The Perfect Girl

I did what every other person did in a bathroom in the morning, I showered and did all the necessities, and then I wrapped a towel around myself before sticking my head out of the door to check if anyone was there. Once I was sure the coast was clear, I took a step out and pranced for my room hoping with all I had that it would be empty. And luckily, it was. So like any other half naked person, I went to my closet.

"Dress...dress...dress..." I murmured to myself as I shuffled through my small amount of clothes for any sign of an over sized shirt or skirt thing. In other words, a dress.

At the very end of my rack of clothes were two dresses. One was a formal dress that I had worn to my aunt's wedding as one of her bridesmaids. I had the entire shebang just perfect, dress, jewelry, hairspray and all, but I couldn't work with the heels. I kept falling and tripping, so I wore my black chucks. But while I walked in front of her down the aisle, I had mud tracks following me, causing her to be as red as a strawberry, just less sweet.

The second dress was just a casual, summer dress with a flowery white print at the end. It was a dress my mother often made me wear for one of her business dinners or if there was a special occasion.

I was no expert on fashion and when it came to meeting a guy's parents, I was pretty much from a foreign country, but I had common sense. So I sat, and I stared at the dresses before I did something smart: I picked up the phone and called Jase, the fashion expertise.

"Hello?"

"Jase! Okay. I'm having a fashion crisis!" I cried, and I heard him hang up.

Five minutes later, he burst through the door and looked at me exasperated.

"This- was your crisis?!" He rolled his eyes and grabbed the more casual dress, shoving it at me. "This...Put that on and this on and...Wait."

So I put on all the necessities and the things he'd given me and then he walked back into the room and threw a pair of flats at me.

"Where'd you get these?" I stared at the horrid flats and looked back up at Jase.

"They're Farrah's," He shrugged and I widened my eyes before I threw them back at him as if I were playing hot potato, and he tossed them back. "I asked."

Farrah had always liked Jase a lot. Maybe too much for a straight girl to like a gay guy...

Hesitantly I put them on and he smiled.

"Perfect. Now explain why you're dressing all girlie, please," He said and walked up behind me. He reached out and pulled the top layer of my hair back and tied it.

"Jake-"

"You like Jake?!" He exclaimed and jumped back, a shocked and amused look on his face.

"No! Let me finish! Jake's looking for this perfect girl and I agreed to help so I have to meet his parents to see who they'd approve of!" I rushed and he nodded but the look on his face told me he was thinking otherwise.

"Well, what's this perfect girl like?" He asked and I looked around and found the crinkled up paper on my desk and handed it to him.

He gave me a small smile and looked at it. He looked confused of the sort or something, because his eyebrows were knitted together and his face was all scrunched up.

"Does this remind you of anyone in particular?"

"No...Does it remind you of anyone?" I asked eagerly. It'd be nice to cut this truce short. Jake was getting on my nerves without the fights.

"Well. It reminds me of you..."He said slowly, and I gave him a look of disbelief.

"You're delusional," I stated with a shake of the head.

"Suck it up. You're the perfect girl!"

"Lies!" I insisted.

"It's true!"

"Blah blah blah!" I yelled to myself and Jase continued.

"Not a slut. Not a shopaholic!"

"Mary had a little lamb!" I yelled over him.

"Not a cheer queer!"

"He was white as snow!" I continued.

"Not a chatter-"

"Kylie! Shut the fuck up!" Jase and I turned our heads and stared at Jake wide eyed.

Since when was he here?

"...My house. I can do whatever I want," I finally spoke and he just went on rolling his eyes.

"We're about to go into my car, my rules. Rule number one, Kylie can't sing," He smart mouthed at me, and I glared at the wall.

"Well. We're not going yet!"

"Yes. We are," He said and I knew he'd held back. You could just see it in his face. He would've normally added some kind of insult.

He disappeared and I turned back at Jase. "I hate him," I seethed and glared mercilessly at the wall.

"No you don't. Now shoo denial girl!" Jase cooed at me, waving his hand and leading me out.

I stumbled out and after Jake and when he wouldn't keep moving, I leaned over and whispered, "You might want to move now?"

He jumped and I had to hold back insults and laughter as he turned around.

"You scared the sh-"He began but cut himself short. "You look...different," He simply stated and left the house, leading the way to his car.

"Thanks," I muttered under my breath and reluctantly followed after him, sitting in shotgun.

It was quiet for the first two minutes.

"So..." I said, dragging it out awkwardly.

The silence was killing me although I don't think it bothered him any. Silence and I never did get along.

"Shut up," He said bluntly.

"No."

He stayed silent.

"I'm bored!" I blurted.

"I'm annoyed," He acidly added.

"I don't like your attitude," I said, shaking my head and crossing my arms.

I actually didn't care. He could be acting like a snobby bitch and I honestly wouldn't mind, as long as he didn't offend me. But this was more fun and it gave me something to do.

"You're not my mother," He rolled his eyes for the millionth time today.

"But I'm going to meet her. And I'm going to tattle on you for giving me an attitude," I said warningly and he glared at me.

"She loves me, so she'll believe me!" He exclaimed.

"Why so defensive? Doubting yourself little Jakey?" I teased and his eyes narrowed.

The car came to a sudden stop and I looked up. We arrived. I grinned mischievously before swinging open the car door and getting out as fast as I could.

I slammed the door and raced inside. I didn't know what Mrs. Rivers looked like but all I knew was: I had to get him angry. It was fun and the only thing I could do to amuse myself.

Not too long after, I saw Jake behind me, catching up. I let him gain and get ahead so I knew where to go when instead of passing me by, he grabbed my arm and pulled me.

"I know what you're doing Adams!"

I glared ahead. Of course Jake would know. He knows it all.

"Oh yeah? What am I doing?" I challenged him as he slowed down.

"Letting me show you where to go and then getting faster and passing me when you see her," He said with a playful 'I told you so' wink.

"Wrong," I lied and he raised an eyebrow at me.

"Oh yeah?"

"Yeah," I continued.

"Then what is it?"

"A magician never reveals his secrets," I covered and he chuckled.

"Two things. You're not a magician, and you're not a 'his', you're a 'her'. So spill," He smart alecked.

"Well..."I began.

"Jakey Boo!"

I cut short and looked at where it came from.

"Mommy Poo!"

My eyes widened before I put a hand over my mouth and I laughed as Jake and his mom ran for each other and hugged. His mom actually picked him up and I couldn't hold it as I laughed.

"Why, who is this Jakey Boo?" His mom said as she looked at me with analyzing eyes.

"I'm..."My voice trailed.

What was I supposed to call myself? His friend? Helper? Enemy? Or worse. Girlfriend.

"Kylie. Adams. Kylie Adams. She's my..."

Even he was at a loss of words...

"Friend," I decided. "I'm Jake's friend."

I almost laughed. The idea of he and I being friends was absurd.

"Well, you're quite lovely," His mom said and I smiled at her.

"I'm Frank Rivers, call me Frank," His dad finally spoke and I smiled warmly at him.

"Nice to meet you, sir," I said, glancing at Jake. "Nice to meet you too, Mrs. Rivers."

"Oh! Dear! Call me Jenna!" She exclaimed and I laughed.

"Well then, nice to meet you Jenna," I smiled and she grinned, hooked arms with me, and led me ahead of Jake and Frank.

"So...Kylie. Are you and my son...infatuated?"

I blushed a deep crimson, "Oh! No! Definitely not!"

"Is that right? You two surely do seem...attached. Seeing as he brought you to meet us!" She said, implying that he and I were together.

"Nope. Not even! Not in a million years!" I laughed and she rolled her eyes.

Like mother like son, I guess?

"I never quite knew a million years flew by in seconds."

We walked to the cars and the ride home was eventful, full of his parents telling us of their adventure in New York.

But during the trip, I kept thinking of how Jase had told me I was just like Jake's perfect girl, and in a way it started making sense to me. But even if I knew this, it didn't mean I'd let it affect how I was going to carry this out. I was going to find that girl he wants and there was no doubt. No doubt it would not be me.

My mood went down rapidly. Not only for me but for Jake. His parents loved me. If Jay liked me, I’d probably get the heavy blues. And I’m not even sure why. Maybe because I like him? Maybe because I’d be looking for some girl who’s my clone for the guy I like? Oh I don’t know, because I’d practically be feeling like I was getting cheated on? Exactly my point.

That would ruin everything if I was his perfect girl. It would probably make him laugh. Call it a joke.

"Not me..." I assured myself in a tiny whisper but at that moment I saw Jake's eyes flicker towards me in the rear view mirror before going back to the road.

I told myself I imagined it.

“Yes, well, we’ll see you for dinner?” I heard Jenny ask me, pulling me string by string from my thoughts.

“Um…”I looked at Jake, and he nodded. “Of course.”

“Great, I’ll be seeing you!” Jenny squealed as I climbed from the car, as well as they did. "Tell your parents I said hello!"

I headed to my house and went inside. I practically felt as though my head was to explode. I saw Farrah and my mom holding onto each other while crying watching some movie, but I put laughing aside for later and stormed up the stairs slamming my door shut before I found Jase asleep on my bed.

"Ahem," I grunted and I saw him move a bit. I took off a shoe and threw it at him and he sat straight up and gave me a look while rubbing the spot before lying back down.

I looked at him in dread.

I groaned as I fell on top of my bed; my head hitting his stomach.

“Want to talk?” He suggested.

“No,” I groaned and buried my face into his stomach.

“So what happened?” He asked running his fingers through my hair, ignoring my rejection to talking.

“They loved me. Jenny and Frank loved me,” I groaned ignoring my own previous words.

“Ha! I told you. You’re the perfect girl,” He said smug.

“But I don’t want to be. I want to find that other girl. I want to see him happy, other than fighting with me. He’s always fighting with me and suddenly, after a car ride, I want him happy? What is wrong with me?” I whined and shook my head.

“You, my friend, are experiencing what we call a crush,” He said all wise-like.

He might as well be stroking a goatee with glasses, in a robe, living in a minivan with a peace sign painted on it.

“No, I am not,” I said, denying it.

“Yes, you are. You’re experiencing stage one. Denial,” He said, and I rolled my eyes as I sat up and slouched while groaning.

I was already at the final stage of the crush. I wasn't in denial at all. I knew I liked Jake. I've liked him for years. This wasn't denial for having a crush. This was denial for knowing I had to find someone for Jake when I fit the job perfectly. It was like breaking my own heart.

"I'm going to dinner at their house," I mumbled and he just looked at me smug and happy about himself. “What am I going to wear?” I mumbled to myself and bit my lip.

“Kylie, I love you, but you and I both know you only have two dresses. Which means…shopping!” He said in joy, causing me to laugh, yet groan, swinging my head back.

He dragged me from the house and to his car, and then we arrived at the mall. The place where teens make out, break out, break up, make up, and of course have stand up sex behind fake trees. That’s the mall for you.

He pulled me store to store in search for a casual dress, ending in disappointment, until we saw it; a white casual, summer dress. It was simply, white, with spaghetti straps and it was loosely fitted. Even though I didn’t like the horrible thing, Jase did, and he insisted I wore it, so here I am, in a ridiculous outfit, at the Rivers’ porch contemplating whether or not I would knock, ring the doorbell or make a run for it.

And then I squeezed my eyes shut, raised my hand and wrapped my knuckles against the door three times.

Two seconds passed before the door swung open and I looked up at Jake. Oddly enough, he looked upset. Angry...Pissed even, which struck me as odd. This made me curious.

"Uh…is this a good time?” I asked in a small voice.

“Yeah, just wonderful,” He snapped and left the door open. What crawled up his butt and died?

I walked inside, closing the door and locking it awkwardly and went to where I thought Jake had gone. I walked there to see Jenny and Frank all happy and cooking together and then there was a very pissed-for-no-reason Jake.

“Hi,” I greeted them in a kind voice and then I made my way to Jake. Sitting down by him, I whispered a quick, "Are you okay?"

“I told you. I’m. Just. Fine,” He hissed.

“I-" I cut myself short as I looked at him in the eyes.

They were cold and icy. They weren't Jake's usual eyes and I knew it'd be best to just give up. There was no point in being persistent. He was going to be stubborn. Something had seriously bugged him.

But pride had overcome better instinct. I should've just stood and left, instead, I added fuel to the fire.

"Fine. Peace treaty over. I’m not going to help you when you have something up your ass and obviously it’s turned sideways, because you’re acting like it, and I couldn’t care less,” I snapped. Lies. I did care. But there was no point to care at the moment.

“There you go. Caring for one second, and the next you couldn’t care less. Bipolar much?” He snapped back at me.

Instead of answering, I looked at him for a moment, biting my lip before I turned around and walked away.

“Jay! Come down for dinner!” Jenny called and down came Jay.

I looked around as I went towards the dinner table. Then it hit me..."Um...Where's Kayla?"

Jenny looked at me and smiled at me warmly, "She's at a friend's house."

I nodded and returned her smile as I heard Jay storming down the stairs. Loud thumps echoed as his voice filled the house.

“Hey mom…dad… Jake. Hey -wait, who are you?” he asked me.

“I’m Kylie. Your neighbor and Jake’s...friend,” I grunted.

I didn’t want to be Jake’s anything at the moment. I didn't even want to be his enemy. I wished at that moment he never existed.

“Well, I’m Jay. Nice to meet you,” He said and went over to Jake. “You’ve got a good set of eyes, my brother.”

I narrowed my eyes as he patted Jake's back. I saw Jake glare at the ground and I waited for him to snap at Jay already.

“Shut up,” Jake hissed at Jay.

“Whoa, just saying. What up your butt?” Jay muttered, raising both of his hands.

“That’s what I want to know,” I mumbled, earning a chuckle from Jay and a glare from Jake.

Dinner was filled with laughter. Everyone laughed except for Jake and me. I was angry and so was he. We were pissed off beyond terms. I had a reason, but he was reasonless. Why would he be pissed? I was pissed because he was acting like a jack ass, his usual self, and- and- why was he acting like a jack ass? Yeah, no reason. God Dammit! Maybe he should explain himself?! Why do I care? I should be happy he's pissed. It's my usual goal, isn't it?!

“I had a great time, but I've got to get home,” I said as I walked to the door and gave a small wave.

“Bye Kylie!” I heard from three cheery people, known as Jenny, Frank and Jay.

"Come again soon!" I heard Jay add.

“Bye, Adams,” I heard from Mr. I-Have-Something-Up-My-Ass-Turned-Sideways.

“Bye,” I mumbled, stormed out, and I raced back home, finally releasing my anger in profanity along the way.

I went into my room, slamming the door to see Jase watching my TV.

“How’d it go?” he asked simply.

“I hate him! He should go die! I hope he gets murdered tonight! Die! He should go and just die and rot in a hole!” I snapped tossing my shoes to the side and throwing pillows around.

“I’ll take that as an ‘It was horrible’,” he said and stood up, hugging me, but I just squirmed away.

“I’m going to go to bed, have a nice dream, wake up and go kill that boy. Tear him to shreds.” I said, changed and went to bed to a dreamless night.

The last words in my head were:

How should I kill him? Strangle? Stab? Ooh…how about hiring a few thugs? Nah. Doing it myself would be more fun.