HEART ATTACK by BRONSON, ODESZA, Golden Features
Thomas
I'm scrolling through Sara's Pinterest boards, searching for ideas. Ideas for party themes that Sara wants, but also ideas for ways to ask her something. Something important. Something I've been thinking about for a while.
"What about a frat party theme?" James suggests.
I give him a deadpanned look. "You just want a huge party and a keg stand."
James' jaw drops, his eyes widening. "This isn't about me Thom, thanks for thinking of me, though. I'm just giving ideas I think would be fun." He rolls his eyes, looking back down at his phone.
"Right," I say. "If you aren't gonna help me, then don't say stupid shit." I feel myself getting frustrated, for more than just party reasons.
"Dude, relax. You know she'll love whatever you do." James' eyes are glued to his phone, and I can see him watching rock climbing reels instead.
I let out a heavy breath. "It has to be perfect, James, okay? More than perfect."
Finally, he throws his phone to the side, giving me his undivided attention. "This is a birthday party." I stare at him. "And you don't get upset like this, hardly ever." I wonder where this is going. "What else is this about?"
The concern in James' eyes makes me want to get up and walk away. He's always so unserious. Trying to dive into something serious with him is a weird concept to me. "Nothing." I look at my phone.
James sighs. "Man, how am I supposed to help you if you don't—" His phone goes off in between us. Grumbling under his breath, he snatches it and reads the screen. "Shit. Fuck. It's Iris, I promised her I'd come to this family thing she's having. Bro I'm sorry, I gotta head out."
"Mhm," I scroll, one post catching my eye.
"Don't be mad." I look up, and I know I look mad. James gives me a goofy smile and it dissipates.
I shake it off. "I'm not mad. I'm just stressed. I'm sorry."
After a pause, and a slow nod from James, he stands up. "You really like her, don't you?"
I let out a stupid laugh. "Yeah...I do."
James laughs, hard, and my annoyance returns. I roll my eyes. "What a lovesick puppy."
"Get out."
"You love her don't you?" My eyes snap toward him.
"Leave, James."
"Oh my God! You really are a lovesick fuckin' puppy."
"Don't you have a girlfriend to go see?" I kick him from my spot, forcing him to take a few steps back.
With a few loud laughs, he heads for the door. "Alright man, but don't let the word slip until you're ready!" I hear the front door swing and I finally relax.
Don't let the word slip until you're ready.
"Maddie?"
"James. Hey."
Relief hits me like a ton of bricks. Someone who will actually help me. With everything. Hopefully.
Maddie enters the room, an enormous amount of bags in both hands, a big smile on her face. "Hey?" I say slowly, confused. "What's with all the bags?"
She places them all over the couch. "Yeah, so...No offence but, I figured you still wouldn't have a theme yet, so I picked it out."
I stand up. "What? And you just went and bought it all? I thought we were each buying half. And the theme, what's the theme?" I panic.
