Overtime

Chapter Twenty-Two

Though the day following states should've been filled with joy, I spent the entirety of it playing catch-up on my homework.

As it turns out, missing school for two days and a pre-regionals Quiz bowl practice left you with a lot to catch up on.

But if I'm being honest, I would bury myself under all of this work again to relive that weekend one more time.

Ethan insisted I learn at least fifty history-based questions, but after doing an economics essay and half of an anatomy project, my brain is starting to feel a little bit like sand.

Which is why, when the doorbell rings, I'm practically sprinting to answer it - anything to give my poor brain a break.

Standing on the threshold, hair combed neatly and blue eyes glittering against the night sky is Maddox.

"What are you doing here?"

He smiles, "I'm here to pick you up for our date, remember?"

"Date?" My eyes go wide, "Tonight?"

Maddox nods, "Unless you're busy?"

I glance down at myself, twisting spare fabric from my shirt up in my hand, "I'm a little behind on schoolwork, but I could use a break."

He laughs, a real laugh, and says, "Then go get ready. We're going to dinner."

I don't hesitate for even a second, giving him a smile before racing back the hall to my room.

In record time, I'm running a straightener through my hair. On a split second decision, I call Matteo and tell him to open his curtain.

"Why?"

"Just do it," I say before hanging up, grabbing the two shirts I couldn't decide on and standing in front of my window.

He calls me the moment he sees them and I put him on speakerphone as I continue to hold the shirts.

"I have to say I'm a big fan of the sweatpants and baggy shirt combination you have on right now."

I laugh and watch as his face lights up through his window, "Blue one - that's Maddox's favorite color."

"His favorite color is orange."

"Oh."

The line goes silent for a moment as Matteo's gaze darts between the two shirts - a blue and white, flower-print blouse and a burgundy sweater.

"Well," he finally says, "Blue is my favorite color and I don't see an orange shirt, so the blue one."

I roll my eyes, "I appreciate the thought process."

"Wait, Liv-" he begins to say, but I only laugh before hanging up and closing my curtain.

Despite the thought process that had gone into Matteo choosing the blue shirt, I take his advice anyway and slide it on, as well as a pair of jeans.

After getting dressed, I apply the bare minimum of make-up before turning towards the mound of shoes situated in the corner of my room.

Debating between my ragged converse or the tight dress shoes is an easy choice and I nearly laugh to myself as I slide the converse over my socked feet and head back down the hall.

In the living room, Maddox is seated on our coach, bouncing Isaac on his knee as he talks to my parents. I listen in on their conversation for a brief moment before stepping into the room.

Even from across the living room, I can see his eyes light up when they meet mine; his baby blue's twinkling in the lamplight.

He passes Isaac back over to my mom before embracing me briefly.