Chapter Six: Is This A Date?

"So, what do you think?" Nikki twirls around in an overly priced and ridiculously extravagant wedding dress. Mom claps her hands excitedly, her face showing genuine happiness.

"I love it!"

Nikki pats down her sides, and then frowns. "No, it's not good enough. It has to be perfect."

"Whatever you wear looks wonderful on you, darling," Mom just can't help but compliment Nikki, and I fight the urge to roll my eyes. I don't know why I'm here. I have nothing positive to say, and if I'm forced to, it's just a forced lie. I see this as a sham. It's not real. Even Dean's parents don't recognize this engagement.

I just don't see why Dean himself won't wake up from this fantasy. They aren't right for each other. And even if I have no chance with Dean, I'd rather he finds a woman who respects him. He needs stability, and Nikki is unstable. They are a mismatched, unbalanced couple.

It's almost laughable. If I did not respect Dean, I'd let him live on with my piece of trash of a sister.

Nikki doesn't deserve him. And the more I stare at her in that dress, the more I want to rip it to shreds.

This is torturous.

...

"So, how have you been doing?" Emma asks as she makes lunch for us. I sit at the table with my phone, roaming through social media. I see an updated photo of Dean posted, and instead of memorizing every detail of it, I quickly fold my phone over on the table in disgust. I can't stand looking at his face. The more I think of him, the more my chest aches. It would be easier to avoid him if I wasn't related to Nikki. But then again, I wouldn't have met him if it wasn't for that connection.

I go to answer her but she beats me to it, "I take it not good then?" She eyes my phone and then gives me a curious glance. "Something about the dreaded wedding?"

I shrug and lean my head back on the chair, "Something like that."

"I know you don't want to hear this, and I hate being that b*tch...but you need to move on. It's been how long? Girl, you need to find someone else. If you keep pinning after Dean, you'll end up alone with a hundred cats. And how would I come over with all your cat shit all over the floor?"

I laugh, yet choke back tears. She doesn't need to know her comments hurt, and I don't want her feeling bad for being truthful. So I fake it as usual. "You're totally right."

"Of course! How about I set you up with a friend of mine? He's actually quite interested in you."

"Really?" I raise an eyebrow at her sarcastically.

"He's coming over tonight, actually. Maybe you'll lose that v-card you've been saving for Dean?"

"Emma!" I screech, my face heating up in mortification.

"What? C'mon, it's just sex. You'll enjoy it," she rolls her eyes at me. "You're putting too much weight on your virginity."

"Ems, if I agree to meeting this guy, will you stop mentioning my virginity all the time?"

"Maybe?" she laughs and hands me my lunch.

...

"Sasha, your boyfriend is here!" Emma shouts, and I just about fall off my bed.

"What boyfriend?" I shout back, standing up to leave my room. It's either Dean, or this strange guy Emma wants me to hook up with. I tread down the hall and falter when I see Tyler, Emma's brother standing in the living room.

"Hi, Sasha," Tyler smiles at me, but I avoid his stare and instead give Emma a special look. One meant to show her how gross she is.

She wants me to hook up with her brother?!

Emma grins, a mischievous glint in her eyes. "I have to go, so Ty," she turns to him "take care of my bestie."

He nods and then turns back to me, a determined look settling over his face. I ignore him and move toward Emma but she slams the front door in my face.

"Emma!" I yell and try to open the door. But it won't budge. I look through the peephole and see her tiny, demonic face. Her smile looks extra wide, and I can't help but shake my head. She's holding onto the door so I can't open it.

How mature.

"So, Emma told me you wanted to hang out. Anything you'd like to do in particular?"

It's obvious they've talked about this, as he seems completely unfazed by my struggling. I turn to him and give him a glare. But I immediately feel bad for treating him with discontent. He's not an awful person, and he's a guest in my house. There's one thing I've absorbed from my mother, and that's to be a good host.

"Want to go to the movies? Maybe dinner?" I offer.

He nods, "sure."

I grab my purse and head for the door. "Let's go then," I mumble awkwardly. I've never been alone with Tyler, as Emma has always been there when we've conversed. I don't really know him well enough to sit in a room by ourselves. I also keep hearing Emma's voice in my head, saying how much this certain guy has the hots for me. If anything, this makes me worried. If I do end up giving him a chance, what if it ruins my friendship with Emma?

I wait for Tyler to unlock his car, and then blush profusely when he opens the passenger door for me. I wasn't expecting that.

He smiles at me, and I duck my head under and slide into the seat. I suddenly feel hot when he leans his head in front of me, and at first I think he's going to kiss me. He's so incredibly close my heart flashes almost painfully, my breath coming out in soft pants. He doesn't appear to notice my change in behaviour, and I watch closely as he moves the seatbelt around my chest and clicks it in place.

"T-Thank you," I mumble.

"No problem," he avoids eye contact and distances himself from me. He moves around the other side of the car and slides into the driver's seat.

"Where to first?" I say, absentmindedly rubbing my thighs.

"We'll eat and then check out what's listed at the theatre," he shoves his seatbelt on and then starts the car. It roars to life and soon we're driving through my neighbourhood.

"Can I ask you a question?" I say while looking out the window, purposely avoiding eye contact.

"I think it depends on what the question is about."

"Well, it's about what we're doing right now."

"And what is that, Sasha?"

I turn to him, frowning. "What do you mean?"

"What do you think this is?"

I finally understand what he's implying. He's wondering if this is a date, and I don't think I have an answer for him. I don't know if I can see him anymore than one of my best friend's older brother.

"I don't know," I reply honestly. I think on how to play this conversation, and give him an opportunity to control the situation. "What do you want it to be? What do you want to do?"

"I'd like us to get to know each other better."

"And how would you like to do that?" I raise an eyebrow. From what I recall, Tyler has always been a womanizer. It's very surprising that Emma even allowed me to be alone with him.

He smirks and turns his head to the left, moving the car in the same direction. "There's many ways we can do that. But I think taking it slow is fine for now."

I shrug and move my head to stare out the window again. "That's fine by me then."

"That is, if you want to take it fast, then I'm all for that too. Sex on the first date is always welcomed by me."

"Tyler," I say monotonously.

He laughs, "yes?"

"Shut up."