#traagedywritten

It was a really dumb plan, but honestly, what else did they have going on? School? Searching for more Mothman and Bigfoot sightings? Planning out this moviegoing experience was going to take time and effort, especially when it came to Eliza and Rowena going all out with their outfits.

"This shit takes time to put together, you know,” Eliza had commented, earning a head shake from Xavier. She wasn’t wrong, and he knew it. And if they were ever going to get their friend group’s interactions back to normal after the stress the two of them had put on it months ago, this had to happen. They had to pull ridiculous stunts like this.

   While the girls worked on their outfits, Xavier and Elias had found themselves some dark hoodies and sweatpants to match. The plan was to go to the movies while pretending to be famous actors ( in a way, technically they were famous through their parents--- but at the same time, not really ). Eliza and Rowena would be their bodyguards, and Casanova would pretend to ‘fangirl’ over them, asking for pictures and everything just for the hell of it. If everything went as planned, then they’d end up fooling strangers at the theater that they really were famous actors. If not, then at least they had a night out to just goof off and see a movie together, without things being weird between all of them.

Once outfits were complete - fake earpieces, ridiculously large sunglasses, the works - their entire group made their way to their destination point. Again, was it a stupid idea? Probably. Did they care? Not one bit. Casanova met them at the endpoint if only to sell the idea that he wasn’t in on the idea in the first place ( Isadora and Jasmine, as well, though they only agreed if they got paid for it ).

          “If it works, maybe we’ll actually get free snacks and drinks for the movie--” Elias murmured under his breath, earning a brow raise from Xavier.

    “Dude. Is that even worth it? You’re just gonna chuck it up later.”

              “I mean, yeah, but I’m still a slut for movie snacks.”

               “I swear to God, you’re a disaster child.” Xavier snorted, which only earned a gentle slug to the arm.

                   “You love me, though.”

      They’d arrived a good half an hour earlier than needed for their movie, but if they were going to pull this off, then they’d really need the extra time. Casanova met them outside, with Isadora and Jasmine trailing behind him ( only agreeing on the condition that they were paid for it--- whether with money or with extra snacks, it didn’t really matter ).

              “Showtime, ladies,” with those two words, Cas cleared his throat and started in on his fanboy impression, letting out a high shriek before running towards the others in their group. Of course, he was stopped by both Eliza and Rowena standing in front of the other boys, but still-- all part of the act.

          “Please, I gotta get a picture with them! I’ve been waiting to meet them for like, forever!” Cas was really laying it on thick, wasn’t he? Xavier could hardly keep his snorts down, hiding them with a cough into his fist.

     Luckily, it seemed to work- within a few minutes, other moviegoers trickled closer to their group, falling for the idea that the boys really were famous, and even going so far as to say they were fans, too. Xavier was pretty sure that none of them had even seen his face any further than just in passing in the neighborhood- or at the very least, in occasional pictures with his dad.

           They had to keep going with the plan, though, so he and Elias kept up with the charade--- taking pictures with Cas, Jasmine, and Isadora, as well as other people who’d decided to pull the ‘fan’ role in order to get pictures. It took another fifteen minutes to actually get into the building, and another five to get up to the concession stand.

       Sodas were easy enough to pick out, but snacks? Those were a lot harder. There were so many to choose from! Reese’s, KitKat’s, popcorn, Twizzlers, M&M’s-- the world of movie candy was almost like a trip to Wonka, or something ( in Xavier’s mind, at least ).

         Unfortunately, though the teenagers had other moviegoers fooled, it didn’t seem to be the case for the theater employees. They, at least, had the sense to think things through and know how to really deal with things. And though they couldn’t give the teens free concessions, a well-placed rewards card did get them cheaper ones instead. With as many people in their group as there were, it wouldn’t be long before they could get a free popcorn during one of their future visits.

     With snacks and drinks in hand, the group of seven made their way to their required viewing room. Thankfully, they’d arrived in the middle of previews, and there didn’t really seem to be very many others in the room, either-- they were all able to fit in one row, side by side.

        “Not free food, but-- rewards cards are still nice.” Xavier pointed out. Elias shrugged, popping a few pieces of candy in his mouth.

          “I got my candy, this bitch happy.”

The fact that one of his best friends was such a meme never ceased to amuse Xavier, and such a response only earned a snort and a handful of popcorn thrown at the other.

       Was it a weird plan to work out? Yeah. Was it worth all the trouble and time to put together? Absolutely. It was the best way to spend a Thursday night if they had any say in it. Better than arguing about Mothman or Bigfoot-- though, knowing their group, they’d still end up doing that over the weekend, anyway.

        That was what they did. They were the Paranormal Patrol. But above all else, they were friends and family first and foremost.