The Completely and Totally Average Life of Ryder Stark

Date Night

A/N:

Image on the side is of Andrea, Ryder's mother.

My homework passed quickly. School has always been easy for me. It could be because the teachers have lowered their expectations due to the laughable level that the morons that I call my pack mates learn at. I got up and quickly changed into some fitted khaki pants and a button down shirt. I checked myself out in the mirror and winked at myself. Dayum. I looked good.

I  picked up the watch that my mother had given me for my sixteenth birthday. Sixteen is when we first hit puberty, and when we first shift. She said that the pocket watch was a very important family heirloom. The watch read 6:45. Misty was expecting me at 7.

I groaned, getting up and stretching my stiff muscles. I could really use a run right now, but unfortunately, duty calls.

I got up and slipped into the music room. My mother was in the middle of coaching a young pup of about 8 the basics of piano playing. It was truly endearing. So not to disturb the youngin', I spoke through the mind link.

I'm going out with Misty. Be back soon.

She turned slightly to make eye contact but as not to distract the future virtuoso.

I really don't know why you're with that girl. You're only going to break her heart when you find your mate.

I internally flinched at that. I knew that would happen, and I did kind of care for Misty. I guess I'd have to figure that out when it comes along.

I know, Mom. I was actually considering breaking it off with her tonight.

After you paid for an expensive dinner? She smirked at me.

Love you!

I walked away, a knot forming in my stomach. I was never really good at this breaking up stuff. Sure, Misty was annoying and vapid, but she was pretty fantastic at the whole sex thing, for a human and all. And she has always meant well... The only reason she pesters me about the future is because she wants me to succeed... Right?

I contemplated this as I got in my Jeep. The engine roared to life, exciting the wolf in me. Although I'd rather go fast in wolf form, the Jeep will have to do. I don't think that Misty would appreciate riding on my back. I don't think I'd let her anyways. I have a feeling that she would pull my fur or complain about my coarse light brown coat scratching her legs or something.

I popped in my Brothers CD and the first track, "Everlasting Light" came on. God, I love the Black Keys. The rock duo has always made my heart swell almost as much as hearing my mother play piano music does. The song began pounding through my subs. Goosebumps rose on my arms and I rolled the windows down. There is no better way to spend a beautiful 70 degree night than listening to the music loud with the wind blowing in your face... Besides running that is.

♪ Let me be your everlasting light
Your sun when there is none
I'm a shepherd for you
And I'll guide you through
Let me be your everlasting light

Let me be your everlasting light
Your home when there is cold
In me you can confide
When no one's by your side
Let me be your everlasting light

Oh baby, can't you see
It's shining just for you
Loneliness is over
Dark days are through
They're through ♫

The words hit me harder today than they ever had. I want to feel the way that Dan Auerbach did when he belted these words to the studio mic. The fact that all wolves have a mate somewhere in the world gives me hope. Seeing Frankie and Lynne, along with my mother and father made me feel lonely. Misty has never made me feel loved, just needed. And by needed I mean that my wallet needed to be open for her.

I coughed, shaking my head to clear the negative thoughts and tried to look forward to the delicious food I was about to delve into. I switched to the third track, "Tighten Up" and began howling to the words.

The song ended as I pulled into Misty's driveway. She had her arms crossed and she was tapping her foot. I checked my watch. 7:03. Good Lord, she was pissed over three minutes?

"Ryder, seriously? You know that the tables fill up fast at Le Figaro! If we don't get a table I'm not going to be happy with you."

"When are you ever happy with me, Misty?" I looked over at her uncomfortably. I never really defied Misty when it came to what she wanted.

She scoffed and me and began pouting. She didn't stop until we got to our table at the restaraunt.

Our waiter, a handsome man with an accent approached us. "Good evening. My name is Scott. Can I get you something to drink or an appetizer to start you off?"

Misty began batting her eyelashes and folded her hands under her chin. I sighed, knowing where this was going.

"What do you recommend?" She purred.

The waiter shifted uncomfortably. He glanced at me, and saw that I could honestly not care less. "I really like Sex on the Beach." He grinned at her seductively.

"She's underage." I was flipping through my phone at this point, irritated.

The waiter jumped back, and suggested two Cokes. I nodded, still staring at my phone, and he immediately walked away.

"You clearly don't care about me, Ryder, so I was just trying to see if someone else will," she huffed.

I rolled my eyes and stayed silent until a different waiter brought us our drinks and took our order. Soon he came back with two steaming plates of spaghetti and meatballs. I immediately dug in.

"Ryder, will you stop making out with your food and just pay attention to me for like two seconds?"

I rolled my eyes and looked up at Misty, several strands of spaghetti hanging from my mouth. I looked at her expectantly.

She let out a huff and stuck out her lower lip. "Ryder, we have something serious to talk about."

Generally when Misty said this she wanted to inform me about the shoe sale at Designer Shoe Warehouse. But tonight, she actually looked serious.

I swallowed my food and wiped my mouth on the cloth napkin. I've always hated cloth napkins. I feel terrible if I dirty them. Give me a t-shirt to wipe my mouth on why don't you! Plus, what if I have to blow my nose? Then I'm that disgusting guy with the great biceps and thick eyebrows at table 15 that doesn't know how to act appropriately in social situations. You just can't win with cloth napkins.

Lost in my thoughts, I looked up to see Misty snapping her fingers at me. "What?" I asked.

"Ryder, I'm pregnant."