[Q] Mistaken Identity (Riley)

[LOKI!]

Have you ever seen, the stars so bright.
With a night like this, wish it'd last for weeks

Sawyer was starving he hadn't eaten nearly anything all day. He figured he would run down to the town center and grab a bite to eat really quick and get back to finish up some last minute homework before he called it a night. He couldn't seem to get Avery out of his head much lately, she was really having an affect on him, and he wasn't quite sure why. Just like right at this very moment, he was almost certain he saw her standing in front of one of the stores. As he got closer he started to realize maybe it wasn't his brain playing tricks on his eyes, it really was her.

He silently snuck up behind her and wrapped his arms around her waist as he rested his chin on her shoulder. "I thought you were busy all night? And is that a new perfume?" He stood there holding onto her, not realizing just what he was in store for.

It soothes the soul. Takes us back in time
when we walked in fields of gold

[free2]

Riley had been staring at the dress in the window for who knows how long. She was debating whether she could pull it off, whether she would have someplace to wear it. It was amazingly cute, but she just didn't think she'd wear it if she wasn't dressing up for someone. And at this point, she had no one to dress up for.

Arms came around her and she stifled a shriek, elbowing the guy and whirling around. Boy, he's cute. But as his words registered, she cocked her head. Perfume? Please tell me you're not my stalker and have not come to do horrible things to me. While she was still extremely confused, she was in a crowded area and didn't worry about him actually harming her. She regretted the elbow she had thrown at him, because he was cute for a stalker. If that's what he was. Riley was no wimp, being an active participant in soccer, track, and cross country. She found being lean attracted guys more than being skinny and limp.

[LOKI!]

He doubled over almost instantly fighting to catch his breath. "Ugh, my god, that really hurt." He went down to his knees for a second and felt tears well up in his eyes. He wiped them away as he tried to straighten himself back up. He gasped a few times trying to refill his lungs. "You told me you danced, you didn't tell me it was capioera."

He used the building to steady himself as he wiped more tears from his eyes. "One thing is for certain, I don't have to worry about guys trying to take advantage of you after dark." He finally looked up at her, there was something different about her eyes, what was it? He couldn't tell, maybe it was just the extreme pain that was still radiating through his entire midsection. "All I can say is it's a good thing you aren't alittle shorter."

[free2]

She could tell she had hurt him, and while she felt bad for it, he had snuck up behind her. She had yet to have any friends that made that a practice, especially when she dissuaded people with greetings like he had experienced. Ummm, capioera? What the heck is that? I don't dance, and I'm not sure how you'd come up with that from watching me run or play soccer. She wasn't convinced this dude was her stalker, he might have just been looking for an in and guessing at the details in her life.

Um no, I've never been "taken advantage of," if that's what you came over here to figure out about me, and today is not going to be the first day. she replied, referring back to the stalker comment. One yell and the mall would be looking around for whoever was molesting the young college student. At his last comment, she laughed. Now that was funny. I'd probably like you if we could talk sometime when you've decided stalking isn't the best way to get girls.

[LOKI!]

He shook the stars out of eyes still trying to stand straight again. "You didn't tell me you played soccer, you just told me about dancing." He coughed a little bit, "Stalking what about our date this weekend?" He forced himself upright feeling genuinely confused. Could she have some sort of split personality thing going on? Or had she come to her senses and was just trying to ignore him.

He strained to focus on her through the tears still streaking his face. "Ummm Avery, what did you do to your hair? I'm not saying I don't like it. I just didn't expect something like that from you?" He bent back over coughing more, "Wow I think you may have really hurt me." He spit a little hoping it would help him breathe.

[free2]

As soon as he spoke, the word 'date' jumped out at her. Whoa there, bud, that is not the proper way to ask a girl out. You typically ask if they want to rather than assuming it's happening. She could not understand this guy. If he had gone to the trouble to stalk her, he should definitely get his facts straight. She didn't dance. Then it struck Riley that Avery danced. Maybe he had been watching both of them and gotten them confused. That began to scare Riley; Avery wasn't the type to be able to stop some guy from taking advantage of her. Heck, she'd never had a boyfriend. Crushes yes, and she wasn't about to tell this dude who they were, but not even a boyfriend.

Alright, here's the issue. she said after he asked about her hair, clearly using Avery's name. You've got the wrong twin, bub. The one you might be able to convince that you need her to help you find your puppy is safely at home studying. She doesn't eat much candy, so don't try that line on her. She raised a hand to twirl a strand of her hair on her finger, knowing Avery wouldn't have the audacity to put a pink streak in, and she straightened it rather than to make it into a perfect wave. Riley spent a bit more time in the bathroom than Avery did. Riley squinted. How would he have known something like this?

[LOKI!]

The blood started rushing in his ears "twins? Did . . . did you just say twins? She didn't tell me she had a twin just that she had a sister." It all made sense, the look in her eyes he couldn't place, the pink streak. Why wouldn't Avery have told him, she was a twin? In her defense they were still getting to know each other. But a twin, that's kind of big.

"I'm sorry, I met your sister the other day, and I didn't know she had a twin." He forced a smile, "No hard feelings? Coming from the guy with the fractured sternum." He laughed at the poor attempt of a joke before moaning in pain. "Laughing is definitely not a good idea."

[free2]

Wait, so the dude had already met her sister? And Avery hadn't told her about it? This was odd, and definitely off the Twin No Secret thing Avery and Riley had going on. At least, most of the time. This was apparently one of those times that Avery chose to keep her mouth shut. Riley could definitely see where the sentiment came from, seeing as she'd steal this guy from anybody else who had laid claim on him, but if he was with her sister he was untouchable. Regrettably so.

Well, they aren't hard anymore. she replied to his attempt at a joke. She probably shouldn't have said it, seeing as she had made laughing hard for him. No, it's no big deal. I'm sure she'll be happy to know you've met me and had an unfortunate accident with me. Her sister was often overlooked because Riley was the more outgoing one, and Riley had to admit Avery was often in her shadow. If this cute guy wanted to be with her, Riley wouldn't get in the way. Although if he hurt her sister, Riley would kick his butt instead of let him have a second try with the same looks.

[LOKI!]

He finally managed something that resembled a smile more than a grimace. "I guess you know I won't do anything to hurt her now, I wouldn't want to be on the receiving end of another one of those elbows." Breathing was finally starting to become easier, "So does Avery's twin have a name?"

The resemblance really was uncanny, he could hardly believe his eyes. It didn't feel the same as talking to Avery, but he still couldn't convince his eyes of that. "She said she had a brother, you guys aren't triplets, and he's gonna come beat me up next right?"

[free2]

I'm glad that point is clear. she told him with a smile. Riley wasn't tall or intimidating, but she only looked defenseless because that made guys feel like they protected her. Sure, a spider would have her up on a chair, but she wasn't a spineless idiot. He knew that now, when some of her boyfriends had never taken the time to figure it out. He would leave her alone, and he would treat her sister with kid gloves. That's the way Riley wanted it, because Avery needed a good guy to be her first boyfriend.

That'd be Riley. And Avery's friend's name? she replied, grinning again. She was ever so thankful their parents hadn't given them rhyming names, especially because she rather liked Riley. Nope, James is younger than us. But I can definitely get him to come beat you up with the right phrasing if you want. Riley was completely joking at this point, but she had on only a half smile and sparkling eyes. James was younger than them, this guy was definitely older than them. James probably wouldn't take this guy on unless he completely shattered Avery's heart.

[LOKI!]

He smiled back at her, relieved that she didn't think he was too much of a creep for Avery. "Yes that point is very clear, the name's Sawyer." He rubbed his stomach gently, "I came down to get some food but I don't think I'll be able to eat now, that was a mean elbow." He took a deep breath trying to break the knot in his stomach free.

"A younger brother, I'm kind of relieved. Between your elbows and her running me down on the sidewalk I really don't think you'd need any help taking me out. " He flashed his boyish smile in her direction. "But I don't think you need to worry, I don't plan on hurting her." He didn't want to gush too much to Riley, but he already thought the world of Avery.

[free2]

She smiled apologetically at him. Yeah, us soccer girls can get pretty rough. She shrugged. You learn to run through the pain. Riley had been shoved, tripped, side tackled, elbowed, you name it. It often came down to bruises after a game was over. But soccer was her sport, she lived it, breathed it, ran it. Get her in softball and one ball hitting her would be the end of her career. But soccer was different, at least for her.

She grinned. James was still in the world of high school, trying to balance his jock-ish tendencies from Riley and his studious tendencies from Avery. Riley didn't know which would rule out, or if he'd find a happy medium. Her face softened when he again spoke of Avery, for the first time. Avery was her twin, they were practically connected in the heart. If you do not keep your word, you will shatter her heart into a million pieces. She could still remember her first boyfriend, and he had not let her down easily. She had hidden most of the pain from Avery, not wanting her to see what he had done to her. Riley would help Avery pick up the pieces, but she didn't want them to be all over the place.

[LOKI!]

He frowned a little at the thought, as Riley proved he didn't know much about Avery. But one thing he was sure of, he never wanted to see her upset. "I don't know what will happen between us, I haven't even known her a week. But I can guarantee I won't hurt her." He couldn't help but smile, as he thought back on everything that had happened that week.

"You know, I just took a pretty brutal hit and I'm not running away from her. Maybe I'm a keeper?" He braced his hand against his chest as he started laughing. "It didn't hurt so bad that time, maybe you're not that tough." He moved his hand away from his chest, anticipating her to throw something other than her elbow for that comment.

[free2]

Riley decided to take him on his word, at least for now. She had unwittingly thrown home her point, with an elbow no less, and she'd trust that to stand for awhile. Maybe. she replied with a coy smile at his keeper comment. So far, none of her boyfriends had been keepers. She'd truly envy Avery if she and Sawyer really stuck together.

At his next comment, one eyebrow shot up. Well, I make it one of my ploys to look young and defenseless. But I've heard my knee does the same or a better job. She took a threatening step forward, trusting him to figure out what she meant. If he didn't, she knew he wouldn't last long with Avery, unless she kept him around for pity's sake, as she did with Riley herself. Riley wasn't the brightest when it came to school.

[LOKI!]

He shielded himself, "I take it back, I take it back honest." The act almost threw him off balance but he managed to steady himself. "So does that mean I have your approval? We have a date this weekend. But I don't want to risk my personal well being." He smiled sheepishly, he still couldn't quite believe he was lucky enough to have a date with her.

He was starting to pick up on subtle differences between the twins, maybe that would help keep him out of some precarious situations later on down the road. As long as there was a road, he sure hoped there was.