Perfectly Imperfect

Chapter Two

"Kira, why won't you have lunch with us?" Bianca asks concerned.

"I just want to be alone."

"Why?"

"Because I just do."

"What's gotten into you, babe? You're not normally like this," Markus states.

"Nothing. It's absolutely nothing. Just respect my decision."

Markus and Bianca eye each other oddly and then nod hesitantly. I turn on my heels and walk away from them. I wish I could tell them, but I can't. If I tell them, it will get spread around the whole college faster than anybody thinks. I can't let that happen.

I remember what Leslie told me yesterday. "It's my destiny. My life turned out this way for a reason". How can she think that way? I'm in despair. I'm finding it hard to believe that all of this is true. How does she handle this all so well? I want to curl up into a ball and cry in a corner. I just want to hide away from the world without thinking twice about it. I simply can't handle the truth.

My phone begins to buzz in my hand and I check the caller's ID. Leslie's face flashes on the screen as she calls. Why is she calling me? I texted her my number last night because I realised that I didn't write my number in her contacts when she did mine.

I answer the call. "Hello?"

"Hello, Kidney," Leslie greets. That joke is so bad, Leslie...

"Um, hey, Leslie. Why're you calling?"

"I just fancied a chat."

"Oh, okay. But shouldn't you be with your friends during this lunchtime?"

"I have no friends..."

"Oh." I mentally slap myself. Good one, Kira. Now you've probably hurt the girl's feelings.

"I'm kidding, silly! I just didn't fancy talking to them. They don't know about my situation, so I'm avoiding them a little."

"I know the feeling."

"I'm so glad to hear I'm the not alone on this one."

"The doctor said it was best if I kept it to myself, just in case I get stressed or depressed."

"My doctor said the exact same thing. I don't get depressed or stressed, so I could tell everyone and it wouldn't phase."

"How do you take this all so lightly, Leslie? I don't get it. I'm in despair here, feeling so broken. How do you stay so casual?"

"Just think that there's no use in being so down about it. It won't change your situation. You'll still have cancer and your days alive will keep being counted down. What good will it do sulking around?"

I sigh. "Yeah, I guess you're right."

"I know." She chuckles to herself. "Do you want to hang out after school?"

"Um, sure."

"Awesome. I'll text you my address."

"Okay."

**** ****

I park outside Leslie's house and take deep breaths. I only just met the girl yesterday and now I'm sitting outside her house in my car. Maybe this was a bad idea. Oh stop being such a negative person, Kira. Just go see the poor girl, she's given you no reasons to not trust her. Great, even my conscience is more positive than I am.

I get out of the car and stare at her house. Now that I look at it properly, it's a big house. Not big like a mansion, but maybe a quarter smaller. The house is pure white, decorated with the occasional flowers, bushes and trees. The rectangular glass windows are decorated with cream coloured curtains from the inside. The chimney on the black roof lets out a grey cloud of smoke. Her house is gorgeous. My house looks old and unused compared to hers. I walk up the stone stairs to reach her black door. I ring the doorbell and take one small step back, waiting patiently to be welcomed. The door opens and there stands Benedict.