[BFS]Checking Out The Kissing Booth

[Akeem Ten-Amen]

Akeem was not exactly interested in the fashion show. He jumped at the occasion that was given to the students to have some fun but his interest for the clothes they would show them was clearly not enough for him to be here. Taking a moment off studying was. And the fact it cost only five dollars too.

The fashion show itself was not going to start yet but there were many other activities offered. Not that Akeem really wanted to take part in an eating contest or a scavenger hunt but he looked around nonetheless. The funniest was one particular booth. A kissing booth. Really? This was hilarious. He wondered who got the bad luck to end up with that booth. Kissing people all day. Akeem might not have minded doing that, if he could get only girls and receive some payment in return but he doubted that any of the profit would go in the pockets of the one whose lips had to work all night.

Right now, there was no one in the booth. Only a sign saying they would be back in five minutes. How long it had been here, Akeem was not sure because he had previously gone through some of the food offered and then started walking around to check the various activities. He wanted to see who was in the kissing booth though. Wouldn’t that be awesome if they forced someone like Evelyn to do that? It could make sense, since Erika was hosting the event and she was dating Drew who happened to be Evelyn’s brother. He could have asked her to help out, for his girlfriend’s sake. Or not. But just to picture this, he would think that. Oh, if that was her or someone like her, he would pay people to go to the kissing booth. And he would stand there and watch.

[Ellen Banks]

So clearly Erika still had a grudge.

She much have considering she put Ellen in charge of the kissing booth. At first Ellen thought it was a joke. Seriously? Did she look like the type of person that’ll ever be remotely interested in kissing totally strangers? No thank you, while people should charge for people to kiss her, she wasn’t some kind of street walker giving it up for cash. She had standards as she was fond of telling people.

So you could imagine the look of disgust on her face as she sat at the booth with a scowl on her face, practically daring anyone to approach her as he did her nails not even paying attention to anyone that was attempting to pay for a kiss.

Besides, she was perfectly happy to reject anyone that came near her. Like she said; Standards.

[Akeem Ten-Amen]

So, it was not Evelyn but the one who showed up was just as amusing and caused Akeem to grin just as much. She looked so displeased of being here, it was hilarious. If there was anyone even remotely tempted to go to the kissing booth, they would turn away as soon as they saw her face. She was glaring them to death. Akeem seemed immune to that death stare because all it did to him was make him want to laugh. Hard.

He walked to the booth. This was going to be so much fun. “Now, now Ellen dear. This is not how you will earn a lot of money for the art programs. You need to smile and bat your eyelashes for everyone who passes by so they might want to kiss you,” he told her. That girl was thinking way too highly of herself and Akeem shall enjoy deflate her huge ego a little. He rested an elbow against the booth and turned to look at her, giving her his most charming smile. He noticed how much it cost. It was written all over the booth, so he pulled out the money and showed it to her before dropping it in the bowl where he was supposed to put it. “Now, where’s my kiss?”

[Ellen Banks]

Urg…Great just great…Him, the smug little weasel that Ellen has charged with the task of making Eve Conner’s life hell. He had the ability to do so, but on a personal level. Ellen personally found him distasteful, egotistic. He had a continuous smug gleam in his eye that just rubbed Ellen the wrong way, not to mention his habit of backtalking Ellen whenever she said something.

In short one of the last people Ellen would ever want to see her in this position…

Ellen eyes flickered over to the boy, a frown forming on her face not being one that enjoyed being talked down to, especially from someone like him “I’m not a child, Akeem” Ellen coldly stated without looking up from her nails “So please don’t think you can treat me like one

With a sigh Ellen leaned forward and looked him in the eye, her eyes flickering from his money back to him. Funny, he was a handsome guy, just a shame about the personality. “Trust me, I have no problems getting people to kiss me, but thank you for your concern she tutted shaking her head, already an idea forming in her head on how to deal with this “Is this how you get people to kiss you? Paying or Pheromones?

[Akeem Ten-Amen]

Akeem was aware she did not really like him. She treated him like her dog, just because he agreed to take her money. He was not his employee, let alone her slave. He just took the money. Because you had to be dumb not to accept money someone offered you. He was financially comfortable if obviously not as rich as she was but his father loved to have his kids work for their pay so extra cash on the side was more than welcome. Especially since she was paying him to do, or in some case not do, things he would have done, or not done, anyway.

He was not surprised she was trying to get the upper hand here. Did she really think she could win this argument, when he was on the right side of this kissing booth? “Well, I’m not a dog yet you seem to think you have me on a leash so...” he replied to her little comment. His tone showed just how unaffected he was by it. The shrug also showed how little he cared. He could walk away with the last word here. She could not.

Her little comment had his smile flicker for a moment but he refused to show how that might have annoyed him. She was just trying to hurt him because she knew he had the upper hand. He would not let her win that easily. “Actually, I see it more like a humbling lesson to teach you. That makes it money well spent,” he replied to her. No, he didn’t need to pay them or use his pheromones. He was a good enough looking guy to get whoever he wanted. Most of the time.

Not wanting to show his weakness, he smirked at her, straightening up and he placed both hands on the booth. “Really? No problem? Because I’m not seeing a lot of money in that bowl of yours. Maybe I should help you out, get people to come over for a kiss. In fact, I think that's what I'll do, since I'm so nice.” He flashed her an innocent smile but they both knew what such smile hid. Evil intentions.

[Ellen Banks]

Ellen didn’t trust people with similar powers as hers. Simple as that. She knew better then anyone that having influence on people was very corrupting indeed she should know after all, it happened to her and Akeem had the potential to do exactly the same to quite easily. Which is something that Ellen couldn’t abide, how can she possibly enjoy being around someone that might gain power over her so easily and make her do God knows what.

Friendship with people like that were out of the question, they were threats not friends and Ellen really did believe that.

Ellen couldn’t help but give a snort of amusement at Akeem’s words oh wah wah wah, if Akeem had issues with the way Ellen spoke to him or treated him, he was more then welcome to leave Ellen alone and never speak to her again, but no, the allure of money was far too much. It was funny what people would put themselves through all in the name of the almighty dollar. He could leave whenever he wanted, she had no time for people that complained and did little else

“Really? Humbling” Ellen said raising her eyebrows at the mere idea of that “I’ve never once been humbled and I don’t intend on starting now” She was pleased to see that her words has made it’s mark. It was always a pleasure to wipe that smile off his face. Clearly he appreciated personal remarks as much as her.

Ellen could only stare at Akeem’s smile with her customary ice cold glare, clearly he was feeling invincible at this moment now, he felt that he had all the power and judging from his comments it’ll only get worse “and a mild side effect of you “helping” may or may not involve me turning to putty in your hands right?” Yes Akeem’s intentions was all but clear

Really what would happen next was his own fault

Ellen leaned forward in her booth with her eyes cast downwards “Well, thank you ever so much for such a kind offer” Ellen said in a ever so mannerly voice “but I don’t think I need it. After all…” Ellen trailed off as she rose her eyes slowly locking onto Akeem’s eyes

“My eyes, just kind of draw people in I find don’t you agree?” Ellen smiled as she lapsed effortlessly into a soothing enchanting tone of voice as her eyes took on a slight hypnotic quality that’ll just increase if Ellen continued down this part

The way Ellen saw it, Akeem had the exact same idea. His words confirmed it. Either Ellen ended up wrapped around his finger or she struck first. After this Ellen was almost tempted to give Akeem some advice, never announce your intentions to Ellen Banks. Even if it’s in a joking way.

Ellen always made sure she was never caught off guard, shame the same couldn’t be said for him..

[Akeem Ten-Amen]

Akeem did not trust Ellen. It was that simple. The girl could hypnotize him into doing anything she wanted. And even if she chose somehow not to rely on her power, she had other means to make his life a living hell. His mother was good at suggesting people to do things they had no choice to do. It was partially why Akeem couldn’t like the woman so much. And the same went for Ellen. Well, that and her terrible way of treating people. That she acted like this with others was of no concern to him but that she would do this on him, he could not accept. He was not her lackey. He wouldn’t let anyone treat him as such.

“I can easily believe you there,” Akeem let out as she claimed never once shown some humility. That girl obviously never swallowed a piece of humble pie but she sure needed one shoved down her throat right about now. The whole school would thank him for it. Hell, they were likely to give him a freaking medal for that!

It was funny how brown eyes could look so ice cold but his green ones looked at her as if he could not see that. He could. Easily. You had to be blind or the dumbest person in the world not to get she was pissed just with her stare. Akeem however loved to pretend like this was nothing. It was nothing. No one died from one look. She was not Medusa or that one X-Men dude with the laser eyes. “Putty? Are you suggesting I’m using my power on you? Now, where would be the fun in that when I don’t even need it to make your life miserable?” Not to add that he would have no control and others might be affected. His power was great, he only wished the aim was better. He only meant to spend a few of the dollars she gave him so that others would ask for a kiss. If he was to use his power on someone, it would be them more than her.

She didn’t see it that way. Akeem felt as if there was something wrong. Perhaps it was the fact his mother used that trick so many times on him that had him blink and stop staring at her as she tried to get to him. He shook his head, blinked a little more. “Oh, that is not right Missy? Already out of ammo, you have to suggest me to leave through your power?” Now, he was ready to use his power on every passerby so they would ask for a kiss. And she asked for it. He straightened up, no long holding on the booth. He’d rather put some distance between them before she tried that again.

[Ellen Banks]

The thing of it was, Akeem had the tools to make her humble and they both knew it and he was clearly just begging for an excuse to use his powers on Ellen, nicely wrapping her around his little finger and get her to do all manner of things she would rather not do.

For all she knew, he was releasing pheromones right now as they spoke, How could Ellen know? Pheromones had no smell to them, virtually making it impossible for Ellen to guard against them. True they had a deal worked out, but on the grand scheme of things that meant nothing. There was nothing stopping him using his power on her and then later making her forget all about it to his general amusement. Who knew? Maybe he had done exactly that several times over

…but then again, one would argue if that was the case wouldn’t she carry the impuse to be nicer to him?

“Don’t even attempt to think you’re a thorn in myself Akeem, you’re not on my level and you could barely make me flinch” Ellen said firing back, making sure that Akeem knew his place.

But if he didn’t Ellen would be more then happy to teach him.

Ellen internally tutted. Drat! He knew what Ellen was doing, that complicated matters slightly and made it harder for Ellen to complete her task, still no matter…all it took would be a bigger push.

Ok Akeem lets see what you’re made of



“Oh you could more away” Ellen admitted leaning forward hoping to capture his eyes again and ramping up the enticing and seductive quality of her voice “…but why would you want to? After all aren’t my eyes just so wonderful to look it, isn’t my voice just so soothing and warm to listen to? Don’t you feel so relaxed being here with me? Why don’t you stay awhile longer and look at me. Just one look couldn’t hurt could it?”

[Akeem Ten-Amen]

The fact Ellen decided to use her power changed everything. He considered their relationship was more amongst the kind of “you don’t do anything to me and I won’t do anything to you” and it was working just fine like this. But now she was trying to hypnotize him. His mother tried that enough for him to recognize the method. Somehow, he doubted Ellen would only force him to clean up his room or do the dishes.

If she wanted to play that game, he could too. It was not hard, all he had to do was release some pheromones in the air. They were close enough for them to spread all over her and just in case he could still make a move that would send them towards her. Now, the big question was: would he make her trust, love or lust him? Lust seemed a little excessive. Love was funnier. He was curious to see what an Ellen in love may look like. She was so horrible a person it seemed impossible but weirder things happened in life.

“Yeah? Then how come I’m putting you on the edge simply by standing next to you?” That girl was thinking way too highly of herself. Akeem did not think he was her lackey. The fact she paid him changed nothing to this. She was no higher than he was and the fact she constantly tried to remind him only proved it to him.

As she tried to use her power again, he knew he might not be able to resist. He also knew that sending love pheromones to a girl who could manipulate him might not be a good idea after all. He went for trust. She would relax around him, he would no longer be a threat. All she had to do for this was inhale his pheromones. And then... well, he was not sure. Had this girl ever trusted someone? He knew his gaze would soon lock in hers but he had some ammo too. He only wished that once he’ll become her “best friend”, she might not be tempted to use her power anymore. He didn't want to look. But he had no idea her voice could be used just as well as her eyes so he ended up looking. Boy, was he glad he also used his pheromones!

[Ellen Banks]

God, how Ellen forgot how wonderful the sensation of enforcing our own will on someone, just to prove that she could truly was, even since Erika had and Ellen had their…”incident” Ellen had been forced to show just a little bit more patience then she what she was used to; Ellen would say that she was something of a saint for the last year…

…Didn’t she deserve to indulge herself just a little…

And oh, she had waited for an excuse to use her power on Akeem. To wipe that smug smirk on his face once and for all. Show him what a taste of his medical was truly like…And Ellen was planning to have fun.

Ellen always enjoyed it when they resisted, it was one of the little quirks that made her her. To see them squirm in the face of her hypnotic gaze just confirmed how Ellen had them in the pale of her hand and to squeeze down on them when she chooses, right now she was toying with Akeem (Even though he seemed more resistant them most) And soon she’ll push him until he couldn’t fight it any more…

…But she didn’t, the more she thought about the situation the more t she began to change her mind. Really..Why was she doing this? Because Akeem made an idle threat towards her? It was obvious that he was such kidding around and he would never do it, (They had a deal after all) So there was no reason for it…

Ellen looked Akeem up and down for a moment clearly deliberating before she tore her hypnotic gaze away from him blinking rapidly and rubbing her eyes as the old familiar strain began to settle in “You’re not worth it…Consider yourself lucky"
With a sigh Ellen slowly settled back in her chair leaning back as far as she did, going back to her nails momentarily “..No you’re not putting me on edge” Well not anymore at least…odd..she wasn’t as edgy as she was when he first walked over. “It’s just…You have no idea how dull this is, honest to God I rather make out with Frank Cox repeatedly then stay here another moment…”

[Akeem Ten-Amen]

Akeem could just feel it. Mental and cold fingers playing with his brain, gently twisting it to do as they wanted. Already he was looking at Ellen the way she kept telling him he wanted to. He knew what looking into a hypnotist’s eyes can cause but he didn’t know she could use her voice to lure him to do it nonetheless. Somewhere inside his brain, he knew he was in trouble, but just like when his mother locked her gaze into his to force him to do something, he just couldn’t help himself. He better not do anything too embarrassing otherwise there would be hell to pay. He wouldn’t mind grovelling in front of Evelyn a little, if that could help him get some sort of revenge on Ellen.

Slowly, the grasp he felt from Ellen’s mind weakened. The desire to look into her eyes and the state of trance she was slowly putting him through vanished. He blinked and noticed how easy it was to look away. For a moment, he seriously wondered what happened. And then he understood. Of course, his pheromones finally had an effect on her!

She was saying something, about him not being worth it. Normally, he would take offense in this but it spared him from cackling in front of everyone so he chose not to say anything. Akeem liked putting her on the edge actually but her fuse happened to be really short right now and she used her power on him. So for once he will accept not to get under her skin. “Frank? Who’s that?” He met her but never bothered to know her name. If she ever said it to him, he didn’t remember it. “Why are you here if you hate it so much?” Did someone manage to hypno her better than she could others so she got stuck here? He couldn’t see why she chose to remain there if she hated it so much.

[Ellen Banks]

Akeem was lucky he didn’t fall when Ellen did decide to press him with her hypnotic voice. Rest assured Ellen was truly no novice. Not in the least. A tad bit egotistical? Maybe but she was talented at what she did. Ellen knew how to play to strengths when it came to her power. Ellen always felt that she had something of a advantage when it came to developing her powers. Hypnosis wasn’t like the ability to fly or move matter with mind alone, there was an exact science behind it. One that doctors and psychologies have been practicing for decades and unlike most she had the advantage of mountains and mountains of books on the method, how exactly it worked. Why it worked and how to apply it written by skilled hypnotists the world over, if the knowledge was there there was no reason not to avail of it, it was a ability anyone could learn if someone put the time into it. (Of course Ellen had a leg up on most) there was so many ways Ellen could do it. For example, humans instinctively do things a certain way, tying shoes, tightening ties, things we instinctively do, if that natural flow of behaviour is interrupted by something quite unexpected –Say someone holding your own hand in front of your face- the subconscious mind becomes confused and the mind responds by suspending itself momentarily until given a new direction.

Which Ellen was more then happy to provide…

Ellen couldn’t help but wonder why Akeem was still here after all, she just tried to entrance him surely that would be enough to scare him off.
“Urg” That was the automatic response whenever someone mentioned Frank Cox “Imagine a small child who enjoys to hit herself across the head. That’s Frank’s Cox” Ellen nodded “The most annoying person in the school…and no were not best friends…despite what she says”

“Because people in this school enjoy forcing me to do things I don’t want too” Ellen said with a roll of her eyes

[Akeem Ten-Amen]

Ellen was good. Akeem was not going to admit that but she was good. It was almost terrifying. Had his pheromones worked just a tiny bit later, she could have had him do whatever she wanted. He knew the fact he had been exposed to this must have helped but this girl was no novice. She knew exactly what she was doing. Akeem better watch out in the future. Next time, he might not have the time to use his own power to get out of there. He knew his power could be triggered as a defense mechanism. Sadly, hypnotism was going past that defense mechanism. He had to use it before she had a total hold of him. Because what made her think he was not ‘worth it’ would not last forever. He just hoped she wouldn’t think he used his power on her. Though, if she did and accused him, he would merely say she used hers on him first.

As long as the pheromones would be in effect, and he was not sure how long that would be, he was safe. Safe enough not to scare away. Again, should she accuse him, he could point the finger back at her. He would have no problem doing so. He did it only because she did it first.

The description Ellen gave him did not allow him to recognize the girl. But as she brought up the most annoying person in the school, Akeem made a list of his own. And she was rather high up. “Why, what she says? That you like spending time with the most annoying person in the school?” He was a little curious as to who she was but if she really was that annoying, Akeem preferred to keep his distance from her.

He was actually surprised that Ellen let people make her do things. “Do they have pictures of you helping out an old lady crossing the street to force you to do anything? I thought you did only what you wanted to do.” She loved so much to tell him so and act as though she was almighty. He had the outmost respect for whoever got her wrapped around their finger enough to force her to be in the kissing booth.

[Ellen Banks]

Ellen was the best for a reason. Or at least she considered herself as such. However Akeem had one advantage that Ellen didn’t and that was the ablitiy to apply his power subtly without Ellen being aware of what happened, by the time she figured it out by then it was too late and Akeem’s natural “charm” would have disarmed her nicely before Ellen could react. Which is exactly what happened. Now Ellen didn’t see Akeem as a threat like she did two minutes ago…Now she saw him as…Ellen didn’t even know…Just someone neutral. Neither friend nor foe. Just someone who was there, floating nicely in the middle nothing more and nothing less.

Whatever. He could stay if he wanted too. Not like Ellen was going anywhere fast any way…

Ellen shook her head at Akeem’s question, as the human tumour on Ellen’s life began to flood her memories “Yeah, she thinks everyone is her friend but not I nooo…no I’m her BEST friend apparently, you must have seen her. Blond hair, chipmunk cheeks. A smile on her face like she had a lobotomy…The worse is she convinced the rest of the school, that I’m her friend too…ok, sure she manages to drag me along to places with her…but…I can’t explain it..It’s like she tricks me some ho-“ Ellen suddenly frowns stopping in mid sentence “…And why the hell I’m I telling you?”

“Oh I do” Ellen nodded confirming Akeem’s words that she did do what she wanted and she did truly believe that. She was an expert at turning a no into a yes “But sometimes it’s prudent to swallow my pride and do things now that won’t cause problems for me at a later date.”

Playing the game. That’s what Ellen did better the most

[Akeem Ten-Amen]

When Ellen started describing that best friend of hers, the image he got of her slowly took the shape of one certain girl he met before. “She sounds a lot like that crazy chick who nearly killed me for not getting rid of a piñata properly,” he let out. He didn’t mean to voice that out loud. He remembered her. Crazy was an understatement. Who cared how one dealt with some colored-paper donkey? It was not hers. Well, in the end it was, when she chose to give it some sort of voice to talk to him. He’d really prefer not to think about that. He stared at Ellen, seeing a whole new side of her now that he knew she was hanging out with her. The fact it might be by force did not change anything. Not only that but that girl was able to drag her along. That meant she had some sort of power over her. Amusing. Positively amusing.

A skeptical expression painted on his traits as she tried to assure him she was indeed doing only what she wanted to do. Because, clearly, she was the one who wanted to be stuck in here. She had just been looking for an excuse to glare people to death. “Like the kissing booth? No offense to them, but they really didn’t want to get any money from it if they asked you to be responsible of it. I mean, I paid and still got nothing...” Did he really want a kiss that much? Not really. He supposed he just wanted to torture her a little and see how far his power affected her. She didn’t seem to take him as a threat but she did not entirely trust him. That girl had severe trust issues. Though, Akeem telling her that was probably like the pot calling the kettle black. “Maybe you should toss some of your money in it, make them pretend you did good,” he let out, half-teasing, pointing at the pot where the bill he put in it was all alone. No surprise there.