Matt:I feel like if you did see me in the shower, you’d be the one sending a Homer “d’oh” GIPHY… just sayin’.
Trying to keep it casual, not admitting to anything—but yeah, I want her thinking about it.
Alex:Oh really? You think you’re that hot?
I laugh and fire back a GIPHY of sexy Ned Flanders in his ski suit, shaking it like he knows.
Matt:More sexy Flanders than Homer any day, doodlebug.
She replies with a GIPHY of girls cracking up and two simple words:
Alex:Doodlebug????
I grin and type back.
Matt:Yep. It’s your new nickname.
Doodle… because you draw stuff.
Bug… because you’re small, relentless, and always in my space.
Henceforth, you shall be known as Doodlebug. It’s perfect.
Her reply is instant.
Alex:I actually love it… But please NEVER say henceforth again, Grandpa.
I drop the towel and walk into my room, still smiling.
Me:Deal. Have a great day. Make my twin laugh, yeah?
Alex:Thanks for the laughs, sexy Flanders. Catch ya later, nerd.
Doodlebug out.
I laugh at her message.
It’s such an Alex response.
I grab some pants and pull them up.
Great, now I need to figure out what I’m doing today.
Chapter Eleven
ALEX
My hand shakes as I try to apply mascara to my lashes for the third time. Taking a deep breath, I steady my hand, curl up the brush, and apply a thick coating, finishing my makeup for the night.
“Finally,” I murmur as my stomach churns.
I’m nervous as hell and feel a little nauseous. Tonight is my date with Logan, and I’m not sure I want to go through with it. I know Matt will be there, and that thought alone will help me prepare for this.
My cell buzzes, and I glance down to see a message from Logan, and I tense, wondering if he’s bailing at the last minute.
Logan:I’m really excited to meet you. I’ll see you soon…
I let out a long breath and feel a little calmer, like maybe this could be a good thing. Turning around, I look at myself in the mirror one final time and frown. I don’t feel pretty. The hair, the piercings, it’s all there to disguise how hurt I am inside and how alone I feel. My stomach flips, and my chest tightens as my breathing starts to increase at a rapid rate. Thoughts of messaging Matt to call the whole thing off take over. Then, a knock on my door startles me out of my panic.
