Perfectly Imperfect

Chapter Three: Sour Flavored Lifesaver

Nick, your timing is absolutely awful. I called you, told you there was a boy at my house, and expected you to come running over looking for him. Instead, I'm stuck with ginger... Whatever the fuck he is, and my sister in the living room, awkward glances all around. Thanks, your such a babe.

"So, thanks for inviting me over."

His masculine voice pulled me from the semi-rant I had been waging and I looked upwards, catching his gaze. "It wasn't really my..." An quick elbow jab from the dark haired girl beside me and I corrected myself, staying polite. "No problem, I'm glad you stopped by." Hopefully it satisfied Mandy to see me in this state, because I'd be sure to get my sweet revenge for this.

"I'm pretty new to town, I sorta figured that this was a good way to make friends."

Damn him and whatever immunity he held to whatever sort of lie detector I had contained inside my head. Like he really believed coming here was going to make him friends. "I'll go get some drinks..." I stood quickly, in a hurry to escape the thick awkwardness of the living room, and walked as fast as I could to the kitchen. Drinks weren't exactly my aim, seeing as how I needed to figure out where Nick was.

I picked up the home phone and dialed the number, jabbing the keys with my thumbs as I kept watch for my sister. As soon as I lifted it to my ear the ringing had begun, and I waited a few seconds before he answered.

"This is Nick..."

"Nick, where are you? I called you like..." Damn, how long ago was that anyway? It felt like I was sitting in the hot seat for hours. "Nevermind that. Where are you at? Your supposed to come over and save me, remember?"

"No can do. Roman stopped by just as I was walking out, and you know how that is."

"Great, thanks Nick." That plan went sour, and it seems I'm stuck here in my sisters clutches. I placed the phone back in its normal position and leaned back against the counter, trying to sort things out for a moment. That wasn't the exact case though, because Ryker entered the room and made his presence known with a soft clearing of his throat.

"Your sister suggested I check in on you. Said your a bit of a space cadet, but I don't think I believe her."

"Yeah, I'm fine. I was just... The phone rang and I answered it."

"I didn't hear the phone ring..."

What was he now, a detective? "Yeah, well, it did and it was my mother. She said she'll be back soon so you might wanna leave. She doesn't really take to having people over." Mandy was going to call me on this one if she found out, so with a quick movement I grabbed his t-shirt and led him out the back door.

"If you wanna get rid of me, you could've just said that. It's probably a little weird having somebody you don't know over at your house."

"Exactly, so now I'm a little uncomfortable. I didn't really invite you over, Mandy did. Your a nice guy, I'm sure, but strangers are Mandy's type. Not mine. Thanks for stopping by, seriously." I headed back into the house without another word and left him standing in the yard, unsure if he could take the message and just leave or if he'd stick around. Either way, I didn't much care.

It would've been too easy for Nick to just show up, wouldn't it? Stupid Roman for distracting my best friend. Now I had to face Mandy and that was definitely not going to be a good thing.

Upon entering the living room her eyes were on me, obviously trying to judge if I had done something with the oh-so wonderful Ryker. I knew the question was coming, because Mandy wasn't the type to stay quiet very long.

"Where'd Ryker go?"

"Oh, he said something about needing to go. I didn't question it, you know?" I stifled a shrug to add something to the lie and headed for the steps, hoping she'd get the hint that I was finished talking. Luck didn't appear to be in my favor today.

"He said he didn't have anything planned when I called him before. Did he just up and leave or was there a phone call... Something like that?"

"He just left, that's all. He didn't say where he was going or anything..."

"Ah, I guess we'll just have to reschedule."

"Mhm, reschedule." And with that, I was up the steps and back into the safety of my room, hoping that Ryker wouldn't make an attempt to come back inside or Mandy would know I had lied. Which isn't exactly a good situation for anyone when it comes to my sister.