Just Perfectly Messy

dates and competitions

"You expect me to be showered and ready in 30 minutes?" I question Connor. He sits at the foot of my bed and nods his head.

"You're joking, right?"

"Does this face look like I'm joking?" He asks, sticking his tongue out at me while criss crossing his eyes. I roll my own eyes with a smirk on my face.

"I'll take that as a no?" I mutter.

"Just go get ready, Ali." He sighs heavily,  throwing a pillow at my head.

"Fine, but you're going to be in here a while." I warn.

"This isn't my first rodeo, Ali," he chuckles. I stare at him for a moment and give him my best "You're an asshole" face but I evidently end up smiling like a fool.

"You should wear that perfume I got you." Connor spits out while I continue sticking my tongue out at him. I then furrow my eyebrows and tilt my head wondering where that came out from.  "I just really like the way it smells on you. Just wear it, okay? For me?" Connor answers my thoughts.

My stomach does flips, and I think I might have gas, but I nod my head and gather my clothes. I head into my bathroom and lock the door behind me.

It takes me 45 minutes to get ready. Give or take a few a minutes. I took a pretty fast shower and then blow dried my hair. I didn't want to curl my hair and make Connor think that I'm overdoing myself, but I didn't want to straighten it either and make it seem like I'm not trying. I just left it natural and braided some of it back and out of my face. I did little with my makeup, attempting to look as natural as possible. I brush my teeth and get dressed in some skinny jeans and a graphic tee. I don't think it's overly dressed, but it's also not sloppy. I think I look nice. Maybe?

I spray the perfume that Connor requested on myself, and look at myself in the mirror. I look okay. Not too much, but not overdoing myself either.

I was ready for the day.

When I walk back into my bedroom Connor is lying on his back scrolling through his phone. He sits up at the sound of my squeaky bathroom door and smiles ear to ear.

"You look really pretty, Ali." He compliments. I look down at myself and shrug.

"I've done better."

"I've done better," he mocks. "You look amazing to me, okay? Nothing tops how you look right now, miss Hale." I can feel my face heat up a bit at his words, but I try and blow it off.

Key word, try.

When I pop on my converse, Connor plops down right beside me.

"Those are my favorite converse." He mutters. I look down at my all black chucks and nod in agreement.

"They're my favorites too."

"So, are we ready to go? It's going to be a pretty fulfilled day, I hope you're ready." Connor says, grabbing my hand. "Lunch first, and then a surprise!" We both head towards the front door and I grab my bag.

"More ready than I'll ever be," I mumble walking down the apartment stairs with Connor.

"That's the enthusiasm I like to hear," he chuckles, unlocking his car door. I look down at our hands and can't help but to smile to myself. Our hands were still entwined.

...

"But can you eat it as fast as me?" Connor challenges. We were sat inside Flying Star Cafe just talking about how big our plates  actually were. I mean, we ordered their platter plates, but I wasn't expecting something so big. I knew I could eat it all including drink, it just shocked me. When I told Connor that I could finish all of my food he challenged me to a food race. Whoever won owed the other 5 favors for the rest of the day out together.