Hopelessly Imperfect (Imperfect #1) (22 page)

The pizza arrived, and we had dinner in the dining room. Dad engrossed Nate with baseball talk while Marie asked basic questions about the game.

I offered to wash the dishes since I hadn’t helped set the table, and Nate offered to help me. He had the duty of drying the dishes while I washed.

“She’s really nice,” he said as he dried the salad bowl.

“She is.” I soaped the forks.
But she’s not my mom.
“She’s really trying, isn’t she?” I added as an afterthought.

He left the bowl on the counter as he carefully added, “And your father seems happy…”

I sighed. “I know.” Trying to change the subject, I teased him, “So, what should I wear for Saturday, Rivers?”

His eyes narrowed. “Didn’t I tell you not to call me that?” He got some foam on his hand and spread it on my cheek as I yelped.

I smiled mischievously at him. “We haven’t been on a date yet, so I get to call you whatever.” I raised my eyebrow. Slowly, I pulled up my soaped hand, and as I was about to throw the suds at him, he hit me lightly with the dishcloth.

“Ha! You’ve got to do better than that!” His eyes shone excitedly. “My fast reflexes kick ass,” he exclaimed as he spread foam on my other cheek.

I glared at him as I took the dishcloth away. “Ha-ha.” I rolled my eyes.

He laughed at me as I wiped the foam off my face. Taking the cloth out of my hands, he leaned closer to me. “You missed a spot.” His hand caressed my cheek as my mouth went dry. His eyes darkened for a moment before he kissed me softly.

“Clapping and yelling, guys! Clapping and yelling,” Dad shouted from the living room, making me blush while Nate chuckled.

We finished the dishes, and Nate had to leave since it was already late. Marie left at the same time. While we saw them off, Dad wrapped an arm around my shoulders, pulling me to him.

“I love you, sweetie,” he whispered.

“I love you too, Daddy.” I looked at him for a moment before watching my boyfriend’s car disappear out of sight.

My boyfriend.

My lips tugged up in a small smile.

Chapter Twenty

My hands gripped the tray as I waited for my turn to pay for my tuna sandwich and fruit salad. My lips tugged up as I thought of Nate scrutinizing my lunch again. He wanted to make me fat, apparently. He made me ditch my granola bars and pretty much forced me to eat more every day for the last week. Today, taking advantage that I was out earlier for lunch period, I took the initiative to buy my own food before he bought it to me.

He never let me pay. It was really sweet, to be honest. But I kind of felt like a freeloader.

Someone brushed against my rear, making me jump. My fruit salad dropped to the floor, and I barely managed to catch my sandwich before it fell. Uneasiness washed over me. I had a good idea who was behind me.

Swallowing hard, I turned around to see Tom. I glared at him as he shrugged innocently, his lips twitching as he suppressed a smile.

Yeah. Innocent my ass.

He had been bumping into me, literally, for the last few days. At first, it seemed accidental, but every time it happened, some part of his body brushed against mine. My arm, my rear, one time my chest. It was getting on my nerves.

“Would you stop it?” I glowered at him.

Tom’s lips formed a sly smile as he raised both palms defensively. “What? Sean pushed me!” His friend snickered.

The cashier called me over to pay. Flustered, I picked up my fruit salad, which was thankfully in a closed container, and paid for it. I could feel his burning stare following my every move.

My heart was racing and my jaw was clenched. Before I walked away, I turned to him. “I thought you were different, Tom.”
I never knew you were such an ass.

His brown eyes blazed. “Yeah? Ditto.” His jaw was clenched too, and his hands were clasped in tight fists.

What’s that supposed to mean?

With a heavy heart I reached Farah and Anne, who were chatting in our usual spot. They both quieted down when I sat beside them. My brows were still furrowed, and my heart was still bumping furiously.

“Cass?” Farah ventured to ask.

I hadn’t told anyone what Tom was doing. Mainly because I’d been brushing every time he touched me off as an accident. But then again it kept happening every single day.

“It’s nothing.” It probably was. I was just on edge when it came to Tom.

Farah tilted her head. “Are you sure?”

“Yeah.” I opened my fruit salad, which the fall had smashed it into something that resembled puree. I looked up to find Tom leaning on the cafeteria door with his arms crossed across his chest, smirking at me. I glared at him before eating a spoonful of mashed fruit. I wasn’t going to let him get to me.

“Has Tom been bothering you?” Farah asked the moment Anne left to use the bathroom.

My eyes cut to her. “Why would you say that?”

Her blue eyes assessed me for a moment. “Because I saw him trying to grab your ass back in the cafeteria,” she said carefully, brushing a few crumbs off her sweater.

My hands turned into fists. “So he wasn’t pushed?”

She shook her head. “What’s going on?” She pushed a blonde curl out of her eyes, annoyed. “Is he giving you trouble?”

Taking a deep breath, I eyed my mashed fruit before digging the spoon into it. “He’s been bumping into me. Every day. And each time he sort of rubs against me.”

Farah’s blue eyes widened. “That bastard.” She looked up to where he’d been a moment later, but he was already gone. “Have you told Nate?”

“No.” I stared at her seriously. “I don’t think it’s worth it.”

“But he’s bullying you!” She frowned at me.

I shushed her. Sighing, I added, “I haven’t asked Nate, but I think he’s not fighting anymore, and I don’t want him to jump into it again.” I shook my head, “I’m pretty sure he’d kick Tom’s ass in no time.”

Farah made a face. She didn’t agree with me, yet she stayed quiet for a moment, thinking it through. “Okay, but if this escalates, you’ll tell
me
.” Her blue eyes were serious as well.

Hesitantly, I nodded. “If he is indeed trying to bully me, I’ll just ignore it, all right?” I thought about Marissa and how she was into him. I was sure she didn’t know him at all, though. A sigh escaped my lips. It was sad to realize that even though you interacted with all these people, you didn’t really know who they were. My eyes roamed through the cafeteria. They stopped on Marissa’s table. I kind of felt like I needed to talk to her. For old times’ sake. Scrunching my nose, I shared my thoughts with Farah.

“I think that’s the stupidest idea, Cass. Next to the not telling Nathan about Tom,” she said, gesturing at me with her fork before taking another bite of her tuna salad. I rolled my eyes. She looked unconvinced but let it rest. Changing the subject, she asked, with an excited squeal, “So, what are you going to wear tomorrow night?”

Swallowing a spoonful of fruit, I smiled. “Nate hasn’t told me anything about it.”

“And I won’t, baby,” his deep voice said from behind me. As soon as I heard it, his strong arms encased me. My heart fluttered, and a goofy grin spread across my lips.

“You’re so mean,” I pouted as I turned my head to him. He chuckled before kissing me lightly on the lips, making me feel tingly as always.

“Oh man. First it was Chris and Farah and now you two!” Jay complained as he plopped down beside us.

Nate chuckled. “Get a girlfriend, dude!” Farah’s eyes sparkled mischievously as I rolled my eyes and nudged her with my right foot. She narrowed her eyes at me.

“Girlfriends are high-maintenance, dude. I can’t afford one,” Jay sulked as Anne joined us again.

“Not if you find the right girl,” Nate said while smiling at me.

Jay groaned. “That is bullshit. I need to find me new guy friends. You’re so smitten.”

“Hey!” Nate shoved him roughly. “I am still
me
!” Jay grunted and rubbed his arm, glaring at my boyfriend.

“I see you’re eating better,” Nate murmured to me after a moment. His brows furrowed when he noticed my mashed-up fruit, but he didn’t mention it.

Chris didn’t make it to lunch because he had to see his biology teacher. He was failing and needed to retake a test, or something like that. It was such bad timing, though. Farah wouldn’t stop implying that Jay should ask Anne out. I wasn’t sure if he was playing dumb or he really was that thick. Either way, he never really paid attention to what she was saying.

When our break finished, I trotted to the restroom to wash my hands. I was scrubbing them when Marissa walked in. I was shocked to see she was alone. If there was ever a right time to talk to her, it was this.

Her brown eyes locked on mine in the mirror for a moment. Even though she was looking as pretty and fashionable as ever, she still looked resentful and hurt.

“Marissa, wait,” I said before she disappeared into a stall. She stopped in front of the stall door. “What?” She sounded irritated.

“I never noticed. I’m sorry about that.” She started to open her mouth to retort when I raised a palm. “I did live in my own freaking world.
I know.
You were my friend back then, and I failed you.” I pulled a paper towel out of the dispenser and dried my hands. “But Tom’s not even worth it. He’s an idiot. You deserve better.”

My words took her by surprise. “Why would you say that?” Her brown eyes were wary.

I turned around to face her. “Because you helped me in a way. I was a mess, and hanging around with you guys worked for me.”

Her eyes narrowed, and her tone was accusing. “You used me.”

“Just as you use everyone. Don’t try to play innocent.” I raised an eyebrow. She puffed out her cheeks as I added, “Seriously, if you ever want to hang out with me, I’d be happy to be your friend. For real this time.”

She snorted. “I don’t think your new friends would appreciate that.” Her tone was sour. Pressing her lips together, she turned away. I dropped the crumpled paper in the trash. Just as I was about to leave the restroom, she asked, “Why are you doing this? I’ve been nothing but mean to you.”

I glanced at her. She looked kind of defeated too. Her eyes were cast down, and her hands hung limply by her sides. “Nobody enjoys being mean, Marissa. I mean, at the end of the day, does it make you feel better?”
Or do you hate yourself even more?

She eyed me warily before I walked away. I knew she hated herself. Just like all bullies do.

***

Every day for the last week, Nate had been driving me home. After school, we met in the parking lot. I was thankful Tom was keeping his distance. I had tried to reassure Farah that everything was under control, but I really had no idea what to do about him.

Nate was waiting for me, leaning against his car as he texted, wearing a blue t-shirt, which I’d learned was his favorite color. It was a breathtaking sight, to be honest.

As he heard me approach, he looked up and smiled brightly. “Hey,
Rivers
,” I stressed his last name, teasing him.

He narrowed his eyes. “As of tomorrow you can’t call me by my last name, baby.”

I laughed. “Well, Muffin Top is still my number one choice.” He rolled his eyes as he opened the door for me. I got in, and my eyes followed him as he walked around the car to his side. He had always been so charming. My heart fluttered at the thought.

“How was your day, Cass?” he asked as he started the engine.

My shoulders tensed for a moment. I frowned.
Does he know anything about Tom?
“Mrs. Clearwater wants to talk to me on Monday.” I scrunched my nose. Either she loved my essay or she wanted to send me to back to the psych ward, I didn’t know. Probably the latter.

“I’m sure it will be all right,” he murmured absently as we drove through a green light. “So, ready for tomorrow?” He glanced at me excitedly.

I chuckled. “At least tell me if it’s casual or what?”

Nate’s lips twitched as he suppressed a smile and held my hand. “Jeans and a t-shirt is fine. Maybe a jacket since it might be cold.”

Grinning, I squeezed his hand. “Great.”

We parked at my house, and he walked me to the door. Reluctantly, he let me go after kissing me for a moment. “I should go.” His forehead creased. “My father is in town, and he wants to talk to me.” He rolled his eyes.

“Be nice to him.” I raised an eyebrow as he snorted. Standing on tiptoes, I kissed him as my hand tangled in his hair. A throaty moan came from the back of his throat as he pushed me against the wall. My heart was racing as I lost myself in his kiss.

Just like every time we kissed.

“I really don’t want to go.” His voice was husky as we were both out of breath. He caressed my cheek as his other hand gently gripped my waist.

“I know.” I pecked him one more time. “But you need to.”

His gray eyes roamed all over my face. “I’ll pick you up around noon, all right?”

“Okay.” We kissed one more time before I stepped inside. Dad wasn’t home because he was out with Marie. She had some sort of charity event or something, so he was tagging along. I reheated some leftover meatloaf and decided to watch a movie to pass the time.

As the credits began, I realized how much things had changed. I didn’t dread being home alone like before. Of course, I still missed Mom like crazy, and I was still adjusting to Dad being with Marie. Yet, I preferred them being together than him being lonely.

Night rolled in, and, before I knew it, I fell asleep on the living room sofa.