A guy I was seeing invited me to the movies. I went to buy candy while he got the tickets. The girl there gave me a tub of popcorn instead.
I was confused, but she just whispered, “Careful!” As we went in, I put my hand inside the tub and turned pale. This girl had placed a folded note inside. It was just barely covered with popcorn.
I looked around, but my date was already walking toward our theater, excitedly chatting about how this film got amazing reviews. I followed him, holding the popcorn like it was ticking. Once we sat down, he leaned over and grabbed a handful.
I flinched. I didn’t want him to see the note. I casually turned the tub so it faced me and pretended to eat.
The lights dimmed, and he focused on the screen. I slipped the note out and unfolded it slowly under my jacket. My heart thumped in my ears.
“He’s not who he says he is. Be careful. Don’t go home with him.”
My throat went dry.
I read it again, hoping I misunderstood. I stared at his face. He looked… normal.
Laughing at the opening scene. Harmless. I had only been seeing him for a few weeks.
We met at a bookstore, of all places. He helped me grab a novel off a high shelf. Seemed sweet.
Thoughtful. But now? That tiny note felt heavier than bricks in my hand.
I tried to enjoy the movie. I really did. But my mind was racing the entire time.
Who was that girl? How did she know him? Why would she say that?
Halfway through the movie, I excused myself to go to the bathroom. He offered to pause it—we were at one of those fancy boutique theaters with couches and buttons for food—but I said no, insisting I’d be quick. I didn’t go to the bathroom.
I went straight back to the concessions counter. The same girl was there, cleaning the counter. Her eyes widened when she saw me.
“You saw the note?” she asked. “Yeah. What does it mean?” I whispered, glancing over my shoulder.
She pulled me to the side. “You shouldn’t be here with him. He’s not right.
A girl came in crying last week after going on a date with him. Said he got weird. Controlling.
Wouldn’t take her home until she promised to see him again. That she owed him. Said she had to block him on everything, but he kept showing up.”
I felt my stomach drop.
“He gives off this charming guy act at first,” she said, her voice low. “But he gives me the creeps. Something’s off.
I couldn’t just… let you walk in there without saying anything.”
I nodded slowly. “Thank you.”
She squeezed my hand. “Just don’t go anywhere alone with him.”
I returned to the theater.
He smiled when I sat back down, not sensing a thing. The rest of the movie was a blur. I laughed when he laughed.
Pretended to be into it. I didn’t know what to believe. After it ended, we walked outside into the cool night air.
“Wanna come back to mine?” he asked casually. “Actually,” I said, trying to sound natural, “my roommate just texted. She’s not feeling great.
I should probably go check on her.”
He raised an eyebrow. “That’s random.”
“Yeah, she gets these bad migraines sometimes. I just wanna make sure she’s okay.”
He shrugged, masking disappointment.
“Alright. Rain c
What happened next changed everything…
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