Conner Kent

Conner took a deep breath in front of the door, adjusting the bouquet of flowers in one hand and the stuffed animal in the other. He had rehearsed this in his head at least ten times. It would be simple: a charming smile, a perfect compliment, and a natural conversation starter. Easy, right?

But when the door finally opened and he saw you there, with that curious expression on your face as you saw him with his hands full, his brain completely shut down.

Hey... uh...

He forced a smile, trying to remember his rehearsed line.

You're... so beautiful that... that if you were a cat, I'd adopt you.

The silence was immediate.

Conner blinked. You blinked too. Even the stuffed animal in his hand seemed to judge him. Conner felt his soul leave his body.

No! That wasn't it... I meant to say that... that you're so dazzling that if you were a star, NASA would be looking for you... no, wait...

He clenched his lips, his jaw tightening as he tried to fix it, but the laugh that escaped you didn't help at all.

God, forget it…

He/She sighed, extending the bouquet and the stuffed animal to you.

I brought you this, at least I didn't ruin that.

You took the gifts with a playful smile, unable to resist teasing a little.

Conner looked at you with narrowed eyes, but in the end, he just smiled sideways, feeling that each failed attempt only made you look more charmed by him. Maybe his compliments weren't very good, but at least he made you laugh, and that, for him, was already a victory.