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Kevin adjusted his shirt. His mom was right, he probably should’ve ironed it; but there was no time, he was already late. He threw on a hoodie with sewn patches on the elbows of it and hastily tied his shoes. His brother mouthed bye to him, went back to yelling at his friends over the computer and his mom kissed his head when he came down the stairs. “I’m so proud honey! You’re finally getting yourself out there in the world!”
“Mhm!” Kevin hummed, trying to sound enthusiastic but he was focused on getting out the door. “You sure you don’t need a ride sweetie? You know I have no problem driving you.”
“No mom, really it’s fine, it’s not that far. I can walk.”
“Alright honey, I love you, have a good date!” She yelled as Kevin walked down the drive and to the sidewalk.
Kevin pulled out his phone from his jacket pocket. He was 5 minutes late. He cursed at himself as he jogged down the street, looking around so he wouldn't run into someone. He passed a friend's house, a store, and saw the lights of the movie theater up ahead. What movie was he seeing again? It was a horror movie, yeah, yeah it was. He opened his wallet to see if his card was there and thankfully he remembered it. His wallet was back to the future themed, he had it since he was a freshman. It’s held up since then so he hasn’t really bought another one.
He looked down both sides of the street before crossing; almost got hit by a biker but he made it. He looked around the entrance, looking for his date; he almost tripped on the sidewalk. “Oh hey, hey, Kevin! I’m over here!” He looked up. His heart fluttered each time he saw them. Streber was a kid from school, they were in the same grade. They shared a chemistry, geometry, and an english class together and hung out outside of school. Partly because Streber was in a lot of the theater productions and Kevin was a tech crew; and partly because they actually got along. Kevin was the one who asked him out, this was the first real date they’ve been on, they’ve been on some that were disguised as studying or something else because, well, Kevin’s a pussy.
“I was wondering when you’d show up” Streber had a light German accent and a Dracula piercing. He noticed their nose ring had spikes instead of the plain one they usually wore. “I lost track of time, had to finish up editing a film project”
“Heheh it’s fine, dude! I’m not mad” the butterflies in Kevin’s stomach wouldn’t shut up. Their laugh was so cute, god dammit Kevin. “Yeah, sorry! I’m just nervous. I’ve never really been on a date before, not a real one at least.”
“Really? You’re so pretty! How are you not getting chased down by the half the school?” Kevin blushed. He’s never been called pretty before. Especially not from someone he was actually interested in “ha, well when you work at a candy store it’s a little difficult to get a date y'know?”
“Well you asked me out didn’t you?” Streber smiled. Kevin smiled too, he probably looked dumb though.
“Oh I forgot to ask,” Streber raised a brow, “I forgot. What movie are we watching? You said it was a surprise”
“You’ll figure out when we get the tickets, don’t be impatient!” After a few minutes of conversation they finally got up to buy the tickets, the theater was a bit busier than usual. Streber pulled out their wallet, it was metal with some bat stickers on it and one of the Dracula movie cover. “Two tickets for Killer Klowns from Outer Space please?” The cashier took the money from their hand without even a smirk. “Isn’t that movie old as shit?”
“Actually, it didn't come out too too long ago, eleven years back or so. It’s for a horror movie marathon the theaters doing! It’s one of my favorites, I haven't seen it in a while though.”
“I’ve never seen it”
“I think you’re gonna love it.”
They held the tickets in their hands, walking inside. The building was colder than it was outside; there were some festive decorations, Halloween was only about a week and a few days away. There were uncarved pumpkins on the benches and orange, black, and purple streamers on the walls. It matched the carpet at least. Kevin and Streber walked up to the concessions stand. He noticed Streber looking at the candy and tapping their toes with a smile. He got an idea. “Do you want me to buy you something to snack on?” Streber beamed “yes please! I can’t have the popcorn here cause the butter makes me sick and the mints taste gross after like the fifth one but I’m good for everything else!” Kevin nodded and turned to the girl at the counter. He thinks he’s seen her come into the candy shop before but doesn’t remember.
Kevin thought hard, trying to remember if Streber mentioned a candy they liked. “Do you guys have Reeses Pieces?”
“As a matter of fact we do!” The girl bent down and handed it to him with a smile, her braces were hot pink. It looked nice with her hair, was that weird to think? “Thanks, can I also have a medium order of nachos please?” Kevin asked as he pulled out his wallet. “Any drinks?”
“Two” the girl rang him up and handed them their drinks. A Hi-C for Streber and a Coke for Kevin. Streber sipped his drink “I like your braces!” They shouted. “They look really nice with your hair and earrings!” The girl's hair was blonde and had a small braid, she had Pokémon clip on earrings. “Thank you! I like your piercings!” She said as the pair walked away. Streber waved and went back to their drink “she was nice.”
They walked in halfway through the previews. They were advertising a new game that was coming out soon, it was a game off the Coraline movie. Streber jumped out of their seat “oh I loved Coraline! It's one of my favorite stop motion movies.”
“How many favorite movies do you have?” Kevin smiled “quite a few, most are stop motion, musicals, horror, or vampire themed” they counted on their fingers. Streber looked at Kevin, who was listening intently. They realized they’ve been talking a lot about themself “do you have a favorite stop motion movie?” They asked. Kevin was surprised, “oh well, hm.” He thought for a moment “I really like Mary and Max, $9.99 was fun to watch, my brother showed it to me. I like Curse of the Were-Rabbit too!”
Streber jumped at Were-Rabbit “I love Wallace and Gromit!” Kevin smiled “what other stop motion movies do you like? That have come out recently at least.”
“I really like Blood Tea and Red String, and Toys in the Attic! Although it’s only in Czech right now so I have to watch it with subtitles.” Kevin’s butterfly filled stomach felt like it was gonna burst. “Those sound really interesting!”
“Really? You think so?”
“Yeah! I’d love to watch them with you sometime” Kevin felt stupid with love, he’s never been so interested in something that seemed so unessential to him. But Streber looked thrilled to Bits that he was interested, and Kevin really was interested.
The lights went dark and the previews ended, “oooo!! It’s starting! It’s starting!” He cheered quietly and opened the Reeses Pieces bag. As Kevin watched the movie Streber would periodically leave comments about it and they’d joke back and forth and giggle harder than they should’ve, trying to not be loud in the theater. Streber snorted while he giggled at a joke Kevin had made and it made him smile all goofy and his heart warmed up. The beginning of the movie was goofy, at least in Kevin’s opinion. As the film continued the jokes stopped and they got just a tad more serious. Kevin only just now noticed that Streber was holding onto his forearm, their nails were sharp and painted black but the paint on their ring fingers were bright green.
Streber grabbed at Kevin’s nachos and sipped on the nearly empty Hi-C, Kevin could tell there was a jumpscare coming up. He could usually tell. Streber seemed to tell too, they squeezed Kevin’s arm harder; being mindful of their nails. The scare came and was rather loud, Streber yelped and burrowed his face into his date’s arm. It was such a cheesy moment but Kevin’s face flushed a pink and smiled. He put his free arm around Streber’s shoulders and laid his head against him, whispering to make sure he was okay. He could feel Streber smile and giggle a small bit. Kevin smiled, it seemed like he’d been doing that a lot tonight.
The credits rolled and the lights came on. Streber got up and stretched as people walked to the exits, the bag of Reeses Pieces was nearly empty and the nachos box was wet from the cheese. Streber tipped the Reeses bag in his mouth and finished the rest of it, some falling in his hand. The two threw away their trash and Kevin held onto his unfinished coke “did you like the movie?” Streber asked “yeah! It was better than I expected, though it was funny how bad that jumpscare got you.”
“Oh shut up, I felt you jump”
“Nuh-uh, I’m not scared of anything” Kevin joked, Streber seemed giddy and laughed when Kevin joked. “I bet I could find something that’d scare you.” Kevin’s face heated up, it was a normal sentence but just the way they said it. Streber’s voice and demeanor, the look in their eye while they said it. Kevin wouldn’t admit it to himself.
Kevin laughed nervously and tried avoiding eye contact, changing the subject “haha y yeah! Uh do you want the rest of my Coke? My mom wouldn’t like me coming back with it” he lied. His mom wouldn’t care, she’d probably ask to share it but he wanted an excuse to give him something for when he got home; that's not weird right? Streber asked if he was sure but took it anyway, it wasn’t watered down at all; Kevin doesn’t put ice in his drinks. They walked outside the theater, Streber waving at the girl at the counter. “I think I recognize that girl,” Streber commented. “I think I’ve seen her in one or two of musical productions at school, not sure though.” Kevin looked back at her “yeah, I think I’ve seen her come into the candy store before.”
“That’s cool! I haven’t been to the candy store in a bit”
“Heh I’ll get you something on the house alright?”
“Aw don't do that, dude”
They bantered back and forth as they walked outside “you want me to walk you home?” Kevin asked “oh, I don’t live far, just right down there” they pointed in the opposite direction of Kevin’s house “I love the opposite way, I can walk you, it’s fine”
“You sure? Your mom isn’t gonna shit bricks?” Streber giggled. Kevin looked at his watch, “eh, it’s only 9:12. I’ll be fine.” Streber got giddy again. “Yeah! I don’t mind, I’d like it if you did, even.” Kevin smiled. This date was so damn cheesy but it was the most fun Kevin had had in so long and Kevin had only just now realized that Streber was holding his hand. Kevin blushed, Streber noticed “oh, sorry! Are you okay with me holding your hand?”
“Yeah, yeah, yeah! I’m fine with it! Just got me off guard is all” Streber smiled at him and squeezed his hand a bit. They started a conversation.
Kevin learned a lot about Streber and vice-versa. Streber’s three favorite animals were bats, anglerfish, and star-nosed moles. Their favorite color were green too, and they said they really like squares, as in the shapes. “Do you have a favorite number?” Streber asked. “Hm, no, I haven’t really thought about numbers enough. What’s yours?”
“I like the number twelve”
“Is there a reason?”
“Not really, but that’s the age I got casted a main role in a school play I liked! Don’t remember which one though.” Kevin thought, “Well, I think mine is 21.”
“Why?”
“It’s a cheesy reason but todays the 21st and this is our first actual date” Streber giggled really hard, resulting in them snorting. Their nose was small scrunched up when they laughed, Streber was so damn cute.
They stopped at Streber’s front door, standing under the soft light that hung over the door. Streber’s hazel eyes were sparkly under the light, Streber was pale and had pointed ears. They were so pretty. Streber spoke quietly “I had a lot of fun with you, I'm glad you liked the movie too” they smiled, “I had fun too, I’d really love to take you out again” Kevin said “how about the weekend after the next one? I'm free then” That was fast. “Y yeah! That sounds great!” Streber nodded and unlocked the front door. “Thank you for taking me out tonight, Kevin. I’ll see you at school?”
“Yeah and it's really no problem.” He smiled.
As Streber stepped inside they turned around and looked at Kevin. They stepped forward and kissed him, it was fast but it made Kevin feel beautiful. His heart raced before but now it felt like ran a marathon. He felt a weight lift off of his chest and he felt he could breathe again. He could feel Streber’s little fang piercings, they were cold but they were warm at the same time. It couldn’t have lasted more than ten seconds but when Streber pulled away Kevin yearned for it again. Kevin was beet red and his heart was beating faster than he thought was possible. Streber smiled and closed the door. Kevin shook with excitement, it was stupid to admit but he was jumping around and giggling himself stupid.
Kevin skipped down Streber’s front steps and to the sidewalk it felt like he was floating as he walked back home. He opened his front door and swooned, his mom stepped in from the kitchen “well aren’t you just happy as a buttered biscuit,” she always said stuff like that, it never made much sense “I take it went well?” Kevin peeled his jacket off “It went wonderfully, mom” Kevin noticed he felt..happier. Colors were brighter and the food in the kitchen smelt better than he usually thought. As he walked into the kitchen with his mom and brother, Kevin felt something in his hand. A piece of paper, with Streber’s phone number.
Kevin finally admitted it to himself. He had no problem with it anymore. Kevin was definitely. Undoubtedly. Most certainly. In love, with a cute, stupidly goofy vampire.