“I tried to be as descriptive as possible. I can’t promise they’ll be good.”
“I mean, your descriptiveness isn’t the greatest.” She purses her lips.
“What do you mean?”
“Considering the other day, you told me to get you a screwdriver….”
“And? I needed a screwdriver.”
“Yeah, but you didn’t tell me you needed a Robertson screwdriver.”
“So?”
“So there’s like 20 different types of screwdrivers.”
“21,” I correct her, and she flatly glares at me.
“You’re honestly just proving my point.”
“Alright, alright. My directional communication could use a little work.”
“Yeah…a little.” She notes sarcastically as I open the car door for her. She grins up at me when I say nothing more, and I close the door, heading to my side when she’s secured. As I sit down, I notice two costume bags laying in the center seat,
“Should we?” She pokes the bags questioningly, and I shrug.
“Right now?” I’m hesitant because this could be a total flop, but she doesn’t seem to care. She nods vigorously in response, eyes wide and sweet. Should that make me feel more attracted to her than I already do? Just looking in her eager eyes? I think that’s something I should keep to myself. After all, pretty much everything she does makes me like her more and more.
The drive is only forty-five minutes; at least that's what Van texted me earlier. We take almost the entire time figuring out how to put our costumes on. But by some miracle, when the car stops, we are fully dressed, and I’m truly impressed by what he’s found. Did I tell him Sailor Moon and Full Metal Alchemist as strongly preferred costumes, for obvious reasons? Yes. Did I expect him to hit the nail on the head so hard? No, no, I did not.
“Give us till 8 p.m.; I’ll let you know if that changes?”
“Sure thing, boss.” Van unlocks the car doors, and I hop out quickly before Scout can, so she’ll let me open the door for her. It was hard to tell in the car, but the daylight outside made it blatantly obvious. I stop breathing for a second to admire the way she looks, her small frame perfectly hugged by every element of her dress. Scout as Sailor Moon has to be the hottest cosplay I’ve ever seen.
“What?” She asks as I close the door and lead her to the sidewalk. I shake my head and chagrin. She pokes my robot arm nervously. “Do I look dumb?”
I whip my head over to her, and her eyes go wide with questions.
“You’re kidding, right?”
“What do you mean?”
“You don’t know how good you look?”
“So, I look good?” She grins a little, and I shake my head.
“You’re hot, Scout. Is that what you want me to say? That you’re the most attractive woman I’ve ever seen, and good God, have I told you that your hair pulled back like that is so fucking irresistible it hurts.” I dramatize my tone, and she looks around as people begin to stare.
“Alright. I got it.” She bites her lip and looks down at the ground.
“Clearly, you haven’t,” I speak a bit louder, enjoying watching her squirm.
“No, no. I have,” She mumbles and grabs my arm, digging her nails in for me to shut up.
“Excuse me, everyone?” I address the group waiting at the doors, and for some reason, they’re all paying attention. It could be that I’m yelling like a lunatic; it also could be that Scout really does look fucking hot. She grabs my arm even tighter, eyes glued to our feet as she curses under her breath. “Raise your hands if–”
“I’m so sorry!” She yells over me, gaining confidence out of nowhere. I shut up, eyes wide with shock. “It’s his first time out of the loony bin in months.”
“It’s true.” I play along as everyone gives us looks of confusion. “I used to believe I was the Full Metal Alchemist. But, witha lotof therapy… my counselor here has recovered my soul from Amestris, and I'm no longer afflicted with such delusions.”