The Girl in the Hoodie is Mine

Dylan’s POV:

As I waited outside the diner, I must’ve shifted my stance a dozen times, trying to find the perfect cool, casual pose. At one point, I even leaned against the car in what I thought was a "James Dean" look, but quickly felt ridiculous and straightened up. I wasn’t usually this nervous around girls, but something about Ella had me second-guessing everything tonight. I mean, come on, I’d even brought the Lamborghini. Girls love cool rides, right?

When she finally stepped out, still in her hoodie, I was kind of relieved. The hoodie look was part of what intrigued me about her in the first place. She wasn’t like all the other girls I knew—no fancy dresses or perfect makeup, just... her. But when she saw me standing there in front of my Lambo, her reaction wasn’t what I expected at all.

Her eyes dropped to the car for a second, then flicked back to me like it was just another car. What the hell? Most girls would be gushing over the Lamborghini by now, maybe even begging for a ride. But Ella? She looked like she had just spotted a regular old car parked on the side of the road. No excitement, no impressed glances—nothing.

I tried not to let it bother me, but I couldn’t help the confusion swirling in my head. *Considering her circumstances*—not that I’m calling her poor or anything—it just didn’t make sense. I mean, she works at a diner, for Christ’s sake. Even the girls who are well-off freak out over cars like mine. Why did she act like this was no big deal? 𝒻𝑟ℯℯ𝑤𝑒𝑏𝑛𝘰𝓋𝑒𝓁.𝒸𝑜𝘮

I tried to shake off the weird feeling. Maybe she wasn’t into flashy cars. Maybe she was different like that. Either way, I still wanted to spend time with her. Something about Ella pulled me in, even if she wasn’t the type to fawn over the usual stuff. Hell, that might be what intrigued me the most.

"Hey, ready to go?" I asked, trying to keep the easy smile on my face, even though my confidence had taken a bit of a hit.

She hesitated for a second, looking at the car again, and I braced myself for her to back out. But then she sighed and agreed.

"Let’s go," she finally said, her voice tired but firm. And as I opened the door for her, I realized that tonight wasn’t going to be like any of the other dates I’d been on. Ella wasn’t like anyone else. And maybe that’s why I couldn’t get her out of my head.

When we got to the theater, I casually asked her what she wanted to watch, expecting the usual choices: a rom-com or maybe a horror flick. You know, something where she could act all scared, and I could be the guy who swoops in to comfort her. But, of course, Ella wasn’t like other girls. She looked at the list and, without missing a beat, picked a Marvel movie. What the actual fuck?

I mean, I wasn’t complaining—I loved action and superhero movies—but I didn’t expect her to pick it. I wasn’t sure if she was trying to keep things casual or if she was genuinely into this stuff. Either way, I was already thrown off my game. No damsel-in-distress moment for me tonight.

As the movie started, some epic apocalyptic scenario was unfolding on the screen, and Ella? She was glued to it. I’d glance over at her every few minutes, thinking maybe she’d lose interest or sneak a peek at me, but nope—her eyes never left the screen. She wasn’t even fazed by the explosions, the battles, or the chaos. If anything, she looked more engrossed than I was, and I’m the one who usually loves this stuff. She was actually into this.

And then there was the popcorn. Before the movie was even halfway done, she had already polished off her bucket. I blinked, barely processing how fast she ate it all. I glanced down at mine, relieved that I had ordered the large. As if on cue, she turned to me, and I offered her some without thinking.

She gave me a small, almost mischievous smile, like she knew she’d been caught, and reached into my bucket, picking at it while keeping her eyes on the screen. Damn, this girl didn’t just defy expectations—she completely rewrote them. Most girls would be pretending to be scared or acting cute for attention, but Ella? She was here for the action and the popcorn.

For a moment, I just watched her, picking at my popcorn with the same casual ease as she watched superheroes save the world. She was different, all right, and I couldn’t help but feel more drawn to her because of it. This wasn’t the kind of date I had expected, but maybe it was exactly what I needed. Something real, something unexpected.

As the movie played on, I found myself more interested in Ella than in the action-packed scenes on the screen. She wasn’t trying to impress me; she was just... herself. That was refreshing. She laughed at the funny moments, gasped during the intense parts, and stayed completely absorbed. For once, I wasn’t watching the movie to pretend I was paying attention while hoping to make a move. I was just with her, enjoying her company.

About halfway through the movie, though, I noticed her starting to shift in her seat a bit, and her eyelids were getting heavy. I glanced at the time—yeah, it was getting pretty late. The shift at the diner must’ve wiped her out.

By the time the credits rolled, Ella had her arms crossed, snuggled into her hoodie, and her head was nodding forward. She was practically dozing off in the seat next to me. I chuckled softly, trying not to wake her, and gently nudged her shoulder.

"Ella?" I whispered, leaning in a bit. "Hey, movie’s over."

She blinked, looking disoriented for a second, then smiled sheepishly. "Oh... sorry," she mumbled, stifling a yawn. "I didn’t mean to fall asleep."

I shrugged, giving her a grin. "It’s fine. You were tired. Want me to take you home?"

She nodded, looking a bit relieved, and we made our way out of the theater. Outside, the night air was cool, and she pulled her hoodie up tighter, shielding herself from the cold. She didn’t say much as we got into my Lamborghini, just quietly settled into the passenger seat, her head leaning against the window. I started the engine and pulled out of the parking lot, glancing at her every now and then.

By the time we hit the halfway point, I noticed her breathing had slowed. Her head was tilted slightly, her lips parted, and her eyes were closed. She had fallen asleep, and I couldn’t help but glance at her—really glance at her.

For the first time, I could see her face fully. No mask, no hair in the way. Just her. She had this peaceful look, soft and relaxed, and I couldn’t deny how beautiful she was. I knew it was probably creepy—staring at her while she slept—but I couldn’t help myself. She always hid behind the hoodie and mask, and now, without all of that, she was even more captivating.

I wanted to keep watching her, just a little longer, but I knew it was wrong. I shook my head, tearing my eyes away from her and focusing on the road. I didn’t want to be that guy, the one who crossed the line. After all, this was still part of the bet, right? Or at least that’s what I kept telling myself.

Finally, I reached the block she had told me to drop her off at. I pulled over, letting the engine hum softly as I took a deep breath and turned to her. Gently, I reached over and nudged her shoulder.

"Ella? We’re here," I said softly, not wanting to startle her.

She stirred, blinking groggily, then gave me a sleepy smile. "Oh... thanks, Dylan," she muttered, rubbing her eyes. "And thanks for the movie. It was fun."

I watched her as she fumbled for the door handle, clearly still half-asleep. Before she got out, she turned back to me, her eyes a little brighter despite the exhaustion. "Goodnight," she called as she stepped out, closing the door softly behind her.

I watched as she disappeared around the corner, a strange feeling settling in my chest. I wanted to tell myself that this was just another step in the game, another move toward winning the bet. But as I drove away, the memory of her peaceful face as she slept kept flashing in my mind.

This didn’t feel like a game anymore. Not with her. Not with Ella.

Ella’s POV:

Aah, where do I even begin? The date with Dylan... well, it wasn’t what I expected. Honestly, I thought it would be like every other time I’ve heard about—guys using the movie as an excuse to make a move. But Dylan? He didn’t do any of that.

I was waiting for the typical stuff—him putting his arm behind my seat, slowly reaching for my hand, trying to pull some kind of cheesy romantic gesture. I half-expected it, and part of me was already dreading how I’d have to awkwardly shift away or brush it off. But he didn’t try anything. Not once.

It was weird, in a good way. He treated me like a friend, and not like I was some kind of conquest, which was a huge relief. I guess I expected him to be like the others—trying to impress me or prove something. But instead, he actually seemed... normal. And respectful. The whole time, we just talked about the movie, shared popcorn, and that was it. No pressure, no awkward moments where I had to dodge his advances. It was refreshing.

Still, now that it’s over, all I want to do is sink into my bed and let this day fade away. My legs are killing me from the shift, my head feels heavy, and I’m just so tired. But more than that, there’s this gnawing thought at the back of my mind.

I defied Jason again. I know he doesn’t like that, and I know it’s only going to stir things up more. Guess I’ll just have to wait and see what tomorrow brings—whether it’s more whispers from my classmates, more plates at my desk, or worse. Jason is unpredictable, and I’m sure he’s already planning his next move.

I sighed, pulling my hoodie tighter around me as I walked the last block home. Whatever happens, I’ll deal with it when it comes. Right now, I just need sleep. But I can’t help wondering what that stupid Jason will try next...