“You’ll disappear and he’ll think of me straight away,” she muttered under her breath. “So, for the sake of goodwill, vanish nicely, or else”
“What are you pointing at me for?” he snapped. “What does any girl actually expect from a date at the cinema?”
The answer, in truth, hinges on how far a girl is willing to stretch the bounds of propriety. Some women are ready not just to invite their companion home after the film, but to throw caution to the wind right there in the back rows and indulge in a reckless fling. Others are more modest, preferring the classic scenario: a movie, hands clasped, and a gentle walk to the doorstep of the girl’s house once the credits roll.
Either way, the very fact that youre sitting beside a young man because he asked you out signals that, for the moment, youre his girl. And that the role was previously vacant. Which means you shouldnt find yourself in a scene like the one Emily once endured: in the cinema lobby, a stranger swoops up to Jack, whos holding Emilys hand, and with a jealous edge in her voice demands, Jack, whos that? Why are you holding her hand? Ive been losing sleep, worrying youve vanished, and you?
Any sensible girl would at least blush and back away. At most shed shriek, You filthy cheat, seeing two girls at once!toss the freshlygiven flowers at him and stride out, heels clicking.
Emily belonged to the more daring side, but she didnt have time to react. Jack, eyebrows darkened, snarled at the interloper, I told you to go. Im done with this, Emily, lets leave.
Whats running after you? You Emily never heard the rest; Jack grabbed her arm and hustled her toward the correct auditorium.
To her, the episode seemed settled. Jack wasnt dating the other girl; shed apparently dumped him. So it seemed all clearat least from Jacks side of the story. The real picture, however, was murkier.
Emily resolved to postpone the discussion until after the film. She didnt want to air grievances in front of strangers or disrupt anyones night. Besides, Jack had paid for the tickets, so she thought it polite to enjoy the movie rather than interrogate him about mysterious girls in his orbit.
When the lights dimmed and the credits rolled, they stepped out into the softly lit street, heading toward the park that led to Emilys flat block. The topic resurfaced naturally.
I hope you didnt read too much into that, Jack began apologetically. I dont collect lunatics; my friends and family are solid. That girl was just a oneoff, you know?
Emily knew the subject hit a sore spot. Her last relationship had collapsed because her boyfriends sister and mother never accepted her. So Jack was quick to stress that he was nothing like that.
What actually happened? Emily asked, curiosity piqued.
We were seeing each other, Jack said, a hint of confusion in his tone. Or at least I thought we were. You know the sort of arrangement where we hang out, hold hands, kiss, and in front of others she sits on my lap calling me sweetheart and kitten?
Sounds logical, Emily replied.
And get this, Jack continued, she invited me over to fix her computer. When I showed up, she said the brother had taken it to the countryside yesterday, but then she suggested we watch a DVD together.
Someone still uses DVDs? Emily laughed. But if a girl lures you in with a flimsy excuse just to have you alone at her flat, Id suspect she wants more than a film.
Exactly. Imagine shes dressed in a sheer slip, stockings, heartshaped candlesmaybe ten of themwine, nibbles, and the movie is rated 18+. All the usual romance tropes, happy ending and all, Jack described, as if listing a setpiece.
Emily saw the wind shift. So you just went along, sat on the couch, got into the mood, and then
I reached for her, and she slapped me across the face, he said. She screamed, What are you doing? Im not into this! and the whole thing blew up.
Honestly, Id have bolted, Emily muttered.
I did, Jack admitted. I left, pulled on my shoes, and walked straight home.
The next morning, the other girl texted, acting as if nothing had happened, asking why hed gone silent. I thought we were fine, she wrote.
What about you? Jack asked.
Im ignoring her, Emily said. Why would I waste time on a drama? There was never any real reason to stay, unlike some people who stick around hoping for a better future. Im not into that game.
And now shes stalking you, hoping for what?
Probably hoping Ill chase after her, keep buying gifts, and wait for her to grant my affection, Jack sighed. Im not a pestchaser. In todays world, that sort of persistence is downright illegalany unwanted advance can land you in serious trouble.
Emily and Jack both agreed: a yes should stay a yes, a no a firm no. No cajoling, no playing games.
The exgirlfriend, in Emilys eyes, was simply a lunatica nightmare that would fade if it were a oneoff. But life rarely offers such tidy conclusions.
Later, as Emily was walking home from university, a familiar voice called out, Emily, wait up! You really shouldnt have taken him, you know.
It was Claire, a former acquaintance Emily barely remembered. You stole him from me, Claire accused. He told me he was single, and you snapped him up.
Jack told me he was free, Claire, Emily replied coolly. Ive told you enough times to leave me alone.
Claire huffed, You think you can just disappear and everyone will forget you?
Look, Emily said, pointing to the uniform on the man standing behind hera police captains insignia glinting on her fathers chest. This is my dad, a senior officer. Hes not interested in your drama, and he certainly wont let you harass us.
The cheap ploy of dragging a police officer into a personal feud was enough to make Claire falter. She muttered a string of curses under her breath and slipped away, never to pester Jack again. Within a week, Jack confirmed that Claire had stopped contacting him from any of her obscure accounts.
Emily recounted the whole episode to Jack just to keep him informed, receiving no judgment, only a knowing nod.
Some people just dont get it, Jack said. If Id known her, Id have stayed away from the whole mess.
Emily agreed. Claire had seemed decent at first glance, but once her true colors showed, she was just another nuisance. The fact that Claire only resurfaced when she thought she could cause trouble proved that the best defense was to let her fade out of sight for good.
Perhaps Claire will find someone equally willing to chase after her, or perhaps shell finally realise that people like Emily and Jack deserve peace, not drama. Every creature seeks a partnersome for love, some for chaos. The world would be better if the latter simply disappeared.
In the end, Emily learned that honesty, clear boundaries, and a willingness to walk away are far more powerful than any whispered threats or lingering doubts. Respecting yourself and each other is the only way to keep the story moving forward without unnecessary heartache.
