Down For The Count

Wrong Puzzle Piece

I sent Lin a text, asking him where the heck he was.

"I don't think we've ever actually...you know, properly met." I heard the guy say. I looked up from my phone, watching as he gave me a small smile. "I'm Jaxton."

"Cool." I nodded, not really saying anything else. It was very obvious Jaxton wanted me to say something, but I had no clue what else to say. The room was so uncomfortably silent, I didn't know what to do.

"And you are...?"

"Uncomfortable." I sighed.

"I meant...your name. Penelope, right?" Jaxton asked, and I immediately frowned. "Er...not Penelope. Sorry. Your dad said it was something weird, uh...Presley? Or is it-"

"He said my name was weird?" My name wasn't the most common name, but it definitely isn't the weirdest name I've ever heard either. I took a tiny bit of offense to that comment.

"No! Not...not weird! Just...uh, you know. I mean...it is a bit different than what you usually hear. Why didn't your parents just name you Paige or something more popular?" The guy laughed, obviously trying to just joke around, but he was really annoying me.

"Why didn't your parents just name you Jackson? What the heck is Jaxton?" I shot right back, watching him frown.

"It's...it's a cool name." He mumbled, and it was very evident I had bruised his ego.

I let out the most relieved sigh when Lin texted and told me that he was here, and I wasted no time in getting up and making my way over to the front door.

"Oh, wait...Paisley." I heard Jaxton's voice just as I was getting ready to leave. I sighed, turning around and looking over at him. "If, uh...if Sebastian starts crying...how do I...like...calm him down?"

I blinked, not sure if I was hearing him right. "You're...a paid babysitter...and you're asking me how to calm him down. That's your entire job."

"Yeah, just...when they scream...they make me nervous." The guy said hesitantly, letting out a nervous laugh.

I only stared at him one last time, saying nothing as I closed the front door behind me and walked down the stairs of the apartment complex.

I made my way over to Lin's car, immediately beginning to talk as I got in.

"You told the babysitter I have a weird name? You talk to the babysitter about me? I don't have a weird name, it's not weird, it's cool. Why do you talk to the babysitter about me?"

"Good morning, Paisley. Yes, I did have a wonderful morning, thank you for asking. Oh, you did too? I love to hear it." Lin's voice was quiet and calm, and I immediately groaned.

"I don't appreciate the sarcasm when it's not even noon yet." I sighed, causing Lin to chuckle.

"What's up with the babysitter? You came over here guns blazing." Lin said, beginning the drive to the theatre.

"I just...miss Jess." I frowned. "I don't like him."

"I'm sure you'll grow to like him. He seems nice."

Highly unlikely.

I miss Jess. I miss her being at the house all the time, getting to talk to her about different things without the fear of judgment. I used to look forward to hearing that Sebastian's babysitter would be coming over, and now I dread hearing that phrase.