───────── ➴ ⁺ ➶ ─────────

𝗥𝗜𝗦𝗞

CHAPTER FIVE
get my car door, isn't that sweet?

───────── ➴ ⁺ ➶ ─────────

REAL LIFE

IF THERE WAS one thing Mary Jane didn't expect, it would be the sound of somebody knocking loudly on the door of her and Luna's room in the morning.

Mary Jane's eyebrows knit in confusion, sitting up straighter in her bed. It couldn't be Luna — she had already left for her full-day tour meeting, and she probably wouldn't have knocked since she was also staying in the same room. That meant whoever it was, it was probably one of the Roomies. She stood up from the bed, adjusting her sleep shirt as she did so. Finally, when she made it to the door, she opened it, only to see it was Leslie smiling brightly like the energetic ball of sunshine she was.

"MJ!" Leslie exclaimed, her eyes brightening.

Mary Jane laughed a little. "Good morning to you, too, Leslie. What's up?"

"We're going out today."

She blinked, not really expecting that statement. "Are we?"

"We are," Leslie confirmed. "Since you'll be staying with us for a while, Tina, Rae, Miyoung, and I thought it would be a good idea for us to get out of the house and hang out. Just to make you more comfortable, you know?"

Mary Jane paused for a second, her heart warming. She knew that the Roomies were some of the sweetest people, judging by how they interacted with Luna and such. Never did she think that they would think about her and try to include her like this, and honestly, it was really . . . nice. Even though it was just the first step, Mary Jane could already see little golden threads around, tying her to the rest of them.

"Oh," Mary Jane said, because she was a little lost on what to say. "Um, that sounds awesome. You don't have to do all that."

Leslie waved her off. "Please. You're one of us now, whether you like it or not. We're all going to leave in an hour for coffee — Rae and Miyoung can't make it today, but I can drive me, you, Tina, Blau, and Ellum there. Meena will meet us there, too. Sound good?"

Mary Jane nodded. "I'll be down in an hour. And Leslie?"

She stopped for a second. "Yeah?"

Mary Jane smiled softly at her. "Thank you."

Leslie grinned back at her before walking down the hallway. Mary Jane shut the door behind her, letting out a breath as excitement filled her veins. She always admired being in a friend group like this, and she had one back in North Carolina, but felt a little bit like an outsider that first night in LA. Now, she was getting a chance to actually make bonds with them.

And make bonds with Ellum. That was another thing. Ever since last night, she couldn't get him out of her head (but what else was new?). I like supporting my friends. You're now under that category. But you look good. Everything had been replaying like a broken record, and it was making her feel all giddy inside. She had to admit, even after that, she had felt just a tiny bit of the nervousness go away. Mary Jane was sure that it would probably come back seeing him today, but whatever.

Mary Jane managed to get herself out of her thoughts and start to actually get ready for the day. She put on a black casual short-sleeved dress and a black bucket hat, mostly because she could see how bright the sun was from the windows. After applying a minimal amount of makeup, she packed her purse (which was green for a pop of color) and put on her shoes. Finally, an hour had managed to pass, and she left her room.

She glanced down at her phone as she went down the stairs, opening up a message Karl had sent her. For some reason, all he sent was a picture of him and Nolan in her room. Mary Jane questioned the picture, but rolled her eyes. She knew giving the boys a key to her and Luna's house was a mistake. Considering neither her nor Luna was in that house right now, she knew that Karl and Nolan were only going over there to mess with her. They probably wouldn't do anything out of the ordinary, but whatever.

Unfortunately for her, she was so distracted by her phone that she didn't see anybody walking towards her. Which was why she instantly collided with somebody else. Mary Jane let out a surprised grunt, slightly stumbling backwards. She looked up from her phone, only to see a familiar figure. Ellum. Her face instantly burned a bright shade of red. Oh, of course. Of course it was him. That was just how her life worked, didn't it?

Mary Jane turned off her phone. "Oh my God. I'm so — I'm so sorry. I should've been watching where I was going."

"No worries, all good," Ellum replied. "You okay?"

"I'm great," Mary Jane said while nodding. "Totally — totally fine. All good."

So much for the nervousness being gone, although it did feel a little bit easier to breathe around him now. Can I die from embarrassment now, please?

His eyes flickered up to her head, a smile appearing on his face. "Nice bucket hat."

"Oh," Mary Jane voiced, tugging on her hat slightly. "Thank you. It's a bit sunny out, so. Thought it made sense."

A moment of silence. Mary Jane could've sworn his eyes trailed down to her dress for a second, but honestly, that could've been her mind playing tricks on her. She shook herself out of it, smiling back at him. Mary Jane slipped her phone into her purse before locking her hands behind her back.

"So . . ." Mary Jane trailed off. "You ready for a coffee adventure?"

Ellum shrugged. "More of a tea guy myself, honestly."

Her eyes glinted. "A true Brit, I see."

"Always, bruv."

Mary Jane laughed a little at that. "You know, I don't think I've ever actually felt the need to mock another British accent before I met you." Her eyes then widened at what she had just blurted out, and she held out a hand. "I — I mean, no — I'm just saying, it's just . . . endearing. Take it as a compliment."

She was making a fucking fool of herself. Jesus Christ, MJ, keep it together.

Ellum didn't look at all bothered by it — instead, his eyes seemed to light up a bit. "Consider me complimented."

Leslie then appeared, followed by Tina and Blau. "Oh, hey, there you guys are." She glanced in between them for a second. "Ready to go?"

Mary Jane nodded, willing herself to look away from him. "Ready."

They all made their way outside to Leslie's car. Leslie, of course, got in the drivers seat. Before anyone could say anything, Tina climbed into the passenger seat. Blau shrugged and open the backseat door, climbing all the way over, leaving just the middle seat and right seat open.

Classic.

Mary Jane inwardly took a deep breath, climbing into the car and settling herself down in the middle seat next to Blau. She buckled her seatbelt as Ellum got in next to her. Now, since he was so fucking tall, he took up most of the seet. Which meant her shoulder was pressing into his shoulder, her knee was pressing into her knee . . . basically, they were just smushed together. Which wasn't really good for Mary Jane's brain, which was spinning in circles, or her heart, which was thudding so hard against her chest she swore she could hear it. It felt like she was about to spontaneously combust, but, like, in a good way.

It was kind of like those scenes in Heartstopper — how whenever Nick and Charlie touched, there seemed to be little lightning bolts crackling in the air, or how whenever Nick and Charlie looked at each other, it was like little cartoon hearts popping around them. That was happening right now. Mary Jane folded her hands in her lap, willing herself to calm down.

Leslie looked in her review mirror. "MJ, what kind of music do you want on?"

"Oh, um, I'm good with anything, really," Mary Jane answered.

Blau looked up from his phone. "Can we play Chappell Roan?"

"Oh, absolutely," Tina agreed. She turned around, looking right at Mary Jane. "Chappell is kind of our go-to car artist."

Mary Jane shrugged. "I'm good with Chappell Roan."

Leslie started up her car and connected to her Spotify. Instantly, the familiar song of Red Wine Supernova started to play. She pulled out of the driveway, but once she was in the road, she turned the volume a lot louder. Leslie, Tina, Blau, and Ellum all started to sing along loudly without any hesitation. Mary Jane giggled a little at their antics.

Ellum nudged her side once he saw she wasn't singing, making her look over at him. "I know you know this song."

"I do," Mary Jane confirmed.

"Then sing, dude." He cleared his throat. "I just want you to make a move, so slow down, sit down, it's new."

Mary Jane couldn't help but join in, even after that. "I just wanna get to know you, guess I didn't quite think it through. Fell in love with the thought of you, now I'm choked up, face down, burnt out."

If there was one thing that brought people together universally, it was music. As Mary Jane sang along to the song with the others in the car, she could feel herself start to relax (well, as much as she could with Ellum right next to her). Leslie said she wanted to make Mary Jane feel more comfortable, and honestly, she felt like she was kind of there already.

After the rest of Red Wine Supernova and a little bit of My Kink is Karma, Leslie pulled up into the parking lot of a local coffee shop. She parked, and all of them clambered out of the car. Mary Jane squinted in the bright sun of Los Angeles, suddenly very very glad she decided to wear the hat. Mary Jane then saw Meena waiting by the entrance, raising an eyebrow at how Blau instantly walked up to her.

She elbowed Ellum's side, nodding to the two of them. "Friend, huh?"

Ellum followed her gaze, smirking slightly. "Oh, they're friends, all right."

"We're seeing how far things will go between them," Leslie whispered. "It's all a part of our conspiracy."

Mary Jane laughed slightly. "Consider me in on the plan."

They all walked into the coffee shop. Mary Jane was instantly hit with the scent of coffee beans and the sound of soft pop music playing over the speakers. She glanced around for a second at the cute cafe before stepping up into line. Mary Jane looked up at the menu, tilting her head as she looked over the menu.

Ellum slid up next to her. "Any idea what you're getting?"

"I think maybe an iced white mocha," Mary Jane responded. "What about you? Tea, Mr. Brit?"

He chuckled, shaking his head. "Not today, I don't think. I've been really into oat milk lattes recently."

"Oh, so the British man is becoming L.A.-ified. I understand."

Ellum bumped her arm with his, and she felt tingles on her skin. "Be quiet."

"You can't get mad at me for speaking the truth," Mary Jane argued lightly. She stepped forwards, watching as Tina and Leslie ordered their own drinks. "So, you like L.A., I presume?"

He nodded. "A lot. I like being around my friends." Ellum glanced down at her for a second. "Which includes you now, of course."

Mary Jane's stomach felt all fluttery. "I like being around you, too." Oh my God. "I like being around all of you, really."

Finally, it was their turn to order. Mary Jane ordered her iced white mocha, and Ellum got his iced oat milk latte. She reached into her purse to pull out her wallet, but it was no use. Ellum had already beat her to it, handing the barista his card. Mary Jane blinked — he had done that without any hesitation, no thinking involved.

Mary Jane looked up at him, her heart thudding in her chest. "You didn't have to do that."

He shrugged. "No big deal."

No big deal? She hated to be acting like that, but this was the biggest deal to her. Mary Jane stared at him curiously as she followed him over to the counter, where the others were waiting for their own drinks. She was sure there was probably stars in her eyes at that given moment in time, which was so stupid for such a small gesture that also wasn't a small gesture. Man, she really had to get a hold of herself.

"Fine," Mary Jane announced, smoothing down the skirt of her dress so her hands wouldn't shake. "I'll pay next time, then."

Ellum paused, looking down at her with a smile. "Next time?"

Mary Jane's eyes slightly widened, knowing how her words could be taken that way — and although she ached to have it be that way more than she cared to admit, they had just met, like, two days ago. "Um, you know, when we all get coffee again. I'm sure there'll be a lot more hang outs."

She shut her mouth. At least she wasn't stammering over her words so much around him anymore, but it was still just complete rambling.

"No promises, MJane," Ellum told her, leaning against the counter slightly.

Mary Jane blinked. "MJane?"

"Oh, yeah. A lot of people call you MJ, but I wanted to be a little different."

Her heart paused in her chest. He had made a new nickname, for her? Was he trying to kill her? Could he even see what he was doing to her?

Ellum cleared his throat. "I see now that it's probably stupid. I won't call you it if—"

"No, I — no, it's fine," Mary Jane interjected. "It's not stupid. I actually . . . I like it. It's different. Nobody's really called me that before."

He gave her a tiny grin, looking a lot more relieved. "I'm glad I can be the first."

Their drinks were called, and Mary Jane picked up her white mocha, savoring in the sweetness as she sipped. The group of them found a nearby table, and Mary Jane sat herself down in between Ellum and Tina. Meena was next to them as well, while Blau and Leslie sat on the other side of the table.

And, for a while, they just sat there and talked — which was pretty easy to do, considering all of them could talk for hours and hours endlessly. Mary Jane could feel herself relax more and more as she chatted and laughed with them. Not to mention she actually got to talk to Meena properly, and she was just as sweet as Luna said she was. After about an hour of just that, Mary Jane had just finished laughing at something Leslie said when Leslie suddenly interjected, getting up from the table and announcing she had to get back home to set up a stream with Tina and Miyoung.

Leslie looked at Mary Jane and Ellum. "You two coming?"

"I don't know, I might order another drink," Ellum admitted.

Mary Jane suddenly caught eyes with Leslie. Leslie had a look on her face, one that just screamed please help me. Mary Jane raised an eyebrow, and she saw a sudden jerk of her head. She discreetly looked over, only to see that Leslie was gesturing to Meena and Blau. Mary Jane suddenly recalled that Leslie had said earlier she wanted to see how far things could go between them, and leaving the two of them alone would help with that.

Ellum was not helping with that at all. Clueless boy.

"Why order another drink here . . . when I could make you some coffee back at the house?" Mary Jane asked, completely making something up on the spot. "I mean, there is that coffee machine Sykkuno bought for Foolish." She hit Ellum's shoulder softly before standing up. "Come on, you."

She walked out of the coffee shop with Ellum right behind her. The two of them walked towards Leslie's car, both Leslie and Tina trailing behind, probably having made up some sort of lie that would make Blau stay with Meena and not come back to them. Mary Jane glanced back behind her, catching sight of the two still in the cafe, before looking up at Ellum.

"You always this oblivious?" Mary Jane questioned, a fond smile on her face.

"What's that supposed to mean?" Ellum responded, which basically answered her question.

Mary Jane let out a small giggle — he was kind of adorable, which, duh. "Think about it and get back to me."

"What do you mean?" Ellum reached out and held open the back door of Leslie's car naturally, not a second of hesitation, waiting for her to get in. "Are you actually going to make me coffee back at the house? I'm lost."

She stopped for a second, but brushed past him and settled herself down into the car seat. Sure, maybe paying for her drink and holding her car door open was pretty natural, but God, he was sweet. Mary Jane wasn't sure if her heart could take anymore, really.

＊*•♥̩͙•̩̩͙*˚˚*•♥̩͙•̩̩͙*˚＊＊*•̩̩͙♥̩͙•̩̩͙*˚˚*•̩̩͙♥•̩̩͙*˚＊

TWITTER

Mary Jane Brooks maryjane • 1h
what would you do if when you okay so he said yes would go?
📸: EllumYT

💬7,230 🔁9,123 ❤️20,891

|

roomies stan username • 1h
real

💬5 🔁10 ❤️25

|

karl :) KarlJacobs_ • 1h
anybody else just have a stroke reading that

💬5,498 🔁7,439 ❤️18,567

|

Mary Jane Brooks maryjane • 1h
I feel like I have a stroke every time you speak so I'm not so sure if you're qualified to say anything

💬5,425 🔁8,230 ❤️15,757

|

jess! username • 1h
god I love mj

💬22 🔁109 ❤️234

|

blau blaustoise • 1h
I'm glad you're giving photo creds unlike SOMEBODY ELSE we know

💬1,547 🔁3,235 ❤️7,732

|

Mary Jane Brooks maryjane • 1h
ntm on my girl meena she does no wrong

💬2,674 🔁4,212 ❤️9,265

|

gta updates username • 1h
OH YES WE LOVE MEENA

💬50 🔁127 ❤️340

|

luna 🌙 lunahayes • 1h
love the dress love the hat so cutie . . . okay ellum with the pic creds!

💬9,231 🔁11,678 ❤️19,264

|

Mary Jane Brooks maryjane • 1h
just trying to survive sunny la

💬5,323 🔁6,777 ❤️9,237

|

mj's gf username • 1h
you look SO adorable in the bucket hat

💬5 🔁92 ❤️104

|

tina :D TinaKitten • 1h
one chance PLEASE one chance

💬2,878 🔁3,908 ❤️6,238

|

Mary Jane Brooks maryjane • 1h
you get all the chances in the world tina ❤️

💬3,212 🔁4,007 ❤️10,378

|

lh + mjb <3 username • 1h
absolutely! we love tina

💬30 🔁152 ❤️200

|

Josh Ellum EllumYT • 1h
triangle

💬729 🔁1,450 ❤️4,838

|

Mary Jane Brooks maryjane • 1h
the correct answer is magenta, actually

💬1,304 🔁2,772 ❤️8,640

|

Josh Ellum EllumYT • 1h
DAMN IT

💬820 🔁1,073 ❤️5,636

|

journey username • 1h
wait I didn't realize how much I would enjoy the ellum & mj duo hold on

💬45 🔁234 ❤️301

-ˏˋ ✩✩✩ ˊˎ-

chapter totally inspired by lucy's 🤪 love you queen (I can't tag her or else wattpad will get mad at me again)

they're so cute I'm clawing at the walls

also I'm still confused as to why this fic is getting so much attention . . . HELLO?????