The Howling Prophecy

Betrayal

Kari walked up to the front of the movie theater and found the group right away. You could hear their laughter and giggles from a mile away. Trent was hanging toward the back of the group, and he looked up at Kari as she approached. He smiled at her which sent chills to her spine. He looked almost relieved to see her. Kari couldn’t help but look at his eyes as her heart stopped beating and couldn’t catch her breath.

He is genuinely looking at me and seems happy to see me. He almost looks relieved, like he was worried I wouldn’t be here or hoping he wouldn’t miss seeing me. Terra grabbed Kari’s arm and gave her a little shake as the group followed her over.

“Hey Kari. Kari? Earth to Kari!” Terra said laughing as she shook her friends’ arm.

“Oh! Hi Terra. Sorry I spaced out for a second.” Kari shook her head and cleared her throat as she greeted the rest of the group.

Mike was standing next to Terra holding her hand and let out a little laugh with a smirk. Lindsey glanced at Alex with a knowing smile.

“So what movie are we going to see? Lindsey didn’t say which movie so what are the options? Kari tried to distract herself with the plan for the night avoiding direct eye contact with anyone.

“I’m glad you came out, Kari. I was worried you wouldn’t. We are going to see Black Panther. We just love how human and animalistic he is at the same time. Plus, he isn’t bad to look at!” Lindsey said with a breathless remark. Kari thought she heard a growl come from somewhere nearby.

 “Uh, okay. I am always up for some eye candy.” Kari responded by playing along with her friend.

The couples start walking into the movie theater leaving Trent behind with Kari. Kari tried to not stare at him and to remember to breathe. Trent slowly walked up to Kari with confidence but watching how Kari was going to react to him approaching.

“Hey Kari. How have you been?” Trent said with a gulp like he was restraining himself.

“I have been fine. It’s been nice hanging out with Lindsey again.” Kari smiled nervously looking quickly at Trent and then to the theater entrance.

“Oh, so you remember then?” Trent’s eyes lit up with a soft smile.

“I remember playing with Lindsey and you when I was little. You were always around and oddly protective. It was kind of funny and weird at the same time, considering how young we all were.” Kari lets out a giggle.

“Well, uh I was just looking out for those younger than me.” Trent still was looking at Kari’s face with a smile. He couldn’t stop smiling. Kari smiles. She was wondering about what it would be like to have a real conversation with him. Her heart was racing being this close to him and she hoped he couldn’t hear it pounding in her chest.

“So, you like superheroes? Like the movie we are going to?” Trent casually changed the subject.

“I do! I like sci-fi and fantasy type stuff. You know, like Harry Potter and Twilight.” Kari’s face was now lit up with excitement talking about her favorite things.

“Team Jacob or team Edward?” Trent asked with concern.

“Team Jacob of course!” Kari exclaimed without hesitation.

Trent let out a breath he was holding and thought to himself. Now that is a great start to the evening. Wait till I show you team Jacob!

“Easy bro, you will scare her off!”

Trent holds out his hand to Kari for her to take. Kari nervously looks at his hand, then looks at his eyes for the first time that night.

“Trent, you don’t have to do this. I know the others are actual couples and you don’t have to be a gentleman. I know Lindsey had to have made you come here and do this.”

“Actually, I wanted to come here. We didn’t start off the best and I was a total jerk. I actually want to get to know you again. I loved being with you when we were little.” Trent smiles and winks at Kari as puts his hand out more.

Kari hesitated but placed her hand in his. Instantly a shock full of tingling electricity ran down her body from the touch. She caught her breath and saw him smiling at her with bright gleaming eyes.

Oh man, I don’t know if I am going to make it through the night if this keeps happening.

Trent led Kari into the theater and bought two tickets with popcorn and drink.

“What about a snack for me?” Kari asked.

“I guess I assumed since this was a date that we could share. I can get more if you want.” Trent said confidently as he handed her the drink and grabbed the popcorn.

“A... date?” Kari looked at Trent with surprise. Kari bit her bottom lip and her stomach suddenly filled with butterflies.

No way did I hear him right! I am on a date with Trent?

Trent’s eyes focused on her lips. His eyes changed from blue to black. Kari glanced up at him and he looked away quickly. Trent took a deep breath and cleared his throat.

“I mean I was hoping it was or that it could be.” Trent said with a weary voice.

This was the first time Kari could tell he was a little nervous too. All she could do to respond was nod. They held hands and walked into the specific theater to find seats. They sat down next to each other with Trent on the outside and Kari sitting next to Lindsey. The couples were all snuggled in the oversized seats watching the movie.

Trent suddenly let go of Kari’s hand and wrapped it over her shoulders pulling her closer. Kari smiled up at him and snuggled in feeling his warmth rush over her. Trent smirked and reached for the popcorn with his other hand.

“I needed to be able to reach the popcorn.” He said jokingly defending his new position.

“Sure, you did,” responded Kari sarcastically.

Kari giggled and continued to watch the movie. Then she started to feel Trent’s hand reach up and touch her face. Kari swooned to the gentle touch. Trent lifted her chin near his face and leaned closer. Kari’s eyes widened in anticipation, holding her breath.

Oh my god, is he really going to kiss me? Hold it together girl!

Trent kissed her. Their lips touched with a smooth perfect fit. Her body felt like it was on fire and became wet. Trent’s eyes turned black, and he pushed his body up against hers. Popcorn spilled to the floor. Kari was lost in a swirling world of passion. Trent abruptly stopped and pulled himself away breathing heavily. Kari felt as if she was in a state of shock.

“I uh I think the movie is over.” Trent smiled at Kari as he tried to pull the sentence together.

“Oh, right, the movie, it was great!” Kari responded, smiling widely herself.

“I thought the ending was the best,” Trent ran his thumb over her cheek and jawline.

“It really was an amazing ending Trent,” Kari looked into his eyes as she spoke.

They continued to stare at each other looking deeply into each other’s eyes.

“Hey you two, we can’t get out of these seats till you get out,” Lindsey giggled.

Kari blushed with embarrassment at being caught. She giggled, looking at Trent feeling like a young school girl. Trent smiled back at her and then looked at his sister with a look of annoyance.

“Relax sis, we are going.”

The group stood up and headed out of the theater. Kari headed to the bathroom with the girls as the guys walked back outside.

Terra bumped Kari gently with her shoulder stating, “dang girl, you look like you got smacked by a truck. But definitely in a good way.” Terra winked and then looked in the mirror to apply fresh lip gloss.

Lindsey giggled looking at Kari. “About time too! I was getting so tired of answering a million questions from Trent about you every day after school.”

“Trent would ask about me?” Kari questioned.

“Of course, he would! He has lov... uh liked you since we were little.” Lindsey responded, trying to cover up what she was going to say.

Did she mean to say loved? But we were just little, how do you know you love someone then? I mean that is ridiculous. I can’t believe he would ask about me though. I feel so amazing, and that kiss was like watching fireworks at Disney World, just magical.

Kari smiled hoping that this was the start of something spectacular.

“I do really like him. When I am with him, I get all hot and bothered and tongue tied. I really want to be a couple and get to know him as the man he is now.” Kari looked at herself in the mirror as she confessed her desire.

Lindsey giggled again,” well you are right about that, you do get tongue tied around him!”

The girls laughed and walked out of the bathroom after touching up their makeup and outfits. Kari put on light lipstick Lindsey let her borrow. After all this was a date and she thought it couldn’t hurt. 

Kari got ahead of the group and practically skipped out the door to meet the men. The smile on her face faded as she stopped in her tracks. She looked toward the guys and felt like an elephant sat on her chest. Mike and Alex were inside refilling their sodas, but Trent was outside. He wasn’t alone either. Vicki ran up behind Trent and jumped on him. She kissed him and wrapped her legs around him when Kari stopped. Kari’s eyes filled with tears and dropped her soda. It all happened so fast. Kari took off to her car. She couldn’t run fast enough to get away. She heard lots of yelling behind her, but she ignored it and kept going.

How could he do that? I thought we had something special. Kari thought as tears flowed like rivers down her face as she sped off in her car home.