Leah cleared her throat, suddenly very aware of the three pairs of eyes fixed on her as if she were the final contestant on some bizarre family judgment game show.
Stepping forward, she slipped her hand firmly into Mike’s and tugged him toward the door.
“Okay, we’re going now,” she announced, aiming for casual and landing somewhere closer to desperate escape attempt.
Sue smiled warmly, looking pleased enough to frame the moment.
“Have a good time, you two.” Harry straightened almost imperceptibly, folding his arms across his chest.
The pose was clearly meant to look relaxed but instead seemed almost threatening.
“Be back before ten.” Leah didn’t even bother responding.
She simply opened the door wider and pulled Mike halfway through it.
Before she could drag him the rest of the way to freedom, Mike twisted around and raised a polite hand.
“Bye, Mrs.
Clearwater!
Bye, Seth!
Mr.
Clearwater…” His gaze landed on Harry last.
And somehow, despite looking nervous enough to pass out, he managed an earnest smile.
“And, uh…
don’t worry.
I’ll bring your daughter back early.” Harry narrowed his eyes.
Ignoring the sharp elbow Sue immediately buried in his ribs, he replied gruffly, “I’ll hold you to that.” Sue shot him a look that clearly said What did we discuss?
But Harry pretended not to notice.
A second later, Leah hauled Mike completely outside and shut the door behind them with a decisive click, sealing off any further parental commentary.
As the cool evening air hit them, Mike released a long breath.
Leah sighed and finally let go of his hand.
Then she turned toward him, crossing her arms lightly.
“You’re early.” Mike blinked.
“I told you six, Mike.
Six.
I wasn’t even halfway ready when you showed up.
I had to throw on the first thing I found.” For a moment he looked confused.
Then his expression softened into pure, disarming sincerity.
“I couldn’t wait, I was too excited.” Leah’s expression faltered just slightly.
Just enough for him to notice before she smoothed it back into something calmer.
“And,” Mike added, rubbing the back of his neck, “you really don’t have to worry about what you’re wearing.
Seriously.” His smile widened.
“You look perfect like this.” Leah stared at him.
A slow smile tugged at the corner of her mouth despite her best efforts.
“Idiot,” she muttered, but there wasn’t even a hint of bite behind it.
If anything, she sounded pleased.
She bumped her shoulder lightly against his.
“Come on.
Let’s go before my dad finds a reason to drag you back inside.” … They climbed into Mike’s Mountaineer.
Leah settled comfortably into the passenger seat while Mike tried very hard to act like he wasn’t internally combusting from having her there.
Once they were on the road, Mike cleared his throat.
“Uh…
mind if I put some music on?” Leah shrugged.
“Go ahead.” He switched on the radio, and a second later, the opening piano notes of A Thousand Miles filled the car.
Mike immediately brightened.
“Oh yes.
I love this song.” Leah slowly turned her head.
The look she gave him was perhaps the most unimpressed expression ever recorded.
“White Chicks?
Really?” Mike grinned shamelessly.
“Come on.” He leaned slightly toward her.
“Sing with me.” He tapped the steering wheel dramatically.
“Turututurututun~” Another tap.
“And I need you~ turututurututun~ and I miss you~” Leah fought it.
She genuinely did.
But eventually the corner of her mouth twitched.
Then the next part of the song slipped from her lips before she could stop.
“And now I wonder…” Mike shot her a victorious grin.
Leah rolled her eyes but kept singing.
The tension from her parents’ scrutiny slowly melted away.
Soon the car was filled with music, laughter, and easy conversation, the kind that made an hour-long drive feel like it lasted five minutes.
… They pulled into the Port Angeles theater parking lot just as the sun disappeared behind the buildings, bathing everything in soft blue twilight.
Mike hopped out immediately.
Maybe a little too immediately.
And hurried around the vehicle to open Leah’s door for her.
She raised an eyebrow as she stepped out.
“Fancy.” “I try.” He tried very hard not to trip over absolutely nothing.
Inside, the lobby smelled like butter, sugar, and decades-old carpeting.
Movie posters lined the walls while families and groups of teenagers drifted around the ticket area.
Leah wandered over to the movie listings.
“Hm.” She studied the showtimes.
“We’ve got options.” Mike followed her gaze.
Then he spotted it.
“Hitch!” He pointed at the title with all the subtlety of a foghorn.
“We have to watch that.
Trust me, you’re gonna love it.” Leah blinked.
“You’ve seen it already?” His brain helpfully supplied: Yes, roughly a thousand times in another life.
But unfortunately, that answer was unavailable.
So he shrugged.
“Nope.
But it’s Will Smith.” He spread his hands.
“Do you really need another reason?” Leah stared at him for a moment before shrugging.
“Fair enough.” Mike grinned far too widely.
This date was already going better than any date had a right to.
“Alright then.” Leah stepped toward the ticket counter.
“Let’s see if your taste in movies is actually good.” “Oh, my taste is impeccable.” She gave him a sideways look.
“You listen to A Thousand Miles unironically.” “And that,” Mike declared proudly, “is exactly why you should trust me.” Leah snorted.
Together, they went to buy their tickets.
… The concession stand was buzzing with pre-movie chaos.
Kids begged for candy.
Someone dropped a drink.
Fresh popcorn scented the air like a carefully engineered trap designed specifically for Mike Newton.
He stepped up confidently.
“One giant caramel popcorn.” Then he paused.
“Actually…” He glanced upward.
“Make that two.” The teenage cashier stared at him.
Leah stared even harder.
“And a large cola.” Then Mike turned toward her.
“Okay.
Your turn.” Leah pointed at the two enormous tubs.
“Didn’t you already choose for me?” Mike looked confused.
“What?
No.” He gestured at them.
“Those are mine.” Leah blinked.
“…Both of them?” “Yeah.” He nodded seriously.
“Trust me.
This isn’t even enough to fill between my teeth.” The cashier snorted.
Leah slowly shook her head, reconsidering every decision that had led her here.
“Fine.” She stepped forward.
“One giant caramel popcorn and a large Pepsi.” Mike made a strangled sound of outrage.
“Pepsi?” He pointed dramatically.
“Pepsi?!
When there’s cola?” “Yes.” Leah looked completely unrepentant.
“Because Pepsi is better.” Mike clutched his chest.
“Heresy.” “Cry about it.” They argued all the way to the auditorium.
Mike defended Coca-Cola like it was a sacred institution.
Leah mocked him for having “the palate of a Victorian chimney sweep.” By the time they found their seats, Mike was laughing and Leah was unsuccessfully hiding a smile.
They settled near the back.
Close enough for privacy, and far enough forward that nobody would mistake them for teenagers making out during a Pixar movie.
Leah sat down comfortably.
Mike attempted the same.
But unfortunately, his absurdly long limbs and two giant buckets of popcorn were not designed to coexist with standard theater seating.
After a brief struggle, he wedged one bucket between his legs and balanced the other in his arms.
Leah glanced over.
“Comfy?” Mike stared down at his situation.
“…This is my life now.” Leah snickered and nudged his arm.
The lights dimmed as the movie started.
… At first they watched quietly.
The glow of the screen washed across their faces while the theater settled into that familiar hush of anticipation.
Then Albert Brennaman appeared.
Awkward.
Clumsy.
Nervous.
A complete walking disaster.
Leah snorted immediately and leaned toward Mike.
“Wow.” Her grin widened.
“They really captured your essence.” Mike considered that for a second and nodded thoughtfully.
“Yeah.” He looked at Albert on screen.
“He seems like a good guy.” Leah blinked.
That was not the response she’d expected.
A smile tugged at her lips without her realising.
The movie continued.
Eventually it reached that scene.
Hitch jingled his keys and told Albert to “show him the magic.” Albert panicked.
Overthought everything.
Then kissed Hitch directly on the mouth.
Leah exploded with laughter.
A spray of popcorn launched out of her mouth like celebratory confetti.
Mortified, she covered her face while continuing to laugh.
“I could totally see you doing something that stupid.” Mike gasped.
“Would that be a bad thing?” He pointed dramatically at the screen.
“That’s Will Smith right there.” He placed a hand over his heart.
“I would be honored to kiss the man who saved us from aliens.” Leah shook her head.
“You’re unbelievable.” The rest of the movie settled into an easy rhythm.
They laughed at the same jokes.
Elbowed each other during ridiculous scenes.
Shared popcorn.
Or rather, Mike shared Leah’s popcorn.
By the end of the film, he had somehow demolished both of his buckets and roughly half of hers.
When the credits rolled and the lights came back up, Leah stretched.
“That was really good.” She glanced at him.
“You were right.” Mike looked unbearably smug.
“I usually am.” Leah ignored that.
“Seriously, though.” She pointed at him.
“I cannot believe you ate all that popcorn.” Mike opened his mouth, but she cut him off immediately.
“And half of mine.” Mike looked down at his hands.
“…In my defense, I’m growing.” He paused.
“Aggressively.” Leah rolled her eyes.
“You’re a menace.” “A hungry menace.” Her smile softened.
The date was going very, very well.
… Outside, cool night air greeted them.
People drifted between shops and restaurants, filling the sidewalks with conversation and movement.
Mike and Leah were walking side by side, when suddenly, Leah’s stomach growled loudly.
She stopped.
Her expression remained perfectly flat.
“…That was not me.” Mike snorted.
“Oh yeah?” “Then who was it?” Leah glared.
“You ate half my popcorn.
This is your fault.” Mike nodded solemnly.
“Fair enough.” He placed a hand over his chest.
“Then I shall right my wrongs.” A beat passed.
“Pizza?” Her expression softened.
“You’re paying.” “Yes, ma’am.” … The pizza place they chose smelled permanently of melted cheese.
When their food arrived, Leah watched with growing disbelief as Mike demolished two extra-large pizzas like they were appetizers.
To survive the spectacle, she focused on her own family-sized pizza.
Mike’s hand slowly crept across the table toward her plate.
Leah smacked his knuckles.
He yelped.
“I was just testing the waters!” “Test them again and I’ll break your fingers.” Mike retreated dramatically and sulked like a child.
“Meanie.” Several minutes later, Leah looked up and found him staring mournfully at her final slice.
The look on his face was tragic.
If he had a tail, it would have been wagging at Mach speed.
Leah sighed before sliding the slice toward him.
“Fine.” Mike lit up instantly.
“You’re the best.” “I know.” … After eating, they lingered for a few minutes.
The dinner rush had faded and the restaurant gradually grew quieter.
Leah was relaxed when she noticed Mike suddenly stiffen.
He checked his watch and his eyes widened in alarm.
“Oh crap.” “What?” “It’s almost ten.” He stood up.
“We have to go.” Leah blinked in confusion.
“Why?” Mike looked horrified.
“Your dad said to bring you back before ten.” “I promised, but we’re already late.” Leah stared at him for a moment before bursting out into laughter.
“Mike.” She wiped a tear from her eye.
“You can ignore him.
He just likes pretending he’s intimidating.” Mike was already reaching for his jacket.
“A man’s word is sacred.” “That’s the dumbest thing I’ve ever heard.” “I stand by it.” Leah groaned, but she was still smiling as she followed him outside.
“Fine.” She pointed at him.
“But if he gives you attitude, I’m not helping you.” Mike flashed her a grin.
“Worth it.” … When they pulled into the Clearwater driveway, the porch light was still glowing warmly above the front steps.
They walked to the door together.
Leah slipped her hands into her jacket pockets.
“Thanks, Mike.” Her voice softened.
“I really had fun.” Mike opened his mouth.
Maybe to say something smooth.
Maybe to say something awkward.
But instead, he started spinning his keys around one finger.
His shoulders tensed.
His foot tapped.
His eyes looked hopeful and nervous at the same time.
Leah watched for two whole seconds before snorting.
“Oh my God.” Mike blinked.
“What?” “You’re really doing that?” “Doing what?” She pointed at the keys.
“The key trick.” Mike froze.
“That’s supposed to be the girl’s move, Mike.” His shoulders sagged.
“It was worth a shot.” Before he could recover, Leah grabbed his collar and pulled him down into a kiss.
… Inside the house, the entire Clearwater family froze.
Sue looked seconds away from crying happy tears.
Seth gagged loudly enough to be heard through walls.
Sue immediately elbowed him.
Harry Clearwater looked moments away from ascending directly into the spirit world through sheer stress alone.
… Outside, Leah and Mike finally pulled apart and Mike blinked slowly, like someone who had just received a divine revelation.
Leah couldn’t stop smiling.
“That was…” Mike swallowed.
“Whoa.” Leah rolled her eyes.
“Come on, Romeo.” She opened the front door.
Inside, the family scattered from the window toward the furniture with all the subtlety of a herd of startled deer.
The TV wasn’t even on.
Mike stepped inside and looked toward Harry.
“Sorry for bringin’ Leah back late, Mr.
Clearwater.” Harry glanced at the clock and saw it wasn’t even eleven.
His expression softened.
“Don’t worry, son.” He waved a hand.
“I was just kidding.” Sue, Seth, and the rest of the family immediately turned to stare at him as if he’d just announced Mike was inheriting the tribe.
Mike absolutely beamed.
You would’ve thought Harry had handed him the keys to the kingdom.
“Well…” He rubbed the back of his neck.
“Goodnight, then.
It’s getting late, so I should get going.” He gave Leah one final dazed, happy smile.
Then headed for the door, humming under his breath.
Outside, he practically floated back toward his car.
And for the first time in a long while, Leah found herself smiling after someone had left.
Not because they were gone.
But because she was already looking forward to seeing them again.