Babysitter in Training (4/6)

The mall was bustling as Caroline led the group of girls through store after store, her excitement palpable. Tyler shuffled along at the back, trying his best to keep his head down and avoid drawing attention, though the frilly lace dress and platform heels he wore weren’t exactly helping. Every time they entered a new store, Chloe and Sophia immediately zeroed in on racks of pastel dresses, skirts, and blouses, tossing the most over-the-top options in Tyler’s direction.

“Oh, Tiffany, you have to try this one!” Chloe exclaimed, holding up a glittery pink party dress with puffed sleeves and a ruffled hem. Tyler hesitated, but Caroline gave her a kind smile and said, “You don’t want to miss out on all the fun, do you?”

Not wanting to blow his cover, Tyler grabbed the dress and reluctantly headed to the fitting room. Each outfit was somehow worse than the last—endless frills, ribbons, and glitter. Chloe and Sophia gushed loudly over every single look, making sure to call plenty of attention to “Tiffany” as she stepped out.

Caroline watched closely, noticing how quiet and reserved Tiffany seemed. As they strolled to the next store, she gently walked beside her. “You know, Tiffany, you’re so shy! I bet you have so much going on in that pretty little head of yours,” she teased lightly. “So, what’s your favorite thing about shopping? Do you love clothes, or is it shoes for you?”

Tyler swallowed hard, his cheeks burning as he fought to keep his voice high and soft. “Oh, um… I-I love clothes,” he stammered, feeling Chloe’s and Sophia’s stifled giggles from behind. “The, uh… girly ones. They’re so… cute.”

Caroline smiled warmly. “I can tell! You’ve got great taste. What about nails? Do you like painting yours? I bet you’re into all the sparkly designs.”

“Oh, totally!” Tyler blurted before thinking, his nervous rambling betraying him. “The girlier the better! I-I mean, like… pinks, glitter… rhinestones…”

Caroline clapped her hands together. “Perfect! That settles it—nail salon time, girls! My treat.”

Tyler’s heart sank. “Wait, what?” he whispered under his breath, but Chloe and Sophia were already squealing with excitement, dragging him along.

The smell of acetone and polish filled the air as they entered the brightly lit nail salon. Tyler sat stiffly in one of the plush chairs, looking completely out of place. Caroline was beaming as she talked to the nail tech, glancing at Tyler every so often.

“Anything you want, Tiffany,” Caroline said cheerfully. “Don’t hold back—it’s all on me!”

The nail tech smiled kindly. “Let’s do something fun! Maybe some acrylics?” Before Tyler could protest, the tech had already started gluing extensions to his nails. He winced as the drill buzzed, filing the nails into soft, almond shapes before painting them in a pastel pink. Glittering rhinestones were carefully added to each one, forming little patterns of bows and flowers. By the time the top coat was applied, his nails sparkled like something straight out of a princess’s fairytale.

Tyler could only sit there in mortified silence as Chloe and Sophia whispered and giggled beside him. Caroline, meanwhile, looked on with admiration. “They’re adorable!” she gushed as Tyler awkwardly flexed his fingers. “Don’t you just love them, Tiffany?”

Tyler’s face lit up with feigned enthusiasm. “Oh my gosh, they’re so pretty!” he exclaimed, pitching his voice high and girly. “The pink, the sparkles… they’re just perfect!” He let out a little giggle, even twirling his fingers slightly to show off the rhinestones. Inside, though, he was screaming, every word a painful effort to sound convincing.

The car ride back was quiet except for Chloe and Sophia texting each other and exchanging stifled laughter. Tyler sat stiffly with his hands on his lap, trying to ignore the way his glittery nails caught the light.

When they pulled into Chloe’s driveway, everyone filed out of the car and headed inside. Caroline followed them in, still smiling brightly as she said her goodbyes.

Caroline hugged the girls and then smiled at Tyler. “Tiffany, you are such a sweetheart. Honestly, you’re just adorable!” Her words made Tyler’s face burn, but he forced out a soft “thank you,” doing his best to keep up his act.

The second the door shut behind her, Chloe and Sophia burst into laughter. Sophia wiped tears from her eyes, barely able to contain herself as she mimicked Tyler’s earlier words in an exaggerated tone. “Oh my gosh, they’re so pretty!”

Before Tyler could snap back, the sound of a car pulling into the driveway sent all three of them scrambling upstairs. Chloe and Sophia worked quickly, yanking off the dress and scrubbing away Tyler’s makeup just as Chloe’s parents walked through the door.

Chloe’s mom walked in smiling, holding out an envelope of cash. “Thank you so much for watching the girls today, Tyler,” she said warmly.

Tyler froze, fiddling nervously with his manicured nails hidden in his pockets. His palms were sweaty as he stammered, “Oh, uh, no need for that! The girls are so much fun. It’s not even a bother, really!”

Chloe’s mom hesitated, looking surprised but smiled again. “Well, thank you, Tyler. That’s very sweet of you.”

As Tyler left, his fingers fidgeted anxiously with the nails in his pockets. Babysitting them was bad enough, and now he wasn’t even getting paid. He groaned softly as he walked, wishing there was a way to never have to babysit them again…