Flawless by Lara Chapman Read Free Book Online Page B

should tell her the truth. She’d definitely take issue with me purposely deceiving someone, even if it was to help a friend. Mom is militant about honesty and justice.
    â€œGuy stuff,” I finally say. Not that I expect her to let it go at that.
    â€œNew guy?” she asks.
    â€œHow could it be an old guy?”
    She smiles at me, like she knows what I’m feeling. And I guess in some ways she does. She did, after all, grow up with the same nose I have, so she was bound to go through the same teasing and insecurities. But it’s hard to imagine her with any imperfection. I’ve only known her like she is today: impossibly flawless.
    â€œWhat’s the problem?” she asks.
    â€œThe usual,” I reply, with maybe a little more bite than I intended. “There’s this great guy who just moved here and we totally click. I mean, he actually likes school.”
    Mom raises her eyebrows. “How’s this a problem?”
    â€œHe’s made it clear he’s interested in someone else.”
    Mom tilts her head like a puppy who’s just heard a new sound. “Who?”
    â€œKristen,” I say in full pout. I’m not proud of it, but it’s my right to throw a tiny little fit. It’s so unfair.
    â€œOh, well, that definitely muddies the water, doesn’t it?”
    Muddies the water? Who talks like that?
    â€œA little,” I say sarcastically. “Not only that, she wants me to help her win him.”
    â€œHow are you supposed to do that?”
    It’s a good question I can’t answer honestly. “Just help her understand more about … everything. Things he’s interested in. Things she knows nothing about.”
    Mom laughs, then takes a drink of water before being able to talk. “Kristen is concerned she isn’t good enough? For a guy? Since when?”
    â€œSince Rock,” I say, enjoying Mom’s response just a little bit. It’s good to know I’m not the only one who recognizes the absurdity of the situation.
    â€œRock?” she asks, eyes wide, eyebrows sky high. “That’s his name?”
    I nod, grinning. “His name is actually Rockford, but he goes by Rock. Rock Conway.”
    â€œWell, that’s quite a name. Does he have some brains to go with that?”
    â€œAfraid so,” I tell her. And I really mean it. It’d be so much easier to act like he didn’t matter if he had the IQ of a tick. “He’s pretty bright.”
    â€œSo what are you going to do about this guy?” she asks. I hate it when she slips into investigative-journalist mode.
    â€œNothing.”
    â€œThat hardly seems like the right decision if you really like him. Maybe you should talk to Kristen about it. Why don’t you spend a day at the mall like you used to and tell her how you feel?”
    I think about how Kristen reacted to Rock holding my hand and the way she questioned me about liking him on the way home. “The mall part sounds good. The talking-about-Rock part? Don’t think that’d be smart.”
    Mom moves the food around on her plate, thinking. “You know, it’s getting harder to help you with your problems. It was a lot easier when your biggest dilemma was who to invite to a slumber party.” She grabs my hand and gives it a quick squeeze. “Why don’t you come to the station tomorrow after school? We’ve got a new reporter I want you to meet. She’s fresh out of college; you’ll love her.”
    Without waiting for my answer, she pushes her barely touched plate away from herself as she stands. She doesn’t have to say what she’s thinking; I’ve heard her say it a thousand times. The camera is unforgiving.
    I smile and nod. “I’ll get the dishes. Why don’t you change out of your work clothes?”
    â€œWhat’d I ever do to deserve you?” she asks as she walks out of the kitchen.
    Our house normally has