The Battle of The Bad Boys (#Wattys2016)

Chapter 10: Cliff Jumping

"So I don't get a choice in this?" I manage to laugh after the initial shock wears off.

"Nope." He states, gesturing to the stairs for me to go and get ready. I look down and realise that I'm currently still wearing my grey sweatpants with holes in them and a white vest with a pizza stain above my left boob from a few nights ago. Cringing I imagine the state of my hair right now. Oh well.

"Okay, give me ten minutes."

"Sure," he replies, following me in through the door and heading to the fridge. Shaking my head, I walk upstairs, hearing the unmistakable sound of a soda can being opened and Mom offering Hunter waffles. You don't have to be a genius to guess his answer. I swing my lavender door open and head to the mirror. Oh god, it's even worse than I thought. I forgot to take my makeup off after my date with Tyler and my perfect curls have crimped into strange shapes overnight so I resemble a panda who has been chased through the forest. I need a lot more than ten minutes. I quickly whip off my sweats and top and start rummaging through my wardrobe. It's at this point that I realise I may need to clean my room.

"Neat freak, huh?" I hear a distinctly male voice behind me.

"Hey!" I laugh, "that's my line." Suddenly I realise that once again I am in my bra and underwear in front of Hunter. "Get out!" I whip him with the top I have just tried on.

"Chill, I was coming up to tell you that you're gonna need a bikini." He winks and retreats quickly from the room before I start another clothing war. Rolling my eyes, I pick up my Victoria's Secret black bikini and check it still fits from last summer. Slipping on a pair of denim shorts and a navy crop top, I attempt to wrangle with my bird's nest. I decide on a messy bun (as per) and head downstairs to find Mom and Hunter laughing at a picture album, Trip Hazard sitting on Hunter's knee and attempting to lick his face affectionately. Upon closer inspection, I discern that they're looking at my baby photos.

"MOM!" I shout, half serious and half joking. There is a reason that these pictures are kept in an album and not displayed on the wall. I was a ten pound baby. Yup you heard me right, ten pounds. I inspired many of my parents' favourite anecdotes.

"So when we were on holiday another couple came up to us and said 'she looks just like our baby, only blown up!'" Mom ignores my outburst as she and Hunter crack up anew. "Aww you look nice honey." Trip jumps off of Hunter and runs up to me, tail wagging and tongue hanging out of his mouth.

"Thanks, Hunter should we go?" I bend down and stroke Trip's head before giving mom a quick peck on the cheek and 'accidentally' knocking the photos onto the floor.

"Sure LeeLee" he laughs and wraps a muscular arm around my waist.

"Be back by six for dinner!" Mom shouts after us, still laughing. Hunter and I walk past an array of colourful flowers (mom's new project) to the car.

"Where are we going?"

"It's a surprise."

"Urgh what is it with guys and surprises." I recall my date with Tyler. Shit, Tyler! I quickly grab my phone to type him a text to explain.

Leila: Sorry again for the late reply! So Hunter turned up at my house and wanted to take me out. I really don't want to hurt his feelings so is it cool if I go?

I tilt the screen away from Hunter and press send.

"What was that about?" he asks. I decide to lie for the sake of the date (or at least, that's my rational: Hunter would be in such a bad mood if I talked about Tyler).

"I was meant to see Sam for lunch so was just letting her know I'll see her later."

"But she stayed at yours last night didn't she?"