The Perfect Girl

Chapter One

"Clarissa, wake up!" My mother called from downstairs. I was already brushing out a strand of my hair, and my bed was made perfectly.

"I'm awake!" I responded as I set the brush down. I walked over to my bed, shaking my hair with my right hand. I slid my bookbag on and ran out the door, closing it on the way. I sprinted down the stairs, holding the rail and appeared in the living room.

"Oh, hey, honey. Breakfast's on the counter." My mom greeted me, and I waved in response. I set my bag down on the couch and walked into the kitchen to find a plate of toast and orange juice waiting for me. I sat down on the bar stool and started to eat, scrolling through Instagram like any normal teenager. I was stalking my crush, Shawn's, Instagram, and as creepy as that is, I still do it. My thumb lingered on the photo of him and his girlfriend. Yes, he has a girlfriend. My eyes could not adjust to this. I was always jealous of his girlfriend. She was the popular girl, but she wasn't like those stuck-up girls in the movies and books. She was a real person, with average brown hair, both wavy and straight.

I decided to not like the picture. One, he could find out it was me, since my username was 'Clarissa_Williams617998', and two, it was quite obvious he could find out it was me, since my birthday was June 17, 1998, and my name was Clarissa Williams. He knew I existed.

"If only." I sighed. I finished the last of my toast and turned my iPhone off, sliding it into my sweater pocket. I stood up and set the mug in the sink, and dropped the paper plate into the trash can. I filled the mug up with water. I left the kitchen and sat down next to my mom on the couch. My mom was mesmerized, staring at the TV. I glanced at the TV and saw America's Next Top Model and rolled my eyes. Ever since my mother discovered the TV show, she wasn't the same.

She wasn't doing a lot of chores lately, and my family had to fill in for her. I stood up and slid my bag on my right shoulder, opening the front door. I glanced back at my mother and she still didn't notice.

"Bye, mom." I said, and there was silence. I shook it off and ran outside, closing the door.

"She's crazy." I whisper, and walk down the sidewalk, unlocking my car. I hopped in the driver's seat and placed my bag on the passenger's seat, closing the door. I heard a ring! from my phone and took it out to see a notification, alerting me that I have a text. I slide the notification and see a text from Lindsay.

Can I carpool with you? Brother left for work already.

~Lindsay

I furrowed my brow and responded.

Sure. I'll be there in 5.

~Clarissa

I set my phone aside and slid my seatbelt on. I started the ignition and backed out of the driveway.

***

"Hey, Linds!" I greeted Lindsay while she hopped into the car.

"What's up?" She threw her bag into the backseat. My bookbag was on the floor of the backseat, so she didn't sit on my bag.

"Nothin' much." I answered, and drove off to school. Lindsay's perfume filled the car, the sweet smell of lavender calming my nerves.

"Well, I just got a date to the dance!" Lindsay exclaimed. I gasped, and she giggled excitedly.

"Oh my gosh! Who is it?" Lindsay's giggling faltered, and I knew there was something wrong. I parked the car on the side of the road and turned to look at Lindsay.

"Lindsay? Who is it?" I asked, getting serious.

Lindsay shrank back into her seat and whimpered. "It might be Aaron Anderson..."