Chapter Two

"We should seriously go see that new Anna Kendrick movie tonight," Libby announces a little too loudly and almost out of the blue.

I quickly lower my eyes to my knees, twirling my thumbs nervously. It's almost painfully obvious that she's trying to make up for my complete inability to utter two coherent words, which almost manages to make it even more awkward. Isn't there some time limit, where if nobody has talked by the time it's exceeded, one should really just give up and stop trying to fill in the silence? Because if not, then there definitely should be.

"Well, I picked up part of a shift tonight until seven, but afterwards should be okay," Felix answers cheerfully, before turning to offer me a quick but heavenly smile, causing my heart to speed up. I swear, he must be deaf if he can't hear it. "What about you, Addison?"

My fingers tense and my hands begin to shake as I desperately search my brain for a string of words that make sense. Seriously, Addison. Any words. At this point, they don't actually have to have anything to do with the conversation, so long as they can seemingly form a sentence. Remember, you somehow manage to do this with literally everyone else in the world. Clearly it isn't that hard.

"Oh, ah," I avert my gaze towards the window, hoping that maybe not looking at him will give me the courage I need to make this sentence possible. "Actually, I'm babysitting tonight. Really late."

Way to go, Addison! And you actually answered his question?! See, this isn't so hard!

"Ugh," I can almost feel Libby throwing her head back in exasperation behind me. "Why do you have to babysit on top of your part time job?! You never have any free time to do anything!"

Out of the corner of my eye, I glance Felix's knuckles turn white as his grip tightens around the steering wheel. He knows who I'm babysitting, even though I didn't need to say it. It is his younger sister, after all.

Yes, I know it's a weird-or maybe "corny and overused" are better words to describe it-predicament I've found myself in, being the main babysitter for my crush's sister, but what can I say? Aubrey is one of the cutest kids ever, I always have fun when I'm there... and the fact that they pay really well doesn't exactly hurt, either.

"Well, I... ah..." Felix's eyes flash toward me in the middle of my sentence, causing what words I'd managed to work up to get lost in my throat. "Money... with the... time... and... your face... Aubrey... pizza!"

Almost as soon as the last word is out of my mouth I drop my face in my hands. Really?! Pizza?! That's my big word that I'm going to end on?! He probably thinks I'm a pig now who only cares about the money! What a great impression!

Libby lets out a loud groan from behind me.

MCSMN

"Ew, what are you putting on there?"

I glance down at the little six-year-old girl who's perched on the edge of the table, glaring suspiciously down at the pizza. Or, more specifically, the little extra bits I'm sprinkling over my portion of it.

"Green peppers," I answer, "To give it that extra bit of kick."

"They're green," Aubrey scrunches up her nose as if just smelling it were enough to make her throw up.

"Of course they are," I can't help but let out a soft chuckle. "That's why they're called green peppers."

"Only veggies are green, and veggies are gross," she hops off the table as I put the pizza in the oven, and heads toward the fridge.

"It is a veggie, but it isn't gross. I'll even let you try some," I offer with a smirk. I know it's weird that I can be this comfortable with her, when I'm reduced to nothing but a blubbering mess whenever I'm around her older brother, but I've always been more comfortable around children in general.

"No way!" Aubrey shrieks and shakes her head wildly as she throws open the door to the refridgerator.

"No soda!" I call over my shoulder. "Oh! But get me a Dr. Pepper!"

"If I try one of your gross veggies, can I have a soda?!"

I laugh at her attempt, but can't help but concede, knowing that if I don't, she'll just give me the puppy dog eyes until I do. "Eat the peppers first, and I'll let you have one can of Sprite."

Aubrey lets out a loud "harumph" from behind me, clearly angry that I hadn't completely played right into her hands like she'd hoped. She'd probably been planning on having the entire can drunk by the time the pizza ready and that I would completely forget about our deal by then.

So instead, she pulls out a box of juice and a dark red can, and handed the can to me. I can't help but offer a slightly apologetic smile, but that's all the give I'm going to offer. I've worked with the girl long enough to know just how much string to let her pull.

I pop open the can... and am almost imediately met with a face full of foam that comes shooting out through the opening. The can falls out of my hand as I cough and sputter, trying to catch a breath that isn't contaminated with carbination and a brief aftertaste of artificial cherry.

The first thing I'm aware of, once I've recovered from the shock is childish laughter coming from the other side of the room. Glancing up, I catch sight of Aubrey, doubled over and clutching her stomach as if she's afraid her guts are going to come falling out if she doesn't stop soon.

"Oh," I cross my arms and raise an eyebrow, "You think that was funny?" a part of me wants to laugh along side her, but I can't allow that much give. I'll be wrapped around her finger before the end of the night if I do.

Aubrey shrinks back slightly, before seeming to catch sight of something in the doorway, causing her fearful expression to deadpan. "Oh. You're home."

I slowly turn around to see just who it is she's talking to, before freezing almost instantly once I catch sight of the golden hair.

It's her brother.