Perfect Imperfections

Chapter Six

Chapter Six

Thomas

I stared at her all math class. Well, out of the corner of my eye, I guess. I still took down notes, and did my work. But I couldn't help it. I wasn't sure exactly how she was planning on handling the situation at hand, but I definitely hadn't come up with any ideas. Well, not any good ones at least.

She kept glancing my way. I wondered briefly if she was trying to catch my eye, then decided that wasn't really her style. I wanted to talk to her, though. Maybe after class. Maybe through a note in her locker, if I couldn't work up the nerve to approach her. Wow, I sound lame. I'm not usually shy. But I have to admit, she intimidates me.

I can't help it- I'm panicking, just a little. I don't normally have this many thoughts running around in my head, and they are definitely not usually thoughts about girls and relationships. Let's say those two subjects had never really been my strong point. I mean, I'd been in a few relationships, but none of them really worked for me.

First was Kelly. She was sweet and kind of shy, and I asked her out on a dare... But then I started to actually like her. When we started to get serious, I told her about the dare and I guess that was too much. Needless to say, I felt pretty bad and it was awhile before I would play Dare with Jerry again.

After that was Taylor. I thought we had a lot in common, and I guess things were going good. Then she started to become super clingy and distant. Which was weird. All we did was argue. That was the end of that relationship.

There was Amber, the blonde who left because 'she just had some things she needed to work out' before getting together with a much more popular guy named David and rising to the top of the food chain.

And then I went out with Sarah. Although I like to pretend I didn't.

Would Keeliegh be next? I wasn't sure I wanted another relationship, and Keeliegh was... Unique. I had a feeling we wouldn't get along. Our personalities just seemed- I don't know, too different, I guess. I mean I was taking 3 AP classes, and she wasn't in any of them. It could be a scheduling thing, but she didn't look like the type of girl who wanted anything to do with education. I could be wrong. I had a feeling I wasn't. There were other things too- she had her looks. She was pretty, but not exactly stand-out pretty, with brown hair and eyes a deep shade of brown. I was chubby with acne. Enough said. She was outgoing, funny, friendly. I was sarcastic, slightly nerdy, and I liked to fly under the radar. Not exactly your match made in heaven.

After class, Keeliegh approached me. I sighed inwardly, thankful I wouldn't have to be the one to initiate conversation.

I smirked, looking up at her, "Hey." I thought about making some joke about how she couldn't stay away from me, then decided that probably wasn't the best idea. After all, I was the one who had basically spent the entire class period thinking of her.

I listened as she explained, shoving a piece of paper on my desk. My eyes widened- she was talking really fast.

"Um... Okay," was my only response. She didn't hear it though, seeing as she was already out the door. I sighed, picking up my stuff, which I had already placed neatly in my backpack, and walked out of school alone. Jerry would be volunteering at the library, and I would be working my shift at Steak N' Shake.

I clocked out at 6:00 precisely. It wasn't a long shift, though I could've stayed longer, but it was money. I walked to my car slowly, dragging my feet. It was Friday, thank God. But that didn't change how tired I was.

I entered my house quietly, grabbing some food before heading up to my room. I wasn't in the mood for a chat with mom or dad. I quickly decided homework was not an option right now. And after five minutes of laying on my bed but not getting comfortable, I knew sleep wasn't either.

It felt like I needed to do something, but I wasn't sure what. Suddenly, a loud tone rang through the room. Jumping, I scrambled to get to my phone so I could stop the noise. I answered it without looking at who it was.

"Hello?"

"Hey, man, you should come tear up Kenny's house with me tonight."

"Nah, not tonight. I'm tired, Jerry. Maybe another time."

"Please? I heard Mackenzie is single now."

I had had a crush on Mackenzie for awhile. But I was still tired.

"No..." Realization hit me. "And I'm trying to work it out with Keeliegh." I urged my tone to sound sincere.

"Fine. Whatever."

The disgust in his voice was clear. Playful, maybe, but obvious. I didn't care.

New Message
Choose Recipients:
Keeliegh Jane (X)

6:26 PM: Hey babe. Wanna talk it out yet?
Read 6:27 PM

6:30 PM: Just kidding. Kind of.
Read 6:30 PM

6:34 PM: Okay, I know you're reading these.
Read 6:34 PM

6:35 PM: Keeliegh.
Read 6:35 PM

6:36 PM: Keeliegh
Read 6:36 PM

6:36 PM: I will keep texting you until you answer.
Read 6:36 PM

6:37 PM: Keeliegh
Read 6:37 PM

6:37 PM: UGH OKAY FINE QUIT TEXTING ME YOU JERK

6:38 PM: Sorry. I really don't like it when ppl do that.

6:38 PM: So any ideas on how to handle this?

6:40 PM: nope

Truth be told, I typed a lot of things in before sending that last message. They ranged from tell everyone the truth to pretend to break up again to don't do anything. But in the end, the one I sent was the simplest one to explain. No, I had no ideas.

As I waited for a response, I turned on the tv, but I couldn't focus. Why was this such a big deal? We could just pretend like nothing had ever happened. But that didn't seem like an option, and I wasn't sure why.