim the armrest and I'd hold his hand. Or if he'd try and kiss me.

So far, I didn't know whether or not this date had been successful. He'd been late, though he'd been polite enough. He hadn't tried to make a move, but maybe I was blowing things out of proportion. Maybe it was just in books and movies that guys made a move or kissed you on the first date? Maybe he was just as nervous as I was. Probably – he had every right to be nervous about Flynn's threats to any boy who looked at me, let alone dated me.

It was just ridiculous. I hated Noah sometimes.

The movie ended and we walked out. Cody started conversation – first about that movie, then about what kind of movies I liked. He liked sci-fi films and thrillers. I was more of an action or romance person myself. We didn't like many of the same movies.

We didn't have similar tastes in music either, really.

But he was nice, and easy enough to talk to.

We just . . . didn't really seem to have much in common.

We talked the whole ride home, and he stopped outside my house. I unbuckled my seatbelt but didn't move. I tried to play it cool, and do it like the movies did. (I always found them to be an excellent source of education. I was so lucky I'd watched John Tucker Must Die on the weekend.)

'Well, thanks, Cody,' I said, smiling. 'I had a nice time.'

'Yeah. We should do this again sometime. You still got my number?'

'Well, I haven't lost it since this evening.' I laughed nervously, and he smiled back. I saw him look at my lips and my pulse picked up. Oh gosh. Oh God. He was going to kiss me now, wasn't he? Oh gosh.

He leaned in – yep, definitely going to kiss me.

My first kiss. I'd have my first kiss with Cody Kennedy. He was nice, kind of cute and easy to get along with . . . But honestly, I didn't feel anything for him. But what if I ended up getting stuck on his tongue piercing or something, if he gave me a French kiss? I was so not ready for this. Totally unprepared. But it was happening. He was leaning ever closer . . . My first kiss!

I chickened out.

I turned my head and kissed his cheek instead.

And then I got out of the car before I could feel too embarrassed by what I'd done. I smiled and waved, then headed to my front door as fast as I could while trying to look casual. I got inside, shut the door, and leaned against it. I let out a gigantic breath and sank to the floor, putting my head in my hands.

'I'm such an idiot.'

Cody probably wouldn't want a second date. Not that I was totally sure I wanted one, but I wouldn't have been able to say no, really, if he'd have asked. After all, one date wasn't really enough to get to know him properly, especially given how nervous I'd been.

Eventually I dragged myself up to bed, ignoring Lee's phone calls for once. I didn't want to deal with that right now. I just wanted to beat myself up about my failure of a first date for a while.

Just as well I'm not working the kissing booth, I thought to myself with a wry smile.