The Runaway Nerd | ✓

Chapter 18

I couldn't help but blush when I remembered what he was talking about.

Adam chuckled. "I'm guessing you remember?"

And just like that, my face went from bright pink to tomato red.

When he saw that the start time for the movie had already passed, he chirped excitedly,"The movie's starting! Come on Sadie!" He glanced over to the already closed theater doors. "I'm sure it won't be that bad. If you get scared, I'll let you hug me," he added.

I swear he only wanted me to go in so badly because he wanted me to hug him when I get freaked out. Not to watch the freaking horror movie.

Again, somehow I got persuaded by him to do something I normally wouldn't do.

We pushed open the doors of theater 5 and walked in. We found 2 unoccupied seats near the back of the theater. I placed the drinks into the cup holders and sat down. I reached over toward where Adam was sitting (since he was holding it) for some popcorn to hopefully ease my nervousness. Instead, I felt a warm hand.

I pulled my hand back in surprise. I looked at Adam and saw a smirk on his face.

"Looks like someone was eager to start touching," he said with a teasing smile. "Here." He passed the bag of popcorn to me and returned his attention back to the lit up movie screen.

Ominous music started to play through the speakers of the theater. I shrunk back into my seat. I shut my eyes tightly shut and waited for anything, but terror filled screams. A few minutes later, the music stopped and all was quiet.

So I slowly opened my eyes.

That was the worst thing I could've possibly done. Talk about bad timing...

The camera had zoomed in on a doll in a glass case. A scary smile was permanently etched onto her face. There were a few tiny chips on her face. She had light brown hair that was tied into pigtails. Her eyes looked glassy. She stared straight ahead, looking very lifeless, but I knew that she was no ordinary doll.

The word, "Annabelle," appeared on the screen a few moments later.

I felt a shiver crawl down my spine.

***

When the movie finally ended, we walked out of theater 5 and that was when I felt like I could finally breathe. It won't be that bad. The movie wasn't that bad, it was very very very (I could keep going) bad. Every couple minutes, something scary would pop up on the screen. I would yelp in fear and grab onto Adam's arm. And every time, Adam would hold onto my hand until I felt myself calm down.

We came out of AMC Theatres and I saw that the sky was already dark. Stars filled the night sky and the moon was out. Adam suggested to eat at CPK for dinner and I agreed.

There was a California Pizza Kitchen nearby which is why we arrived there in just 10 minutes. We got a table for 2 right away and when the waiter came, we ordered a small Mushroom Pepperoni Sausage Pizza to share. I must say, it was delicious.

An hour later, we finished eating. I ended up eating 4 slices while Adam only ate 2. I suggested paying the bill since I ate most of the pizza, but Adam insisted that he pay. But I was persistent. If only I didn't leave to use the restroom... Adam took advantage of my absence to pay the bill.

***

2 days later. Monday.

I was walking toward the elevators when someone stopped in front of me, blocking my way. I usually stared at the ground when I walk so I didn't know who it was. But I did see that the person, whoever it was, was wearing red stilettos. When I looked up and saw that it was Amanda, I couldn't help but groan. Great... just the person I wanted to see.

She had her arms crossed over her chest. "So I heard you had a date with Adam," she said angrily.

"It wasn't a date," I clarified. "Just a dinner and a movie." I realized that I shouldn't have said that when I saw that it only just made her angrier.

"You know that he's only doing this out of pity right? He'll lose interest in you eventually... and he'll come back to me," Amanda sneered.

Out of pity? Was she talking about the car accident several years ago? I had made sure that my mom had told the school office not to leak info about it. So how did she find out?

"Why out of pity?" I asked. I needed to know how on earth she found out.

"Your car accident, of course. He felt that it was his fault you got hurt. That's why he rejected UCLA. Didn't you know?" she revealed.

I looked at her in surprise. Adam didn't go to UCLA???

Amanda continued to speak. "But he doesn't know what really happened... I told someone to hit you on purpose. I didn't like you hanging around my boyfriend. He was mine, but you came and stole him. From me," she venomously. "I had to get him back. So I did what I had to do."

I couldn't believe it. But what scared me the most was that Amanda sounded pleased at this accomplishment. "Who did you ask to hit me? Was it Carter?" I couldn't help but ask.

"Carter? Who was he again?" she asked blankly.

"You were dating him around that time."

Amanda looked lost at first before she remembered. "Ohhh him. No it wasn't him. He's too stupid. I asked my step brother to do it. I guess he was pretty stupid too. For actually doing what I asked."

"I've never heard you had a stepbrother. Who is he?" I asked curiously.

Just right after I asked, someone called for Amanda. At first, I expected it to be Adam, but to my surprise, it was Sam. He didn't see me. My back was facing him.

"Him." I heard Amanda say as I heard Sam's footsteps get louder.