Them & I || Stranger Things Cast

let's go to the beech beech

if anyone's got diarrhea y'all gotta take it to the other side of the boat

~Emma Smith~

"BOYS! I'm going to strangle you both if you don't release each other!" Sadie held onto both Gaten's and Caleb's ears as she tried to separate them. They were fighting over swim shorts.

"Guys I've got a massive headache." Finn sat on the floor, eating his pancake in small bites. He rubbed his head where a bruise had formed from all the commotion the night before. "Can you not yell?" He asked.

I peeked at them bickering with each other through the crack in the door separating the bedrooms from the bathroom. I was nervous to step out in a bathing suit. Sadie had taken me down to a small shop beside the hotel to buy swimsuits, and I wasn't so sure about the one she picked out for me. I can't refuse when she's paying, though.
I turned to the mirror and glanced at my reflection. I should be proud of my beautiful body. I don't need validation from others, I know I'm gorgeous. The floral straps hugged my sides, accentuating my figure. Pink blossoms prevented the suit from revealing too much. Lace lined the cups and decorated the flowers with detailed embroidery. Why was I so worried? Sadie picked the perfect swimsuit.

I pushed the door open and was met with many gasps. Gaten gave me a big thumbs-up, Caleb shot me a wink, Sadie blew kisses, and Finn-

Well, he got up and kissed me.

~

"You guys finally made it!" Millie tried to gesture to us over the gathering crowd and eager fans, thrilled that their favorite celebrities decided to spend the rest of winter in their country. She sent over her and Noah's 'escort', a big man in a tux with a name tag spelling Kevin. He helped us out of the Uber and graciously hoisted Sadie's and my bags out of the trunk and over his shoulder. The boys were forced to carry their own stuff.

Finn searched for my gaze among the fans, trying to find me in the commotion. He didn't know I could already see his brown eyes, bright with excitement. I put my head down and grabbed ahold of Sadie's hand, allowing her to guide the way to Millie and Noah.

What was I going to tell Noah? I thought the whole point of this trip was to find time with him, not Finn. I didn't plan for anything to happen with Finn. I really don't want to hurt Noah.

Another hired bodyguard pushed aside the paparazzi, letting the rest of us through to the docks. Millie ran up to Sadie and I and pushed us into a group hug.

She whispered in my ear, "I'm glad we got that all figured out. Noah got a little nervous and wanted to call you. You know, he's got feelings for you and he wants to ask you out soon. I'll tell you more later." She broke the hug and ran off to grab the rest of the boys coming onto the dock.

"Are you guys ready?" She giggled and nudged the group onto the boat, sending us all stumbling onto the deck as the boat began to take off to the Amalfi Coast. We all immediately broke off to explore. Gaten and Caleb asked passing waiters where breakfast was being served, and dashed down a set of steps to the kitchens. Sadie shuffled through her bag and plopped down onto a lounge chair, applying sunscreen to her face. Millie and Noah joined her, motioning me to come over when Finn pulled me into one of the rooms on the yacht.

 "So," he ran a hand through his curly hair, which hadn't been trimmed in weeks. It flopped all over his head like a mop. "Are we... Is this..." He tried to find words.

"Finn," I took his hands in mine, which made him blush, "I don't know. What made you do that all of the sudden? I didn't expect-"

He cut me off, "I don't think you're aware of how attractive you are, Emma. I couldn't help myself." He put his head down, "You're all I've been thinking about for weeks. I can't get you out of my mind."

I had to kiss him again.

Before he could get out another word, I slammed my lips onto his. He wrapped his hands around my waist, pulling me closer. I wanted him so badly, but I couldn't get Noah out of my head. I drew my focus back to the kiss as he started to guide his tongue into my mouth. I pulled away suddenly.

"But Finn..."

Sadie poked her head in, unaware of the tension in the room. "Emma! I've been looking all over this boat for you! What are you-"

She stared at Finn with his arms around me and my hands on his chest.

"I think I'll come find you later." She rounded the corner and darted down the hall.

"Sadie get back here!" I yelled and ran after her with Finn at my heels.

She took one glance back at us before flinging herself over the side of the boat screaming, "CANNONBALL!" Gaten and Caleb heard the commotion and came running out of the kitchen's main door, holding dozens of pastries and breakfast foods. They peeked over the side.

Caleb was the first to speak. "Sadie?" He called out, "You good?"

She emerged from the deep water, laughing. "Get in suckers. It's cold!" She gave Finn and me an I'm watching you two look and dove back under the surface.

"Sadie, how do I look?" Caleb showed off his guns, which earned him a disgusted look from Gaten.

"You don't have any muscle. Your body is built like a limp noodle." Gaten said and pushed him into the water.

Finn started to nudge me back inside when the commotion caught Noah's eye.

He got up from the beach chair and threw me a towel, "Do you want to come sit with Millie and I? She picked up a bucket of gelato before we left the airbnb. It's mango flavored." He looked at me with longing eyes. Please come sit with me.

"Yeah, sure." I released myself from Finn's arm around me and took Noah's hand. Finn didn't seem too happy about that, but he didn't protest.

Gaten grabbed Finn and pushed him in the water before swan-diving in to join Sadie and Caleb. Thank God Gaten can pick up on signals.

"Millie, my favorite girl!" I exclaimed and took my seat next to her on the towel.

She giggled, "Don't let Sadie hear that." She glanced at Noah and made a face at him. He rolled his eyes at her gesture. They seemed to be having their own little conversation without speaking.

I broke their trance, "Yo, I'm still here. Where's the gelato bucket Noah's going on about?"

Millie pulled it out from her bag without another word and handed us spoons. The sun melted the ice cream, making a mess. Millie and I flicked gelato at each other, staining the towels with our sticky hands. Noah pulled out his phone to capture the moment.

"Smile!" He took the picture. Millie tried to grab his phone, "Let me see! I have gelato all over my face."

He scrambled to his feet and darted away from her, "Don't touch me with your gross fingers! EMMA, HELP!" They both took off inside, tripping waiters coming out with food.

"Emma?" Sadie stood in front of me, sopping wet. "Can we talk about what just happened with you and-"

"Don't say it."