L E T H A L

“YOU’RE ALSO GOING to fall and break your neck one day. and then i’m going to have to take care of you. think how bad that would be for me.” she pouted, though she would be happy ( though she was really hoping that would not happen for emerson’s sake ) to look after him. “no, you should not find it a challenge, you dork. you and i would both get in trouble, thank you very much. my parents don’t like you, i can’t imagine why. you must intimidate them.” she chuckled, smiling up at him, her nose scrunching up fondly. “that would be pretty funny, though, but no peaking inside my drawers, mister.” she giggled. yes, she did have her drawers inside her closet because she was that ocd. “hey, i’m sorry, i like when you trust me.” she pouted, even batting her eyelashes. his words caused her to bite down on her lip, her stomach squirming. she felt like she would be doing something bad, and it kinda felt.. good. “um.. possibly.” she whispered while nodding, her lips pulling up in a genuine smile.

“I SINCERELY DOUBT that i could be that reckless but at least i would be in good hands. much better than any doctor around this area, that is certain.” he failed to acknowledge how it would disadvantage the brunette but the truth of the matter was that this hypothetical situation was never going to become anything more than hypothetical. “how come? most encourage competitiveness. i’m not sure. i like to think that i have some parental charm. perhaps that is only something i could dream about though i think they might just be a bit protective of you.” quirking a brow at her half-hearted demand, he shrugged his shoulders. “i can’t promise you that i won’t. you know how that damned curiosity works.” a knowing smile lifted the corners of his mouth, his thumb reaching to swipe across the lower part of her cheek; near her lips. “fine.” it was the only word he could manage to show that he forgave her. “possibly, eh?” kneeling down on the bed, he slowly situated himself next to her, fingers intertwining with hers as he guided her near him.

ADDIE WORE A BIG SMILE, and she couldn’t be happier that someone was risking getting in trouble with her step-dad just to see her. it was rather flattering, and she was clueless. “well everyone but you, so it seems.” she laughed softly, her brown eyes trained on his. “well you better keep quiet just in case, hmm ?? speak in a hushed voice, like me. i’m a perfect example.” she lowered her voice some more, to a point where she was barely audible, so he would know she was only teasing. “me ?? why do you think that ?? i would probably sit back and watch it happen.” but that wasn’t the case at all, she would protect him at all costs, hoping he would do the same. if only she knew. she smiled when he walked closer, encouraging her to lean up on her knees, fingers racking through his hair, pressing their foreheads together. she let out a happy sigh, her cheeks earning some color. “you wanna lay down with me ??” and though it sounded as if it were an invitation to do something naughty, you’d be surprised when it came to her. unfortunately so.

“I LIKE TO curve the norms, makes for a more interesting character.” he found no harm in humoring her for the time being, choosing patience over anything else. what good would he be if he could not show her a false form of compassion? at this moment in time, the only thing on his mind ( besides completely ruining her in one of the most pleasant ways ) was what he would receive from successfully pulling this off. pretending to zip and lock his lips, he let a smirk break through before rolling his eyes in a playful manner. “i find it fun to challenge what problem we have lurking next door. if we hear someone stir awake then i can hide in your closet. there would be nothing but comedic and theatrical genius in that.” scoffing, he furrowed his brows to show disappointment. “to think that i could have ever invested my trust in you.” with his hands snaking around her waist as she moved closer to him, he knew better than to take her words seriously. she was innocent in one of the most effortless ways and he had no idea how but he was working around it; making it work and be an advantage for him. “will you let me kiss you if i do?”

ADDIE DID NOT see past his charming facade, maybe it was because he was rather good at keeping it up, or maybe it was because she wanted to believe that she found something, someone great for once. but she’s always been one to be gullible and naive. a giggle rolled off her tongue, looking around for her sweater, pulling it on over her black spaghetti strap shirt. “ i’ve got a front door, you know. “ she teased him, her voice hushed, though she knew very well that her dad would not be happy at all if he found out that emerson was here. he didn’t like him one bit, but addie didn’t care much. a little bit, but not too much. “ you’re ridiculous, you know. my dad’s in the next room, you could very much get yourself killed. “ she smiled up at him, pulling the covers off of her, exposing her long legs, wearing her pink shorts, crawling over to the edge of the edge of the bed.

SOMETHING TOLD HIM that she was oblivious to what she was doing and one would think that would make it easy to manipulate her into giving him what he wanted but they would be wrong. while she was clueless on what he hinted he wanted, she was persistent in keeping up an innocent sort of lifestyle. one that would make completing his bet even more difficult. “who even uses the front door anymore?” he inquired with a quiet chuckle, though he knew that was a one way ticket to getting caught by the man of the house. “i don’t think we have to worry about him. he seems like a heavy sleeper,” emerson commented before bringing his lower lip in between his teeth, only releasing it so he could run the tip of his tongue over the same spot. “besides, i have faith that you’d protect me.” he murmured with a smirk following in suit, taking a few steps so that he stood by the edge of her bed.

“fine,” lacey says, shrugging. she was a little bit annoyed in the sense that she wouldn’t know anyone, but the girl — who was without a doubt an extrovert, had her introverted moments once in a blue moon, and tonight was one of those nights. she never thought she’d hear her next words, since she’s so independent and a bit of a party animal, but the brunette said: “is it okay if i stay with you for most of it?” in reality, it wasn’t just that she was having a moment where she didn’t want to interact with people, but instead, the girl was developing a small crush on the boy. a few seconds later, she found a smirk on her face, as a couch rested between them. “or, you could tie my hands to the headboard in the bedroom, and we could maybe do something really quickly?” she bit her lip lightly as she spoke, hoping he’d give in and say yes, and hoping that the guests weren’t supposed to be here for at least another hour.

emerson was not worried about whether or not he would be able to make it up to the brunette. he found that she was easy to please when he knew what she wanted from him. the question had him humming, wondering if it was a good idea. he would be making deals all throughout the night and there would be parts of some of his conversations that could make her question what the hell he does in his free time but the fact of the matter was that, in the long run, it didn’t matter. “i don’t care. i still think you should branch out and make some friends. my friends would adore you.” her suggestion had him cocking a brow, head tilted to the side as he considered her words. “while i do enjoy taking my time, i think an hour could be enough time for us. what do you think?”

( ▲. ) ——- ADDIE WAS ABOUT to fall asleep until she was pulled out of her slumber, hearing soft thuds from her window. “ w—… “ she leaned up in her bed, eyes squinted as she tried to see what was going on, yawning. “ emerson ?? is that you ?? “ she chuckled a little bit, as someone was coming through her window. she hoped it was emerson, anyway. no one else would be coming through her window. ——- ( ▼. ) 

EMERSON WAS DETERMINED when it came to getting what he wanted from adelaide. if that meant he had to play the ‘charming young man that any mother would be proud to have as their son’ type of dude for a few weeks than so fucking be it. dressing up as another personality was not necessarily something he wasn’t used to. these were his thoughts as he stepped over the windowsill of her bedroom, brows risen as he wondered if he was not quiet enough. “nope, just your local serial killer breaking in: here to swoop you off your feet.” a cheeky sort of smile showcased on his lips, the corners of his eyes scrunching in the corners as he shut the window. 

lacey raised an eyebrow. “i’m not going to drink all of it, but i shouldn’t have a limit on my own beer, em.” lacey sighed, running her hands through her hair. she was slightly annoyed that he’d invited people over, because chances are she didn’t know anyone. “you know, as rare as it seems - i do like spending time with just you,” the brunette sighed. “not you and people-people. anyways, is it anyone i know, at least?” lacey began to get closer to him slowly, giggling. “yeah? well i think you still deserve to be tickled to death!” lacey yelled playfully, starting to run towards him with the intent to tickle him. the girl wasn’t always so childish but she had her moments.

“do me this one solid, i promise you won’t regret it. i have a beer guy, anyway,” he attempted to convince her in any way that he could because he knew that when she was not comfortable, no one else would be either. “and i’m not sure why, you’ll love these people once you give them the chance.” baring his teeth and sucking in a breath of air, he shook his head. “i mean, you may know one or two people but i highly doubt it. they’re not really people i’d expect you to know.” shooting her a warning look, he pressed his lips together as he moved towards the other side of the room. “lacey, i swear to god,” emerson shouted as he rounded the couch in the living room, only stopping so that his brown eyes could meet a familiar shade. “i will tie your hands around a pole if you don’t cut it out!!” 

“yes, i’m following. i mean… i–i think you’re wrong, but i’m following. don’t you think that’s… i mean, that sounds like a pretty lonely way of looking at things to me.”

“there’s never been a time when i was wrong. it’s simply a difference of opinion. i don’t think people offer much company in the long-run, anyway. they all end up fucking off, don’t they?”

“yeah? well did it ever occur to you that i wanted to get drunk by myself?” she crossed her arms, trying to be annoyed by it - which she was, slightly, since she didn’t plan this - but for the most part, she was excited. it had been a while since the girl went to a party. “is anyone coming that i even know?” she looked over at him, raising an eyebrow. she moved even closer, a playful smirk on her lips. “you’d lock me outside?? this is my house too, you know.”

“no. i could not imagine why you would want to do that.” ignoring the cross of her arms that signaled she was slightly annoyed with him, emerson decided to focus on the fact that he could win her over with the idea. “i’ll have someone get more beer but if you drink all of it then i’m gonna cut you off.” shaking his head at her question, he gave a sheepish shrug of his shoulders as if to silently let her know it was no big deal. “the people i know are people-people. they know how to make friends.” quirking a brow, he figured it was his time to cross his arms. “well, personally, i think you would have been deserving of being locked out of your house.”

“i–i don’t know. i don’t know where i got that idea. i’m sorry. i have no doubt that you’re self-sustaining, not that i’m really sure why that matters.”

“it matters because it means i don’t need anyone to rely on in terms of comfort, romance, loyalty. the basics. the only good that comes from others are sex and the occasional home-cooked meal but if one doesn’t offer me either then what good are they, really?? are you following??”

lacey gasped as the boy spoke. “what??” she crossed her arms. “i bought these for just me and you! if you’re gonna invite other people over, at least tell them it’s bring your own beer, or something.” she murmured. “i could slap you right now - or tickle you to death right now.” lacey threatened, smiling as she neared him, extending her arms out to do the latter.

“i saw them and assumed that you would be willing to share with some friends.” emerson could not easily consider the people he invited over to be friends but he knew that putting on a show for them would get him things he wanted in return. “what kind of person would that make me?? no one makes their guests bring beer.” with his eyes narrowing at her threat and smile, they soon widened in realization that she really would live up to her words. “if you touch me i will lock you outside. don’t underestimate me, lacey.”