CHAPTER 79: [79] SHRINKING VIOLET, HIDDEN DRAGON

Xavier slipped into the darkened theater, navigating the narrow aisle as the movie’s opening credits played across the screen. The five women had claimed a row in the middle section, with an empty seat between Selena and Naomi. Popcorn buckets and candy boxes were already being passed around as he approached.

"You’re late," Selena whispered as she shifted her legs to let him pass.

Xavier eased into the seat, offering an apologetic shrug. "Sorry. Got lost on the road of life. That’s all." He reached for the popcorn in Naomi’s lap. "Now pass the popcorn."

Naomi handed over the bucket, her perfectly manicured nails brushing against his fingers. "The road of life, huh?"

On his other side, Selena studied him. Unlike Naomi’s obvious interest, her gaze felt clinical, assessing.

"Shh," Margaret leaned forward from Selena’s other side. "It’s starting!"

Xavier settled back in his seat, popcorn bucket balanced on his knee. The movie—something about a shy girl with shrinking powers—held zero interest for him. He stifled a yawn as the protagonist stammered through her first day at a new school, her social anxiety literally making her shrink to half her size.

The women around him, however, were transfixed. Every awkward encounter between the main character and her love interest drew sighs and gasps. When the girl accidentally shrank during a class presentation, Calypso grabbed Xavier’s arm from two seats away, her fingers digging into his sleeve.

"This is so embarrassing," she whispered, loud enough that several nearby viewers turned to look. "I can’t watch!"

But she did watch as the protagonist fumbled through one cringe-worthy scene after another.

Xavier’s eyelids grew heavy. The combination of the dark theater, the soft seat, and the mind-numbing plot threatened to pull him under. His head dipped forward before he caught himself, jerking upright.

Another collective gasp from the audience. On screen, the main character had just discovered her crush talking about her to his friends.

"He doesn’t deserve her," Ashley muttered from the end of their row, arms crossed over her chest.

The movie crawled forward. Boy meets girl. Girl shrinks from embarrassment. Girl overcomes insecurity. Boy turns out to be secretly insecure too. Xavier had seen it all before, just without the shrinking powers.

Naomi shifted beside him, her arm pressing against his on their shared armrest. "I’m getting more popcorn," she whispered, standing up. She gestured for him to follow.

Xavier hesitated, glancing at Calypso, who was thoroughly engrossed in the movie.

Ah, what the hell.

The lobby was empty except for a bored teenager behind the counter. Naomi didn’t approach the counter, instead turning to face Xavier.

"So," she said, taking his hand in hers. Her thumb brushed over his knuckles, pausing at the rough patches. Her eyes widened slightly. "Why are your knuckles so rough?"

Xavier kept his expression neutral. "Boxing. I train most mornings."

"Really?" Naomi’s fingers continued their exploration, tracing the contours of his hand. "Because these look fresh. Almost like you’ve been in a fight."

"What are you suggesting?" Xavier asked, making no move to pull his hand away.

Naomi stepped closer, her voice dropping to a whisper. "Those guys from outside the theater. You were gone for quite a while."

"Coincidence."

"I doubt that." Naomi’s lips curved into a smile. "You don’t strike me as the type to let something like that slide."

"Does it matter?" he asked.

"It might." She finally released his hand. "Depends on what you did to them."

"Nothing they didn’t deserve. Hypothetically."

Naomi laughed softly. "That’s what I thought." She glanced toward the concession counter. "Should we get more popcorn, or should we head back?"

"Let’s get the popcorn."

They approached the counter, where Naomi ordered the largest size available. As they waited, she leaned against the counter.

"You know, you’re not what I expected, Xavier Valentine."

"What did you expect?"

"Someone less... complicated." She accepted the popcorn from the cashier. "Most guys who look like you are pretty simple. All surface, no depth."

Xavier took the bucket from her. "And what do you think now?"

"I think there’s a lot more to you than you let on." She reached into the popcorn, her fingers brushing his deliberately. "I’m looking forward to finding out what."

They returned to the theater just as the movie reached its climax. The protagonist, having finally mastered her shrinking ability, was now using it to save her school from some contrived disaster.

Xavier slid back into his seat, passing the fresh popcorn to Calypso, who took it without looking away from the screen.

Selena leaned over slightly. "Everything okay?" she asked, her voice barely audible.

"Fine," Xavier replied. "Why?"

"Naomi looked pleased with herself."

Xavier shrugged. "We just talked."

Selena’s eyes, blue as deep water, studied him for a moment longer before she turned back to the movie. Unlike the others, she seemed less invested in the story.

The movie lumbered toward its predictable conclusion. The shy girl got the boy, learned to love herself, and saved the day with her once-feared powers. Credits rolled to the sound of an upbeat pop song about self-acceptance.

Lights came up gradually, revealing tear tracks on Margaret’s cheeks. "That was beautiful," she said, dabbing at her eyes with a tissue.

"It was alright," Ashley said, though her usually sharp features had softened during the final scenes.

Calypso bounced in her seat. "I loved it! Especially the part where she realized her power wasn’t a curse but a gift." She turned to Xavier. "What did you think?"

"It was..." Xavier searched for a diplomatic response. "Different from what I usually watch."

"You hated it," Calypso translated.

"I didn’t say that."

"You didn’t have to. Your face said it for you."

Outside, the afternoon sun was beginning its descent, casting long shadows across the plaza.

"What now?" Margaret asked, checking her watch. "It’s only five-thirty."

"I should get back," Xavier said quickly. "My mom’s waiting at the apartment."

"Your mother?" Ashley’s eyebrows rose. "I didn’t know she was visiting."

"Surprise visit," Xavier explained. "She showed up last night."

"And she’s staying with both you and Calypso?" Selena asked.

"Yes," Calypso jumped in. "It’s been lovely. She’s telling me Xavier’s baby stories."

Xavier winced. "And that’s exactly why I need to get back. To prevent further character assassination."

The group laughed, though Ashley’s eyes lingered on Xavier’s hands before meeting his gaze with a slight nod. She’d noticed the knuckles too.

"I’ll drive you both home," she offered. "The rest of us can grab dinner later if anyone’s interested."

As they walked toward the black SUV, Naomi fell into step beside Xavier.

"You know," she said quietly, "if you ever need help with anything—financial, logistical, whatever—I have resources."

Xavier glanced at her. "What makes you think I need help?"

"Everyone needs help sometimes." She smiled. "Even mysterious white-haired boys with rough knuckles."