The imperfection we called our love | ✔

*Twenty-two*

I found myself waking up like this far too often

Sore all over, with a splitting headache, I got up from the kitchen floor, nearly slipping due to how dizzy I was. I wadded into the kitchen washing my face, and cupping some water to scoop into my mouth

I found some pain tablets behind the mirror- shelf in the bathroom, tilting my head to swallow the two capsules, scooping more water into my mouth

I took in my reflection, my clothes from last night, and my ruddy appearance

Sighing

I splashed a little bit more water on my face, just for extra measure

What happened last night?

I palmed my face

Oh god

What the hell was I thinking?

Even the memory brought color to my cheeks

Then, the memory of Finn's face, his rage and embarrassment.....

I remember it so clearly.

Yes I had been taken back by Finn's outburst more than mine probably, The cool, calm and collected Finn, losing it - even if it was for a second.

I brought this on

Finn was just being himself, his usual fuckboy- self

My outburst had been totally uncalled for

I pulled off my pants, one leg off, then hopping with the other pant leg still on into the shower, and discarded the rest of my clothes

I glanced at my waterproof watch; - I had a hour before work started

''Shit'' I muttered turning the shower knob on, intending to get done as fast as I possibly could

_____________________

I grabbed breakfast at Starbucks, and then went straight to work.

Five minutes later; walking down Clove Street, my all -too familiar ringtone started ringing.

I fumbled around into my backpack and pockets till I made contact

The caller ID read: Sheri, I didn't know any Sheri's

I hit accept

''Hey Emily'' a feminine voice sounded through the earpiece

''Yeah, this is her'' I answered cautiously

''Err its Sheraya''

''uhh'' I said, still not knowing who it was

She sighed, suspecting exactly this

''Sheraya from the party '' - she went on - '' you offered me a job - ''

''Correction; Finn did'' I muttered suddenly remembering exactly who it was; the girl Finn offered a job to

''Sorry? Did you say something?''

''No, carry on'' I interjected quickly

She brushed me off hastily

I remembered exactly who it was now

Sheraya; the girl I exchanged numbers with, the day of the party, I had been too lazy to type out her nuisance of a name, so I simply typed out Sheri

''You told me to drop by Saturday before lunch hour, that you'd put in good word for me''

This was a lie - about the whole putting in a good word. - I confess I had been slightly showing off at the party.

I mean I could put in a word, but I'm afraid my 'good word' wouldn't actually matter, as I hadn't been working at the café long enough for them to take my 'good word' into accord

I didn't tell Sheri this of course

''Yeah I was just checking in to see if it was still happening''

''Yeah, yeah of course'' I reassured her- ''What time do you plan on coming around?''

''Oh I'm here now'' she added as if it were the most natural thing

''What! Why?'' I exclaimed unable to hide my shock

She laughed finding my shocked-ness funny

''Oh, you know I'm the early-bird type''

I forced a light laugh out

''Well I'm not there yet'' I said trying to add humorously

''what?'' - Now it was her turn to sound shocked - ''I thought you said you started in fifteen minutes''

Oh yeah, I had told her the night of the party what time my shift started. I hadn't expected her to remember it till this day

I could feel her disapproval over the phone, for my 'supposed' lack of: punctuality.

Which was why I didn't bother telling her that I overslept, and that I was literally a street away

''Anyway, got to go, I'll see you when I get there'' I said, hanging up the phone before she could answer

I let out a breath, then took a turn onto the street I needed to be at

My phone vibrated in my hand signaling I got a text message

It was from Amanda

Wt u up 2?

I replied in a second:

working.

Bummer.

Catch up later? I replied hopeful

Sure, you want me to drop by?

No.

I realized that had come out more harsh than intended

?

No, coz the place I'm working at is nearer to where you live. - This was a total lie

Ohkay cool

By now the lies I had been telling Amanda went from: little white lies to lying about everything in my life

I know it wasn't the best thing to be doing; lying to your best/only friend

But people liked details while I preferred leaving them out

Catch you later

Totes.

And that was then end

Underneath Amanda's name was; Finn's: as he was the last person who texted me before Amanda, - Saying he'd be there by 8

I went into to his contact, and considered calling him

But I knew better, knew that he wouldn't answer, I needed to not be chicken

I should go say sorry.

I pushed through the doors of the Café Bella, went straight to the back where I slid the apron over my head, and tied the ribbons behind my back

I would say sorry to him, - just not today.

Sheri Greeted me throwing her hands around my neck, as if we'd been friends since birth

''Oh hi Emily''

I patted her on her back

I had bigger things to worry about than my apology to Finn today