Babysitter in Training (6/6)

Tyler’s heart raced as Chloe’s mom opened the door, her expression immediately lighting up with delight.

“Oh my goodness, you must be Tiffany!” Chloe’s mom exclaimed, clasping her hands together. “Chloe’s told me so much about you—what a sweet little friend she has! And just look at you in that darling dress, with those adorable shoes. You’re just too cute!”

Tyler forced a shy smile, his cheeks burning. “Th-thank you…” he mumbled softly, his voice barely above a whisper as he brushed a stray lock of hair behind his ear.

“Well, Chloe and Sophia are upstairs with Caroline,” Chloe’s mom said cheerfully. “She’s babysitting all you girls today, so make sure to listen and behave, alright?”

Tyler blinked. Caroline’s here? Before he could process this bombshell, Chloe’s mom ushered him inside with one last compliment. “Go on, sweetie. Have fun!”

The walk upstairs felt like a death march, each step of his towering heels echoing ominously. As Tyler hesitated at Chloe’s door, it flew open to reveal Chloe and Sophia squealing, “Tiffany! You’re finally here!” They grabbed his hands, pulling him inside like they’d been waiting all day.

Caroline, seated at Chloe’s vanity, turned around with a delighted smile. “Oh my gosh, Tiffany! You’re so cute today!” she exclaimed, walking over to get a closer look. “That dress is absolutely adorable, and your hair—so perfect! You look like you stepped right out of a magazine!”

Tyler’s face burned as Caroline’s eyes sparkled with excitement.

“I actually saw your mom drop you off earlier,” she continued casually, tilting her head curiously. “And for a second, I thought… Wait a minute.” She paused, her expression turning thoughtful. “Are you Tyler’s little sister? I went to high school with him!”

Tyler’s pulse skyrocketed. He stammered, “Oh, um… y-yeah! I’m his younger sister…” His voice came out soft and sweet, barely above a whisper.

Caroline’s face lit up again. “Aww, I didn’t know Tyler had such an adorable little sister!” she said warmly, her tone dripping with sincerity.

Chloe and Sophia pressed their hands over their mouths, barely managing to contain their giggles as Tyler stood frozen, wishing the floor would swallow him whole.

The next hour passed in a blur of girly chaos. Caroline pulled out a brush, and soon the girls were sitting in a circle, braiding each other’s hair and chatting excitedly. Tyler tried to stay quiet, hoping to avoid attention, but his heart sank when Caroline turned toward him with a bright smile.

“Oh, Tiffany, I brought something just for you!” she said, pulling out a small box. Inside was a set of sparkly pink press-on nails, each one adorned with delicate flowers and little gems. “I know how much you love cute nails!”

Tyler’s stomach dropped, but before he could think of an excuse, Caroline had already taken his hand, gently gluing the nails into place one by one.

Tyler forced an excited smile, holding his hands up to admire the sparkling pink nails. “Oh wow, they’re so pretty!” he gushed, turning them this way and that as if he couldn’t get enough of the sight. Inside, he was dying—every bubbly word felt like a betrayal of himself, but he had no choice. “I love the little flowers—they’re adorable!” he added, his tone bright and sweet, even as Chloe and Sophia exchanged amused glances, barely holding back their laughter.

Caroline clapped her hands. “You’re all just so cute! Let’s take some photos!”

The girls eagerly began snapping selfies, pulling Tyler into the middle of the group. Chloe adjusted his bow while Sophia handed him a sparkling tiara to wear for the next picture.

“Smile, Tiffany!” Caroline said, holding up her phone and angling it perfectly. “Oh, that’s adorable! Let’s do another one with a different outfit!”

Before Tyler could protest, Chloe was already rummaging through her wardrobe. “Try this dress!” she said excitedly, tossing a frilly blue number onto his lap.

The next hour was a whirlwind of outfit changes and forced poses. Caroline adjusted his accessories, Chloe fixed his bows, and Sophia handed him a new pair of heels for every shot. Each click of the camera felt like another nail in the coffin of his dignity.

As Tyler stood in front of the mirror, his dainty hand snapping selfies under the girls’ direction, he couldn’t ignore how far things had spiraled. Each pose, each outfit, and each click of the camera pulled him further into the role they’d created for him.

Caroline smiled warmly, looking around at the girls. “You know, we should do this every week—it’d be so much fun!”

Chloe clapped her hands excitedly. “Yes! That would be amazing!”

“Oh, totally!” Sophia added with a wide grin.

Tyler’s stomach sank as he listened to the three girls excitedly planning their next “playdate.” He wasn’t even a babysitter anymore—he was just one of Chloe and Sophia’s girly friends, being babysat by Caroline, his old high school classmate. As the laughter and chatter swirled around him, Tyler realized he had lost control completely—and there was no going back.