Iâm emitting. âThis is Michael.â She points to the blond guy.
I figured that out.
âAnd his friend Bobby. Theyâre going to sit with us.â She turns to the guys. âAnd this is my bestest friend, Charlotte.â
Suddenly my ability to think shuts down. Fast.
âWeâll get popcorn and drinks,â Michael says. âYou wait here, avoid the mash of people.â
They move up into our spots in the line, and Zoe grabs my arm to pull me back a little.
âIs this a date?â I ask quietly when weâre out of their earshot.
She looks a little guilty. âNot literally. Iâm not allowed to date until Iâm sixteen.â
âBut you knew heâd be here.â
She nods. âWe came up with the idea during study hall.â
âAnd you set me up with his friend?â
She shrugs. âMy mom might think something was up if I came alone. And I couldnât invite my sister on a double date. For one thing, sheâs too old for Bobby. Plus she might tattle.â
Her sister is a freshman at the local community college, and she and Zoe donât have a lot in common.
âYou didnât think you needed to tell me what you were planning?â I ask.
She pouts. âI didnât think youâd come if I did.â
I probably wouldnât have.
âThatâs Bobby Singh ,â she says in an excited whisper, as though that explains everything.
Still not getting it, I lift my shoulders and shake my head.
She sighs. âHeâs on the wrestling team with Michael. Bobby is one of the best, actually. Hasnât lost a match yet.â
I only stare at her.
âJust go along with it, okay?â she pleads.
âOnly because I love you.â
She grins brightly. âWeâre going to have the best time.â
I suppose I could do this for her. What is the worst that could happen? Bobby Singh could turn out to be a total jerk?
Although, based on the warmth in his eyes and his smile when they return to us, each carrying a cardboard tray holding two bags of popcorn and two drinks, I think that is probably unlikely. Itâs at this moment that I realize Iâve never been anywhere with a guy other than my brother. Iâm trying really hard not to feel self-conscious about this arrangement.
âSo which movie?â Michael asks.
âThe romantic comedy,â Zoe says.
âLetâs go.â
âWait,â Bobby says. âWe bought tickets to the action flick.â
âSo? Tickets all cost the same,â Michael reminds him. âItâs not like the chick flick is going to sell out, so weâre not stealing seats.â
Balancing his tray in one hand, he takes Zoeâs hand with the other and starts walking toward the ticket taker. Which leaves me to walk beside Bobby. The top of my head doesnât quite reach his shoulder. Heâs wearing a short-sleeved polo shirt. He has some serious muscles going on in his arms. Iâm impressed, because I know the amount of work it took to get them there.
âMan, I think he has it bad for your friend,â Bobby murmurs. âChick flick.â
âIf you want to go to the action flick, go ahead. You donât have to miss it because of me.â
We hand over our tickets, and the ticket taker gives us our theater numbers.
âNah, thatâs okay,â Bobby says when weâre heading down the hallway. He grins at me. He really has a nice smile. It creates a tiny dimple in his left cheek. âYou didnât know all this was happening, did you?â
Heâs figured it out. I shake my head. âNo, sorry.â
âNo problem.â
We donât say anything else until weâre all seated. Zoe and I sit beside each other, and the guys bookend us.
Bobby hands me a bag of popcorn and a drink. âHope Coke is okay,â he says.
âThatâs fine.â I take a sip, and my mouth puckers at the sweetness of it. I