Mismatched

Ch. 4

"This is stupid," I complained, as I stared at my appearance in the mirror.

"I don't care, come out," Lesley yelled in response from the other side of my bedroom door.

I sighed, resigned, and walked into the living room, where Lesley was sitting on my sofa and petting my dog, Percy.

"You look perfect," Lesley said, standing up from the sofa to walk around and observe the outfit.

"I look like a librarian." I scrunched my face as I pinched the fabric of the vest that was currently hanging from my body.

Lesley had taken me out and forced me to buy 'date appropriate clothing'. Apparently, I had none. She had me dressed up in a white turtleneck with a brown knitted vest on top, and dress pants.

"Just one more thing," Lesly said, putting up her finger before turning around and making her way to my bathroom. I could hear her rummaging through my cabinet.

"Where do you keep your hair gel?"

"Oh, no. You are not touching my hair," I asserted, walking over just as Lesley stumbled upon the tin container of pomade.

"I can always call Aunt Judy instead, if you think the hair gel is too much?" Lesley cocked an eyebrow at me, threateningly. I threw my head back and let out and annoyed groan.

"Come here," she said, dipping her fingers into the jar. I rolled my eyes and reluctantly took a step forward.

She looked deep in concentration, fussing with individual hairs on my head.

"Ow, Lesley! Cut it out," I cried out as she tugged particularly hard on my hair, and I was fairly certain it was on purpose.

"Stop squirming," she complained, grabbing my hair roughly again.

After what felt like forever, Lesley finally dropped the pomade and took a step back, admiring her work. I'm sure it was well-complimented by my giant scowl.

"There. Now you're all set to go charm the pants off Riley," she said with a triumphant smile.

"Let's hope it doesn't come to that," I joked, and Lesley chuckled.

"This is normally where I would say 'just relax and be yourself', but please don't do that," she laughed.

"Did you look at the notes I made for you?" Lesley asked, and I reached into my back pocket.

"Got them right here," I replied, pulling out my classic literature and philosophy cheat sheet and the lists of all the fair-trade coffee shops in the greater Shelburne area.

"Nate! You can't bring that with you! You were supposed to memorize it!"

"You try memorizing this random crap about Shakespearean tragedies and existential philosophy on short notice!" I protested, shoving the sheet back into my pants before she could grab it from me.

"Fine, just don't let him catch you with it," she warned.

***

As I stood outside the Mortal Escape Rooms awaiting Riley's arrival, I couldn't help but feel that this was a terrible idea. The idea of spending an hour in confined rooms with him was like something out of a nightmare.

I spotted Riley walking over to where I was leaning against the brick wall of the building. Despite everything, his appearance told me he still hadn't given up on the idea that I could be his match. He somehow looked better than he did last time. Every strand of his hair was perfectly placed, and he'd clearly just shaved.