Unexpected Connections

•••Dating Mr. Perfect•••

Veronica preps for her date with Austin, she faces the ultimate Gen Z struggle: finding the perfect outfit in her Insta-worthy room.

Veronica's room is a total vibe, a space that blends comfort with sophistication. Decorated with a mix of modern and vintage touches, her room features a comfortable bed with plush throw pillows, a sleek vanity table cluttered with beauty products, and a closet filled with a mix of high-end brands and thrifted treasures.

Seated at her cluttered yet charming vanity, Veronica dives into her closet to select the ideal outfit for the evening. After much deliberation, she settles on a chic yet effortless look—a fitted white graphic tee paired with high-waisted jeans, accessorized with a statement necklace and a pair of classic sneakers that exude laid-back sophistication.

Veronica's P.O.V.—I had just finished getting ready for my date and headed downstairs to wait for Austin, who was moments away from picking me up. As I descended the stairs, I spotted my dad lounging on the couch, totally immersed in his phone. I settled down next to him, and he looked up, shooting me a knowing glance before saying,

"Ron, are you sure you don't want to come with us for dinner? It's been ages since you've caught up with your Aunty Mel," he said, a tinge of disappointment in his expression.

"Dad, I've got plans to grab dinner with my friend tonight," I replied, flashing him a sweet smile.

He let out a sigh and resumed scrolling on his phone. I gave him a quick hug before heading to the kitchen to pour myself some juice. As I glanced at the intercom, I noticed a familiar car approaching our house.

"Dad, my friend's here, I'm heading out!" I called out, rushing to leave. It would be a hassle if my dad caught a glimpse of who I'm going out with.

As I stepped outside, I saw Austin's sleek electric Tesla Model 3 pulled up in front of our house. The car exuded an air of modern elegance. The deep midnight blue paint sparkled under the house lights, reflecting a subtle sheen as it awaited its passenger.

Austin sat behind the wheel, the soft glow of the car's interior touchscreen display illuminated his face, casting a faint blue light that complemented the car's sleek aesthetic. The door opened with a soft whoosh, hitting me with the reality that I was about to go on a date with Mr. Perfect.

"Hey there, where are we going?" I asked casually, sliding into the passenger seat and shutting the door behind me.

He flashed a confident smile and replied,

"We're heading to Blitz. I'm not sure if you've been there, but it's a cool spot where we can chill and have some private conversation," he said excitedly before driving off.

"Oh, I've heard of Blitz, but I've never been there," I said, smiling shyly.

I noticed that Austin was wearing a black oversized hoodie with a subtle abstract print, paired with fitted dark wash jeans, white low-top sneakers, and a sleek leather bracelet. His whole vibe reminds me of a young Cole Sprouse.

So far, our date seems to be off to a good start, but there's still something on my mind that I need to ask Austin about.

"Uhm, Austin? I have to admit, I was kind of surprised when you asked me out. I mean, you're pretty popular at school and all, so it caught me off guard," I said nervously, trying to read his expression.

Glancing at him, he appeared relaxed even after that awkward question. Am I the only one feeling nervous here?

He simply smiled and replied, "I see. Well, to be honest, Ron, I've had a crush on you for some time now. You just mean a lot to me, you know?" he said nonchalantly, as though it was the most obvious thing in the world.

Boom!

My mind exploded. R.I.P. Veronica Gan. How in the world, no, make that the whole universe, could I ever guess that was the case?

The trip to Blitz was pretty quiet after that.

•••Blitz•••

Veronica's P.O.V.—We've arrived! Upon entering Blitz, I can already see why it's favored by the affluent students of Orion High. The interior is sleek and modern, with elegant lighting casting a warm glow over the stylish decor. Plush velvet booths and chic marble tables provide intimate seating arrangements, perfect for a romantic evening.

The ambience is further enhanced by the soft jazz music playing in the background, creating a relaxed and refined atmosphere.

Wow, Austin has truly exceeded my expectations.

The waiter showed us to our booth, and we settled in.

"Is there anything specific you'd like to order?" Austin asked, looking at me attentively.

"Uhm, no, you can order for us," I said, too quickly for my liking.

Austin smiled and proceeded to order for both of us. After the waiter took our order, he reached into his pocket and pulled out what appeared to be a red velvet box.

He went on, saying, "I've been wanting to give you something for a while, but I wasn't sure how to go about it. When I saw this, it made me think of you. So, I got it. Um...don't read too much into it," he explained as he handed me the red velvet box.

I opened the box and discovered a gold butterfly necklace with four diamonds on each wing. It was both simple and elegant, something that I can wear every day. I absolutely love it!

"Austin, this is so beautiful. Thank you!" I said, not knowing what else to say.

He got up and helped me put on the necklace, making me feel like I'm in a romantic movie scene.

He clasped the butterfly necklace around my neck and said, "I noticed you were wearing a butterfly ring during Orion's Mathalon competition, and I thought this necklace would complement it perfectly."

Austin's comment surprised me. I didn't know he attended the mathalon competition to watch. It seemed he noticed my reaction as he remarked,

"Oh, I always watch your mathalon competitions, Ron. You just have so much confidence, like you're already sure you're going to outsmart the other competitors with your brain power," he chuckled, looking a bit embarrassed.

This is the moment when I realized that this guy is definitely into me. As much as it may sound conceited, Austin Marx, Mr. Perfect himself, might actually have a crush on me. Otherwise, his acting skills are top-notch.

Our date went off without a hitch. The dish served to us was Coq au Vin, a delightful chicken cooked in red wine with mushrooms, onions, and bacon. It was absolutely delicious! We engaged in a light-hearted conversation about our hobbies, favorite movies, and dream destinations for spring break. Both of us subtly hinted at the idea of traveling together to those places. This first date is turning out to be really great.

After a while, we decided to call it a night. Austin drove me home, and as we pulled up to my place, he flashed a smile and said, "Tonight was awesome," his tone genuine.

I beamed back. "Totally! Thanks for a great time."

We shared a moment of understanding before saying goodnight. Stepping into my place, I couldn't help but feel excited about what the future might have in store for us.

Meanwhile, the gossip about Veronica was going into overdrive, especially since someone from Orion High caught them on a date at Blitz. Drama's brewing, and Veronica's completely clueless about the storm heading her way.