Little Dove (Gene x Reader) | Phoenix Drop High

Chapter 14

Chapter 14 - Babysitting

"Hey, Little Dove, have anything planned?"

I gasped, swiveling around on my heel, my heart beating fast. I was walking to class with my earbuds in, trying to drown out my surroundings, when Gene snuck up behind me, pulling one of my earbuds out.

"What do you mean, Romeo?" I questioned, attempting to put my normal straight face on as my heart was rapidly beating. It was like I was running a whole mile in one spot.

"It's your turn to pick what we do. I got to sneak into your house, so now you have to figure out what you want us to do." My eyes followed his hand when he raised it to his hair, brushing his hair back. "You there?"

Immediately, I nodded my head, maybe a little more than I should have. I mentally swore at myself for zoning out and bit the inside of my cheek, trying to figure out what to say.

"Help me with babysitting today."

Gene froze in place, staring at me with a raised eyebrow, seeming surprised. "You want me to what?"

"Help me with babysitting," I repeated slowly, smiling at him. It was funny to see him so clueless at once. I could already tell what he was going to say just based off of his body movements. It was just like he was fidgeting, fingers rubbing together as he furrowed his eyebrows. When he opened his mouth, I brought my hand up to silence him. "Don't worry, Gene, I'll be there. You'll be fine."

The rebellious teenager bit his lip, nodding his head. "I'm not good with children."

I rolled my eyes and took my earbud from him. "Meet me in the front after school."

•••

"Frogger was not that good, Gene," I scoffed, crossing my arms over my chest.

Gene leaned forward on the couch, giving me a judgemental look. "Fine, what was your favorite game as a child then?"

I grinned, thinking back to when I would constantly argue with my brother, taking cards and stealing glances at each other's things so that we could have the upper hand and win.

"I liked Snakes and Ladders."

Gene deadpanned, closing his eyes and taking a deep breath. I mean, Snakes and Ladders was a classic, how could I not love it? It was such a simple game to learn as a child.

"You cannot say that Snakes and Ladders was better than Frogger."

"Uh, yeah, I can. At least situations can change in Snakes and Ladders. In Frogger, you're doing the same thing for hours, trying not to get run over by a car."

"You're ludicrous, Little Dove."

I rolled my eyes as the side of my mouth turned up into a slight smile. Something about arguing with him made me happy, which seems completely absurd. How would arguing make you happy? I guess it just reminds me that Gene wasn't that type of person who would agree with everything you say. He is true to himself, and he isn't afraid to state his opinion.

As if on cue, the doorbell rang, sending a chill down my back. I wasn't sure how this was going to go, I haven't babysat since I've moved, so this will be a new experience. Usually, I would be babysitting children that I already knew from the neighborhood, but since this is all new to me, I don't really know anyone.