Perfect For Me

CHAPTER 7 (Ryan Lander)

I silently groaned as Andy pushed the ice pack harder on my bruised nose. At the same time Jeremy tried to put bandages around my rips which luckily weren't broken. Liam for sure did not go easy on me. But hey, I didn't spare him either, so I think we were even. I was still not sure what had caused him to flip out like that. Comments like the one I had made in the locker room weren't new to him so what had been different today? All in all he seemed strangely off the whole day. Not like I had nothing better to do than observing him, but it was kinda hard to miss. Especially during the game of dodgeball in gym class. On the other hand... It didn't really need a special ocasion for him to flip out on me.

But still I had noticed days like this before, something just didn't seem right with him sometimes. And I was determined to find out what that was. Not because I cared about him, no. Rather because I wanted to dig up some dirt on "the golden boy". And maybe because I knew the look he had on his face today. It was one of deep sadness and unhappiness. One, that you get from living in a family like mine. Maybe we weren't this different after all....

"Ryan! Ryan, man! I've called your name at least ten times! Where have you been with your thoughts?" When I didn't answer Andy just shook his head. "Oh boy, what should I do with you, huh?" I swear, this guy acted more like my mom than my real one did. "I just wanted to know if you needed anything else? Band-Aids, a new ice pack maybe?" See, point proven. "I'm alright, thanks" I answered. I knew he had plans with his girlfriend tonight and didn't want to be the reason he had to cancel. I already felt guilty enough for making him and Jeremy worry about me. Though I had to admit, it felt good that there was someone who was worried about me. My parents hadn't even spared us a second glance when we came home, blood all over me. It probably just confirmed their theory of me being a bad boy further. Trying to get Andy leave I said: "Go get going, I wouldn't want to be the reason Sarah has to wait. Boy, that woman can get angry!" I faked a scared shudder which caused both of my friends to laugh. "But seriously. Go and enjoy your date, I am sure Jeremy will take good care of me."

And he did. We played video games on my PlayStation until midnight and then fell asleep as soon as our heads hit the pillows. We always shared a bed when we had sleepovers, mostly 'cause I couldn't sleep without holding on to someone. I managed to do so when I was alone but knowing there were possible cuddle partners in the same room as me, didn't let  me sleep on my own. Andy and Jeremy blamed it on the lack of affection I had gotten from my parents when I had been younger. I just thought it was embarrassing and I made them swear to never tell a living soul about it. Imagine Liam finding out about it. He would tease me to no end for "being a softie"!

- - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -

I slowly untangled our bodies before I was able to turn off my alarm. Somehow, we, or probably I had managed to find a way of making a mess of our limbs so Jeremy and I couldn't really be seen as two people anymore. I put my hands above my head before letting out a loud yawn and beginning to shake Jeremy awake. I swear this boy would sleep through and earthquake if no one saved him.

When we arrived at school Andy was already waiting for us. "Are you alright? How bad does your nose hurt? It really looks nasty. And what about your ribs? You sure we shouldn't go to the hospital?" I just rolled my eyes in reply. I already felt sorry for his future kids. He would become the worst helicopter parent ever! Before I could give him a verbal reply, the speakers over our heads cracked. "Ryan Lander and Liam Williams, please come to my office!" The voice of our principal could be heard. "Oh god! I bet this is about your fight yesterday!" Andy started to worry again. If he didn't stop acting like this, he would die because of a heart attack before he reached the age of twenty!

When I opened the door to our headmaster's office, I was surprised to not see Liam waiting already. As the goody-two-shoes he was, I had been sure he would be here before me. After the principle gestured me to take a seat we waited. And waited. And.... waited. Wow, this had to be Liam's first time being late to anything. And of all days it had to be today when we had a meeting with the principal. I started to think of punishments we would get for yesterdays fight when finally, fifteen minutes late, Liam barged into the room. He couldn't even open his mouth for an apology before our principal started talking: "Now that we are all here I want to talk to you. Your PE teacher told me what happened yesterday in the locker rooms and I am very disappointed in you. I thought you knew better than getting into another fight" -yes, this had by far not been our first one - "and I decided on consequences. From now on, till the end of October you AND your teams will be in charge of homecoming ball. Together."

"What?!"