Imo: Split Personality (3)

Hey =] Here's chapter three. Hope you like it! Reviews will be greatly appreciated, even if it's just to say whether you enjoyed it or not.

I’d had to jog from the bus stop to the cinema, not only to keep myself warm, but because I was late. Not that the bus had been late, it had just taken me so long to decide what to wear. I couldn’t wear the same outfit out as I’d worn to college. Well, I wouldn’t have been that bothered about it, but I knew that the others would have all changed.

Smoothing out my purple t-shirt and adjusting my waistcoat, I took a deep breath. I’d settled on a pair of grey, slim leg jeans and black ankle boots to finish off my outfit. ‘I suppose I don’t look that bad,’ I mused, checking out my reflection in the glass windows that line the outside of the cinema. Pushing open the heavy doors, I stepped inside and caught sight of them straight away. Bianca definitely still stood out as the prettiest of the three, even from a fair distance. Wearing a pink sequined top, a short sleeved black cardigan and blue jeans, she looked the most stylish. Sara was wearing a black skirt and a pink polo neck, whereas Tiffany was dressed in a pink, long sleeved dress and black boots. Still trying to control my breathing I approached them, hoping they’d see me first so that I wouldn’t have to start the conversation. My wish granted, Bianca waved me over.

“I love your boots,” she grinned, putting her arms out to hug me.

“Thanks,” I replied, accepting the hug, “you all look great.” My breathing stable, I was really looking forward to spending the evening hanging out with the three of them.

“I wish they’d hurry up,” Tiffany sighed from the right of me as I stepped back from Bianca.

“Boy’s are always late,” Sara replied, shaking her head and folding her arms.

“They’ll be here,” Bianca assured them both, sitting down on one of the many cushioned seats dotted around the brightly lit foyer. Boys? Thinking back to lunch, I remembered Bianca inviting Dougie. I suppose it was kind of foolish of me to assume that it would just be us girls.

Feeling my heart jump to treble it’s usual rate in a split second, I took the seat next to Bianca to steady myself. Why was I making such a big deal out of this? Two days ago I’d never had thought that I’d be accepted by the popular kids, so why was going to the cinema with boys making my head spin?

Fishing around in my bag, I pulled out Dougie’s grey jacket with a sigh of relief. Placing it on, I already felt ten times better. Besides, if I could spend fifteen years with a boy as a best mate, what was so hard about two hours at the cinema?

I didn’t even need to look up to know that they were here as my nostrils were filled with the overpowering scent of Lynx, or whatever it was that boys insist on wearing way too much of. I mean, come on, they must be wearing at least half a can each. Resisting the urge to sneeze, I wrapped Dougie’s jacket around me tighter, taking in it’s unique smell for the first time. There was only a faint aroma of body spray, the main smell being of mint. Of course. Dougie was addicted to soft mints. He’s been known to eat at least three packets a day. His record’s seven.

Getting up, I followed Bianca over to where the boys were now standing with a rather giggly Sara and Tiffany. It’s amazing the effect that adolescent boys can have on teenage girls. All of the boys immediately looked up as me and Bianca joined them, although a boy I recognised as Keon Matthews seemed to take particular interest. He had been one of the boys who had moved to sit behind the two of us in English yesterday.

Standing in the queue for popcorn though, it suddenly struck me. They were all pairing off. Nervously searching through my purse, I felt someone move to stand next to me. Deciding to act like I hadn’t noticed, I stepped forward to place my order.

“I’ll have a regular popcorn please,” I said, noticing that the person standing next to me had now joined me at the counter.

“Make that two,” a voice said, startling me. Looking up, I saw one of the four boys that Bianca had invited, casually leaning against the side.

“Salty or sweet?” the cashier asked, boredom evident in his tone.

“Sweet,” the boy answered for the both of us whilst flashing me a smile. Thanks for consulting me. Luckily I wanted sweet anyway.

“That’ll be £4.60,” the cashier droned.

Pulling three pound coins out of my purse, I was about to pay the man for my half when the boy placed a five pound note in the cashiers outstretched hand.

“It’s okay,” he smiled, “I’ve got it.”

I suppose he had intended me to nod and smile graciously, but that wasn’t my response.

“I can pay for my own thank you,” I stated, placing my money onto the counter.

“I insist,” the boy replied, sliding the money back towards me.

“Really, I can pay for my own,” I said, pushing the money back in the direction of the till.

“I’m paying,” the boy snapped, nodding for the man to take for the popcorn out of his fiver.

Reluctantly I shrugged, returning my money to my purse. This kid wasn’t going to give up although I knew what he was trying to do and unwanted chivalry wasn’t going to impress me.

Sighing, the cashier handed back the change obviously uninterested in the event that had just unfolded in front of him.

Picking up my carton of popcorn, I made my way over to where Bianca was handing out the tickets that I’d already given her the money for. Walking to screen number nine, I felt the boy fall in step with me again. What was his problem? Looking up at him, I took in his features for the first time. Honestly, he didn’t know how un my type he was. If I was to be stereotypical I would say that his entire outfit was screaming ‘chav’ and his hair had been gelled to within an inch of its life with what looked like half a tub of lard. The greasy hedgehog so wasn’t my style.

Surprisingly, we were still watching the girly film that Tiffany had picked as a must see earlier. I suppose some boys will sit through a chick flick to spend time with a girl. Thankfully the lights were still on in the screen, so tripping up and sending my popcorn flying all over some loved up couple in the front row was less likely. Letting the others decide where to sit, I realised that the greasy hedgehog was still behind me.

Taking the steps two at a time to try and get away from him, I noticed that only one seat remained on the end of the row that Bianca had chosen to sit at. Sitting down with a smug look on my face, I finally thought that my luck was in. That was until Greasy practically ordered the others to move up. Sighing audibly, I moved up and as Greasy sat in the end seat, it was his turn to smile smugly. Focusing my gaze on the popcorn in my lap, I tried not to be sick. Why me? Only I could gain a stalker in the short trip from the foyer to my seat.

As the lights went down, I could have sworn that Greasy moved closer to me and Keon had already made his move on Bianca, placing his arm around her shoulders. Taking a mouthful of popcorn, I gazed over to where Sara was now already locking lips with the blonde hedgehog. What was it that made boys want to style their hair like small, spiky animals? Rolling my eyes, I turned my attention back to the film, but I could feel Greasy staring at me. I tried to scoot up closer to Tiffany, but seeing that she was getting cosy with freckle face, I edged back into the middle of my seat. Of course this seemed to give Greasy the totally wrong idea. Obviously thinking that I was trying to get his attention, he moved noticeably closer. I tried giving him evils, but it must have been too dark for him to see as he didn’t move at all. Damn.

A couple of minutes later, my heart rate sped up suddenly as I felt his hot breath on my left cheek. Panicking, I recoiled slightly, leaning into the back of my seat to try and avoid him. Sadly though he didn’t seem at all deterred, this time making a grab for my hand. Just pulling out of the way in time, my efforts to avoid him seemed to spur him on. Leaning the top half of my body away from him, he tried his next move. By this time I’d completely missed the first half of the film rejecting his advances. Lifting his arm awkwardly, I knew he was going to try and pull me closer. Not on my watch. Swatting at his outstretched arm rather forcefully, I decided that he must be spectacularly thick if he hadn’t caught my drift by now. His idea of flirting was becoming harassment. So of course I was totally unsurprised when he went in for the kill. Placing a sweaty hand on my left cheek I could feel him leaning in, but that was enough for me. Running out of options, I grabbed a handful of popcorn before throwing it all over him. That seemed to have the desired effect.

“Hey!” he exclaimed, causing a woman in front to turn around and glare at us.

“What?” I replied, just louder than a whisper. If he wanted to cause a scene then I’d happily oblige.

“What’s your problem?” he asked and even in the dim light I could see that he was frowning.

“You and your hands,” I responded, inching away from him. I saw his frown lift considerably. He was almost smiling.

“You frigid or something?” he smirked, leaning back into his chair. How dare he!

“No!” I retorted, making the same lady from in front turn around again, “just not desperate.”

His smile vanished just as quickly as the lady shifted her gaze back to the screen, realising our spat was over. Feeling that my response had been as harsh as was deserved, I leant back into my seat to enjoy what was left of the film.

As soon as the lights were raised, Greasy was up and out of the screen much to my delight.

“What’s up with him?” Bianca asked, as we all made our way across the foyer to the exit.

“Beats me,” I replied with a shrug, trying to stifle a laugh as I watched him attempt to pick the remains of popcorn out of his oily hair. Serves him right for being pushy. Not that I’d have let him kiss me anyway. Silly little boy.

Climbing into Bianca’s black sports car, I realised the interior was just as flashy as the outside. The leather seats were surprisingly comfy as I sat down next to Tiffany. Bianca’s ultra stylish mum who looked more like Bianca’s older sister, had agreed to give us girls a lift back, which was just as well as I didn’t really fancy waiting for a bus in the cold. Of course my Mum could have given me a lift back if she wasn’t working, which she seemed to be doing a lot of recently.

The aroma of expensive perfume still lingered in my nose as I reached my bedroom back home. Diving onto my bed with my mobile in hand, I decided to tell Dougie all about tonight.

“You did what?” he exclaimed and I could tell that he was grinning widely on the other end of the phone.

“I panicked,” I replied, sounding pathetic.

“Ha ha,” Dougie laughed, “he’s gonna think you’re a right weirdo.”

“Yeah thanks Doug, you’re making it all seem so much better.” No one else was allowed to call him Doug. I was the only one who could get away with it - not even his mum could.

“What are friends for?” he chuckled, “at least you’re not in any of his classes.”

“I suppose you’re right,” I nodded to myself, rolling over onto my back.

“So I guess I’ll see you tomorrow.”

“Sure,” I replied, yawning, “bye then.”

“Bye,” he laughed, before hanging up.

So overall, Dougie had found the whole situation rather hysterical. What he hadn’t seemed to have found funny though, was why I’d had to throw popcorn all over Greasy in the first place. If I was to tell the truth I’d have said that he’d sounded almost angry that Greasy had tried it on with me and the more I thought his words over, the more I realised how right Bianca could actually be. What if he really did like me? Shaking my head with confusion as a million and one possibilities raced through my mind at once, I pulled back my duvet. Maybe it would all seem clearer if I slept on it.

Sprinting to college the next morning, wearing the ankle boots that Bianca had liked so much, I just caught up with Dougie as he entered the common room.

“Hey,” I shivered, joining him in crossing the room.

“Alright Poppy,” he smiled, taking his seat, “you’re wearing my jacket again.”

“Oh yeah,” I replied, looking down. I genuinely hadn’t noticed my choice of coat.

“So the cinema sounded fun,” he said, leaning back in his chair, a lopsided grin appearing on his face.

“Well if you call being harassed to within an inch of your life fun, then yeah, bundles,” I replied sarcastically, “and why did you call me Poppy?”

“Poppy the popcorn thrower,” he smirked childishly.

“Clever,” I smiled, rolling my eyes, unimpressed at his creativeness.

“I thought so too,” he nodded, trailing off at the end of his words and leaning in closer. His eyes had moved to the door. Following his gaze, I found the culprit for his sudden change in behaviour. Jason Sullivan had just joined a group of boys who were huddled over a radiator in the corner.

“So,” I started, trying to distract his attention away from Jason, “good job I’m not in any of Greasy’s classes isn‘t it?”

“Yeah,” he replied and I knew his attention was still on Jason.

“Oh and one more thing,” I added, standing up as the bell rang for class. “I really am keeping your jacket.” This statement seemed to grasp his concentration, but I didn’t catch his response as I was already heading in the direction that Bianca had said the Psychology classrooms were in.

Thanks for reading!