#interaction: ej

[theninisalazarroberts]

@caswcll​

leave a “amuse me” in my ask, and I will write a funny drabble about my character trying to cheer your up. @theninisalazarroberts

“c’mon neens, what’s wrong? haven’t seen you this pissed since i stole your phone.”

ej stared directly at his friend, brows furrowing as he attempted to meet her eyes. it didn’t seem like she was going to budge, which just strengthened his resolve to have her smiling again. ej attempted everything to cheer her up from poking her forehead whispering soft ‘boops’, to giving his signature cross eyed idiot looks, and even embarrassed himself in front of the entire cafeteria trying to balance random pieces of fruit on his head. it didn’t seem like anything was working, and maybe nini didn’t look so much mad, but more sad. ej sighed, sitting across her in deep thought. he had a frown painted on his face, until an idea popped in his brain, and a grin (which looked almost deranged) began to reveal itself.

ej moved next to her, placing his phone square in front of her. “so… remember when i told you I wrote you a song?” he pressed play, revealing a pop beat instrumental as he clears his throat. “before you go and make that face you make when you’re mad at me….”

Nini was miserable. She had given up going to YAC (sorta - her moms had said no) and had signed up for weekly classes at the University of Utah theater program’s weekend program for high schoolers. She had thought it was going to be a great experience. Except that the instructor had completely torn her apart. In fairness, he’d done that to everyone (”you can’t grow if you dont till the soil” he’d said), but that didn’t make it hurt any less. Didn’t mean it didn’t wreck her confidence, which she’s already had to rebuild repeatedly. 

So sue her for wanting to wallow and be upset for a little, but apparently, that was unacceptable, according to Mr. EJ Caswell. She was annoyed at him (and secretly touched by his efforts to cheer her up) and ignoring him. Or she was trying to. Until he pulled out his phone and started singing and less than one line into the song, Nini had forgotten all about Dr. Dresden and the horrible things he said. Instead, her head is now filled with this boy band-esque song and EJ trying to sing in a range that isn’t his best. “EJ,” she stared at him in horror, mind whirring with question after question. “What is this song?!” 

[theninisalazarroberts]

zip me (dress ej up for prom)

Nini had a policy: If a friend asked for help, she helped them however she could. Generally, it was a good policy. She liked being helpful and helping people. Sometimes, it backfired or made her feel like a doormat when people took advantage of it or was just generally exhausting. But the pros outweighed the cons, so she stuck to her policy.

Nini couldn’t decide which category this fell into. She was at the mall, shopping with EJ. He had asked for her help picking out his suit and tie for prom and while she had thought it was strange when he asked, she agreed. She had seen pictures of EJ from homecoming and last year’s prom - she knew he owned at least one suit and could clean up nicely so why he needed her help was a mystery. But he had asked and she had a policy and he was her friend. 

“Okay,” she clapped her hands together as they walked down the hallway of the mall. “Do you have an idea of what you want? Or know what colors your date is wearing? Because I – Do you have a date?” Nini suddenly realized she didn’t know the answer to that question. Maybe he was going with the drama club group like she was. She figured she would have noticed if EJ had done a promposal or something. Or at least heard through the drama club’s gossip grapevine if he’d asked someone. Or been asked, because that could have happened, too.

They turned into a store and wandered to the suit section.

“If you don’t know, playing it safe with a black tux is a good idea. Then you can have more fun with the tie color.” She said, thinking out loud, looking at all the options. “Then there’s the question of bowtie or necktie…” She looked at him expectantly.

@caswcll