Perfect Imperfections

Three

Bella Rae Costanza

~*-*~

"AJ, how are your grades?" Mom asked and I handed her my report card, watching her read over them.

"Why do you have a B- in your English class?" She asked and dad took my report card as mom glared.

"I-I haven't turned in all of my makeup work yet-"

"You spend all that time in your room and you're still not caught up? Do I need to move your bedroom to the one at the top of the steps? Do you need to be watched constantly? I was lenient and let you get that big room over the garage, do not make me regret it." Mom said and I nodded, looking down.

"Yes, ma'am-" I stopped as someone knocked on the door then I sighed, standing and going to answer it. As I opened the door, I stared as I saw Jake standing there, in full view of my family at the table.

"Hey, AJ. Uh, sorry for dropping by, but you left this in my truck yesterday." He said and handed me my personal notebook. I forced a smile as I took the book, looking up at him and wishing he'd just disappear.

"Thank you, Jake." I said and closed my eyes as I heard my mom's heels on the floor, coming closer.

"Who are you?" She asked and I looked at her.

"Just someone who gave me a ride home from the supermarket yesterday, he's no one-"

"Jake Kyle, Mrs. Costanza. I helped AJ yesterday at the supermarket." Jake said and offered my mom his hand, which she studied and ignored.

"Well, thank you for... helping her. Are those all permanent tattoos?" She asked and I looked at Jake as he slowly dropped his hand, looking at me.

"Ye-yes, ma'am." He stuttered and she nodded, cutting him a glare as she looked at me.

"Go to your room, AJ, you have to study. You need to get that B up, or you won't be going anywhere for the break. Am I clear?" She spit and I nodded, glancing at Jake before I walked to my room. When I sat at my desk, I opened my book and smiled when I saw Jake had left his phone number in my book on the second page, along with his address and a note.

Your family seems overbearing, you can always run to my place if you need to. I promise, no dead girls or anything. ;) ***-***-****

I smiled and shut my notebook, my smile dropping as my mom came into my room.

"Mom-"

"You stay away from that predator, Adalyn Jade! So help me, if I see you with him again, I will have the cops called on him for touching a minor!" She growled and came over, leaning down and getting in my face.

"You want to act grown and spread your legs for the tattooed freak?! Be my guest, but you keep that toxicity away from Bella Rae and Elias!" She snarled, standing and glaring down at me.

"It's no wonder your grades are so low!" She spit and turned, leaving my room. I cleared my throat as I tried not to cry then I opened the notebook, saving Jake's number and quickly erasing the number so my mom wouldn't find it. I took a deep breath then grabbed my homework, starting on it and trying to forget my life.

~*-*~

I looked up as the door to the diner opened then I smiled when I saw Jake, who saw me and came over, sitting across from me.

"Your mom was-"

"I am so sorry about her, Jake!" I immediately apologized, but he shook his head and smiled.

"Are you okay?" He asked and I nodded, using my hair to hide the mark on my face.

"AJ, look at me." He said and caught my chin, turning my head and glaring at the mark there.

"Did she do this?" He asked, but I shook my head and pulled my hair back over it.

"No, it wasn't her." I said and he looked like he didn't believe me.

"I was serious in my note, Adalyn Jade. If you need to get away for the night, you can come to my house." He said, but I shook my head.

"I can't, Jake. My mom would kill me if she found out I was here talking to you. As far as my parents know, I'm here studying for English so I can bring up my grades-"

"You mean the B she was talking about?!" He asked incredulously and I nodded.

"If I had a single B in high school, AJ, my parents would have thrown a damn party! What are your grades, huh?" He asked and I sighed.

"The only bad grade I have is the B." I said and he nodded.

"The rest A's?" I nodded and he sighed.

"AJ, that is seriously amazing! I can just tell you're so-" He stopped as my eyes widened then he looked over his shoulder and saw my siblings here.

"Hurry, out the back!" He whispered and we stood, leaving from the back door. As we ran to his truck and got in, I noticed my siblings sitting in a window seat as my brother texted someone.

"Thank god for your tinted windows!" I breathed and leaned back in the seat.

"Your mom doesn't like me, does she?" I looked at Jake then shook my head, sitting up in the seat and looking at him.

"She said the next time she saw you near me, she'd call the cops on you." I said and he looked at the wheel.

"Damn." He whispered and I nodded, looking at my phone as it went off with a text from Elias asking where I was. I sighed and quickly texted him that I had left for the park, saying I wanted some fresh air.

"Your mom?" I shook my head and locked my phone.

"Brother, he's wondering where I am." I said and Jake nodded.

"Do you want a ride home?" He asked, but I shook my head.

"I don't want to go home." I said and he nodded.

"I got an idea." He said and grinned as he turned the truck on.

"Buckle up." I did as told then he left the parking lot, making me wonder what he was planning.