Saturday night arrived faster than Evan expected.
He had checked the mirror at least five times before leaving his dorm, fixing his hair, changing shirts, and changing back again. His palms were sweating, and his heart raced, though he wasn't sure why. They're just classmates. This is just a movie.
But still, it meant something. Someone had invited him. For once, he wasn't spending his weekend hiding in his room, pretending not to care that no one texted him.
At exactly 9:02 p.m., he arrived at the cinema. A cluster of students gathered outside the entrance, but it was Lucas he noticed first.
Black jeans, dark hoodie, hair swept back effortlessly, Lucas looked like he belonged on a magazine cover. Standing beside him was Kelv, chatting animatedly with Robin and Chuin.
"Evan!" Kelv waved him over. "Right on time, man."
Lucas gave a small nod. "We already got the tickets."
Evan blinked. "Wait, you… paid for me?"
"Obviously," Robin said, tossing him a warm smile. "You're the guest tonight."
"And we got popcorn. And soda," Chuin added, handing him a drink.
Evan couldn't stop the smile that bloomed on his face. "You guys didn't have to…"
"Shut up and enjoy it," Kelv grinned. "Let's go. Movie starts in five."
---
The theater lights dimmed, and the trailers began. They'd picked a thriller, something with eerie silence, dark corridors, and jump scares that made the entire audience twitch in unison.
Evan sat in the middle of the row, Lucas to his right, Robin to his left. Kelv and Chuin had taken the row just behind them, whispering and giggling during the scarier scenes.
At one point, a sudden scream on screen made Evan flinch, and his popcorn almost flew. Robin chuckled and offered him a fist bump. Lucas leaned slightly closer, voice low.
"You okay?"
Evan nodded, blushing. "Yeah. Just wasn't ready for that one."
For a moment, Lucas didn't look away. His face was calm, unreadable. Then he leaned back into his seat.
Evan's heart kept racing, and it wasn't just because of the movie.
---
The credits rolled just after 11 p.m., and the group emerged into the cool night air, still laughing about the movie's ending twist.
"That plot hole in the third act?" Robin said. "Come on!"
"I still say the killer was way too obvious," Kelv added.
Chuin just yawned. "I liked the cat."
They stood by the parking lot for a moment before Evan shifted nervously. "I… I don't have a ride back."
Lucas tossed him the keys to his car. "I'll take you."
"You sure?" Evan asked, surprised.
Lucas shrugged. "Yeah. Let's go."
---
The ride was quiet.
Lucas's car was an older model, a bit scratched but clean. The windows were down, letting in the breeze, and the only sound was the low hum of slow rock playing from the stereo. Evan sat stiffly in the passenger seat, clutching the soda cup he hadn't finished.
The silence was thick. Not uncomfortable… just unfamiliar.
Lucas kept his eyes on the road, one hand on the wheel, the other resting lazily on the gear. Streetlights painted golden streaks across his face, and Evan found himself glancing at him more than once.
Finally, as they stopped at a red light, Evan spoke.
"Do you… do you like tennis?"
Lucas turned his head slightly, an eyebrow raised. "I am the captain."
Evan chuckled nervously. "Right. I meant, do you actually like it?"
Lucas was quiet for a moment. The red light reflected in his eyes.
"…I used to."
Evan looked at him, surprised. "And now?"
Lucas pressed the gas as the light turned green.
"I'm not sure anymore."
The road stretched out in front of them, open and dark. The slow rock played on.
Evan didn't push for more. But in that brief silence, something subtle passed between them, not a connection, not yet. But maybe, just maybe… the beginning of one.