Page 124 of Sixty Meters Under

Mm… Popcorn.

Lennart took a bag of regular and microwave corn, and realized that either way he would need to go to the kitchen to prepare it, no matter which one he chose. Weighing the bags in his hands he got another idea.

?

Ryosuke was lying on the bed, dressed in his pajamas and watching a movie. Hearing a knock on the front door made his skin crawl.

I had enough of knocking today.He thought about not answering it.Too bad I don’t have a peephole.

Luckily, the knock didn’t repeat, and while feeling relief, Ryosuke wondered who it could have been. A moment passed, another knock, but this time on the door which led to Lennart’s room.

“Yes?” he called knowing that Lennart could hear him on the other side.

Lennart asked, peeking his head through the opened door, “Sorry to bother you. But I wanted to ask if you maybe… want… some company?”

Ryosuke was surprised to hear that but nodded. “Um, yeah. Come in.”

Lennart entered and closed the door. “I was craving popcorn, but I prefer to eat it with a movie. Then I remembered I could share it with you. I’m still thinking of ways to make it up to you, you know?”

“Why?”

“Because of what you suffered earlier today.”

“No. You don’t need to feel guilty. It’s not your fault. It was enough that you managed to stop him. I think I should be the one to apologize to you.”

“There’s no need for that,” Lennart said and stopped beside the bed.

Ryosuke looked away and played with the hem of the blanket, adding, “Are you going to watch the movie while standing there?”

“Um… No.” Lennart grinned and sat on the edge of the bed. He gave Ryosuke one bag of popcorn and put the other on the bed. He pulled out of his pockets two cans of Coca-Cola and said, “I’m not sure you drink this, but I bought one for you as well.”

“Thanks. I’m not a huge fan, but I drink it sometimes.” Ryosuke put it on the nightstand on his side.

“Same here. What are you watching?”

Lennart rested his back on the headboard and settled himself comfortably.

“Ten murder mysteries.”

“Oh, I like that one. I have watched it already. Probably three years ago? But I’ll gladly rewatch it.”

“I’m rewatching it too. Should I play it from the beginning? I’m only a few minutes into the movie.”

“If you don’t mind it.”

They watched the movie in silence, only the crunching of popcorn and the sounds from the movie were audible in the room. For the first fifteen minutes Ryosuke didn’t even watch. He wondered if Lennart was indeed there only because of a movie and company. Deep down he wished there was more to it.

“I like Josh’s move in this scene.” Lennart’s sudden comment startled him.

“Yeah. This kill was smooth.”

“Luckily, I don’t remember how he got caught. All I remember is that it was a good mystery to the end.”

“Haha, me too.”

When they had eaten all the popcorn, Lennart opened his can. Ryosuke reached for his Coca-Cola as well and hooked his finger on the opener. He had trouble opening it, but when the hole suddenly broke, he cut the top of his finger.

“Ouch!” Ryosuke groaned and put the can away.