The Summer That Changed Everything

Chapter Six - Part Three

The two asked questions back and forth for about an hour, exceeding the traditional limit of 20 questions. But they were both having a blast and learning so much that neither seemed to care. Felicity was a little reluctant to jump on board with the juvenile suggestion. But she couldn’t resist the chance to get to know the general things about Jared. She was excited to see how much she remembered. For once, it was nice not to think too hard about the questions or answers. Everyone else she knew always talked about hard-hitting topics and expected intellectual answers. Here, she could say the first thing that popped into her head without fear of judgment.

Jared pondered for a moment. “What is your favourite film? I remember it was The Cat in the Hat when we were younger, but I gather your tastes have changed since then.”

She had to deliberate internally on how to answer that question, though. Should she tell Jared the truth and risk the humiliation? Or should she say a classic like Gone with the Wind? That would come across as intellectual, and like she knew what she was talking about. But she realised she couldn’t tell him that. Jared would easily figure out that her tastes couldn’t have changed that much in the years since they last had a heart-to-heart. Besides, he might even ask her questions about the film. Then she’d have to reveal to him that she fell asleep halfway through it.

What? I was tired, and the film was long! That was her response when Layla had teased her about that fact a few years ago. Layla loved that film and begged Felicity to join her, so it was even more embarrassing to admit that she snored through the majority of it.

“Don’t laugh at me, though,” she warned Jared with serious eyes. He looked confused, so she continued after a deep sigh. “Now, my favourite film is Mamma Mia.”

“Why would I laugh at you? Mamma Mia is a brilliant film! I love it!” Jared’s immediate response surprised Felicity entirely. Her eyes softened as she smiled. “I mean, if anything, I would say having The Cat in the Hat as your favourite film is even more embarrassing.”

“Shut up,” she let out a laugh full of glee at his taunting. “I’m not sure why I thought you’d laugh, actually. I mean, it’s not a very traditional film, is it? It’s more of a guilty pleasure, I guess. Everyone else’s favourite films are serious.”

“Does it have to be traditional or hard-hitting? If you like a film, then you like a film. Who cares what anyone says? One of my favourite films is Beauty and the Beast, and I don’t care who knows.” Jared replied, throwing his arms wide, and Felicity chuckled at him. He continued to surprise Felicity with his mature approach to real-life matters. She couldn’t say that it didn’t make her heart happy to see he hadn’t turned into someone awful in his later teenage years.

“That’s still one of your favourite films?” Felicity laughed.

“Duh,” he responded, rolling his eyes at her. What was she thinking about him being mature again? “What’s your favourite thing about Mamma Mia, then?”

“It’s such a feel-good film. And it’s a musical. You can’t go wrong with a good musical.” Felicity replied, gently shaking her finger. Jared nodded in response, pleasing her even more. “And don’t get me started on the plot line of the wedding on that gorgeous Greek island! I love weddings, you’re aware of this. I love romance and I love musicals. Mamma Mia is pretty much the perfect film for me.”

“It sounds like it is,” Jared smiled. He then got a mischievous glint in his eyes. She gulped, worried about where this conversation was heading. “Though your obsession with weddings is even more baffling now. I can’t believe you’re thinking about weddings when you and James haven’t even slept together yet!”

"Oh my gosh, will you be quiet about that? I thought we'd moved on from that topic! And there's no correlation if you really think about it. Weddings don't exactly mean sordid activities." Felicity laughed, her cheeks turning a bright crimson, although she knew her logic didn't make tons of sense. But neither did Jared's, to be honest. She shoved him with one arm and used the other to launch the first thing she touched right at Jared's face. That just so happened to be a peanut from an open bag left over from their feast.

"What are you doing?" Jared asked, turning to her with narrowed eyes, after he felt the offending object. He squinted, fully aware of what she was up to, but he wanted Felicity to admit it, to put into words what she was playing at.

"Nothing." Felicity shrugged, smirking. Enjoying his shocked expression, she grabbed a few more peanuts from the bag. She then threw them at Jared one after the other, in excruciatingly slow pace. Yet, Jared remained still. The way in which the peanuts pinged off his head satisfied her immensely.

"You know," Jared commented, feigning annoyance yet fighting a laugh. His eyes lit up in amusement. "I'm sure you're meant to put those peanuts in your mouth and not hurl them at my face. You child."

"Am I? I never knew that." She muttered, faking innocence. The bag crinkled as Felicity dug her hand into it once more and pulled out another handful of peanuts. She sat there, poised to attack. Jared narrowed his eyes at her once more. She wouldn't dare, would she? Because she couldn't resist the urge, Felicity sent him a cheeky wink. Then she pelted Jared with every single peanut in her hand all at once.

Oh, she would.

“No, it’s not that anymore,” Felicity laughed, fighting a grimace. It surprised her that he had even remembered. “Though I would be a liar if I told you I didn’t watch it as soon as I found out it was on Netflix. And let me tell you, it doesn’t really hold up.”

“Of course,” Jared responded with a chuckle.