Tom's POV
Saturday night rolled around a lot faster than I expected. Usually, I spent my Saturdays doing the same thing—playing games, reading, walking around town, anything that didn't involve dealing with people more than necessary.
But this time?
I had been counting down the hours. And that was fucking embarrassing. I spent an unreasonable amount of time standing in front of my closet, staring at clothes like I was preparing for some major life event instead of going to a movie. I wasn't even someone who cared about appearances.
At least, that's what I told myself.
But apparently, when Imogen was involved, my brain decided to forget everything it knew. In the end, I settled on something simple. Dark blue jeans and a fitted black shirt.
Nothing flashy.
Nothing that screamed I tried too hard, even though I spent quite some time trying to pick out that outfit.
Just... decent.
I looked at myself in the mirror one last time, running a hand through my hair before grabbing my wallet and keys.
"Going somewhere?" Mom called from the kitchen.
I froze.
There was something about her tone that immediately made me suspicious.
I stepped into the hallway and found her leaning against the counter with the biggest damn knowing smile on her face.
"Yeah," I answered cautiously.
"With Imogen?"
I stopped halfway toward the front door.
"…Maybe."
That was apparently the funniest thing she'd ever heard because she immediately laughed.
"Oh, my little boy is growing up."
"Mom."
"I'm just saying."
"No, you're making it weird."
She smiled innocently. "I didn't say anything."
"You didn't have to."
I shook my head, grabbing the door handle before she could embarrass me any further.
"Have fun," she called. I ignored the teasing tone and stepped outside. The evening air was cool against my skin, the neighborhood quieter than usual. Streetlights illuminated the pavement, and for once, I wasn't annoyed by the silence.
I checked the time. Six minutes early. Of course I was. I leaned against the porch railing, pretending I wasn't waiting impatiently. Then, barely a minute later, headlights appeared at the end of the street.
A sleek black sedan pulled up in front of my house.
Right.
Her driver.
I had completely forgotten. The back passenger door opened, and then—
She stepped out.
Fuck.
My brain completely stopped working. Imogen was wearing a sky-blue dress with a wide flowing skirt that moved gently with every step she took. Her hair was tied up in a messy bun, with a few loose strands framing her face. And somehow, that made her look even more beautiful. Not because she was dressed up. Not because she was wearing something expensive. Just because she looked like herself. She looked free.
I realized I had been staring for way too long when she noticed, a soft blush spread across her cheeks, and she tucked a loose strand of hair behind her ear.
"What?" she asked shyly.
I blinked, forcing my brain to catch up.
"You…"
I cleared my throat and rubbed the back of my neck.
"You look... really beautiful."
Her blush deepened.
"So do you," she replied quietly, looking me over and I couldn't stop the small smile that appeared.
"Thanks."
For a second, we just stood there like two idiots smiling awkwardly at each other then she tilted her head.
"Are we just going to stand here?"
I chuckled.
"Probably not."
She smiled and motioned toward the open car door.
"After you."
I climbed into the back seat, and a moment later she slid in beside me. The driver pulled away smoothly, the streetlights passing by outside the windows. For a few minutes, neither of us said anything.
And weirdly? It wasn't uncomfortable. Usually silence with people felt like something that had to fixed. Like someone had to find something to say before things got weird. But with her, it was different. She adjusted the skirt of her dress over her knees before looking over at me.
"You know I've never really been allowed to go out with... well..." she trailed off.
"A guy?" I finished and her cheeks immediately turned pink.
"Yeah."
I smiled slightly. "Me neither."
She laughed teasingly. "You've never been allowed to go out with guys?"
I looked at her.
"You know what I meant."
That only made her laugh more.
"Yeah," she admitted. "My dad doesn't really let me go out much. It's not safe and all."
I frowned slightly.
"But why did he let you go out tonight?" I asked. "Don't you have, like, a cinema at your house where you can watch movies?"
"We do." She giggled.
I raised an eyebrow.
"Of course you do."
She laughed.
"But I kind of wanted to hang out with you alone, without him hovering around."
That surprised me.
"And since he took a liking to you..." she continued with a playful smile, "I saw it fit to abuse that power."
I laughed.
"Well... I guess it worked."
"I guess it did," she said, smiling.
A comfortable silence settled between us again then, slowly, she leaned over and rested her head against my shoulder. I froze for a second because my brain completely short-circuited.
But then I relaxed.
I looked out the window, watching the city lights blur past us, feeling the warmth of her beside me.
For once, I wasn't overthinking. I wasn't worrying about Tyler.
I wasn't thinking about the past.
I wasn't wondering what could go wrong.
I was just there.
With her.
And somehow...
That was enough.
A few minutes later, the car began slowing down.
The bright lights of the movie theater appeared ahead, glowing signs reflecting across the windshield as the driver pulled smoothly into the entrance. The car came to a stop.
And suddenly, the night was really beginning.