No time like the present

"Sure, come with me," you agree, pointing the way to your cottage. The girls fall in on either side of you, both of them flashing you pretty smiles.

"It's so great that you're letting us wash your car," Deandre bubbles. "And Mr. Carter is so nice for sponsoring us. He's your roommate right? He sounds really nice. It's so great that you're here too Coach Watts. We didn't have any men teachers last year so this is really new. It's kinda cool though."

You give her a bemused look as she chatters, realising that she may well be the caricature of the dumb blonde. You glance at Irina and catch her rolling her eyes, then grinning at your expression. She sways slightly as you walk, her hip occasionally bumping yours. She murmurs an apology each time, but makes no move to put more distance between you.

Deandre babbles during the short walk, her attention span obviously at the same level as a goldfish. You open the cottage door and gesture the two girls in, smiling at them.

"Make yourselves at home," you say. "My keys are upstairs. I'll be right down." The girls smile and nod as you climb the stairs to your room, and you hear Deandre resuming her chatter. It takes you longer than you expected to find the car keys. You thought you'd left them on top of the dresser, but they aren't there. You look in the top drawers and find nothing, then think back to the last time you had them. After a few moments you find the pants you were wearing and search the pockets, finally discovering them.

With a short grunt of irritation at your forgetfulness you head downstairs, hearing Deandre's voice still chattering, then Irina's voice firmly interrupting.

"It is best that we get the other opinion Deandre. I will ask Coach Watts his thoughts."