I had forgotten how quickly Scream descended into a slasher movie. Within minutes of the movie starting, I burrowed my face into Nathan's shoulder. He lifted his arm around me with a gentle chuckle and welcomed me into his chest.

"I'm sorry. I didn't remember it being so slasher so quickly," I apologized into his shirt.

"Don't apologize. I'm good." As he spoke, a hand soothingly stroked over my hair. "You should be good for a bit," he whispered.

"Thank you," I murmured as I lifted my eyes to the screen. "Maybe this wasn't the best pick."

Nathan pulled me closer to him with his arm. "No, great pick," he smiled down at me.

Warmth bloomed in my stomach and spread throughout my body. This time, I was sure it wasn't the painkillers. I quickly popped forward and pecked his cheek before letting my head settle on his shoulder. His thumb coursed over my shoulder in a soothing stroke.

"Okay, I think this gets slashy again," he murmured before every gruesome part.

I spent a fair amount of the movie tucked into his chest, but I wasn't complaining. He smelled nice, and it had been so long since I had been so close to someone that sent electricity through me.

"So, big horror movie fan," Nathan teased as the credits rolled.

"Huge, superfan," I agreed with a laugh.

"Well, I had fun." His smile reminded me of old Dick Van Dyke pictures. It filled his face and made his eyes twinkle.

"Me too," I agreed.

"I'm also glad I showered this morning," he noted.

"Yes, me too. You smell great."

"So, I guess I should get going," he added, with a bit of a dip to his tone.

"Yeah, I guess so," I agreed as my brain scrambled for a reason to prolong his stay.

"You sure you're good? I can stay," he added.

I looked around for any reason for him to stay. "No, I think I'm good. And I don't even think I need the pills as much. I should probably get back to my papers."

"Right, papers," he nodded to himself. "Well, I'll call you a little later to check in and see how you are doing."

"Okay," I smiled.

"But call if you need anything," he dipped his face, pulling him closer to me, so his big brown eyes were inescapable.

"Will do," I agreed.

Then, with no warning, he leaned in, and his lips met mine. They still tasted like chocolate and strawberries. The surprise quickly melted like the last snowflakes in spring. My body bowed into his as his arms circled my waist. Our lips danced as a bubbling excitement tipped my lips to a smile despite their primary activity.

Nathan parted from me, but let his forehead slip to mine. "It's been a long time since I've had a crush. I like it. I enjoy having a crush on you, Ana."

"I enjoy having a crush on you, Nathan," I concurred.

"I'm going to text you obnoxiously soon because I won't be able to control myself. It'll most likely be before I even get to the car."

"Mmhmm, that sounds too long to me," I smiled.

"Good, as long as we're on the same page." He kissed my forehead before letting his arms fall from my waist. "Bye," he whispered.

"Bye," I whispered back.

Like a girl with her first crush, I sat in my window waiting to see his car pass by my building. As promised, before I saw his SUV, my phone dinged.

"The first of many pathetic texts to let you know I miss you."

I let out a laugh and sent back a kissing emoji. Then gazed out the window, looking for his SUV. It was easy to spot, as it was the only car with a hoard of photographers surrounding it. Suddenly, the reality of the spotlight came crashing back.

I Googled Lee Smyth to find pictures of the SUV on my block, with articles detailing an entirely fictitious relationship unfolding. My head fell against the cold glass of my window as I tried to separate the warm feelings that surrounded Nathan from the cold, angry ones that surrounded Lee.

I let my head roll back to the edge of the window and tried to collect my thoughts. I enjoyed liking Nathan. It had been so long since I had a crush. I liked how he made my pulse quicken with his deep eyes or my skin flush with the slightest touch. It was fun and effortless, but life wasn't fun nor effortless under a microscope.

"Hey, superstar," Trevor teased as he answered my call.

"Don't," I sighed.

"Okay, what's wrong? Something with the assistant?" Trevor pressed.

"He's not 'the assistant,'" I argued. "He's a whole person who happens to have a job as an assistant."

"Okay, so we're not in a joking mood, noted. Should I hunt down Chris? Sarcasm is my primary language," Trevor continued.

"It's just so frustrating. Nathan is literally perfect. He's so cute and the nicest boy ever."

"But..." Trevor prodded.

"But he has this stupid best friend that is famous, and that's super annoying!" I groaned.

"And what does the sweetest boy in the world think of this annoyance?"

"I don't know. I don't want to complain to him. What if..." I stopped short of admitting that I was afraid to tell Nathan how much I hated everything about his world except him. "I just don't understand how someone so normal could be in that world."

"Okay, first, he's just a guy with a job..."

"Really?" I cut Trevor off. "Photographers swarmed his car when he left my place today."

"Oh, I'm aware. Unlike you, I don't live under a rock. It's all over the place. You know, he and Lee look surprisingly similar behind a car window."

"Not helping, Trevor!" I scream.

"Okay, okay. Look, Ana, I think this is good for you. I haven't seen you smitten in years. Years, Ana. Let that sink in for a moment. You've been in one of the most heavily populated cities globally, and you haven't even looked twice at a guy in years! That means something!"

Trevor had a point. It wasn't like interesting guys were falling out of the sky.

"You need to call him," Trevor continued. "And you need to be honest with him about his proximity to fame. Your only other option is to ghost him, and we both know you're incapable of that."

"What's that supposed to mean?"

"Ana, I've seen you talk to him. You're all giggly and dreamy. You couldn't not respond to this boy if your life depended on it... if his life depended on it!"

"Fair," I agreed. "But am I jumping the gun? I mean, we just had our first date..."

"What?" Trevor cut me off.

"Um, have you not talked to Chris yet today?"

"No, he wasn't here when I got home. You went on a date?"

"Well, kind of. We watched a movie here, and he got us crepes," I noted.

"Aw, crepes are your favorite. What movie?"

"Scream. I spent a lot of time with my head buried in his chest."

"Mmhmm, better than the other way around... for a first date, at least," Trevor teased.

"Trevor! We just kissed. It was sweet, and I really like him," I sighed.

"So call him. If you like him, he probably really likes you. So, give it a chance and be honest with him."

"He said he'd call to check on me. I'll wait until he calls me."

"No, you have something to talk about now, so pick up the phone. You don't have to wait for him to call you. You don't work on his schedule."

"I know, but what if he's busy?" I argued.

"So, what? If he is, he'll call you back. But you shouldn't wait for him to call you if you have something to discuss. Seriously, Ana. No wonder you never date. You suck at this."

"Trevor! That's so rude!"

"Really, ruder than complaining about your crush's livelihood to me instead of him?"

"I don't care for you when you're right! It's a good thing that it happens so infrequently." I felt my eyebrows knit together in a pout.

"Mmhmm, time to put on your big girl pants and call the boy."

"Ugh, fine. I'll call you later," I sighed.

I stared at my darkened phone for a few minutes, working up the nerve to call Nathan. My head rolled back to the window edge again. I stared up at the ceiling and focused on the feeling of Nathan's lips on mine.

"This is worth it," I whispered before setting my resolve.

"Hey," Nathan answered after a couple of rings.

"Hey," I responded before snapping my mouth shut.

"Everything okay?" He prodded, but there was a hint of distraction in his voice.

"Yeah, I was just thinking about us," I timidly began.

"Mmhmm," he murmured.

"Yeah, I had a great time today, but then when you left with the photographers. It's just so... icky."

"Icky? Wait, what? What's icky?"

"The whole situation," I continued.

"What whole situation? Us?"

"No. Well, yes. I mean..."

"Hey Ana, I have something going on that I need to take care of, and this sounds more like an eye-to-eye conversation. I want to make sure I properly hear you. How about I send a car to pick you up, and we talk when you get here? I should be set by then."

"What?" I stammered.

"Sorry, I need to go. The car will be there soon," he added before the line went dead.

"What the hell just happened?" I said aloud to myself.

My mind and body filled with warring energy. Part of me was so excited to see Nathan that I wanted to explode into tiny shards of sunlight. Still, another part of me was utterly floored by being marginalized when I called. Sure, he was busy, so don't answer your phone. Don't answer your phone, admit that you can't pay attention, and hang up on me! What the hell was that? And 'sending a car'? Who am I, Miss Daisy? I can get an Uber. I don't need a car sent.

As soon as the anger mounted over the excitement, I remembered Nathan's chocolate eyes and melted into their deep pools. The excitement of seeing him again surged within me.

"It's official," I said to no one. "Boys make me crazy."