The Perfect Girl

Those moments when I’m attached to Jake are the happiest times of my life.

It’s a sappy thought, but it’s the truth. Growing up and developing feelings for him were the hardest times of my life. Being in love with a guy who had no feelings for me was hard. It was hard not to show my feelings, and it was even harder with him hating me all the time. So whenever Jake and I were attached in a way that wasn’t violent or angry, it felt like the world was spinning around me, and Jake and I were just together. No arguments, no hard feelings, no words. It was just us. And those times were the happiest moments in my life.
The times when Jake and I were laying in our separate beds, talking through walkie-talkies, however, is not that special moment. In fact, these were the moments when kissing me led to him being sick and us arguing through the walkie-talkies.

“Shut up,” I grumbled into the walkie before releasing the button. There was a buzzing before finally, his voice rang through.

“You’re the one talking, dumbass.” His voice cut off and that lonely buzz returned.

I groaned, twisting on my bed and burying my face into the pillow Jake had spent the night on. His scent was still there and it warmed that cold void inside of me. I raised my arm up so that the walkie was level with my head and pressed into the talk button.

“What’s next?” I released and the buzzing only came for half a second before he replied.

“What do you mean?”

I turned my head so I could take a breath and clicked the button again, “With Natalie.”

Again, it was a short buzz before his voice returned, “What about her?”

The confusion in his tone gave me a drop of hope as I wistfully thought of a world where she didn’t matter and I did. Holding the button again, I replied, “What are we doing next so that you guys can hook up?”

My question came out more as an accusation and this time, the buzz lasted a good two to three minutes. I didn’t know what he was thinking or what his face looked like and it killed me as I wondered what was going on in his mind.

After the long silence, his voice rang through again, “Maybe we should take a break from that and just hang out.”

I couldn’t help the smile that came to my face as I heard his words. And he was actually the first one to suggest this. Not me, but him. And believe me, it made me melt. One moment I was grumbling in bed and the next I was liquefied and struggling to take a grasp on his words.

Not wanting to sound too excited, I played it off coolly, “Well. Sure. If that’s what you want.”

There wasn’t a long silence before he confirmed our plans this time, “It’s what I want.”

---

“There is no way that she’s going to end up with him, Jake.”

“She’s definitely going to end up with him. His name’s Jake!”

“So? Being like you isn’t going to help his case.”

“It’s impossible for him not to. His first name’s Jake and his last name’s Adams. He’s a mix of us. And believe me, there’s nothing better than us. Well, except me. Me alone is so much better than us together.”

I laughed before swatting his arm. I pulled the blanket up to cover my shoulders as we watched What’s Your Number? and spoke fondly of the fact the rich guy had Jake’s first name and my last name.

“I know we’re awesome and all. But let’s face it; she’s going to end up with Collin!”

“Whatever. She’s not that hot anyway,” Jake scoffed and stretched his arms up before resting one on the couch behind me and the other into the popcorn bowl.

If it weren’t for the fact he didn’t like me, I definitely would’ve called him out for using that pathetic stretch move. But I did know he didn’t like me and the fact he did do the stretch was far too innocent for me to call him out for anything. I simply ignored the fact his arm was practically wrapped around me and pulled the blanket up farther to hide the blush and the grin forming on my face.

“What are you talking about? Anna Faris has the best body ever,” I argued and he stuffed a piece of popcorn in his mouth, scoffing.

“Sure whatever, but her face looks like she’s fifty.”

I backed away as I turned to look at him, shocked. “You’re crazy. Because when we watched The House Bunny you said she was sexy as fuck.”

He raised an eyebrow as he glanced at me, “Things change.” I shot him a look of disbelief before he continued, “I changed!” I shot him another look of disbelief, followed by a roll of the eyes before he began to defend himself. “I haven’t slept with anyone ever since we got community service.”

I chuckled, “Oh, so impressive.”

He laughed as he reached for another handful of popcorn. I shifted in my seat so I wasn’t so close to Jake. Although it was nice, I didn’t want it to be awkward when he noticed or something. What I didn’t realize was that he knew just how close we were and he didn’t mind. That is, until I moved away.

Just as I settled into my new spot about a foot away from Jake, he swallowed and looked at me strangely. “Why’d you move away?”

My eyes shot up to look at him before I even replied, “I- uh- I just thought…”

My voice trailed off as my blush deepened and I looked off to the other side of the room. A warm hand wrapped around my arm and pulled me back to my spot beside him and I readjusted myself without comment.

“It’s warmer with you here,” He mumbled as his arm slid from the stop of the couch down to my shoulders. He tightened his hold on me and I felt my entire body forced to lean against his chest.

We sat like that for hours.

I blushed the entire time.

---

I woke up to something smacking my head. I looked around groggily before looking up and seeing my mother fuming. I could almost see smoke coming from her ears. I raised my eyebrows, questioning why she’d hit me before I followed her gaze.

There, beside me, was Jake Rivers sleeping away with his arm wrapped around my waist and his legs tangled throughout mine. His head was thrown back and his mouth was parted just a bit with a drop of drool threatening to spill from the corner of his mouth.

If my mother wasn’t there, I would’ve smiled and blushed. But because she was there, I panicked and jumped before falling to the floor in complete mortification. She glared at me and Farrah stood behind her with an amused smirk as her eyes darted between Jake and I. Jake groaned a bit after I fell and his arms went reaching out for something before his eyes opened and he looked at my empty space confused.

A mother cleared her throat and he immediately looked up, with a playful smirk on his face as if he thought it was me. His smirk dropped as soon as his eyes met my mothers and his head snapped back down before his eyes caught mine. His alarmed ocean blue orbs stared at my brown ones for a minute before looking away.

“Would one of you like to explain what is going on?” My mother’s voice ordered with authority but neither Jake nor I spoke. We remained silent, knowing she was going to continue. “I come home and see you both, tangled up in one another on my couch as if displaying your disgusting crude behavior.”

I snapped up to look with her in disbelief. She thought we did the deed? I was still clothed! He was still clothed! All we did was fall asleep watching a damn movie! How in the world did sex come to her mind?

“We didn’t do anything!” I exclaimed and she looked at me in accusing eyes.

“Oh really? So you’re wearing skanky clothes, tangled up in some…repulsive sex maniac and you call it nothing?!” She spat at me and I stood up.

Skanky clothes? Since when did girl boxers that reached my knees and a V-neck come to be skanky clothes? And repulsive sex maniac? Who did she think she was? My mother, sure. But who gave her the right to judge Jake?

“Don’t call him that! Who gave you the right to judge him? To judge me? Since when have I ever done anything wrong? I’m wearing pants and a shirt. I’m not in fucking lingerie shaking my ass in front of his face!” I argued and she walked up to me and slapped me across the face. I didn’t even bother to reach up and feel the stinging. It wasn’t the first time and it wasn’t going to be the last.

“Don’t speak that way in my house, Marcella,” she threatened.

Jake stood up and reached a hand over to see to my face. I swatted his arm away just as my mother shot Farrah the look to not interrupt. This was between my mother and me. We didn’t need assistance in arguing. And I wasn’t going to hold back.

“Speak like what? To cuss? To speak crudely? To laugh at inappropriate jokes? To be my fucking self? All I’ve ever done is be your perfect straight A angel. I always get good grades. I always do my chores. I always listen and obey. But what have you ever offered me? I don’t use your money; it’s not as if you ever offer it to me anyway. I buy my own food and make it myself because you never feed me. I walk to school and back every day. I fucking have a job! What have you ever done for me? You didn’t even raise me!” I screamed.

I didn’t dare cry. I didn’t care how pathetic I sounded. I didn’t care how Jake was looking at me now and I didn’t care that Farrah was crying off in the corner. I didn’t care how much my cheek stung and I didn’t care that my mother was furious instead of sad or regretful. That was how she was.

“Don’t you dare speak to me that way. And I have done everything for you. Who pays for your living expenses? Who? Your father and I work to pay so you can live luxuriously. So don’t you dare say we don’t do anything for you,” She replied snidely.

“My living expenses? What? When I watch TV or use the lights or take a shower? You want to know who pays for that? Dad. Not you. But dad. He works. He’s always in his fucking office working because you couldn’t spare to break a nail and use up your precious energy. He works and you? You fuck around with all your rich friends and you go shopping and getting your damn nails done. That’s what you do. You don’t care that dad’s already balding. You don’t care that he goes to the hospital every Sunday to get a checkup because he’s always sick. You don’t care that we never see him because he’s always trying to make money. You just don’t care about anything but living your life the way you want,” I growled and she let out a shriek before grabbing a handful of my hair and pulling it up so I was facing her straight on. Farrah screamed before running towards us and Jake began to attempt loosening my mother’s grip.

“You ungrateful slut!” She yelled and threw me to the ground before turning and stomping off in her five inch heels.

I blinked away the tears, not daring to let a single drop slip from my sockets. Farrah sobbed into her hands as I got up from the floor and Jake held me by my arms, assisting me up. I shrugged Jake away and stalked towards my room. I hated my family. I hated them more than anything. My mother was an ungrateful bitch. My sister was a stuck up snob. My father was a workaholic who became fonder of his office than coming home. Although my father was always sick, I still hated him. He never came home. He lived in his office building and he only sent home checks for bills and other things. He was never home and he avoided us like the plague. My mother was probably one of those housewives who felt abandoned and went straight to being a bitch. She didn’t care about me, only Farrah. She made dinner for Farrah, she made breakfast for Farrah, she loved Farrah. I was just that other daughter who lived in the same place. And my sister? She wasn’t terrible, but she didn’t care either. She took things for granted and she never said thank you. She had a heart and I didn’t completely hate her, but I was getting there. I just hoped she would change before my thoughts of her did.

I threw myself onto my bed and forced the tears to go away. I wouldn’t cry anymore. I had done more than enough of that two days ago. I was going to be dry for the next ten years. No tears allowed.

“Kylie?”

I looked at the door to see Jake standing there, looking at me with concern etched over his features. His hair was that raw, messy, bed head and his plain white t-shirt was wrinkled up. His blue, plaid pajama pants hung loosely on his hips as he stood just outside. I did a quick sideways nod, motioning him inside before rolling onto my back.

“You okay?” He asked, his voice gentle and soft. I glanced at him as he sat down on my bed beside me. I nodded.

“I’m fine, Rivers.”

I shut my eyes as his hand reached over and touch my face. His thumb caressed the cheek my mother had slapped and his hand disappeared. I began to miss his touch before he slid down and laid beside me on the mattress. My eyes were still shut but I didn’t need eyes to know how close we were. Our sides were knitted together and just as I was about to fall asleep, his fingers slid and intertwined with mine.

“I’m going to protect you, Kylie. I promise.”

---

For the entire week after Jake and I returned to school, Jake spoiled me rotten. He did all the community services, he held my books for me to class and he walked me to every single one of my classes. Whenever I dropped anything, he would pick it up. If I didn’t understand something, he would provide a step by step process so that I would. He was just extremely caring and kind.

It freaked me out.

I mean, I know we’re friends now. But even Duke and Jase don’t do that and the three of us have been best friends since the beginning of time. There was no way he was just being nice. He was up to something and I most definitely wanted to know why.

“So then Daniel Ryland started laughing out of nowhere and Mr. Tyquin asked him the whole ‘would you like to share with the class’ thing and Daniel just grinned. So then Daniel goes ‘Mr. Tyquin, sir. Your fly is not only open but so is the button on your boxers. We see your penis, sir’ and the entire class just cracks up!”

I winced as the crowd of girls beside me squealed in laughter. Opening my gym locker, I immediately noticed my clothes were gone. My jeans, my shirt and my sweater were all missing. Even my P.E uniform was just gone. My shoes weren’t in the locker either and I held tightly to my towel. Digging into my gym bag, I found a bra and underwear, but there wasn’t a single hint of my clothes. Slipping my bra and my underwear on, I let go of the towel.

I grabbed my gym bag in search of my brush to find a folded piece of paper. Taking it out, I opened it up to see Natalie’s handwriting telling me where my clothes were and how I could get them back. I wanted to scream. I was half naked, my clothes were outside hanging off the basketball hoops and if I wanted to get them back, I had to cross the building in my underwear.

“Fuck!” I grunted as I slammed the locker shut and scuttled out of the locker room and into the gym.

Other people who had already changed were in the gym talking and as I came out in my underwear, they all seemed to just turn and stare. And God, those boys? I don’t even want to think about them. I stormed out of the gym just in time for the bell to ring. Everybody began to come from their classes only to the sight of my half naked body stomping through the halls.

Now let me tell you, never walk around your school in only your underwear during the winter. Not only is it embarrassing, but it’s cold enough to make your limbs just fall off. And not to mention the cat calls and name calling. Boys wolf whistled whilst girls called me slutty. Either way, it sucked.

“Put some clothes on, whore!”

I skidded to a stop just as Natalie’s voice rang through the room. It was as if I forgot I was half naked. Because honestly, all I wanted then was to shred her to pieces and let her rot in the cold. But as soon as I stopped, I regained my senses and realized just how ridiculous it would be to ruin Natalie in my underwear. Instead, I settled for giving her the birdie and getting my bare ass to the courtyard to get my clothes.

As I turned a corner at the end of the corridor, a warm hand yanked on my wrist, twisting me around. Pulling my hand back, I looked up to see a wide eyed Jake who was a frightful red from the neck up. His eyes darted around the room, refusing to look at me.

“What are you doing?” He hissed, shooting glares off at others around us. “Why are you naked?”

He began to peel his jacket off and hover over me as he wrapped his jacket around me. If it weren’t for the fact people were giving us funny looks, I would’ve kept it on. But they were and they weren’t looks of amusement, they were looks of bewilderment. It was as if Jake helping me out was the biggest thing since Barney. So to reverse those stares, I threw off his jacket and sauntered off.

“I’m not naked, Rivers,” I grumbled as I continued down the hallway, quickly regretting I gave him back the jacket.

“You only have a bra and panties on! You’re pretty much there!” He spat, putting his arms around me as he tried to put his jacket back on.

Pushing him away and I walked through a set of doors into the back hallway. “It’s not like you’ve never seen girls like this before!”

I could hear Jake walking behind me defending himself when a group of jocks wolf whistled. I flushed and picked up my pace. Just as I passed them, one of the jocks reached out and grabbed my ass. I bristled as I turned to him.

“Nice ass, sweet cheeks,” He winked. The group hollered and high fived him as they looked me over.

Their celebration didn’t last long before Jake had the jock up the wall of lockers by his neck.

“Apologize, Kline. Right now,” Jake seethed, shoving the jock roughly against the metal lockers.

“F-Fine! Sorry!” The jock spat, expecting to be released. Instead, Jake shoved him again.

“Do it right. That was pathetic,” Jake spat and threw the guy to the floor.

As soon as he hit the floor, the jock was out of the room with his posse trailing behind him. Jake grabbed my arm and pulled me straight into his chest, wrapping me in his jacket and zipped the jacket up as it covered me. I could feel the blood rushing to my cheeks as I realized how close we were and I back up a little before I noticed he was still holding onto me.

“Ja-“

“Stop complaining. You’re not going to go around naked, Kylie.”

The tone in his voice kept me from speaking any further. I didn’t protest or struggle. I simply stumbled along as he led me to the courtyard to retrieve my clothes. To be honest, I absolutely loved and reveled in the fact Jake was holding me and cared and that I didn’t have to be half naked as I walked the halls. Although the stares and whispers pricked against my skin, I held tight and focused solely on the positive points of the situation.
After we got my clothes back and I was properly dressed, Jake hovered over me as we headed for his car. Jake didn’t say a word and I didn’t dare utter a sound. It wasn’t until we were in the car did he speak.

“Are you okay? Kline didn’t touch you, did he?”

My eyes flashed towards Jake. “Wait. You didn’t see him?”

Jake glanced at me, “See what?”

I looked away as he started the car up, “Nothing. I’m fine.”

As the car warmed up, Jake continued, “No, tell me.”

I shrugged, “All he did was touch my ass a little. It wasn’t-“

“He touched you? The bastard touched you? Why didn’t you tell me when he apologized? If I knew he touched you, he wouldn’t be walking,” Jake seethed, hitting the steering wheel as he shouted.

“Look, I’m fine. And you don’t need to act all mad, okay? I can take care of myself,” I said, crossing my arms.

“Act mad? I’m not acting, Kylie. I’m just mad. I was with you and I couldn’t even keep some prick’s hands off you!” He exclaimed, glaring out the window.

“You didn’t have to keep his hands off me! It’s not like he raped me, Jake. All he did was touch me! Besides, we’re friends. You’re not my bodyguard so stop being so protective. I appreciate it, but seriously. I’m independent and I can do this myself!”

“I don’t care if I don’t have to, because I want to. I want to keep every guy’s hands off you. I don’t want them to touch you or look at you like you’re a piece of meat. I don’t like it. And I know you can do this yourself, but I want to be there for you. Every year before this year, I’ve been the reason you got hurt. I was the one hurting you, and now that we’re friends, I don’t want you to get hurt anymore. I care about you now, Kylie. You’re the only thing in my life right now that matters, and I’m not going to lose you like I lost everything else. You’re the one consistent person in my life, and I honestly want you around until I’m on my fucking death bed. You understand?”Jake looked at me with sad eyes as he spoke, and all I could do was stare back and attempt to comprehend every word he said.

“Why do you even care?” I whispered, my eyes staring into his as I looked for reason. His eyes drifted off as he put his hand on the gears.

Jake’s blue eyes returned to me in a flash as he spoke, his voice so soft it was barely audible, “Because I love you.”