The Perfect Girl

My feet were glued to the cement. Huge cinder blocks seemed to attach themselves onto my legs. No matter how much I wanted to run, I couldn’t. It was almost like the fates were holding my feet to the ground, refusing to let me run after her. I just couldn’t move. The confusion held me down to the ground.

I watched Kylie leave me behind as she disappeared around the corner. As soon as I lost sight of her, all the extra weight seemed to disappear as well. I took two steps, deciding to run after her or to head inside and ruin Will’s face. I took one step backwards, about to head back to Clementine’s before I realized Kylie was much more important than hurting Will. As soon as I realized this, I was sprinting after Kylie. I pushed myself as fast as I could to catch up with her. I had to catch Kylie. There was no way I’d lose her because of something Will lied about. I couldn’t lose her. She was the only one to stay. I wouldn’t let her leave too.

Rounding the corner, I looked both directions unsure of where she went. I looked around at all the cars, all the streets and I began to feel hopeless. I’d never find her.

“Fuck!” I hissed, running a hand through my hair. Glancing once more for any sight of her, I pulled my phone from my pocket and quickly called Duke. He’d help me.

”Hey Jake, what’s up?”

“I need your help man. I can’t find her. She just left, running…I can’t find her,” I panted, turning in circles looking for her.

”Dude, calm down. What’s going on?

“There’s no time to explain. Get your fucking car and help me find Kylie!” I growled and I heard Duke sigh.

”What are you talking about, man? Breathe! What’s going on?”

“Do you not understand? I can’t fucking find Kylie! Will told her some fucking lie, she got pissed and now I can’t fucking find her!” I screamed into the phone as I panicked. I glanced at my watch to check the time.

”Where are you at, Jake?”

“I’m at Clementine’s. Hurry, man. It’s almost dark,” I said and the line cut. It was almost seven and Kylie was off somewhere, half an hour away from our houses by car. There was no way she knew the way home. I had to find her. There was no possible way I could lose her. I wouldn’t let that happen.

Kylie had always stayed. She was the only one to stay. I had been too young to remember when I first met her since I was barely one when she was born, but I remember my first memory with her. And it was the first memory I can recall. I was five and she was three, but she was a late bloomer. She was still in diapers, sucking her thumb and crying every five seconds and no teeth grew until she was four. I was mean to her even then, teasing her even though she couldn’t understand. Whenever I made fun of her, she’d cry and crawl as far as possible from me before she grew tired. She usually only went about four feet before she’d collapse on her tummy and pant. I remember taking her toys from her and scaring the wits out of her. I always did it with kids I used to call my friends until one day I wet my pants.

Those friends made fun of me, leaving me behind while they ran to the parks to play. I remember sitting there thinking I was alone. That everyone had left. My parents were gone, Kayla was gone, Jay was old and didn’t care for my games, my friends left me and Kylie was already crawling away laughing about how I had pee drenching my shorts. I remember thinking I was alone until Kylie giggled. She giggled, crawled to me and handed me her rattle. The same rattle I always stole from her to be mean. She gave it to me and just sat there, grinning without teeth and a stream of drool falling from the side of her mouth.

That was the first time Kylie stayed. And she’s stayed ever since. Growing up, she always was there. All I had to do was turn and she’d be prepared to keep my company. Although we weren’t best friends or even friends at all, I could always count on finding Kylie ready to argue or fight or sometimes, on those rare occasions, we’d be civil. But no matter what, she was there and I never planned on losing her. Never.

I ran back to my car, getting inside and quickly starting the engine. I didn’t bother waiting for it to warm up before I sped forward in the direction Kylie had gone. I took a left and slowed down, looking for any sign of her.

People behind me began to honk, but I ignored them, my mind strictly focused on finding Kylie. I hardly noticed the cars go around me as I observed for any sign of a short brunette. I sighed, about to speed forward when I saw it. A short girl with brown hair facing the opposite direction. I quickly parked my car and sped towards her on foot.

“Kylie!” I whipped the girl around only to find a stranger. I began to feel hopeless. The girl gave me an angry look that quickly turned into a flirty smile. I rolled my eyes, “Sorry.”

I turned around, returning to my car leaving the girl behind. I didn’t need a whore to flirt with when Kylie was missing. As I sat myself back into the car, I could feel frustration build up.

“Dammit!” I growled, slamming my hand onto the steering wheel before starting the car back up. My phone began to ring and I quickly answered, hoping it would be Kylie.

It wasn’t.

”I’m at Clementine’s. Where are you?”

“I wasn’t going to fucking wait for you to get there. I’m looking for her. I can’t find her and it’s fifteen to seven. I’m going crazy, man,” I informed him, stressed. I heard him sigh.

”Jake, calm down. She can take care of herself.”

Around then, I wished I was with him so I could punch him. She wasn’t as strong as everyone thought. The party was proof of that. A few drinks and she was moments away from losing her virginity. If she could take care of herself, I wouldn’t be so worried. She couldn’t handle it all herself, she needed someone to be there for her and have her back. The fact she believed Will was enough proof for that. She was alone against Will and now she was alone when it was getting dark. In moments, the city of South Haven wouldn’t be safe. Kylie wouldn’t be safe.

“No, she fucking can’t Duke. You should know that,” I argued and hung up. I couldn’t waste any more time on Duke. I had to find Kylie.

I scavenged the city for her only to find disappointment after disappointment; letdown after letdown. I was going crazy. The sky was dark and the only sign of light left were the stars and city lights. It was late, Kylie was missing, and I was going insane. Scenario after scenario of things that could’ve happened to Kylie began to roll through my mind.

Kylie could’ve been kidnapped. She could’ve been raped and dumped. She could’ve been hit by a car. She could’ve been murdered in some alley. She could’ve been lured into a bar full of psychopaths. She could’ve been attacked by something. She could’ve drowned by the harbor. She could’ve slipped, fallen and hit her head. She could’ve gotten herself wasted and ruined herself willingly.

I glanced up and saw it was a red light. Quickly, I slammed on the brakes as the car began to swivel. I couldn’t think like this. Kylie had to be safe. Maybe she called a taxi, maybe she hitched a ride, or maybe she knew the way and was home all safe and sound. She couldn’t be hurt. As the car skidded to a stop, I stared up at an angry woman yelling at me.

“You fucking asshole! Can you not see it’s a red light! You almost ran me over!” She screamed and I rolled my eyes through the window.

“Just get out of the road you old hag!”I yelled out the window and the girl froze. Took two steps away from me, almost as if she wanted to get away. I narrowed my eyes as she took one last step and accidentally walked straight under a street light. Her eyes widened as she was put on spot light right before me.

It was Kylie.