Weekend Date

The weekend arrived right on schedule.

The week had been quite fulfilling for Edward. Campus life during the day had been uneventful, but once night fell, his "extracurricular activities" had been anything but dull.

His "academic exchanges" with Jennifer had progressed at lightning speed. They held late-night meetings almost every evening, delving deeply into human anatomy and the principles of mechanics. The meetings usually took place in a rocking "car" or on a squeaky hotel bed.

"Your driving skills really have... gotten better and better." Afterward, Jennifer sprawled languidly across Edward's chest, her slender fingers tracing circles over his abs. Her voice carried a satisfied huskiness. "You always find the most exciting routes, and... you've got plenty of horsepower."

Edward chuckled, wrapping an arm around her smooth shoulder as he replied with perfect seriousness, "Practice makes perfect. After all, neither safe driving nor the pleasure of reaching the destination can be neglected."

Besides "driving" with Jennifer, Edward had not forgotten Carrie at home.

Whenever he returned home, he spent time practicing Telekinesis with Carrie. In the living room, Carrie stared intently at a pile of building blocks on the table, fine beads of sweat forming on the tip of her small nose.

"Remember what I told you, Carrie. First, picture what you want in your mind. Then extend your consciousness like a tentacle and gently 'pick' it up, instead of using brute force to 'push' it," Edward said patiently from beside her.

A square block wobbled into the air, hovered there for a moment, then landed precisely atop another block. Then came the second, the third... A tiny block castle steadily took shape under Carrie's mental control.

"I did it, Edward!" Carrie turned around excitedly, her eyes sparkling as though filled with stars.

"Great job!" Edward gave her an enthusiastic thumbs-up. "See? You're very talented. Control matters more than raw power, and you've already grasped the essence."

Carrie's cheeks flushed at the praise, and her smile was sweeter than honey. Seeing her innocent, radiant smile, Edward felt warmth rise in his heart as well.

Saturday morning, the sunlight was just right.

As agreed, Edward arrived at the town cinema. He had come a few minutes early, curious to see how this brand-new "Maria" would make her entrance.

Ten o'clock sharp. Not a minute early, not a minute late.

Alan appeared at the street corner. She wore a wine-red slip dress beneath a casually thrown-on black leather jacket, while her combat boots made her look both cool and smoking hot. Her slightly curled hair spilled over her shoulders, and her light makeup highlighted the definition of her features perfectly—especially her bright, aggressive eyes.

She was like a thorny black rose, exceptionally eye-catching amid the crowd.

"You're punctual." Alan walked up to him and looked him over from head to toe, her gaze assessing him like merchandise.

"To make sure you wouldn't have to wait too long, I deliberately arrived five minutes early." Edward kept both hands in his pockets and shrugged casually. "Looks like I'm not quite honored enough to make you arrive early too."

The corner of Alan's lips curled upward, though she neither confirmed nor denied it. "What are we watching?"

"I thought you'd have everything arranged," Edward said, raising an eyebrow.

"A date involves two people. I'm only responsible for asking you out. As for the rest, that naturally depends on your performance." Alan's answer was flawless, turning the tables on him.

Edward looked over the posters and pointed at a newly released horror film. "How about this one? The Cabin in the Woods: Night of Terror. It has pretty good ratings."

He had expected her to react like an ordinary girl, perhaps with fear or hesitation, which would have given him a perfect chance to close the distance between them.

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To his surprise, Alan merely glanced at the blue-faced, fanged ghost on the poster and said disinterestedly, "Childish. But since you like it, this one will do."

Her tone made it seem as if an adult were humoring a noisy child by watching cartoons with him.

Edward rubbed his nose and thought to himself, Right. Maria is Alan now. Why would she be afraid of horror movies? She's a ghost herself!

The cinema was dimly lit. On the huge screen, terrifying sound effects accompanied sudden scares, drawing scream after scream from the surrounding audience. The girl in the couple seated beside them had already buried herself in her boyfriend's arms in fright.

Edward turned to glance at Alan beside him. Not only was she completely unafraid, she was watching with great interest, holding a bucket of popcorn and popping kernels into her mouth one after another. Her crisp chewing sounded especially conspicuous amid the ominous score.

When a blood-covered female ghost suddenly crawled out from beneath a bed and lunged toward the camera with a piercing scream, the entire theater erupted.

Edward's body tensed instinctively as well.

He felt someone brush against his arm. Turning his head, he saw Alan leaning toward him, her warm breath spilling over the edge of his ear.

"Were you scared?" Her voice was soft, carrying a hint of teasing.

"I was just making a tactical retreat," Edward said stubbornly.

Alan chuckled and leaned even closer. Her lips were almost touching his ear as she whispered, barely audibly, "If you're scared by something this mild, you're not much fun."

Her breath swept across Edward's earlobe like a feather, bringing a tingling itch.

This was no longer a hint. It was blatant seduction. Edward could even smell the faint fragrance in her hair, mingling with the cloying sweetness of popcorn to create a peculiar temptation.

Alarm bells rang in his mind, but his body's reaction was painfully honest.

Am I still supposed to pretend I don't know they switched places?

Without showing it, Edward straightened up and put a little distance between them. He turned to look at her and asked in a lowered voice, "Maria wouldn't act like this."

A sly glint flashed through Alan's eyes. Rather than answering directly, she asked, "Do you prefer who she used to be, or who I am now?"

The question was like a pebble tossed into the calm lake of Edward's heart, sending ripples spreading outward.

The former Maria had been timid and insecure, like a startled fawn. She inspired pity and the urge to protect her.

But this "Maria" before him was confident and bold, radiating dangerous charm like a blazing flame that made people want to draw close, even if they might get burned.

"I'm just curious what made you change so much." Edward avoided her question.

"People always change, don't they?" Alan took a sip of cola and turned her gaze back to the screen, as if their conversation had never happened.

When the movie ended, the two of them left the theater. The glaring sunlight made Edward squint slightly.

"Where are we going next?" Edward asked.