COMPUTER SENSORS i
*
"Karen!" Hanna exclaimed, throwing her arms around Karen in a warm embrace.
"You made it!" Karen beamed.
"Is the husband home?" Hanna asked, glancing around.
"In our bedroom," Karen answers. "I don't think you've met!"
Hanna followed Karen through the hallway. She'd heard of Karen's husband, Plankton,
but had never formally met each other.
Inside, Plankton sat on the edge of the bed.
"Plankton, this is my friend Hanna," Karen announced, screen sparkling with excitement.
Plankton looked up. He hadn't been expecting company, especially not someone so bubbly
and vibrant.
"Oh, Plankton," Hanna gushed, reaching out to him. She was a hugger, and she didn't
hold back. She enveloped him.
Plankton stiffened. It was... overwhelming.
"It's so nice to finally meet you," Hanna said, her voice thick with sincerity.
Hanna, ever the social butterfly, didn't seem to notice his discomfort. She plopped
down on the bed beside him, her energy not even slightly dampened. "So, what do you
guys have planned for the evening?" she asked, screen bright with excitement.
"Well, we were just going to order in and watch a movie," Karen replied, shooting
Plankton a knowing smile. She knew he liked his quiet evenings.
"A movie night, huh?" Hanna clapped her hands together. "What's the film? I can stay
and join!"
Plankton wasn't one for sharing his personal space, especially with someone he just
met. The bedroom was his sanctuary, a place of solitude where he could escape the
world and be himself.
Plankton managed a tight smile, his heart sinking. He wasn't in the mood for a
romantic comedy, let alone one with Hanna's constant commentary and unbridled laughter.
Karen quickly interjected. "Actually, Hanna, Plankton had his heart set on a sci-fi
marathon tonight. You know, his usual Friday night routine."
"Oh, I totally get it," she said, patting him.
Plankton stiffened at her touch, his eye widening slightly. "Oooh, I know just the
thing!" she exclaimed, jumping up and talking fast. "Karen, you won't believe this
but I've got a DVD of 'Galactic Hearts' in my bag. It's got a bit of everything: romance,
action, and a side of existential dread. Perfect for a Friday night in, right?"
Plankton sighed inwardly. He knew he'd have to sit through it, if only to keep the peace.
"Alright," he said, his voice tight. "Let's give it a go."
With a resigned sigh, he trudged out to the kitchen to grab some popcorn and drinks.
When he returned, Hanna had already claimed the spot beside him, leaving him no choice
but to sit next to her, so he did, for Karen.
The movie started, and Hanna was immediately engrossed, laughing and gasping at all
the right moments. Plankton, on the other hand, felt like he was in an alien world
of his own. Every time the romantic tension on screen built up, she would lean over
and whisper something to Karen, who would giggle in response. The constant movement
and noise were making his skin crawl.
As the film went on, Hanna grew more and more absorbed in the love story unfolding
before them. At one particularly dramatic scene, she reached over and grabbed Plankton's arm.
"Oh, isn't this just the most romantic thing you've ever seen?" She gave him a squeeze
not realizing the discomfort she was causing him. "Look at those stars," she whispered
leaning closer. "It's just like they're reaching out to each other, isn't it?"
Plankton shifted. He'd never been one for public displays of affection, and Hanna's
affection was uncharted territory. He gently extracted his hand, placing it awkwardly
on his lap. "I s'pose," he murmured, trying to keep his voice neutral.
time she leaned in to whisper something to Karen, she brushed against him, sending a
shiver down his spine. The movie's soundtrack swelled with a sappy love theme, and Hanna
threw her arm around both their shoulders.
Plankton stiffened. The room felt suddenly too warm, too small. He'd never been one
for affection, especially not from someone he'd just met, and Hanna's touch was
suffocating him. Her arm remained draped around his shoulders, her grip tightening
every time the couple on-screen shared a tender moment.
He tried to focus on the plot, but it was difficult with Hanna's sudden exclamations
and loud sighs punctuating the silence. Karen seemed to be enjoying it, though, and
he didn't want to spoil the evening. So, he sat, endured, and waited for the credits
to roll.
As the movie progressed, Hanna grew bolder with her displays of affection. She'd lean
in close, her shoulder pressing into his, and whisper her predictions for the plot. He
glanced at Karen, hoping for a reprieve, but she was caught up in the moment. Plankton
sighed and turned back to the movie, trying to ignore the heat building in him.
Hanna's hand found its way to Plankton's shoulder again. This time, she didn't let go.
He cleared his throat, trying to subtly shift his body away from her touch, but she
either didn't notice or didn't care. He took a deep breath, trying to ignore the weight
of her arm and the way she kept brushing against him. He could feel his heart hammering
in his chest, begging for the solitude he craved.
Hanna let out a contented sigh, her grip on Plankton's shoulder tightening involuntarily.
He flinched, and she finally looked at him, her eyes wide with surprise. "What's wrong?"
she asked, her voice full of concern.
"It's nothing," Plankton said, his voice tight.
Hanna looked at him. "Oh, I get it," she said, her hand moving from his shoulder to
give his knee a comforting pat. "Sometimes romantic scenes can be too much, huh?"
Plankton nodded stiffly. Then, Hanna leaned over and whispered, "You know Plankton
you're not so bad for a guy who pretends not to like romance." She elbows him, her
touch playful and teasing.
Plankton's eye widened, his heart racing faster than the spaceship on the screen. He
tried to laugh it off, his voice strained. He tried to keep his expression neutral.
She leaned in closer, her arm now looped around his. "I think you're secretly a softy."
Plankton's discomfort grew. He swallowed hard, his eye darting to Karen for help,
but she was too lost in the film to notice his distress.
He cleared his throat again, trying to be subtle, but they're oblivious.
Karen looked over at her husband, her smile fading slightly as she noticed his rigid
posture. She knew he wasn't a fan of the film, but she didn't realize Hanna's personality
was making him so uncomfortable. Hanna jumped up from the couch. "Oh my gosh, you guys,"
she exclaimed a little too loud, her screen bright with excitement. "That was the best movie ever!"
Her enthusiasm was infectious, and Karen couldn't help but laugh. "You really liked
it?" she asked, hoping to lighten the mood.
"Liked it?" Hanna repeated, her voice incredulous. "I'm in love with it!!"
Her exuberance was palpable, but Plankton remained silent. He felt a mix of relief
that the movie was over and dread for whatever might come next. Hanna, noticing his
lack of response, turned to him with a grin. "What did you think, Plankton?"
Plankton felt uncomfortable under her gaze. "It's just not really my genre," he said,
his voice a touch defensive.
Hanna's smile didn't falter. "Oh, come on," she said, nudging him playfully. "Admit
it, you were totally rooting for them in the end." "Oh, I was," Plankton said, his
voice devoid of enthusiasm. "I was just hoping the asteroid might hit the spaceship
first."
Karen couldn't help but laugh, seeing the playful banter between her friend and her
husband. "Ok ok," she said, standing up and stretching. "I think we've had enough
romance for one night. How about we switch gears and play a board game?"
Hanna bounced, her energy unflagging. "Perfect! What do you have?"
Plankton started to feel dizzy. "I'll grab something," he said, his voice tight. He
needed to get away, to regain some semblance of control over the situation.
He retreated to the bedroom, going on his bed.
** ᴬˢ ᵃ ⁿᵉᵘʳᵒᵈⁱᵛᵉʳᵍᵉⁿᵗ ʷʳⁱᵗᵉʳ ᴵ ᵈᵒ
ⁿᵒᵗ ᵐᵉᵃⁿ ᵗᵒ ˢᵗⁱᵍᵐᵃᵗⁱᶻᵉ ᵃⁿʸ ᵗʸᵖᵉ
ᵒᶠ ᵈⁱˢᵃᵇⁱˡⁱᵗʸ ⁿᵒʳ ᶜᵒᵐᵐᵘⁿⁱᵗʸ ᵃˢ ᵃ
ʷʰᵒˡᵉ‧ ᔆᵒᵐᵉᵗⁱᵐᵉˢ⸴ ᴵ ᵘˢᵉ ᵃⁿ ᴬᴵ
ᵍᵉⁿᵉʳᵃᵗᵒʳ ᵃⁿᵈ ᵗʷᵉᵃᵏ ᵗʰᵉ ʷʳⁱᵗⁱⁿᵍ *