Mister Goofball

[cassmorgan]

Cassie had her head tilted towards the sky, enjoying every little bit of sunshine that coated her skin. Whilst she wasn’t totally keen on going to Kenji’s place for the fourth of July, the idea of a sunny barbeque was too tempting to ignore, even if it meant having to deal with the host himself. Still, she was sure her presence would bug him just as much, so that made things more bearable. Cass glanced over at the voice and almost immediately rolled her eyes. “Aw, you think I’m cute like baby yoda? That’s sweet.” Cassie was a people person, she didn’t know why things were so difficult with him when they had friends in common. 

[kenji-hudson]

“I meant old, bald, wrinkly Yoda”, he retorted while aware it wouldn’t go down too well with her. The last thing he needed was for her to know he’d been about to hit on her, a memory he needed to bury deep down into the farthest corner of his brain and certainly not mention it to his best friend. What if she starting thinking he was attracted to Cassie and tried to set them up? Lord… no. Anyway, he would try his best to be decent host as long as she didn’t get on his nerves. Why did he even invite her anyway?

[kenji-hudson]

madeline-wilson​:

Maddie’s grin grew wider as she locked eyes with her bestie. It was rare that he had a holiday off, even a national one. After all, fires didn’t stop just because of them. In fact, she wouldn’t be surprised if it was one of the busiest days of the year. “I know, I know. But rest assured I am here, so everyone can get down and go buck wild.” She laughed at the awkwardness of her words. Maddie knew how to have fun, but she wasn’t the wildest of the bunch either. Bright eyes flickered around the apartment, already buzzing with mostly familiar faces. And a few new ones. “No, he had plans with the guys already. Thought he might be a little too old for this crowd. His words. Although it would have been the perfect set-up moment with your mom,” she pouted upon realization. “Is she coming?”

Hands now free, Maddie put down her bag under the sink cabinet, knowing no one but Kenji would know where to look. “There’s sunscreen and aloe vera in there if you need it,” she snickered as she glanced at his already reddening shoulders. “And thanks. Have you had a break from the grill? You need to enjoy your own party, you know?” Spotting an ice chest, she reached in to snatch up two beers– one for each of them. Handing one to him, Maddie clinked her can playfully against his. “Not that I’m a grand grill-master or anything, but you know, if you need a break to mingle.”

“She’s not coming either”, he shrugged “which is a relief since your dad won’t be here”. The two had been scheming to get their parents together for some time but getting the two into the same room proved to be a little harder than Kenji thought. “I think we need a new plan”, he announced as he took the can from her. And he was convinced to know the perfect way to finally get their plan rolling. Kenji hopped onto the nearest stool and handed the fork over because as much as he liked being behind the grill, he really wouldn’t mind a break right now. Besides, he might take her up on her offer to get sunscreen from her bag but needed to share his idea first.

“So our parents think they won’t fit in when we invite them to our parties, right?” In his mind, there was a simple way to remedy that. Setting them up on a blind date would be too risky. The last thing Kenji wanted was to push his mom when things could happen naturally. “What about a best friend dinner? I could cook for us on my day off and it would be just the four of us of course. What do you think?”

[kenji-hudson]

@cassmorgan

“Oh it’s you” Kenji sighed nonchalantly. There was something about this girl that grated his nerves and though he was usually tactful, for some reason he couldn’t hide his annoyance around her. He pushed his sunglasses back up the bridge of his nose and cleared his throat. He’d almost mistaken her for one of the pretty girls next door and had been about to hit on her. It was a relief because knowing Cassie, she’d never let him forget it. “For a moment, I thought Yoda was wandering around my place”.

[madeline-wilson]

Just like every other Fourth of July, Maddie had spent the afternoon with her dad, siblings, and a few nearby relatives for a cookout at her dad’s. Barbecue, banana pudding and berry pie had been consumed in heaping portions by the Wilson bunch. The desserts were supplied by Maddie, while her dad handled the grill and smoker. Maddie loved spending time with her family; something about the summer sun and old dilapidated picnic table in the family backyard brought back so many memories. Everyone had their own plans for the fireworks that evening though– even her dad. She wouldn’t dare leave him alone on a holiday otherwise. So, after lunch she returned to her apartment to whip of a flurry of treats for the guys’ party across the hall. They had lucked out to have such a fantastic view of the city’s firework display right from their balcony. 

Ever since their first awkward meeting and Maddie’s gut telling her to steer clear of her best friend’s heartthrob of a roommate, she had tried her best to. Not exactly an easy feet right across the hall. Yet, she wasn’t about to let her desperation (or urges) keep her from celebrating the evening with friends. Knocking on Kenji and Luke’s door with her foot, since her arms were slugging around trays of mini pies, cookies and cupcakes, Maddie called out. “Don’t start the party without me, losers!”

[kenji-hudson]

Kenji opened the door to reveal Maddie and her tray of sweets. He smiled. The party wasn’t quite in full swing just yet but hopefully it wouldn’t be too long. He was real happy to have today off and be able to share this moment with family and friends. It was one of those rare days he didn’t mind being in charge of the barbecue for example. It was all around good mood and cheerfulness and he enjoyed that. Taking the trays from her, he walked back inside and set them down on a table. “You know all too well things can’t get started without you, you party animal”, he teased.

He pushed his sunglasses back on his head to look at her. His shoulders were pink from standing in the sun and he was already a couple of drinks ahead but nothing dramatic. “You know the drill. Drinks are outside, food’s everywhere and just make yourself at home. By the way, is your dad going to join us?”

[kenji-hudson]

madeline-wilson​:

Maddie always made cookie platters for her friends and family come Christmas, but she made sure that Kenji’s was stocked extra high with his favorites. “Thank you! You know, if I didn’t know you I would totally think that, but that is exactly what I was thinking!” She gave his shoulder a little squeeze and laughed at his playful retort. “Um, yes - yes you would! I’m pretty sure I had to make a last minute emergency on one Christmas because you did just that,” Maddie pointed jovially. “Unless I’m remembering wrong. Which, actually, maybe we both gorged ourselves with them. That seems more accurate.”

Her mother’s betrayal left Maddie a skeptic when it came to love, but her dad and Kenji’s mom both deserved another chance at it. She felt they would be really cute together, and if one of her besties became her step-brother, that would be super cool too. “I think your mom would know the difference by now. But I guess that was a wise move for me to put his name on there too, right? I mean, I don’t think it’s too much. I also may have decorated a special mistletoe cookie in there just for her.” Maddie peeked in, curious if her assumption had been right that Luke had already left. She didn’t exactly want to barge in if he was there. “So, what are you up to? Guys’ night in?”

“Probably the latter”, he snickered, more than happy to share the blame. But they both knew he was very much capable of stuffing his face with the cookies Maddie gifted his mom before buying some to replace them. Not those though. Not when it served their plan so well. “Maddie!”, he gasped dramatically with one hand resting on his chest for better effect. Even he wouldn’t have thought about the mistletoe. It was subtle and romantic. It was perfect! Not to mention he loved that particular Christmas tradition despite the fact that he never got to experience it. “You cheeky little devil! You’re a genius!”

He grinned to himself as he set the plates down in a counter. Not only he got to eat the best cookies but the thought of doing something nice for his mother made him happy. “Nah I’m on my own. Come on, make yourself at home, we need to plot a little more because as brilliant as your idea is, a lot needs to happen before you become my step sister”. Kenji was excited at the thought. Although this whole plan was pure theory, he’d always wanted siblings and would love for them to be part of the same family. “Cookies?”

[fyeahfandomss]

[madeline-wilson]

@kenji-hudson​

The month of December had flown by in a flash. It was hard to believe that in a couple of weeks they would be embarking on a new year. Maddie tended to get lost in the frenzy of Christmas, so keeping her days straight hadn’t been easy. Things were starting to settle finally though, and she still had a couple of cookie trays left to deliver. One to Kenji, as well as one for his mother. Both were piled high with her best cookies and pastries– and lots of edible glitter. She had addressed Kenji’s to Luke as well because they were neighbors, and it would be a bit rude not to include him. Even if she tried to avoid him as much as possible. Not out of dislike, but rather, the opposite. She had to keep distance from her awkwardness somehow.

Speaking of, usually Maddie would have insisted Kenji come pick up the tray, but she was certainly she’d heard Luke head out the door shortly before, so she could avoid a run-in. The card on Kenji’s mom’s tray was signed with both Maddie’s name, as well as her father’s. She and Kenji had been plotting for a while now to try and nudge them together. They both deserved love. What was the worst that could happen? Clad in her flour and sugar laden apron, Maddie knocked on the door to his apartment, a bright grin on her lips as the door swung open and there was her bestie. “Merry Christmas!” She greeted vibrantly, holding out both platters. “They’re even bigger this year. But make sure that your mom gets hers. You better not eat both of them.”

[kenji-hudson]

Kenji opened the door to reveal Maddie with two platters of what looked like delicious cookies. It had to be his favorite sight in the world. "It's a good thing I exercise at work", he smirked as a way to greet her. Then he took both plates from her and invited her in. "Merry Christmas to you too! I know that's probably going to sound dirty but the bigger the better!" Shooting one look at the plate in his right hand, he noticed that she card was signed from Maddie and his dad. He smirked and turned to her. Their plan to get their parents together was in full swing was still in early stages but Christmas would indeed be a perfect occasion to shift into high gear.

"I wouldn't dare!", he gasped, playfully feigning shock "I mean... I could eat them all and buy cookies to replace my mom's without anybody, especially you nothing, but I won't. Not when your dad's name's on the card". His mother had been single since his dad passed away years ago and insisted that she was fine but now that Kenji had moved out, he figured she felt alone and above, she deserved to be happy again.