Chapter 2 Another Encounter at the Cinema

"Hurry up, Mitchell." Landon tugged at Mitchell''s wrist. "You have no idea how packed the cinema gets on Valentine''s Day."

Mitchell was forced to quicken his pace. The cinema was indeed as crowded as Landon had said, with couples everywhere, sitting close to each other.

Their seats were right in the middle, the perfect spot for watching the movie. After they sat down, Landon suddenly slapped his thigh. "Damn, I got so jostled that I forgot to buy Coke and popcorn."

"Don''t make excuses for your forgetfulness," Mitchell adjusted his sitting position. "There are too many people now. Let''s skip it this time and not buy anything."

But Landon was someone who couldn''t watch a movie without munching on something.

He looked around and, seeing that the row wasn''t fully seated yet, quickly got up to buy snacks from the counter.

Mitchell sat in his seat, scrolling through his phone. One of his students was about to go abroad, leaving a gap in his schedule. Recently, a parent had mentioned wanting to recommend him to a colleague''s child, and Mitchell was discussing this with the parent.

[Life is a Dream: Mr. Windsor, I''ve already given your business card to my friend~]

After reading the parent''s message, Mitchell noticed a new friend request notification.

Mitchell replied politely, typing away, when he heard Landon repeatedly saying, "Excuse me."

Landon was carrying two large buckets of popcorn and two large cups of Coke, looking completely flustered. The people in the seats tried to pull their feet back as much as possible, afraid that the popcorn and Coke would spill on them.

"Ah! Sorry!" Just as Mitchell reached out to take the popcorn, Landon stepped on a guy''s foot, causing the popcorn to shake and a few kernels to fall onto the head of the guy in the row in front.

"Sorry, sorry!" Landon apologized sincerely. As he bent down, more popcorn spilled out.

Mitchell also apologized to the two guys and reached out to help remove the popcorn from the guy''s head.

The guy in the front row turned to look at him.

This turn made Mitchell freeze. He swallowed. The guy sitting in front was the same one they had encountered earlier.

Mitchell''s hand hung in mid-air. He had only caught a glimpse from afar before, but now, at arm''s length, the guy looked even more handsome. However, his expression was too indifferent, and Mitchell felt that he... seemed a bit angry.

"Nathan Churchill, you have popcorn in your hair, haha." The guy sitting next to him laughed while helping to remove the popcorn.

So his name was Nathan... Mitchell unconsciously repeated the name in his mind, wondering which three characters it was.

"Really sorry, little brother." Landon apologized with a face full of regret, offering a bucket of popcorn. "This is for you guys."

Nathan didn''t say anything, shaking his hair slightly, his slender fingers running through his locks.

Nathan turned back and made eye contact with Mitchell.

Mitchell saw Nathan raise an eyebrow.

It seemed like he even smiled...

The boy''s already handsome face now had a touch of roguish charm, and Mitchell felt like he was being drawn into those eyes.

Mitchell''s lips moved slightly, wanting to say something, but he found himself speechless.

Nathan had already turned back, sitting comfortably.

Mitchell felt a bit disappointed.

The guy next to Nathan cheerfully accepted the popcorn. "Thanks, bro."

The movie ads were almost over. Landon sat down with a sigh of relief and whispered in Mitchell''s ear, "Good thing the kid was easygoing. If it had been some tough guy, I''d be in trouble."

Mitchell didn''t respond, his peripheral vision constantly drifting towards Nathan. The theater lights had completely dimmed, leaving only the screen''s glow on Nathan''s face, making him look very mysterious.

Mitchell felt a tickle in his heart. He hadn''t expected such a coincidence. He barely paid attention to the movie, too busy watching Nathan''s profile. Afraid of being caught, he stole glances secretly, worried about being discovered.

Nathan seemed to be getting tired, resting his chin on one hand, leaning to the right, and reclining in his seat. He looked like a noble, lazy cat.

Mitchell was somewhat entranced, his heart pounding uncontrollably in his chest.

This feeling wasn''t exactly pleasant. Mitchell was not usually the proactive type in relationships; he was more accustomed to being pursued. But now, he had the urge to ask Nathan for his contact information.

Like a lovestruck teenager who had never been in a relationship before.

The nearly two-hour movie finally ended. Landon smacked his lips and grabbed Mitchell''s arm. "Come on, accompany me to buy another bucket of popcorn."

Mitchell stood up, looking at Nathan who was still seated, hesitated for a moment, but followed Landon out.

The guy next to Nathan poured the remaining popcorn into his mouth and said to Nathan, "Nathan, let''s go play some games. The guy from the next class has already set it up. We''re definitely going to crush them today!"

Nathan watched the backs of the two walking side by side, and with his tongue against his molars, he spat out, "Not going."

The guy next to him, gauging Nathan''s mood, timidly asked, "Nathan... did you get yourself angry watching the movie?"

...

Landon, satisfied with a new bucket of popcorn, leisurely said to Mitchell, "I''m heading home."

"So early?"

"Well, can''t be helped," Landon bit into the popcorn loudly in frustration. "My parents are worried about my sister dating early, so I have to go home and keep an eye on her."

Mitchell thought for a moment. "I remember your sister isn''t that old."

"Not too young either, 15." Landon gestured with his fingers. "Kids these days are into early dating."

Mitchell had never dated early, or accurately, had never been in a relationship. Before college, he only had a vague understanding of his orientation. Even though he felt a reluctance to get close to girls, he was too young to fully grasp it.

After starting college, he was busy with various things. Although some people showed interest in him, he never had the mind for a relationship and remained single until now.

To be honest, today was the first time he felt so moved by someone.

Mitchell trusted his first instincts, commonly known as love at first sight. He was actually quite picky.

Landon patted Mitchell''s shoulder. "Mitchell, kids in Grove City are dating early, and you''re still single despite being so handsome. Tsk tsk tsk."

Mitchell snorted. "Being single is great. I''m heading home too."

The two left the cinema and walked in different directions. Mitchell had a free day the next day, so he decided to wander around for a bit.

Near the subway station, there was a flower shop where Mitchell was a regular customer.

"You''re here." The shop owner greeted Mitchell warmly. "Still want a bouquet of lilies? The fresh ones are over there. Pick one yourself."

Mitchell walked over to the lilies and started selecting. He loved the scent of lilies and would buy a bouquet every now and then to keep at home for relaxation.

The shop owner wrapped the flowers and handed them to him. Mitchell took the flowers and walked out of the shop, momentarily catching the attention of a young girl passing by.

Mitchell entered the subway station, put on his headphones, and played some soothing music. In his pocket was the movie ticket from today. He rubbed the ticket stub, Nathan''s face appearing in his mind.

If only he also went to Regal University, maybe they could run into each other... Mitchell took out his phone and snapped a photo of the movie ticket and lilies together, as a memento of this encounter...

The subway roared in, and Mitchell squeezed onto the train with the crowd. It was indeed Valentine''s Day, as even the subway was filled with couples. Mitchell held onto the handrail, keeping the lilies close to his chest to avoid them getting squished.

Just as the subway doors were about to close, a few male students ran down the escalator and slipped into the train. "Phew, that was close. Almost missed it."

They made quite a commotion, and Mitchell glanced over, his pupils contracting, his mouth slightly agape in surprise.

Nathan?! He was on this subway too?!