"Shit," I said. I was soaked from the rain. I hate it when James makes plans with me and then shows up late. I'd finished work unusually late today. Not that I'd say I liked it, but I prefer getting off in the afternoon rather than late at night. James said he'd be here in a moment, but he still wasn't in sight, and I was getting more and more anxious because I knew what he was like. Plus, I hate standing outside in the cold rain when it's pouring down like crazy.
I quickly turned around and glanced at a small cinema that was still open at this hour. They were showing old films from the forties and fifties. I never liked those, and I hadn't set foot in that cinema even once.
I jogged to the building and peeked through the small window in the door. The lights were on, and behind the counter stood two people — a girl and a boy.
I quickly texted James that I was waiting in the cinema and for him to pick me up there.
I stepped inside. Immediately I felt warmer and more comfortable, just knowing I could heat up a little here.
"What movie for you, ma'am?" asked the girl with short blue hair and pale skin. She was wearing a checkered shirt and grey trousers. It wasn't anything stylish — just the work uniform they had to wear unless they wanted to risk getting fired.
Honestly, it was the first time I'd ever seen her in my life. The boy, on the other hand, I knew — I often saw him in the school hallways.
"Umm… it's raining and I came to take shelter," I said bluntly. I didn't want to lie to her. "And by the way, I'm only eighteen, and I felt old when you called me 'ma'am.'"
The boy left the counter and disappeared behind the door that was to the left of the counter.
"I understand, sorry," she cleared her throat. "Though I guess I could've guessed you're not here for the movie."
"What's that supposed to mean?"
"Not many people our age come here to watch films, especially when they're… old."
"Well, there's a surprise," I thought.
My gaze was drawn to the huge film posters. Whenever I was in a cinema, I always looked at them — they seemed cold and at the same time beautiful.
"Invasion of the Body Snatchers," the girl said.
"Sorry?"
"That poster on the left. A cult classic, though I didn't like it. But what do I know," she raised her hands in the air and dropped them as if admitting defeat.
"Do you watch a lot of movies?" I asked, curious.
"Maybe. It's my job — movies are my job."
"And you like just sitting here in the cinema? Doesn't it get boring?"
She started coughing. She grabbed a tissue and pressed it to her face.
"What's wrong? Do you need help?"
"No, no. Just a little cough."
I wasn't so sure.
"Wait, do you know Mike?" she asked, still holding the tissue over her mouth.
"Yes, why?"
"You're Mary, right?" She cleared her throat again. "Fits the exact description he gave me. Everything matches."
"And what did you—"
A car horn cut me off. It was James.
"Your future husband?" The girl asks.
"More like a future criminal."
"Criminal? I don't know… he looks gay to me."
I didn't want to press her about what Mike had said — I'd find out sooner or later. The only thing I wanted to know was:
"What's your name?"
"Lilou."
***
After I met Lilou at the cinema, I fell into overthinking about who she was. I tried searching for her on social media, but my investigation made it seem like Lilou didn't exist at all. She was like a ghost moving unnoticed through my mind.
I decided I would go to the cinema where I had met her.
But when I got there, I was met with silence.
Slowly, I stopped hoping I'd find her.
Suddenly, a boy I'd seen before walked out of the doors.
"Hey, do you know where I can find Lilou?" I asked. "I don't see her here."
"That's because she took the day off. Try the park, she's usually hanging out there," he said grumpily. "Oh, and if you find her, tell her not to fucking ditch me and leave me alone at work."
I was surprised. At school, he had never been this bold, and he definitely wouldn't have said something like that.
"Sure, weirdo," I muttered under my breath.
***
I headed toward the park. Honestly, I don't like hanging out there. It's dirty, full of drug addicts and drunks. Even though it looks beautiful and could be a nice tourist attraction, most people ruin what's beautiful and free for everyone. They don't respect anything.
Along the way, I passed a lot of homeless people, drinking beers and mumbling to themselves.
Some were sleeping in torn tents (or maybe they weren't alive at all).
As I walked, I noticed a girl with blue hair sitting on a bench.
"Wow, I really am lucky," I thought.
"Lilou?" I touched the girl's shoulder. But when she turned her head, it was a much older woman than the girl I was looking for. "Sorry, I'm looking for a friend."
I turned to walk away when the woman grabbed me.
"What are you doing?!" I yelled. "Let me go!"
I hit her hands, trying to shake her off, but she was stronger.
"Leave her alone!" someone shouted behind me.
The woman let me go and looked around to see who it was.
"Didn't you hear me, are you deaf?"
It was Lilou.
"Now get the fuck out of here before I call the police," she threatened.
The homeless woman ran off in a panic.
"Lucky me," I said.
"Are you okay, Mary?" Lilou asked.
"Yeah, I'm fine," I rubbed my arm where it still burned. "Damn, she had a strong grip."
"What are you doing here?" Lilou looked confused.
"I was looking for you," I admitted.
"But why?"
***
We sat on a bench not far from where the incident had just happened.
"So, you want to ask about Mike?"
I turned my gaze to her.
"Mhmm… you could say that. But what did he say about me?"
"I see… ummm… he talked a lot about his life, about his friends."
"But when? He hardly ever goes out, except with James and his friends, and me."
"James? Oh, that James. He told me a lot about him too. That must be your husband, right?"
"Yeah, and what exactly did he say? Actually, how did you two even meet? Or what are you to each other?" I bombarded her with questions. Then I realized I should've given her a moment. "Sorry, too many questions."
"No, no. It's just that recently when we were together at therapy, he talked about him, and about you guys. Actually, it's only recently that he's opened up toward some boy, and I put the pieces together—it was James he was talking about."
Therapy?
"Wait, what therapy…"
She didn't let me finish.
"I found out a lot about you all, and honestly, if I were you, I'd be a little scared. But one theory turned out to be true."
"What theory?"
She burst out laughing.
"Don't you see it? Mike is in love with James."