Who You Gonna Call?

“Ah, y-yeah, you’re right. I’m patient enough with most things, just not food.”  He nodded. “I’m okay,” he shot her a small smile, attempting to prove his okay-ness.

“Well you have one up on me, I’m like a ball of anxiety almost 24/7, patience...eludes me. Anyway, hi, I’m Emi.” She said and extended her hand to the stranger. “And sorry about your food situation, maybe a milkshake will help you?” She offered a feeble shrug. 

“Whatever you’re m-most comfortable saying, I guess.” He shrugged, if he was being honest, he’d prefer neither of the two, take his food and run.

“Bad news then, You’re not gonna be able to taste your food right or at all depending on how badly you just burned your tongue. But silver lining, if you’re not starving you can just wait a few hours. Hey, are you like... okay? I mean you kind of look like you’re about to hurl or something. If you are, advanced warning would be appreciated.” 

He managed to finally get his food down and quickly took a large gulp of water. Before he could make any kind of quick escape, though, someone decided to talk to him. “Uh, I m-mean, my mouth still hurts… i-if that’s what you mean by feeling any better.”

“So do you want the bad news or do you want me to lie to you?” Emi asked, leaning forward, propping her head up on her hand.

“Aah h-hot, ow!” Ollie unintentionally exclaimed as the roof of his mouth felt as though it were on fire. He attempted a the manouever of breathing in cold air before prematurely chewing the food and being greeted, once again, with a scolding burn.

Emi wanted to laugh as she saw the outcome from a mile away, his food was steaming hot, yet the stranger went right into it. “I debated warning you but I guess I was too late. If it makes you feel any better my brother’s done that way too many times.” 

“Well, if this is your dad bod, then I better watch out because you’re going to be the  hottest dad on our block.” Effy watched as he sucked his stomach in and out, knowing she should probably tell him to stop but he looked to be very into it. “How did you know that was exactly what I was referring to?” She asked with a gasp before his lips found themselves on hers. She pulled away from him, catching her breath. “Well, that was definitely a kiss.” Effy said with a slight laugh, biting down on her lower lip. While that might have gotten out of his system, she only wanted to kiss him again. “Oh shut up, no I did not…. did I?” She asked, trying to retrace her steps. She could have very easily ate it all before work, or he and his pot pack ate it while she was out.

“Have I ever told you that you’re the best flirt I’ve ever met? Because you really are, I’m putty in your hands right now.” Adam brushed his shoulder off, “Well you know...” Adam really wanted to kiss Effy again and not stop, but she was big on not being ‘that couple’ and he could see why though he himself didn’t care all that much, except for when it came to his best friends, but the whole triangle thing was a while ago and it seemed they were all past it. “No, really, you did, cross my heart, Eff. Demolished, like cinnamon toast monster.”

“Okay, what belly are you referring to? There’s no belly here, so like…” She pulled at the skin on his abdomen, raising her eyebrow. “Maybe not.That goes with being that couple and I doubt our friends want to deal with us sucking face the entire time.” She said, rubbing at his shoulders as he nuzzled her neck. “So if you want to kiss me, get it out of your system now.” Effy laughed. “Thank you, I know my Looney Toons.” Effy shook her fists like Elmer. “Shhhh, I’m hunting wabbits. Have you seen a wabbit?”

“It’s a belly, I might be teetering on dad bod and I don’t even have children yet, that’s the sad part.” He said all the while sucking in and poking out his belly over and over again, momentarily transfixed by the action. “When you say that couple do you mean the coolest fucking couple in the history of history because we’re already there, baby. I like the way you think.” He said before beaning in and capturing her lips with his own. She told him to get it out of his system and he wasn’t sure that he could do that, but he kissed her until he absolutely couldn’t breathe anymore. “I haven’t seen any wabbits, but are you ready for the Shamalyan like twist? You ate all of the Cinnamon toast crunch. True story. “ 

“So he says, but he’s the guy running head first to places inhabited by ghosts. Not brave. Pfft.” She scoffed. “I happen to think you’re extremely brave. And cute. And hot, and I mean that both figuratively and literally.” Effy began to fan him with her hands. “It was that wabbit. Oh, I’m going to hunt that wabbit down.” She closed an eye and acted like she was Elmer Fudd. 

“Yeah, but I haven’t worked out in weeks, I’d take on a poltergeist before baring this belly anyday.” Adam nuzzled his face into  Effy’s neck, “I should be a better host and not kiss your face in front of everybody right?” He laughed suddenly, “That impression is so spot on it’s scary.” He pretended to munch on an invisible carrot, “Ehh, what’s up, Doc?” 

“And here I thought you were just trying to bring the trend back for the guys.” Effy laughed, holding her hands back for a moment but she couldn’t help but go for it again. “I know, but you look so cute right now I can’t help it.” She said as she climbed on top of him, kissing at his face. “Now, since you’re such an expert at crime now… can you tell me who ate all of the cinnamon toast crunch in this house?”

“I’m not that brave.” Adam scrunched his face up, but he kept Effy close regardless. “You know actually it was the Trix rabbit, we introduced him to something besides Trix and he went a little crazy.” 

“So that explains why you’re wearing your shirt like a crop top, right now.” Effy pulled him closer to her, tickling at his exposed sides. 

“Well it’s hot so being hot explains it I thi--stop stop I’m ticklish there!” Adam said, jumping, eyes rimmed red. 

“Was it James?” She asked, a serious look on her face. “Because we know how loose he with his hand. A splash is actually a very long pour.” Effy let out a small aw at his toast. Things did work out in the end. A year ago, she’d gone through the most traumatic experience of her life. This year, she was with her first love- once former boyfriend now her boyfriend and the only person she wanted. “Well, you don’t have to worry about that. It has a way of always showing up when you’re around.” She tapped her cup with his. “Oh, that’s some stiff competition… but we’re going to take them out.”

“You know it was, good old James coming through in the clutch.” Adam blushed a little as a result of the ‘aw’ from his girlfriend, God he was so happy to have her back in his life, he wasn’t miserable without her, but he was so much better with her, and honestly if he lost her again he felt like he would be, he took that to mean there was something there, something important. “Oh, are you kidding me? It’s in the bag.” He said then picked up the ballot and checked both their names off before he folded it and put it in a small glass bowl. “Before they announce king and queen, can I be serious with you for a second?” 

Effy jumped along with him laughing as they probably looked horrible but she didn’t mind because she was having the best time. She shook her head, her hair flying around. “Is it spiked?” She asked, breathlessly. “Because you know I don’t have punch unless it’s spiked.” Effy brought out her best valley girl accent. “Woah, who’s on the ballot this year?” She asked, curious to who he’d put on it.

Adam danced the whole song with Effy, most of which was just jumping, and he took her hand to make the short journey to the ‘concession table’, “Not to be a snitch or anything, but I saw a guy spike it.” He poured a cup for Effy and handed it off, then one for himself before holding his cup up, “To your smile. It’s all I wanted to see tonight and it’s making all kinds of appearances.” He tapped the rim of his cup with hers. “Well there’s you and me. Uh Carrie White and Billy Nolan. Regina George and Aaron Samuels. And somehow Kim and Kayne, I don’t know.” 

“Or perhaps more than his cheek?” Effy said with a devious smirk. “Well thank you for letting me know because I’m definitely going to take advantage of that-” She kissed his lips quickly. “Just like that and I might do it again, so just be on the lookout.” Effy nodded as she laid her head against his chest. “This is the best prom ever, really.” She looked up at him to see him lipsync. “I love you.” She mouthed up at him before kissing his cheek. During her time in Rosewood, she’d had very memorable Prom experiences but this one was definitely up there. It might have bee her favorite one. 

“I’ll be on the look out for that.” In that moment Adam was living the good life, he had his girl, some sweet jams, everything they needed for a perfect night, and it looked like he was making her pretty happy, he couldn’t really ask for more. “I love you too, so much.” He said as the song changed to a more upbeat one and Adam started jumping up and down holding on to her hands. “After we work up a sweat we should cool down, get a cup of punch and vote for prom kind and queen before it’s too late.” 

“Of course not. I think I’m going to find myself appreciating their music a lot more under the influence of a couple of shots.” Effy nodded, because he wasn’t wrong there. “But you know what’s better than a bad boy streak? An adorable streak. A streak that’ll make you just want to kiss a boy’s cheek repeatedly for being so cute.” Effy turned around to face him, her heart racing the moment her eyes met his. Her lips met his as his phone went off once again. “I hope to never have to see this routine. I happen to like parties in Rosewood.” She cupped his face before pulling him in for another kiss. “Wait, hold up! Is that True by Spandau Ballet? She screamed before wrapping her arms around his neck, swaying them from side to side.

“Just a boy’s cheek? Just asking because there’s a whole lot more of this boy that you’re allowed to kiss. If I may make a suggestion, the lip area is a great one to start with. “ Adam could swear everytime their eyes met something electric happened between them. He grinned at her recognition, “Uh of course it is, this is an awesome prom playlist, isn’t it?” He asked, throwing his arms around her waist, swaying with her and lip synching expertly while he did so.

“Huge, didn’t you hear? They are doing a massive bar tour. So now you can drink up when singing about your tummy and the yummy yummy things that you put in it.” Effy laughed. “Well he can remain upset because my boyfriend, got me the lego men group for our prom.” Effy walked over to the backdrop, looking back at it only to laugh again. It was so ridiculous, it looked like something out of an eighties movie. “Oh, is that so? I didn’t know you had such a rebellious streak, Adam.” She playfully gasped back at him just as the first picture went off. She laughed as her boyfriend’s expression became a very awkward one. “What is that?” She laughed a she mimicked it for the next picture. “I’m hoping it’s set to that song Zac Efron sang in High School Musical 2. The one where his reflection sang back at him.”

“Is there any other way to sing about my tummy?” He tightened his arms around her only slightly for a quick squeeze, “Nothing wrong with a little bit of a bad boy streak, I hear girls are into that. But I’m so bad I’d go one on one with a ghost.” He laughed, “It’s classic prom.” After they got another off Adam spun her around to face him and he puckered his lips out to kiss her before another shot went off, “Heavily inspired by it maybe, but I like to think I throw my own angsty moves in there too.”