Thanatophobia (fear of dying)

Party Prep

I screamed as I felt something pounce on me.

Waving my arms out wildly to hit my attacker, and hyperventilating, I came to a reluctant stop when I heard a low chuckle.

“Huh?” I blinked in confusion, my eyes adjusting to the light flooding into the room.

There Elliot was, grinning widely down at me while holding onto my wrists to stop me from lashing out at him again.

“What are you doing?” I pursed my lips, perplexed, as he dissolved into another fit of laughter.

He leaned down quickly and pecked me on the lips, drawing away in an instant. My heart was beating loudly in my chest. I frowned, “Don’t do that.”

“Don’t do what?” He grinned just before he leaned forward again, his force pushing me even farther into the wall. But just as before it was just a peck. My heart was thumping even more loudly, causing me to blush.

“That,” I muttered.

“Why not?” He grinned wickedly.

I pouted, shooting him a glare, but he simply leaned forward and pecked me on the lips once more. Involuntarily I broke into a smile, “you don’t play fair,” I accused, freeing one of my wrists hitting him across the chest.

“Don’t play fair, how?” He smiled a large, lopsided smile at me.

“You know what today is. Can’t you let me worry in peace?”

“No,” He sighed, leaning his forehead against mine.

“Elliot,” I said softly, “I have a really bad feeling about this.”

“Nalia’s coming to help you get ready,” he averted his eyes, avoiding the subject at hand.

Sighing I sad up. Elliot took hold of my hand, “I’ll keep a steady eye on you.”

“If you’re sure…”

“I am,” and his confidence was almost enough to shatter the wall of fear I’d constructed around myself.

“When does Nalia get here?” I gave him a small smile. He grinned in return, pulling me up.

“In a couple of hours. What do you want for breakfast?”

“Surprise me,” I rolled my eyes. Maybe if I was lucky enough Elliot would be able to distract me all day, like he wanted to.

“Sounds like a plan,” He winked quickly before scooping me up and running down the hall.

I shrieked. “What the hell are you doing?” Dissolving into a fit of laughter, I clutched at his t-shirt to keep myself steady.

This change in mood was so sudden, I felt windswept when Elliot set me down on the floor of the kitchen.

My heart was thudding in my chest as I took a seat and Elliot began rummaging around the kitchen.

“What’s on the menu?” I joked as I rested my chin on my hands.

“I thought you wanted a surprise?” He chuckled as he pulled milk out of the fridge.

“Well if that’s the case, you might want to blindfold me or something.”

“Good idea.”

And the next thing I knew, Elliot had shoved his black sweater over my head so I couldn’t see.

“This is ridiculous,” I muttered, conscious of how silly I must look.

“Hey, you suggested it.” There was a hint of a smile to his voice.