Chores Build Character

I hunted down Jason, my go-to guy, for information on this arrangement. Obviously, Teddy was no help. The poor fellow was so shy he could barely talk to me. On the other hand, Braden was an asshole. That leaves nice guy Jason. "Hey, Jason," I called out.

"Hey. How's it going?"

I crossed my arms, ditching any pretense of diplomacy. "You know, just your typical life of doing chores to avoid being out on the streets." I hope I shamed him with that. His face showed that it did sting, so I continued on. "I wanted to talk about the outfit chore on the list."

"Ah, the outfits. Pretty straightforward, actually. You need outfit approval for points each day. We rotate every week, and it's Teddy's turn this week."

I raised an eyebrow; so that's all? At least it's Teddy and not the others. "Teddy, huh? Well, that should be... okay." I shrugged.

Jason's smirk hinted at hidden knowledge. "Yeah, Teddy. I'm sure all his time in his room alone watching anime hasn't affected his wardrobe choices."

Excellent, I thought. But Jason wasn't done yet. "Oh, and since you missed a couple days, we'll have to prorate your points. Don't expect the full 14. With the skipped days, it'll be 2 points for each day he approves."

I sighed in frustration. "Great, so I'm already at a disadvantage."

Jason's tone softened. "Look, we're giving you a chance here. Would you rather be out on the street?"

Ah, the harsh reality. I knew Jason was right, but that didn't mean I wasn't irritated. With a begrudging nod, I left Jason to his devices.

I made my way down the hall, trying to figure out what to expect from Teddy. Given his shy demeanor, I hoped his choices wouldn't be too outrageous, but I was worried, thanks to Jason's comment. I didn't want to be a live-action waifu.

Taking a deep breath, I rapped gently on Teddy's door, bracing for what lay ahead. His shyness was fully displayed when he opened it, gaze skirting mine. "Hey, Teddy. Can we chat?"

He shuffled, "Uh, sure. Come in."

Stepping into his room, I couldn't help but notice the setting: a sanctuary of anime posters, action figures, and an unmistakable aura of introverted solitude. I cleared my throat, mustering up the courage to discuss the chore.

"About the outfits on the list," I began, injecting a hint of playful amusement.

Teddy's cheeks reddened, and he mumbled, "Yeah, I didn't really think you'd pick that one."

I arched an eyebrow, smirking. "Oh, really? And what did you think I'd pick?"

He hesitated, gaze fixed on the floor. "I don't know..."

"Teddy, I hate to break it to you, but I don't have a lot of options available."

He fidgeted, embarrassed. "Yeah, I guess... Sorry."

I waved off his apology, opting for light-heartedness. "No worries. So, what am I wearing today?"

"Well... I didn't actually pick anything out. Can I just pick something of yours?"

I chuckled, feigning exasperation. "Ah, an excuse to see my panties; I knew it."

"No, I wasn't... I mean... I'm sorry."

"Alright, alright," I interjected, amusement lacing my words. "Let's get this over with."

As we moved to my room, Teddy followed, footsteps hesitant. I turned to him inside my room, a teasing glint in my eyes. I realize this was the first time Teddy had entered my room since I moved in. "Okay, Teddy."

His cheeks tinged pink, and he shrugged bashfully.

I swung open my closet doors and pulled open a drawer filled with underwear. "Alright, let's see what you can find."

Teddy nodded, looking slightly mortified; he slowly went into my drawer. I watched as his fingers skimmed over the edges of my unmentionables, browsing through the items. I couldn't help but mess with him a bit. "Enjoying yourself?"

He stammered, "I... uh... I wasn't..."

I couldn't contain my chuckle. "Relax, Teddy. Pick whatever floats your boat. I'm your model today, remember?"

His throat cleared, his bashful smile returning. "Right, sorry."

Watching him go through my underwear one by one made me realize I wished I had money to go shopping. Some of these were damn embarrassing. Finally, he picked out a matching black thong and bra from the drawer, his touch gentle on the delicate fabric. He handed them to me, his gaze skirting mine.

"You really want me in these?" I raised an eyebrow, feigning surprise.

"I-I mean, it's up to you. I just thought..."

I laughed softly, finding his mix of shyness and determination. It was kind of endearing. "Alright, Teddy. Let's see what else you can find."

He moved to my closet, taking his sweet time, probably debating each option like he was making a life-altering decision. The silence was broken only by the rustling of clothes, his deliberation evident in his meticulous process.

Finally, he emerged, an outfit in hand. "What's the verdict?"

He met my gaze with a hint of uncertainty before showing me his choice. My eyes widened in surprise as I saw my old high school uniform, which I thought was buried in history. It bore memories of when conformity was king and rebellion took the form of skirt length.

With a nervous laugh, I tried to make light of it. "Oh, that old thing? I didn't even know I still had it."

Teddy's voice wavered as he replied, "I thought... you know, maybe it would be...fun."

I was taken aback by his suggestion. The implications were clear, but my pride still put up a fight. I stumbled over my words, trying to maintain my façade of confidence. "I mean, it's probably way too small for me now. Should've Marie Kondo'd it out of my life years ago."

Teddy was excited and lashed out at me, "Do you want the points or not, Izzy?"

I knew he was right, so I gave in with a sigh of reluctant surrender. "Alright, fine. Points it is."

Taking the uniform from him, I felt strange nostalgia wash over me. "Okay, Teddy, I'll play along. But promise no peeking."

Teddy's cheeks flushed anew, and he nodded vigorously. He obediently turned to face the wall, his shyness palpable even though I couldn't see his face. The sound of clothes rustling followed, and I couldn't help but chuckle inwardly at the sheer lunacy of this moment. Changing into that too-small skirt and buttoning up that crisp white blouse was like revisiting a bygone era. An era I hated, a sad realization came to me saying this one wasn't much better.

Once sufficiently decked out in the schoolgirl ensemble, I stepped closer to the mirror, examining my reflection. The outfit was unquestionably risqué; the skirt's length would push the dress code. It turns out I've grown since high school. As I adjusted the tie and fiddled with the knee-high socks, I couldn't help but shake my head in disbelief. Could I really wear this? I mused, shaking my head in amused disbelief.

But amid the oddity, I reminded myself that it was just a bizarre game I'd embarked upon to keep a roof over my head. And Teddy was the only roommate home, so it wasn't as though I'd be parading around town in this getup.

Taking a deep breath, I squared my shoulders and headed for the door. "Alright, Teddy, you can turn around now. I'm ready."

Teddy hesitated momentarily before he slowly turned around, revealing his bashful expression. His eyes widened as he took in the outfit, and his gaze lingered in a way that was simultaneously flattering and a tad embarrassing. I couldn't resist teasing him.

"See something you like?" I quipped.

"N-No, I mean... Yes... I mean... I wasn't..."

I giggled, finding his flustered reaction flattering. "Chill, Teddy. I'm just messing with you."

He managed a shy smile. As I stood before him in the outfit he'd picked, I contemplated the lengths I would go to.

"Alright," I said, breaking the moment of playfulness. "I'm all dressed up and ready for the day. Do you approve?" I did a curtsey and batted my eyelashes, trying to look cute.

Teddy nodded, his gaze finally meeting mine. "Yes! I mean... You really didn't have to do this."

A surge of frustration bubbled up, "Let's be real, Teddy. What are my options? No job, no place to stay. Where do I go if I don't play along with your little chores?"

Teddy's head dropped in shame. "I'm sorry."

I softened my tone. "Hey, don't beat yourself up about it. I shouldn't have dumped it on you. It's not like it's your fault I'm unemployed."

The day stretched ahead, a medley of dishes, prepping dinner, and the exasperating hunt for job prospects. As the hours ticked by, I couldn't shake the nagging feeling that my efforts were in vain, that the job market remained as unforgiving as ever.

On the other hand, Teddy was home for the day, his studies keeping him occupied. Or at least that's what I figured. But as the hours ticked by, I noticed his frequent appearances in the common areas. He took every opportunity to check me out, clearly enjoying dressing me up today.

As evening set in, Braden and Jason returned home, their entrance accompanied by a chorus of teasing and catcalls. "Izzy, were you a bad girl today?" Braden quipped.

I shot him an eye roll, my tone dripping with sarcasm. "Of course not, sir. I've been a good girl." To play along, I pouted.

Jason joined in, his grin inviting more teasing. "Oh, come on, Izzy, don't pretend you're not secretly loving this."

Rolling my eyes, I retorted, "Oh, absolutely. Because who wouldn't want to be treated like a sex object?

Braden and Jason exchanged glances. As the banter continued, I engaged in a playful back-and-forth, each comment a reminder that amidst the chores, there was a camaraderie forming, albeit a peculiar one.

Their banter continued through dinner, which felt like a casual gathering. But as the dishes were cleared and the conversation shifted, my attention shifted to Teddy. I needed his approval for my outfit tomorrow to get enough points.

"Hey, Teddy, what's the dress code for tomorrow?"

Teddy mumbled something unintelligible, his gaze evasive.

Before Teddy could form a coherent sentence, Braden piped up, "You know, Izzy, if you're looking to score more points, there's an option."

"And what would that be?"

Braden leaned back, a smug grin on his face. "How about this? You get an extra 5 points if you agree to a shopping trip with Teddy and let him pick out your outfits for the rest of the week."

My surprise was evident, but it didn't change the fact that I needed the points. I turned to Teddy, my tone half-teasing. "Well, Teddy, mall date?"

"Yeah, I mean, if you're okay with it."

I couldn't resist a smirk. "Alright then, let's make me look like your dream girl."

Exiting the car in the mall parking lot made me realize I hadn't thought this through. Dressed in the schoolgirl outfit like a slutty girl on Halloween, I was suddenly struck by the realization that stepping into public view might bring about consequences I hadn't fully considered. Leering glances and inappropriate comments followed me with every step, and I couldn't help but feel a surge of discomfort.

Part of me was flattered by the attention, however inappropriate it might be. What a weird thought that was. Taking a deep breath, I pushed those thoughts aside and focused on the task: shopping with Teddy. By my side, Teddy seemed just as jittery as me. Offering him an encouraging smile, "So, Teddy, any ideas where we should start?"

He cleared his throat, his voice slightly shaky. "Well, there's this store I like. It has some... clothes."

I grinned at his vague response. "Sounds promising; we do need some clothes. Let's go."

The vibrant displays and eclectic merchandise instantly caught my attention as we entered the store. This place was a haven for the nerd at heart, a treasure trove of collectibles, costumes, and comics. Teddy's eyes lit up like Christmas lights, and I couldn't help but find his excitement contagious. A few fellow shoppers and the store clerk exchanged friendly nods and knowing smiles with him.

"I'm guessing you come here often."

He nodded, a sheepish smile playing on his lips. "Yeah, maybe a little."

"So, Teddy," I inquired, "what's the plan?"

He hesitated for a moment before pointing towards a rack of costumes. "Well, they've got costumes here. I thought maybe you could, you know, try a few on?"

The idea of wearing costumes all week wasn't appealing, but what choice did I have? Turning to Teddy, I encouraged him, "Whatever you want me to wear, I'm game."

Quickly, he started to sift through the racks. He scrutinized costume after costume, ranging from characters I recognized to ones I had never seen before. He was like a kid in a candy store.

Teddy practically beamed as he found a Supergirl costume. "Hey, this one would be absolutely perfect for you. Want to give it a try?"

I couldn't help but feel a strange sense of flattery, knowing that Teddy believed I could pull off this outfit. "If you want." Taking it from him, I headed towards the fitting rooms.

Alone, I spread out the costume Teddy had handed over. And let me tell you, it was like a Supergirl getup of the slutty variety. Short skirt, low-cut top, the whole shebang. My reflection caught my eye, and I swear, even the mirror seemed to question my life choices.

A chuckle escaped me as I shook my head. "I'm seriously doing this, aren't I?"

As I wriggled into that costume, a whirlwind of emotions hit me. It was ridiculous, no doubt about it. Yet, there was this weird mix of amusement and anxiety. I mean, stepping out in this getup was like voluntarily becoming the center of attention, and trust me, that's not exactly my comfort zone.

Once I was all decked out, I faced myself in the mirror, and well, hot damn. The costume was sexy, nothing I'd ever be caught dead in, but here I was. I couldn't help but stand there, staring at my audacity.

Thoughts ping-ponged around my head, doubt and intrigue, mostly. I gave myself a pep talk under my breath like I was some sort of motivational speaker. "Okay, Izzy, you gonna roll with this?" After a deep breath, I called to Teddy, who was waiting outside, "Hey, Teddy, I'm ready."

Teddy's eyes met mine, and his shy smile made my stomach flutter with a weird mix of nerves and warmth. He took this hesitant step closer to the fitting room, and his gaze was like a shy dance between the floor and me. "Oh, um, great. You look... awesome."

Before I could respond, this voice was chiming in from the side. It was the store clerk, all enthusiastic with his nerdy glasses and this undeserved confidence you just couldn't miss.

"Looks like we've got our very own Supergirl over here!" he exclaimed like Teddy's presence wasn't even a factor. "You really bring that costume to life! You know, we have this cool tradition, a 'Cosplay Catwalk.' People would try on different costumes and then show them off to everyone in the store. It was a blast."

I raised an eyebrow, couldn't help myself, and let my sarcasm flow into my words. "So, what, you want me to strut my stuff like a cosplay girl?"

The clerk laughed like he was totally cool with my tone. "How about some extra motivation? I'm willing to throw in fifty bucks for you to model this Supergirl outfit and all the other stuff your buddy Teddy picked out. Trust me, it's a win-win. You score extra cash, and we get a little show."

I looked at Teddy, his nervous smile and those little nods that said, "I'm with you on this." Fifty dollars was a lot for me right now. I then looked down at the skimpy costume I was wearing. It was uncomfortable as hell but also kind of intriguing. I sighed, couldn't hold it back, and voiced my concerns, "Fifty bucks, huh? Hope this ain't some elaborate prank."

The clerk put his hands up in a playful way. "No pranks, promise. Just a bit of fun."

I glanced back at Teddy, who was practically fidgeting with his fingers. With another sigh, my skepticism still hanging around, I gave in. "Alright, fine. But let's make it sixty, and I want the cash up front."

The clerk's grin was huge as he dug into his wallet. "Deal. Sixty bucks it is."

Taking the money, my nerves were tangled up with this excitement. I shot Teddy a quick, grateful smile before turning back to the clerk. "So, where do I start this... 'cosplay catwalk'?"

Stepping out of the fitting room in the Supergirl costume, I felt a mix of embarrassment and a strange rush of power. Teddy's shy, blushing reaction was adorable, as usual. "Wow," he mumbled, all he could get out.

Shooting him a playful smirk, I felt a surge of confidence. "Not every day you see your friend saving the world, huh?"

As I walked around, the eyes on me made my cheeks heat up, but frustratingly, I enjoyed it. Some customers discreetly snapped photos, focusing on my butt, of all things. Raising an eyebrow, I decided to have some fun. Why not make the best of it? I turned slightly, giving them a better angle, and relished their surprised reactions.

It was strange how empowered I felt. Wearing this costume seemed to awaken a boldness I hadn't known before. "Don't forget to capture my good side," I quipped, casting a wink over my shoulder that garnered a few chuckles from the patrons. I struck a few playful poses, pretending to fly and flexing my muscles, all while keeping up the teasing banter.

Just as I wondered if I should wrap up the show or strike another pose, the store clerk reclaimed the spotlight with his flourish. "Well done! But the show must go on. Teddy, my man, I believe you've got more options for our Supergirl here."

"Sure thing, I'm at your service."

He handed over a pile of costumes, and I took them with an exaggerated sigh. I playfully saluted him, my sarcasm fully intact. "Why, thank you, kind sir. I was just thinking I needed a quick change."

With playfulness and confidence, I spun on my heels. I returned to the fitting rooms, leaving behind a crowd of entertained customers and an entranced Teddy.

As I continued my unconventional modeling escapade, the costumes grew progressively bolder. I couldn't deny the rush coursing through me. It was like shedding my inhibitions alongside every layer of fabric, revealing a side of me I hadn't fully acknowledged before. I bet if I harnessed this energy at my old job, my tips would have been through the roof.

Staring at my reflection in the mirror, I couldn't help but appreciate the sight that greeted me. The sexy French maid costume hugged my figure, an unexpectedly fitting final choice of the evening, given my current predicament. Life had a strange sense of humor, or Teddy did.

With a deep breath, I pushed the changing room curtain aside and confidently stepped out into the store. Teddy appeared more nervous than ever, the store clerk wore a knowing grin, and an impromptu growing audience of intrigued customers had gathered. It seemed like word had spread around.

A mischievous idea flitted through my mind, and I decided to fully embrace it. I adopted a playful French accent that sounded more like something out of a bad movie than an actual Parisian, and I leaned into the French maid character. I mean, why not?

Sauntering over, I held onto the feather duster they had handed me, deliberately allowing it to slip from my grasp. I bent over in an intentionally exaggerated manner to pick it up, fully aware of the appreciative murmurs and the cacophony of smartphone shutters going off. If they were looking for a show, I was more than willing to oblige.

"Oops, how clumsy of moi!" I exclaimed in my heavily accented tones, a wicked gleam in my eye. Their eager reactions spurred me on, and I began to play up the role even further. My skirt rode up with every exaggerated movement, giving them ample opportunity for those scandalous butt shots they seemed eager to capture. Strangely, instead of feeling uncomfortable, I embraced the attention, relishing my power over this captivated audience. It was a pleasant change of pace, being in control, vs. my current home arrangement.