“Old movie theaters are so much fun,” I said as we walked in the front door.

“Yup,” he said. “And I didn’t even flinch when the zombies came.”

I smiled. “I was watching you, babe. Your eyes were closed.”

His face fell. “Come on, it was just that one time. I’m getting better!”

I threw my arms around him and gave him a quick kiss on the lips. “It’s okay. I still think you’re a sexy, brave man, even if you are a wimp when we watch scary movies.”

He smiled and went to go hang up his jacket. I pulled my phone out of my jeans pocket and checked it for the first time since we had gone into the movie. I was surprised to see a call from Daniela.

Wondering what was up, I went to my room to call her back. I found the missed call on my phone and put the phone to my ear.

She answered after two rings. “Hey!” she said brightly.

“Hi. Sorry I missed your call. What’s up?”

“Not too much,” she said. “Just, you know, checking in to get the juice about Hunter.”

My heart sank. I’d forgotten to call her the previous night.

“Oh, yeah, sorry. I was going to call you,” I said. “Things have just been so busy.”

“It’s okay, just spill. How has it been?”

I gave her a pretty detailed blow-by-blow of the last couple days, including thanking her for giving Hunter my art supplies. Still, I didn’t tell her anything about Hunter’s MS, it wasn’t my secret to share. She listened patiently and waited until I was done to talk.

“Well I’m really glad it sounds like you guys are going strong again.”

Were we going strong? I guess we were. Things sure had changed quickly. “Yeah. I don’t know how it’s going to work out long-term but we’re trying.”

“I’m sure you two will make it if you really want to.”

I swallowed and listened to my heart pound in my ears. “I hope so . . .”

There was silence for a minute. Thankfully, Daniela changed the subject. “Well . . . the other reason I was calling was to tell you I’m not going to be able to make it to your aunt’s place for spring break. I’m really sorry, but I just can’t make it work with the flights now. I’m actually doing an alternative spring break in Haiti now. I promise I’ll make it up to you somehow.”

My heart skipped a beat. I was sad Daniela wasn’t going to come, but of course she had her own life to live. “Oh, that’s okay. I know life can get crazy, and this sounds like a great opportunity. It’s really great that you’re going on an ASB. What are you doing in Haiti?”

“We’re building houses in the area that got hit by the earthquake. I think it’s the same place Sean Penn has been doing stuff. Maybe we’ll meet him.”

I knew that tone. “Hang on a second. Who’s ‘we’ in this case?” I asked, a smile creeping on my face. “Is there something you aren’t telling me about? Or, you know, someone?”

She answered so quickly I could barely understand her. “His name is Kyle and he’s pre-med and he’s so smart and so gorgeous and I really hope you can meet him! He wants to be a psychiatrist.”

I laughed. It felt good that Daniela hadn’t changed. “I hope so too. Maybe over the summer. How long have you guys been seeing each other?”

“We hooked up last week but things have been going super well and I already feel like we’re in love.”

I rolled my eyes, but hoped for the best. “Well, it sounds promising. I’ll have to Facebook stalk him when I get a minute.”

“Yeah. Anyway, I’m really sorry I can’t come. I’ll make it up to you somehow, I promise.”

“Really, it’s okay. I’m glad you’re doing this ASB thing. It sounds like it’ll be fun.”

“Thanks.”

I stared at the room’s light blue walls and thought about when I was going to see Daniela again. “So if you’re not coming for spring break, do you know what you’re going to be doing this summer? We really need to find a way to meet up.”

“Not yet. Waiting to hear back on some internships but if there aren’t any openings I might just stay in Studsen and see if I can pick something up. I’ll definitely let you know when I figure things out, and we can find some way to meet up.”

“What’s Kyle doing?” I asked mischievously.

“I don’t know. Maybe we’ll talk about it tonight.”

I knew this tone too. “You’re seeing him tonight? What are you two doing?”

“Hanging out. Here, actually. We’re going to watch The Dark Knight Rises.”

My face grew hot and I said nothing. That night with Hunter in my dorm room felt like forever ago, even if it had only been a month.

Daniela laughed. “You inspired me. I’ve . . . got some things in mind for him. Anyway, I have to go. He’s coming over in an hour and I still have to get ready.”

“Okay,” I said, my face still warm. “Have fun tonight, and if I don’t talk to you, have fun in Haiti. Be safe.”

“Oh, we’ll be safe. Kyle might have some doubts tonight, but we’ll be safe.”

My eyebrows shot up. “Wow. Okay. Well, I hope you don’t scare him off.”

“Handcuffs and body chocolate, Lorrie! He will never see that movie the same way. See ya!”

I giggled and hung up. To her credit, she was probably right. If I knew Daniela, she was going to make sure Kyle wouldn’t forget the night his dark knight rose while he was watching the movie.

It was good to talk to her and hear she was doing well. Even though we were probably never going to live together again, she was still my closest girlfriend. I needed to make a better effort to maintain that friendship. Having friends like her made me feel more connected to the real world and not get so trapped in my head.

Still smiling, I walked back to the living room where the family was gathered. Hunter was seated on one couch, while my aunt and uncle were on the other. The boys were on the carpet playing with the kittens, as usual.

“Where did you go?” Hunter asked. “And what are you smiling about?”

I did my best to wipe the smile off my face as both my cousins turned to look at me. “Oh, nothing. Just Daniela up to her usual.”

“How’s she doing?”

I sat down on the couch next to him. “Good. She’s going to Haiti on an Alternative Spring Break to build houses for earthquake victims.”

“That’s commendable,” my uncle said.

“Yeah,” I said, laughing softly. “I think she’s really going because there’s a guy she started seeing who’s going.”

“Ah,” he said.

“Well that’s still nice,” my aunt said diplomatically.

“Dad, where’s Haiti?” Joel asked.

“Next to the Dominican Republic,” my uncle answered.

“Where’s that?”

My uncle smirked. He enjoyed these little teaching moments with his sons. “They’re both on the same island. Kind of close to Florida, I guess.”

That was the magic word. “Florida! Dad, when are we going to Disney World again?”