An unfamiliar car pulled up outside the house, and I tilted my head curiously as Chelsea stepped out. Ryder must have borrowed his mum's car to drive her here.
How was it possible that everybody was up so ridiculously early?
Venturing to the door, I ran my fingers through the tangles in my hair, trying to make myself look just a little more presentable. Nobody should be subjected to the sight of me in a morning. It took at least half an hour to make me look even remotely human-like, and lots and lots of coffee.
I opened the door before she had the chance to knock, and my eyes narrowed against the light suddenly streaming in.
"I'm sorry, we're a little behind schedule." I laughed and gestured for her to come in, looking down at her outfit in embarrassment. She'd only just left hospital and she looked more put together than me. I was still in my pajamas for crying out loud, a black tank top and shorts that were slightly too small and pinched in the hips.
Chelsea stepped inside nervously, walking through to the living room after slipping off her shoes in the hallway. I shut the door behind her, only to groan in annoyance when someone knocked again just mere seconds later. Chelsea peered back around the lounge door curiously as I reopened the door.
I froze on the spot as Ryder looked me up and down with a smirk.
"Chelsea's bag" he grinned, never once breaking eye contact as he lifted up the handbag and hung it from his index finger. I almost laughed at the image, but somehow the ridiculous accessory seemed to make him look more masculine than ever in comparison. How on earth was that even possible?
"Cute pjs Lo."
I blushed at the compliment and took the bag from him, nibbling at my lower lip. His eyes darkened in response.
"Thank you." I smiled shyly.
"Hey, stop spying on your brother. He's a big boy. He can take care of himself."
Claire's voice echoed from the back of the house, and Ryder and I both turned in the direction of the source to see Chelsea peering around the doorway in the lounge. She blushed at being caught out as Ryder raised his eyebrows.
"Yeah Chels, I can take care of myself."
She turned on her heels, venturing further into the house and I heard Claire's voice greeting her.
"Hi! I'm Claire. This is Anna. You already know Lola and you must be Chelsea. Hi."
Her excitement could overwhelm even me at times, and I'd known her since we were five. Anna's quieter 'hi' could barely be heard.
"I think your sister needs saving from Claire." I told Ryder, whose shoulders shook with silent laughter from overhearing Claire's introduction.
"I'll see you later?"
He nodded and leaned forward to peck me on the cheek.
"Just to let you know in advance, I prefer short dresses." He whispered against my cheek as he withdrew.
"Wait, you asked me if you could accompany me to prom. I never said yes."
His eyes widened momentarily in panic and I laughed.
"I'm kidding dumbass."
"Your insults are so demeaning."
"You know you love them really."
He smiled, his eyes softening, but an excited squeal from Claire quickly ruined the moment, and I bit down on my lip.
"I really should go; I'm sorry."
He shook his head.
"It's fine." He stepped down onto the path and I smiled before closing the door and walking through to the lounge to stand next to Chelsea.
"I feel I should probably apologize for her behavior. It appears that coffee and the prospect of an entire day of shopping have made her even crazier than usual."
This earned a loud cry of indignation from Claire.
"Oh it's fine. Just talk about me as if I'm not here. I don't mind."
Chelsea laughed at her sarcasm. I might have too, had I not known what it meant. Sarcasm was one of the most common resources of Claire's inner control freak. A day of fashion was just the sort of thing to bring this part of her personality to the surface, and that seemed to be exactly what it had done.
I sighed. We were going to have a long day ahead of us. Claire was on a mission, and heaven forbid anyone should get in the way of her accomplishing a goal.
"Are you coming to get ready?" I asked Claire, ignoring her earlier comment and she nodded, jumping up with a grin. They'd stayed over so often whilst my mother was on business trips that each of them now had a spare outfit hung up in my wardrobe for cases such as this. Claire's even had matching jewelry hanging in a little drawstring bag from the same coat hanger. I'd told her time and time again that she was welcome to borrow mine, but she insisted that hers matched more. It was probably true, she seemed to have accessories for every outfit, and her walk in wardrobe was like Barbie's dream closet.
"We'll be right back." I assured Chelsea, and the panic in her eyes seemed to ease a little. Either that or she was just extremely good at hiding it. I thought back to what Ryder had told me about their dad and figured the second option was probably more likely.
She glanced at Anna curiously when she didn't come to join us.
"I only need to pull on my clothes. It'll take two seconds so I usually just wait until they're finished." Anna clarified with a kind smile.
"Because Anna is inhumanly perfect in mornings," I felt the need to add. Chelsea raised her eyebrows curiously.
"You know she woke up pretty much exactly like this. Literally all she's done is put eyeliner on. She hasn't even brushed her hair yet."
Chelsea's eyes widened in shock.
"Now that just isn't fair."
Anna blushed under her sudden scrutiny and she apologized hastily.
"So Chelsea... what made you decide to expose yourself to the torture of one of Claire's shopping trips?"
I smiled and left them to it.