Ms. Popularity

7 | Bonding

It's been three days since the project started, everything going smoothly. All the jocks seem to like me. If looks could kill, Harper would've made sure I was over. The other main cheerleaders, Gemma and Dede stay away. Erin and Jessica are super happy that I finally got a boyfriend, and Tori is supportive because now she can get into any party.
Tomorrow is the famous party, everyone was talking about it. Chris wasn't at school today, but I still had to sit with the Populars. Jessica thinks it'll show her that I'm the new queen, like dogs mark territory I had to mark my man. However, listening to Harper, Gemma, and Dede chatter about outfits, shoes, and hair opened my eyes. I needed to make myself look presentable as a popular at a party. So instead of doing my biology report, I'm digging through my closet when my phone rings.
"Hello?"
"Zoe? Good, I got the right number."
"What's up Chrisie?"
"Chloe has some clothes for you to try on for the party."
"Okay, I'll come over later."
"Or..now?" It actually comes out as a question, not a demand or command so I feel obligated to agree.

When Chris opens the door he has his littlest sister clinging to his neck and a blonde messy-haired girl hugging his leg.
"Is Chloe in her room, or-" I start to say after being invited in.
"Chloe isn't home," Chris cuts me off,"She does have clothes for you but I need your help."
"In what?" I ask hesitantly.
"In babysitting, cause I'm building chaos."
"Why did you call me?"
"Cause you seem to be good with kids?"
"I'm an only child."
"You're a girl?"
"And you're sexist. What's new."
"Zoe please, I'll make it up to you somehow," he nudges the little girls head, "Izzy, help me out here."
And five minutes later, I'm in the living room braiding Izzy's hair. I learn that the family baby is Mariam, Theo and Izzy are twins, and Jonathan is the oldest small one. The four kids are bundles of joy. They all resemble each other in so many ways and I can't help but be jealous of their bond.
"My moms coming home from work at 7 so she can put them to bed, you don't have to stay." Chris says. I look up at him from my position on the floor where Miri is giving me a massage.
"No, I'll stay."
"Won't your parents mind?" I purse my lips, they won't even notice I'm gone.
"I'll make these little rebels some dinner, you get them into their pjs," I tell Chris, then tickle Theo's stomach as he erupts into a fit of giggles.
I make the four kids grilled cheese sandwiches and apples with peanut butter. Theo and Izzy want pancakes, so I promise them next time.
"This is a fun first date." I say, leaning onto the kitchen island.
"If you think this is a date then you are way to easy to please." Chris scoffs and smirks.
When Mrs Lowe comes home she is in awe in how good I was with her kids. we chat for a while then tells Chris to drive me home. Before we leave, I grab the party selections from Chloe's room.
When we reach my house, we stay in the car for a minute, enjoying comfortable silence.
"This wasn't a date." Chris blurts.
"What?"
"This wasn't our first date, even if it's a mission, you get a better first date." he says.
I lean over and kiss his cheek. To our suprise, I don't pull back all the way - just until our noses are a few centimetres apart.
"If this weren't a project, that would've been on the lips."
With that, I push the door open and walk inside. Without turning back, I can see his smirk.
I've kissed his cheek countless times in the past three days, but that was always because someone was watching. Now it was only us, and I can feel butterflies fluttering around in my stomach .
👠
Dedicated to Darkphotom , thank you for the feedback(:
Next update next week. Vote, comment, and let me know what you think! -E