Perfectly Imperfect | ✓

Fifteen

Last night I crashed my car, and some other series of small unfortunate events followed in its path. What I don't understand, is why my mom and brother are so calm about it. They both acted as if it was just another random weekend in our lives, just without the constant bickering and blaming. "So...can I get a ride to the police station? The sheriff wanted to speak to me." I lied in a futile attempt to get out of the house.

"His son is outside waiting, you're little friend called me this morning." She sipped her coffee, typing away on her laptop. "Which friend?" I'm pretty sure my "friend" list has been cut short. "Curly hair, dimples. He was at the hospital." She mentioned.

My eyes popped open, then who's outside? Getting ready as quickly as possible I grabbed my things, saying goodbye to the lifeless souls in my home. "Hunter?" I asked, shielding my eyes from the scorching sun. "Let's go." He called over reaching over to open the door of his truck. I climbed up and shut the door, he sped down the road towards a familiar house. "What are we doing at Parker's house? And why are you tolerating my existence all of a sudden?" I threw a jumble of questions in his direction, but each one bounced back into my head being ignored. "Reilly? Toby? Liana? Parker? Harley? Rose? Okay now I'm lost..." I rambled on as they all stood there silently just as confused as I was.

"And that's your problem." Hunter lifted his arms motioning to the awkward tense group in front of him. "What happened to the nicknames?" He raised his voice.

"Rain. Toby. Our space princess. The pothead. Harley Quinn. And tiny." He pointed each of us out using both our known and personal nicknames. "Let's not forget about the one who let us all commit entirely." He shot daggers in my direction with a glimmer of hope in his eyes. Pulling up his sleeve he revealed the simple shape with two Roman numerals inked in the center. "I sure as hell didn't waste money and a permanent spot on my body for you guys, if you can't stick together." He explained.

"Yeah well some of us like to keep it as a souvenir." Toby muttered ignorantly starting the car with our precious Harley trailing behind. Rain and Liana looked at one another uncomfortably. "I'm just done with the drama. As soon as graduation comes we're all out of here, the tattoo is aesthetic." Reilly effortlessly kicked up the stand of her motorcycle and placed the helmet on her head, tossing the spare over to Liana. "I mean... I'm down if we're all cool..." Parker turned to Rosealine and I.

"We never had an issue." Rose shrugged at him. "Okay, that's all?" I asked agreeing to the circumstances. Hunter stood there dumbfounded. "Um..okay." He huffed getting back into his truck. "Are you coming Alli? My dad expects me to take you back. It'll be my head of your not back safe." He yelled.

"No. I'm going to borrow a ride from Parker." I shouted back. Without hesitation he took off down the street, the tension of emotion following soon after. "Back to the station?" He asked tossing me the keys. I nodded opening the door to the civic. "Take care of her." He winked trudging his way back inside as Rosealine jumped into the passenger seat.

"I heard Rain and Liana talking about something. I know drama is beyond us and things are finally patching up, but I wouldn't be worrying you if it didn't concern you." She explained on the car ride. I nodded urging her to continue. "Hunter told Parker who told his girlfriend who let it slip to Liana that he's got a thing for you." She blurted out. I paused taking in a deep breath. "Who liked who?" I stopped to grab us coffee and breakfast before continuing our journey. "Hunter. Our truck driving sheriff's son. Like you, the detectives girlfriend." She broke it down. My jaw dropped in shock, I've known Hunter since the beginning of sophomore year, which doesn't seem like long, but we've all been through a lot together. It's kind of bizarre to see him in that way. "So?" She asked bluntly.

"So what? I don't feel any way, I'm all about Detective Lucas." I danced my eyebrows sending her a quirky smile. "I know, but won't that make things awkward?" She implied. "No. He's not coming for finals week and he's been pretty damn good at disappearing around the station." I answered back seeing Lucas' familiar tall figure slip past the front sliding doors. "I'll meet you at home." I hugged her goodbye as she took over the drivers seat.

"Lucas!" I called out as I approached his desk. "Shhhh." The sheriff miserably groaned sipping his own coffee and making his way back to his office. "Not a morning person. How'd my little lion sleep?" He chuckled taking my cup of coffee and kissing my forehead. "Good, I'm going to miss Smokey though." I sighed plopping into his chair. "Uh uh, nope. I've got some very important files on there so you gotta find a new chair." He helped me up swiveling in his comfort. "New leads?" I asked stealing a chair from the waiting area. "Keep it down." He hushed me motioning for me to come closer. "Jennifer Terrell? That chick who called you in as an alibi? She's an accessory for the murder because the stories don't check out. You can't place her whereabout during the time of the crime but no one saw her at the scene." He whispered. "So she could've done it." I thought aloud.

"Except she has no motive. And no access to the vials which are being considered the murder weapon according to forensics." He mumbled opening back up the files. "Damn. Anyway, I need help." I stated pulling out my phone to access a few documents.

"Stats and Algebra." I showed him the documents. "Lucky me." He cheered quietly clicking the pen open. He started to explain the topic thoroughly and scribbled away at an empty notepad. I tuned in for majority of it, but my attention was quickly diverted to the conversation behind me. A few girls from school, freshman who used to be on the softball team with me laughed and giggled away. As I turned they pulled heir phones out facing the camera in my direction continuing the gossip.

"Gianna. Sofi." I greeted them nonchalantly. "Hey bitch, how's jail looking?" Gianna snickered, I cringed at the pasty colored slides she wore with her honey bronzer hair sitting on top of her round bowling ball head. "It's looking pretty ugly from my point of view." I checked out Sofi beside her earning a rude glare in return. "Who's that hottie next to the window? He looks like fun. Too bad you're in trouble to waste his time." She huffed pushing out her chest. "At least I can spell the word trouble girlie. And he is fun, for me at least." I smirked. "Please. As if you could get a chance with this one." She fixed her shirt so her cleavage nearly fell out, Sofi wiping her lips hoping the bright red stain wasn't too messy. "Ladies, Detective Lucas. What seems to be the issue here?" Lucas stood behind me sticking his hands in his pockets. "Oh nothing. How much time does she get for drooling over what she can't have." I asked not moving my death glare from Gianna's annoying skankiness. "Shut up, like you could get a chance with any boy after Thiago." She rolled her eyes biting her lip as Lucas tensed behind me. "I'm sorry, I still don't know what's happening..." he questioned lowering his voice to gain more authority. "How about we head back to my place for a game of cops and robbers." Sofi winked at him. I shuddered in disgust at the two in front of me. "Get over yourselves, and please do yourself a favor and delete those pictures before I have the Sheriff handcuff you two." He growled at the girls dropping their jaws in the process. Snaking an arm around my waist I leaned into him tip toeing to place a soft kiss on his cheek in content. "Those things go to your school?" He shivered as we left the brainless duo dumbfounded. I nodded agreeing with his uncomfortable state. "Thanks." I smiled up at him. "Don't thank me yet. I want to hear all about Mr. Thiago." He sat me down in his chair. My heart ached at the sound of his name through Lucas' soft lips. I don't know if it was a good thing, but nothing in this town could stay hidden.