This Means War

Double Take

The terrible trio was finally all together. It took some doing, but Sebastian, Anthony and Ellie had all managed to get a day off together. Why not spend the day lazing around, doing nothing?

It was Georgia, in the middle of summer. Sebastian's rental home had an in ground pool. It was obvious what they planned on doing.  That is how the three of them ended up in and around the pool, in various stages of unconsciousness. Anthony was laid out next to the pool, dozing on and off, occasionally sitting up to take a drink of his beer. Ellie was sat at the edge of the pool, just her legs submerged as she eyed her target. The man sleeping on a pool float not five feet away. So trusting. So unafraid of drowning. So... unsuspecting.

Ellie stood herself up, heading inside and digging through the kitchen drawer next to the fridge, smiling sadistically when she held up her prize. Coming back outside, she snagged her phone, gently nudging Anthony to get his attention. She silently offered her phone, already set up to live stream her attack. At first, he was unwilling, giving her a look not unlike that of a disappointed parent. Some silent pleading finally persuaded him to record for her.

She casually ripped off a good strip of the pilfered duct tape, sparing Sebastian a quick glance before silently slipping into the water. Sneaking up on him was easy. He slept like he was dead. She pressed the tape down securely over his chest, smiling evilly to herself before ripping it off.

He screamed. He flailed. He flipped the pool float and landed in the water. Amazing. Simply amazing. When he finally stood himself back up, he stared at her like a kicked puppy, gingerly rubbing the right side of his chest.

"Oh my God, I think you ripped my nipple off!" He groaned.

"Nah, it's still there." Ellie assured, examining the tape in her hand.

"You're awful." Sebastian grumbled, quickly snatching her up by the hips and tossing her a few feet away.

"You know." Ellie whined as she righted herself in the water. "I was really hoping not to get my hair wet."

"And I didn't want to spontaneously wax my nipple off, but here we are."

"Are you children done?" Anthony asked, giving them both an exasperated look.

"Probably not, but you don't have to keep recording." Ellie responded, thanking him once he put the phone down.

Sebastian's opportunity struck only half an hour later. He was wide awake now, but Ellie? She had gone and worn herself out being the little demon that she was. She was laying face down on the deck, sunglasses perched on her face, still damp hair now pulled up into a knot on top of her head, her back almost completely exposed by her swim suit, the soft pale skin almost shimmering in the harsh sunlight.

Now, what kind of friend would he be if he just let her get burnt? The followers of the prank war would be so happy. Two in one day. She had taken a video, yes. He had already watched his clumsy flail off the float into the water. Honestly, not the first time he'd been startled awake while drifting in a pool. It was the first time duct tape had been involved, though. His response wasn't going to be on video, however. This was going to be a slow burn.

First, just a picture of her sleeping with a bottle of sunscreen in the foreground. Next, a picture of his handiwork. Now, all that was left was to wait.

And wait.

And wait.

It would seem she was more exhausted than she let on as her nap neared the three hour mark. Finally, he had enough. He snatched her up, marching the still drowsy girl to the edge of the pool and dropping her in.

She was less than thrilled to have her hair wet again. This time, he helped her out of the pool, smiling and nodding as she berated him for doing a repeat prank.

He finally grabbed her shoulders and spun her around, bursting out laughing when he saw the message standing out against the sunburn on her back.

   I
🤍
S. S.

Her horrified look when she had noticed the white against the burn was the best. She ran back inside to look in a mirror. Her enraged scream was like music to his ears.

"STAN!"

"Yes?" He responded, leaning against the doorframe.

"You fucking branded me?!"

"I wouldn't say that."

"Really? You wouldn't?" She snapped, jerking a finger toward her back.

"It's more of a reverse brand. I kept parts from burning."

"What is wrong with you?!"

"Want to give up?"

"Where's the duct tape?"

"Why?"

"I'm ripping your other nipple off!"

"Well that seems rude." Sebastian laughed, reaching into the shower and turning it on. He picked her up like a child, setting her under the water and patting her head. "Someone needs to cool down."

"I'm going to kill you."

"You can come out when you're done with the murder threats."