The Kissing Prank

➳ the friend cliché

                        CHAPTER ONE  

                        t h e   f r i e n d  c l i c h é

        There are two types of movies that I absolutely despise. There are the corny, trying-to-be-funny sort of movies. You know, those ones that have the brilliant comedic actor doing some over the top, stupid accent. Not trying to out Adam Sandler and his movie The Waterboy, but come on people- there is comedy and then stupidity.

And I just can't leave out the cliché romance movies. Although I am of the male gender, I do enjoy a good romance movie from time to time. So when I sit down and watch a pair of two best friends fall in love with each other inevitably, the overused plot line drives me out of the room. And that says a lot since I love sitting down; one of my many hobbies, actually.

Nonetheless, the two movies separate or combined (the horror), don't make an unpredictable nor funny watch. We know the best friends are going to end up together no matter what. We know that the waterboy will have his time to shine in the cheesiest way possible.

We just know, and that is my problem.

Maybe that is why I don't go to the movies often. I am too judgmental over the seven dollar movie (not even counting the outrageously over priced popcorn and large Coke). Not to mention the only movie theater here in Clearbrook Springs is a stuck in the eighties piece of crap.

 And yet, here I am, entering the darned theater in a eager pace.

The scent of popcorn engulfs me, along with the dirty, shaggy interior of the building. The popcorn printed carpet covers the floor with every step I take, and the matching wallpaper is barely hanging onto the walls as I take a glance around, looking for the whole reason why I am putting myself through this.

"Noah!" my reason calls out somewhere to my left.

My eyes drag over to the source, instantly meeting the pair of warm brown eyes I know and love.

The ones belonging to no one other than Emily Ricketts.

"Hey, loser," I say while strolling towards her.

Real translation: Hey, beautiful.

Emily takes my mild insult with a smile and soft laugh. I can't help but bite my lip, glimpsing down towards her vibrant smile. She might have braces, but her smile is radiant. And tonight it is only framed by a flashy smear of bright pink lipstick on her lips.

"I could of watched this movie with Colton, you know? But of course, you being my father and all, had to push Colton out and go himself." She huffs out the last part, crossing her arms over her chest.

I grimace at the sound of Colton's name. "Colton? Colton who?"

I chuckle, but she dramatically takes a swing at my shoulder. Of course I know who Colton is. It is the guy she hasn't stopped raving about since freshman year in high school. I figured (and partly wished) after graduation last spring, that she would forget all about that total blow fish, but no. She still goes on about his sandy blonde hair and blue eyes that, and I quote, "stare into her soul with every glance."

Yeah, I know; definitely belongs in one of those cliche romance movies.

"How about we watch a movie other than The Fault in Our Stars? We already know what is going to happen for God's sake. How about this one? Or that one? Oh, this Let's Be Cops looks hilarious." I try my best to persuade her hopeless romantic side around.