Perfect Imperfections

Thirteen

"Are you sure?" Jake asked as he stopped in front of the school and I nodded.

"I have to go back at some point." I said and he nodded, putting the car into park and getting out. As he came around to help me down, I noticed students slowing to stare as Jake held my waist as I adjusted the crutches and supported myself.

"Here." I took my bag from him then slid it onto my shoulders, smiling at him.

"Thanks, Jake." He nodded and kissed my forehead.

"You call me if you need me, okay?" He smiled and I nodded, curling into him when he hugged me.

"I'll see you at two." He whispered then shut the truck door and I started my little hobble into the school. When I got inside, I heard applause and smiled as I noticed everyone was... happy to see me now.

"Adalyn." I looked up at the most popular girl in school then she shot forward and hugged me.

"I am so happy you're okay!" She whispered, letting go and holding my shoulders.

"You let any of us know if you need something, we won't hesitate to help you!" She said and a chorus of 'yeah' rang through the hall.

"Thank you, McKenzie." I whispered and she nodded.

"Here, let me help you with this." I looked at Eric as he took my bag off my back, walking with me to my locker. Once there, a different jock took my bag and walked with me to class, which we apparently shared. All day, I was a pampered princess and I was actually happy. At the end of the day, I was hobbling towards Jake's truck and saw him coming around the truck to open the door when I felt arms sweep me up.

"Whoa!" I laughed, looking at Lewis as Kathy held my crutches.

"Thanks, guys!" I laughed and Lewis handed me off to Jake, who was giving me a look. As he slid my crutches into the bed of the truck, I buckled and waved to my new friends as Jake got in.

"Okay, what the hell?" He asked, which made me laugh.

"Everyone was helping me all day. They seemed really happy to see me okay and back at school." I said and he nodded, driving home.

"Alright then." He laughed and shook his head.

"Well, I guess it's better than you struggling." He said and I smiled.

"What have you been doing today, hmm?" I asked and he laughed.

"Working, actually. I just got off at one thirty and I came straight here." He said, which made me smile.

"Look at you, so cute with your work sweat!" I grinned, making him roll his eyes.

"You are so weird, Smarty."

"Says you, dungeon boy!" I laughed then fumbled with the radio, turning it up as I heard Guns 'N Roses playing.

"I agree with this." Jake laughed, which made me smile. When we got home, he helped me inside then I sat at the table doing my homework as he showered and made dinner.

"Here, eat before you finish that." I looked at Jake and smiled as I closed my books, grabbing my plate to eat.

"Thank you." I smiled and he nodded.

"So, your birthday is when again?" I asked and he smiled.

"December fourteenth." He grinned, which made me smile.

"Right, and what are we doing?" I asked then he shrugged.

"My parents are doing something down at the diner with a few of my friends in town, if you wanted to join us-"

"Will my leg be better by then?" I asked and he smiled.

"Even if it's not, AJ, you're still welcome to join." He said and I nodded, taking a bite of my dinner. After dinner, he helped me to the bathroom so I could get a bath.

"Call me when you need help, okay?" I nodded and he left the room, doing who knows what out in the main room.

Jake's POV
I took a deep breath then went to the kitchen, cleaning up the mess from dinner and putting the leftovers in the fridge. I usually made too much for dinner so we could have stuff for lunch the next day. As my phone buzzed in my pocket, I opened it and saw it was Taylor.

T: New arrival, not what you were looking for, but similar.

Attached to the message was a photo and I pressed on it, zooming in to examine the creature.

J: Perfect, I'll be down tomorrow to meet and everything. Can you keep them until then?

I locked my phone then went to the table, gathering our plates and taking them to the sink right as my phone buzzed. Before I could answer it, I quickly loaded the dishwasher and dried my hands. I grabbed my phone then opened it, seeing it was Jess that had texted, not Taylor. I guess Jess had to get home, which I was fine with. She spent almost a month here, she had a life too. I sighed and set my phone on the counter, almost nervous for tomorrow now.

"Jake?!" I heard AJ call and stood straight, going to the bathroom door right as my phone buzzed. I looked at it then smiled, knocking on the door.

"Smarty, I'm coming in." I called through the wood and opened the door. Sitting on the closed toilet lid, she was in a t-shirt and some sleep pants with a roll of bandages next to her.

"Let me wrap that real quick." I smiled and grabbed the bandages, wrapping them around her thigh so she could sleep without worrying about her leg. When that was done, I lifted her up and carried her to her temporary room, laying her in the bed.

"Thanks." She smiled and I nodded, covering her and smiling.

"Get some sleep, girly." I whispered and kissed her head, shutting the light off and closing the door. I took a deep breath then went to my phone, lifting it to see this was Taylor.

T: Of course I can! The shelter is closed anyway, no one is coming to adopt dogs now!

I smiled and went back up, eyeing the photo of the adorable black dog with a few white spots. Merry early fucking Christmas, Smarty.