The Red String

I tilted my head back as I listened to my friends talk and laugh at each other's jokes. I zoned out of their conversation and listened to the song playing on the car's radio. I softly started singing the lyrics in my mind.

'Little do you know,

How I'm breaking while you fall asleep
Little do you know.

I'm still haunted by the memory.

Little do you know.

I'm trying to pick myself from piece by piece.

Little do you know.

I need a little more time.

Underneath it all I'm held captive by the hole inside.

I've been holding back.

For the fear that you might change your mind.

I'm ready to forgive you but forgetting is a harder fight.

Little do you know.

I need a little more time.'

I gently nodded my head as the song played throughout the car. I opened my eyes and looked at the two couples in front of me. I let a sigh escape my lips. It was muted by their laughter.

'I'll never have something like that...'

~~~

The rumble of the car's engine came to a hault as Alex parked the car. As everyone opened their car doors to leave the car, I stayed put. Everyone laughed as they gathered outside, but they came to a sudden stop. Yuri turned towards my window and smiled.

"Addy, come on. We're gonna be late!" She called to me, gesturing for me to follow her.

I rolled my eyes before complying to her request. I sigh a comment under my breath as I grab the door handle and open the car door. "I don't want to be seen like this." Yuri playfully shoved my shoulder.

"Awe, come on. You know you wanna see 'Death of a Marine'!" Yuri said, teasingly. "And you look great!" She called wriggling her eyebrows. I rolled my eyes in response.

Slouching my shoulders, I slowly walked towards the Movie Theatre. We entered the Lobby and the others were buzzing with excitment as we waited in line. In the corner of my eye, I could see a group of men eyeing me suspiciously. I felt heat rise from my neck up to my cheeks as I rubbed my arm uncomfortably. I looked up at the guys again, just for them to start laughing. I locked eyes with one of the guys in the group. I noticed his breathing was in pace with mine.

"This might be him.." I muttered, almost silently, under my breath. I saw a faint smile grace his lips as our eyes locked once again. When his lips parted slightly to say something... The line moved forward and I was dragged with it.

I looked down to my left hand to see there was still no string in sight. I felt a frown drag the corners of my lips down as I looked to the ground. I looked up to my friends and their mates to see the guys paying for the tickets.

The group looked back to me and gentle smiles graced their lips. I looked up and gifted them with a fake smile. Royce handed me my ticket with sad eyes and gently placed a hand on my shoulder. We all received our own popcorns and headed to the movie.

We then headed to room 9 on our left to the movie, 'Death of a Marine' we all took our seats, next to each other, towards the middle of the theater room, just as the large screen in front of us illuminated with the beginning credits of the movie.

I noticed the group of guys from earlier walk into the theater room. They sat a few rows behind us and started whispering amoung each other.

The beginning credits ended and the movie began playing.

~~~

We gathered into the bathroom area and the guys went to the men's room while we headed into the women's. We walked into the bathroom and Yuri span around in a circle and faced me. She clapped her hands together and turned her full attention to me.

"Did you even notice the guys staring at you!" Yuri called out to me, throwing out her hands dramatically as she spoke. I let out a silent sigh and leaned back against the tiled wall behind me. Yuri stepped to me and crossed her arms. "You, my friend. Are a hot mess." She said dramatically. Royce turned to me and nodded before speaking.

"Yeah. You really are." She said calmly. I sighed and moved my hand up to support my head.

"What am I going to do then?" I said hopelessly. Yuri jumped up where she stood and threw her hands out to the side, yet again.

"Flirt with them!" Yuri basically squealed as if it was obvious. I let another sigh escape my lips.

"But, I don't want to." I replied calmly. Yuri groaned in response.

"Oh, come on. Change it up a bit!" Yuri said losing patience. Royce rolled her eyes and placed a hand on Yuri's shoulder.

"Leave her be, since she obviously doesn't want to." Royce said in a calming tone. Yuri groaned yet again, but didn't argue.

Once it was clear the conversation was done, we left the bathroom, the pair in front of me, as we walked. Just as I stepped out of the bathroom, my small form bumped into a broad chest and a cold liquid made its way to my clothes. I staggered backwards and bumped into the bathroom wall.

"Oh, come on. You've gotta be--" As my eyes wandered upwards, I froze when I saw a familiar face. He stood there with a newly empty cup. His face held shock and apologetic eyes. He gave an akward smile and took a quick step towards me, his lips parted slightly and he began speaking.

"I'm so sorry, I'll pay for your dress." He said apologetically. I crossed my arms over my chest and looked at him with bored eyes.

"This isn't even my dress." I replied sternly. He looked taken aback by my words, but quickly covered it with a smile.

"Ah... So you're one of the feisty types, eh?" He asked with a smirk. I confidently took a step forward and glared into his eyes.

"You don't need to pay for anything. A sorry would suffice." I rolled my eyes yet again as I spoke. He frowned down at me.

"Let me pay you back." He pleaded, almost begged. I shook my head and spoke the only word I truly understood.

"No." He rolled his eyes in response, before snatching my phone from my hand. "Hey!" I called as I jumped up and tried to reach my phone. My small size didn't help in this situation. He laughed as he held my phone above his head as he typed a number into my phone, he hit call and 'Pink Fluffy Unicorns' exploded from his back pocket. I felt a laugh erupt from my throat as a frown fought his lips.

"Why does Ava do this to me?" He muttered, barely loud enough for my ears to pick up. He sighed before reaching into his back pocket, lowering my phone slightly in the process, before going to turn off the ringtone. As he was distracted I quickly jumped up and snatched my phone from his hand.

He turned from his phone and smiled down at me. I felt a genuine smile, unlike my usual fake one, fight its way to my lips. I noticed that... Just for a moment.... A light pink illuminated his cheeks before he shook his head, riding his cheeks of the blush. I felt heat rush up to my cheeks before my smile shifted into its comfortable frown.

"Addilyn!!" I heard Royce's voice call from the exit. I turned to walk away before stopping myself and turning back to the man.

"What's your name?" I finally asked him.

"Rhett... You?" He said with a small smile.

"Addilyn..." I said gently before walking to the exit to meet with my friends. As I reached the exit Yuri and Royce gifted me with smug smirks, before Yuri exploded into a playfull grin.

"Oooo! Get some, girl!" She teased as I raised a hand to block my face from view as heat rose from my neck to my cheeks, staining them a light pink color.

"Just get me home." I muttered before walking outside and to the car. I quickly popped open the back door and climbed in as the others followed, still laughing.