I am 15 chapters ahead on my patreón, check it out if you are interested.
https://www.patréon.com/emperordragon
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Chapter 65: Hangout or Date?
Jon's Perspective
The lunch bell rang, dragging the cafeteria into a slow exodus. Jon slid out from his seat across from Alex and headed back toward Terry. His best friend was still at the table where Suki had sat, his tray empty but his face caught somewhere between post-victory glow and mild existential crisis.
Jon smirked and dropped into the seat next to him. "Alright, Romeo—spill. How'd it go?"
Terry blushed instantly, the tips of his ears lighting up. "I—it was fine."
Jon raised a brow. "Blushing like that? I'll take that as a good sign."
Terry groaned, rubbing the back of his head. "Technically, I asked her out."
Jon's grin widened. "Technically? What does that even mean?"
Terry slumped forward onto the table. "I asked her to a movie. She said yeah—thought I meant hanging out with me and my friends at the movies. She started talking about who else might be coming. So, yeah… she completely missed the 'just us' part."
Jon blinked. "Wait… how? And why didn't you correct her?"
Terry looked like he wanted the floor to swallow him. "Do you know how much it took for me to ask her out in the first place? And the second she said yes, I thought I nailed it. Then she starts talking about group plans like it was obvious. I was too embarrassed to fix it."
Jon put a hand on Terry's shoulder. "Hey, man. Look—date or not, you're still going to a movie with Suki. That's progress."
Terry gave a skeptical grunt. "Doesn't feel like progress. Feels like I'm orbiting the friend zone."
Jon shook his head. "Don't give up hope. You got her to say yes to a movie. A group hang can easily shift into a date. All it takes is one right moment."
Terry looked unconvinced but gave a reluctant nod.
"So," Jon continued, "who you bringing to this not-a-date movie?"
Terry blinked. "I… just have you."
Jon nodded. "Alright, I'll get Sam to come too."
Terry's eyes narrowed. "Are you sure that's okay? I mean, with the whole… break thing."
Jon chuckled. "You said it yourself—it's not a date, it's a group hangout with friends."
Terry gave him a look—half 'I don't believe you,' half 'I have no better option.' After a pause, he sighed and nodded again.
"Okay," he said. "Group hang out it is."
Jon grinned. "That's the spirit."
A few hours after football practice was over, we met at a nearby movie theatre.
The theater lights were dimming, the screen flickering to life with trailers as Jon slid into his seat next to Sam. Terry and Suki sat in the same row just beside them, with Terry clearly trying not to spontaneously combust from nerves.
Jon leaned toward Sam. "I feel like I just handed a nervous chihuahua a grenade."
Sam smirked, whispering, "He's adorable. Completely doomed. But adorable."
Jon chuckled, then turned his attention to Terry. Terry was sitting upright, shoulders stiff, hands flat on his knees like he was about to take the SATs. Suki, on the other hand, was relaxed, leaning slightly toward Terry as she pointed something out on her phone—probably a meme or something light to break the ice.
"Okay," Jon muttered, "not bad so far. She hasn't fled the building."
Sam nudged him. "Give the guy some credit. He got this far."
Jon nodded. "True. This is already a miracle in Terry-time."
As the movie began, Jon settled into his seat. Sam curled slightly toward him, her hand brushing his. Even in the dark, that quiet contact felt like everything. They weren't making a big deal about being back together—not yet—but this soft, secret closeness felt better than shouting it from rooftops.
Sitting in the seat next to them, Suki burst out laughing at something happening on the screen. Her laughter was light and contagious, filling the quiet moments of the theatre. Jon happened to glance over and noticed Terry. He wasn't laughing, and he didn't seem to be paying attention to the movie at all. Instead, he was smiling softly—at her. Not in reaction to the joke or the scene, but simply because she was there, laughing.
Jon grinned.
They'd brought snacks—Sam had insisted on a ridiculous bucket of popcorn and peanut M&M's. Jon watched her try to inconspicuously mix the M&M's into the popcorn without spilling everything, and he swore he fell a little more in love.
Halfway through the movie, Jon stole a glance at Terry. The poor guy had finally managed to lean just slightly toward Suki. Not touching, but enough that it was clear they weren't just two people at a movie.
Progress.
By the end of the film, as the credits rolled and the lights slowly brightened, Suki was smiling wide, her expression soft and open. Jon didn't hear what she whispered to Terry, but whatever it was made him nod like an idiot and stumble over his own feet as they exited the theater.
Outside, in the cool evening air, the four of them stood by the entrance. Sam and Jon trailing behind, watching the other two.
Suki said something about getting ice cream. Jon didn't catch it—but he saw Terry freeze like he'd been given a second chance at life.
"You two coming?" she asked, glancing at Jon and Sam.
Sam looked at Jon, a question in her eyes.
Jon grinned. "Nah. We'll give you guys space."
Terry shot Jon a panicked look, but Jon only smiled and gave him a thumbs-up behind Suki's back.
Terry was still doomed—but at least now, he had a shot.