"Jeez... you really know how to make somebody scream, don't you?"
You can't suppress the laugh that came out of your lungs at the question, leaning further forwards on the kitchen counter, holding the brick phone to your ear. One glance around the kitchen tells you everything you need to know; you've got a nice, modern marble countertop, sharp and polished knives, the whole place just looks sleek and clean. The smell of cleaning detergent fills your nose the longer you remain in the room.
As to why you're using a brick phone in this day and age? It's vintage, duh.
"Yeah, like... totally. Say, how long until you're all here?"
Your eyes wander to the empty counter you chose as a resting place, your upper body laid on it as you wait for an answer, your elbows propped up on the surface, subconsciously shifting your feet around as you inquire.
The familiar voice from the other side of the heavy phone sounds out yet again, answering in a rather plain fashion.
"About ten minutes. Why? You wondering if you have enough time to squeeze into your costume?"
"Don't even start, you who—!"
And just like that, before you can properly retort... you're met with nothing but the disappointing sound of the disconnect signal.
Pushing yourself off of the countertop, you place the phone down, before taking your actual phone off of the counter, mentally clocking the time you have left.
As the last decoration is hung up above the doorway, you hear a car pull up behind you. Stepping down from the ladder, you set the metal steps aside, letting your shoulders slump. Getting everything ready really took it out of you, but hey, maybe it'll all pay off.
Maybe.
"Don't mind if I do..."
At the sound of the sudden voice, you lift your head only to see your friends entering through your front door, all carrying some kind of bottle, and all dressed up in some way. Holiday cheer, you suppose.
You shortly follow behind, switching off the porch light after you enter, the white switch making a distinct click! as the light shuts off. You close the door behind you, taking a look around the various decorations you have set up; pumpkins, bowls of various candy, a lot of stickers, temporary stencil art on the wall... you did a pretty good job.
It doesn't take long for the party to set off, the smell of detergent not at all present anymore, instead being replaced with the scent of... quite a bit of people. You swish the liquid in your plastic red cup, before looking back over to the friend who was SUPPOSED to help you set things up. Supposed to.
"C'mon, you know I couldn't make it! Besides, you did a good job by yourself, it's fiiiine..."
They nudge your shoulder with their own gently, before noticing your not all that pleased expression. They look back to the group of party attendants, before leaning a little closer, muttering to you.
"You know... I got the guys you wanted here. Y'know, one for each of us."
Well... if you weren't listening before, you certainly are, now. A small smile even makes it's way onto your face.
"...get 'em lined up like it's a game of 'kill, fuck, marry', then."
Well, your idea was going brilliantly... until it wasn't.
It was all going great, it was all fun... until your friends took every single guy you eyed. You shift a little on the couch as you get up to walk towards the last guy standing, but to be fair... you don't even recognize him. All you know about him is he's mute, and he was invited. And now you were practically stuck with him.
"..."
You can't tell if his silence is endearing... or just creepy. You take a few steps forward and around the low coffee table, the sounds of the party very much alive in the other room, but you're here... alone with Taph.
"Errr... heyy..."
You awkwardly look off to the side for a moment, before snapping your eyes back to him, watching him sign something to you... before you realize you haven't a clue what he just tried to say. You've very little idea how your own plan could backfire this bad.