The Enemy Lives Next Door (bxb)

Part Seventeen - Part Two

Part Seventeen - Part Two

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The theme park sprawls out before us, a vibrant chaos of colors, sounds, and excited voices. Emily's eyes light up like fireworks as we approach, her small frame practically vibrating with anticipation. She clutches Adam's hand, her pink dress swaying with each step.

Adam kneels to her level, his expression serious yet gentle. "You promise me you'll stay close and listen, right?" His voice is steady but kind. "Stick with the other girls, don't wander off, and say no to strangers. If you get hungry, Dale and I will be at the garden, just across from here. We'll keep an eye on you."

A crackling announcement from a nearby microphone grabs our attention. "Ladies, who's ready to meet Princess Jasmine?"

The girls erupt into delighted squeals, their dresses whirling around them like colorful tornadoes. Emily darts off with the crowd, her excitement evident in every skip and bounce. Adam and I watch her go, her joy as bright as her dress.

Adam turns to me, catching the smile that had unconsciously spread across my face. "What's with the grin?" he asks, raising an eyebrow.

I shrug, feeling a twinge of embarrassment. "Nothing. Just thinking about how much Emily looks up to you. She really adores you."

A pang of guilt flickers within me. I'm using his sister to express my feelings, a poor substitute for what I really want to say. Instead, I settle for a more straightforward compliment. "She looks just like you. She's lovely, just like you, Adam."

Adam's cheeks turn a light pink. He scratches the back of his head, his usual confidence faltering. "Yeah, she's everything to me. She means the world..." He brightens abruptly. "Uh, let's go get some ice cream."

We make our way to the ice cream stand. A cheerful man with a broad smile greets us, his eyes twinkling with mischief. "What'll it be for you two lovebirds?"

I feel my face flush red as Adam shifts uncomfortably beside me. "We're not together," he says, a bit too quickly. "Just friends."

The man raises an eyebrow, his gaze lingering. "That's a shame. You two make a great couple. I can tell he's a keeper."

I feel the sting of Adam's words more than I'd like to admit. My cheeks heat up, and I try to regain my composure.

Adam looks at me, his warm smile making my heart flutter. "What flavor do you want?"

His smile feels like it belongs in a movie scene, and I'm momentarily lost in a daydream. I try to ground myself. "Uh, yeah, sure. That sounds great."

Adam laughs softly and turns back to the man. "I'll take two cookies and cream with extra whipped cream."

He pays, leaving a generous tip, and we find a shaded oak bench in the garden. It's not the grand romantic setting I had envisioned, but it's still pleasant. I resolve to persuade Liam to set us up on an actual date soon.

"So, who was that girl Emily mentioned?" I ask, then wince as the words leave my mouth. "Forget it. Do you like Superman? He's pretty cool. And Catwoman? I love that movie. This ice cream is—"

Adam interrupts me with a gentle touch on my hand. His ocean-blue eyes hold mine with a serious expression. "It's nobody. Just a friend from when I worked at a retail store. Nothing more."

Relief floods through me, and my heart feels lighter. "Oh, I was just curious, not that it matters or anything," I ramble, immediately regretting my words. "I really need to shut up now..."

Adam chuckles softly. "Oh, so you're not interested? Here I thought I might have been marriage material."

I fluster, stumbling over my words. "You're more than just a guy I'd want to marry. Not that I want to, but yeah, that'd be great. I mean, not like that, but...yeah."

My attempt at conversation comes out in a jumbled mess. He's really messing with my head.

"Seriously, how could you resist a handsome guy like me?" Adam smirks, licking his ice cream.

My pulse races. I avert my eyes, trying to steady my breathing. "You've been hanging out with Liam too much. He's got a way of corrupting people."

Adam laughs heartily, and his laughter is like a balm. "Yeah, Liam's a bit of a player. And I've noticed the way you look at him."

When did Adam become such an expert on my feelings?

I shift on the bench, rolling my eyes. "Oh please. Liam and I can't stand each other. I don't even get why he exists. All I want to do is strangle him."

Adam's laughter continues, soothing and light. "Maybe you should give him a chance."

I raise an eyebrow. "Are you suggesting I date Liam Blackwell?"

Adam shrugs nonchalantly. "He's cute and funny. You should get to know him. I see the way he looks at you too."

Before I can protest further, a bell rings, and the girls burst out of the castle, their laughter and chatter filling the air. We wait for Emily to appear, but she doesn't show up.

Adam's face tightens with concern. "Emily!"

I scan the crowd, standing on my toes to catch a glimpse of her. But the sea of pink dresses and blonde heads makes it nearly impossible to spot her.

My heart pounds with anxiety. "Emily!"

I push through the throngs of people, mumbling apologies as I go. I dart around the garden, but Emily is nowhere in sight. Adam has already started searching the other side of the park.

In a moment of clarity, I rush to the hotdog truck. There she is, behind it, enjoying a hotdog with relish. A wave of relief washes over me as I hurry over and pull her into a tight hug.

"Oh my God," I exclaim, "we thought we lost you."

Emily looks up, her expression nonchalant. "It's okay. I just wanted a hotdog."

Despite her casual demeanor, I can't help but laugh. Out of the corner of my eye, I spot Liam. He's too close for comfort with a blonde girl, laughing at something she said. He decided to stay behind rather than join us at Disneyland?

Liam Blackwell is in serious trouble. The jealousy bubbling inside me is unmistakable.

Adam rushes over, pulling Emily into a relieved embrace. "Where did you run off to? Don't do that again!"

Emily rolls her eyes. "If someone tried to kidnap me, I'd scream and run away."

Adam chuckles, still catching his breath. "Alright, let's go. Maybe catch a movie or something?"

"Yeah," I agree, eager to leave. "Let's get out of here."

We head back towards the park exit, and Adam's presence next to me feels reassuring. I glance back one last time, my thoughts tangled with the lingering image of Liam with that girl.

As we walk, Emily chatters excitedly about the day's adventures, and Adam's laughter mingles with hers, creating a comforting background to the day's events. Despite the confusion and jealousy, I find solace in the simple pleasure of their company. Maybe today didn't go as planned, but it's still a day to remember.

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