Chapter 396: She Saw Someone

Aeri and I stood in the long queue waiting for the popcorn line to move a little faster. The theatre lobby was busy and noisy during the intermission. People chatted excitedly, kids ran around with their parents, and the smell of fresh popcorn and sweet sodas filled the air. The bright lights from the snack counters made everything feel lively.

"Sighh, hope we don’t lose the movie," Aeri said, sighing as she stood on her tiptoes to see how many people were still in front of us. The line felt endless, with couples and groups ordering snacks and drinks.

"We have already lost few important scenes because of our urgent important moments," I replied casually, looking straight ahead at the counter. I couldn’t help smiling a little at the memory of what we had done in the dark theatre.

"Ehh..." Aeri gave a sweat smile and gulped, looking a little awkward. Her cheeks turned pink as she remembered our secret time together.

*Pinch*

Aeri suddenly pinched my biceps hard with her fingers.

"Ahh... it hurts... chill out," I said, holding my arm and rubbing the sore spot. It stung more than I expected, but I tried not to make too much noise in the crowded lobby.

"Then stop teasing me again and again, will you?" Aeri said, finally letting go of the pinch. She crossed her arms and gave me a serious look, though her eyes were still playful.

"Sighh... you will seriously kill me someday," I said, sighing dramatically. I took a step ahead as our turn got closer. There were only two more people in front of us now.

"Yes, thank you!" the man ahead said, grabbing his popcorn and soda. He left with the girl he came with, smiling and talking happily.

"Hmmm!?" Aeri flinched suddenly, blinking fast. Her eyes looked down at her feet, and her face changed for a second, like something had bothered her.

"You okay? What happened?" I asked, confused. I looked at her, wondering why she had stopped so suddenly. She had been fine just a moment ago.

*Gulp*

Aeri gulped loudly and breathed heavily for a second. She stood up straight, trying to act normal again.

"Yeah, I am fine..." she said finally, forcing a small smile. She looked at me, but there was something in her eyes — a little worry or confusion that she was trying to hide.

I nodded, but I still felt a small doubt. "Okay... if you say so," I replied, gently touching her arm. "Let’s get our popcorn then."

Aeri stood beside me quietly, her hand brushing against mine. She seemed a little lost in her thoughts.

"You’re really okay, right?" I asked Aeri, holding her hand gently as we stood in the snack line. The theatre lobby was busy with people talking and laughing during the intermission.

"Yeah, I am fine. For real..." Aeri said, giving me a little sweat smile. Her voice was soft, and she looked at me for a second before looking away again.

"Well, if you say so, then good enough," I replied, letting it go for now. I didn’t want to push her if she didn’t want to talk about it. Our turn to order finally came, and the girl behind the counter smiled brightly at us.

"Excuse me, sir, what would you like to have?" the counter girl asked with a bright smile and a low bow.

I started ordering, telling her the flavours we wanted — a big bucket of popcorn, some nachos, and two cold drinks. I pointed at the menu and explained everything carefully while the girl typed it into her system.

Meanwhile, Aeri slowly turned her head and looked at the man walking into the theatre room with a girl on his arm. He was tall, with black hair and a lean, muscular build. He carried popcorn in one hand, and the woman beside him was laughing at something he said. Only Aeri seemed to recognize him. Her eyes stayed fixed on them as they disappeared through the black door of the auditorium.

"Thank you!" I said, taking the popcorn and nachos plate from the counter girl. The food smelled fresh and buttery, and the nachos were covered in cheese and salsa.

Aeri seemed to be staring at the closed black door of the theatre room, her mind somewhere far away. She didn’t move or say anything, like she was lost in her thoughts.

"Aeri, can you grab the cola cans? My hands are full," I said, but there was no response. She kept staring at the door, completely in her own world.

"Oii, Aeri!" I said, leaning close to her ear to get her attention.

"Hmm!? Yes!" she said, turning toward me fast. Her eyes looked a little wide, like she had been pulled out of a deep thought.

"Grab the cola cans..." I said in a hurry, noticing the people waiting behind us to order. ℯℯ𝑙.

"Ohh, yes, yes, I am sorry," she said quickly. "I was lost somewhere in my thought hehe.." She reached out and took the cold cola cans in her hands, holding them carefully.

We walked away from the counter together, the snacks balanced in our hands. Aeri stayed quiet for a few steps, her eyes still glancing back toward the theatre door every now and then. I could tell something was bothering her, but I didn’t want to ask again and make her uncomfortable.

The lobby was still crowded, with people laughing and chatting as they waited for the movie to start again. The smell of popcorn followed us as we headed back to our seats. Aeri walked beside me, but her mind seemed somewhere else. She held the cola cans tightly, her knuckles a little white.

"You sure everything is okay?" I asked softly as we reached the entrance to the auditorium.

"Yeah... I am fine," she replied, giving me a small smile that didn’t quite reach her eyes. She took my hand with her free hand, and we walked inside together.