Saturday evening

I may be working at a comic book store and, thanks to my job and my brother, know a good bit about superheroes and -villains, but I have never been too much into all that myself. But I can't deny that I am truly enjoying the movie – although I am starting to think that this could also be related to the person sitting next to me.

About halfway through the film, Jay suddenly unwraps his arm from around me. I sit up and turn my head to give him a questioning look.

"Sorry, my fingers have fallen asleep." He whispers apologetically. "And as much as I like cuddling with you, I am not very good at sitting still for a long time." He stretches his arms and legs.

I giggle at his antics, earning another hiss and a harsh complaint from the couple in front of us.

"Do you maybe want to go outside?" Jay suggests. "I know you aren't too fond of superheroes, and I have seen this movie so many times already..."

I blush. "I actually like it. And your dad is a great actor."

"Yes, he is." Jay agrees, and I can see a cute smile forming on his face. They may not have always had the best relationship, but it is obvious that Jay is very proud and also very fond of his father.

I just smile back as take Jay's hand into mine and gently massage the palm and fingers with my thumb. "Does this help?"

"It does." Jay nods. "Thank you."

"Thanks for inviting me." I turn towards him and place a short kiss on his lips before sitting back in my seat, our hand still entwined.

I am wondering if – and when – Jay is planning on introducing me to his dad. I would very much like to meet my boyfriend's only living relative, although the idea of dealing with a movie star makes me rather nervous. Well, I guess Cliff Gordon is probably too busy tonight anyway. So I'll just have to wait and see.

We stay like this for the remainder of the film. During the end credits, Jay turns to me. "What do you want to do now?" He asks. "Do you want to leave, or are you okay to stay for the reception? I'd really like us to stay, but it's totally up to you."

From my other side, I can see Seliel giving me an encouraging smile. I really would like to get to know her. And I also want to spend more time with my boyfriend.

"I-I'd like to stay." I reply, trying to keep my voice steady.

"That's great, Nya." Jay beams at me. "And no problem if you change your mind later. Just let me know, okay?" He gives my hand a little squeeze. "I've promised to take you home after the film if you aren't comfortable. And I'm a man of my word."

"Thanks." I smile. "You're cute, you know that?"

"Hey, I really mean it." He protests.

"So do I." Before he can say anything else, I press my lips against his. And Jay definitely doesn't object to that.

After the film and a few more speeches, we stay in our seats until more or less everyone else has left the theatre.

"Hey, buddy." Jay and I finally get to greet Lloyd.

"Hi Jay. Hey Nya. Uh, y-you look nice." Our young friend blushes when he sees us in our evening attire. He is wearing a black suit with a white shirt and green tie (which looks like it is from their school uniform).

"This is my classmate and best friend, Brad Tudabone." Lloyd introduces us to a black-haired boy of around the same age as him. "Brad, these are Jason Gordon and Antonia Smith, who are also my friends." The kid then announces proudly, and the other boy is visibly impressed. Even more so when Jay hands them their Starfarers giftbag.

"Thanks, Jay." - "Th-thank you, Mr Gordon. Nice to meet you, Miss Smith." They say politely.

"Oh, it's Jay." Jay smiles at Brad. "Mr Gordon is my dad."

"And I am Nya." I add.

"Shall we join the party?" Jay suggests, offering me his arm. "What about you, guys?"

Lloyd checks his watch. "We have about 20 minutes left before my dad collects us."

"Then let's not waste any more time, you should still try some of the free food." Jay tells them and the four of us join the crowd in the foyer.

We get some sushi and other fancy fingerfood as well as some refreshments, again alcohol-free.

Lloyd and Brad appear a bit lost, so Jay and I decide to stay with them for a while. To be fair, I'm kinda grateful for their company myself. This gives me a bit more time to get used to the whole glamorous setting, before I'll have to face some of the famous and definitely more intimidating people among us.

When they need to leave, I get a brief handshake from Brad and a slightly longer hug from Lloyd, before they make their way out of the theatre.

I notice that, unlike me, they have taken the front entrance.

"So, are you ready to make some new friends?" Jay asks, taking my hand. I nod and we make our way over to his father.
Cliff Gordon clearly is the centre of attention tonight. He surrounded by a group of people, all dressed up to the nines and chatting to the movie star, I can hear them congratulating him on this latest masterpiece of his.

But Jay isn't bothered by that at all.

"Excuse us, please." Clutching my hand firmly in his and a confident smile on his face, he pushes through the crowd, and they let him - well, us - through without any problem.

"Hi dad." He grins at the black-haired man in the centre, bluntly interrupting his conversation with the film's director.

"Jason." Cliff Gordon replies, hugging his son. "Glad you made it, I didn't see you before the film." I can feel my face heat up when he scrutinises me. "You must be Antonia, I have heard quite a bit about you. It's lovely to finally meet you."

Wow, here we have a superstar – and I'm talking about a famous movie star, not just some wannabe celebrity – who knows my name and ignores his son as well as his equally famous colleagues to talk to me.

"L-likewise. N-nice to m-meet you, Sir." Calm down, Toni. I keep telling myself.

"Please, call me Cliff, Antonia."

"Only if you call me Nya." I retort, surprised by my own bluntness. Okay, maybe that was a bit too relaxed...

"Alright then, Nya." He smiles at me. "Are you enjoying the evening?"

"I am, thank you. And I really liked the movie."

"I am glad to hear that. With you working at the comic book store, I take it you are familiar with the Starfarers franchise?"

We exchange a few more friendly words, until Cliff gets whisked away by his manager to do a little statement for the press.

"I hope to see you again soon." He tells me.

"Thank you. I hope so too." I agree.

"Me too." Jay chimes in, wrapping his arm around my waist. As he leads me away, I catch a glimpse of the couple from during the film. They don't look too happy at all. But right now, I don't care. There's something else I am more interested in.

"Your dad is nice. But what did you tell him about me?" I enquire.

"Oh, I may have mentioned you here or there..." He blushes. "He was getting suspicious that each Friday I would be home later and later from the comic book store, so I had no choice but to tell him the reason for that."

"And the reason would be?" I wink at him.

"That the incredibly pretty but rather rude new girl I had complained about just a few weeks ago was actually very nice and even more beautiful."

"You said that about me to your father?"

"Yeah, I did." He admits. "C'mon, you didn't have a very high opinion about me either when we met. And your friend Skylor seemed to be aware of that too..."

"Touché." I reply. "And I am glad we've both revised our opinions about each other."

"Mmh, yes." Jay mumbles in agreement before he presses his lips onto mine – right in the middle of the room.

I guess the best way to blank out the crowd staring at us is to close my eyes and just focus on the person opposite me.

So I wrap my arms around his neck and kiss him back.

——-

Note: I am currently taking a break from FF.net (for various reasons) but I am still continuing my stories here.