Perfect Imperfections

Chapter 1 A New Perspective

"Avery hear me out" Stan followed me through the house " Stan I'm not going on a date with Karl Fink!" "Come on, it's obvious you like him" I laughed and rolled my eyes with a scoff " As if, I will never ever in the slightest bit be attracted to Karl Fink" "He's a  jerk, a creep, he literally painted himself as our curtains and spies on us all the time!" "That was forever ago, he's changed and so have you" " Hello Jennings, Stan" Karl walked through the door of the family room "Karl! Did you bring him?" Stan ran to Karl wagging his tail waiting for Karl's response " Yes, here is Robert, good as new" Karl handed Stan his toy and Stan ran off to the backyard exclaiming of happiness " So Avery, what are you up too?" "I'm sorry, what is going on with your hair?" I was on the verge of laughing as I walked over to him running my fingers through his messy hair that is usually slicked back with gel " I was trying something new, I was getting tired of the slicked back hair, and suit, and my voice to be honest, I was a real annoying jerk a few years ago" He chuckled rubbing the back of his neck nervously looking around the room his eyes landing on mine " Well it's about time" " Well do I look ridiculous?" "No, I kinda like it" " Wow Avery Jennings, did you just approve of something I did?" He laughed softly, his voice making time feel frozen. "Hey you okay?" He was waving his hand in front of me, I must have zoned out, wait there's no way I'm falling for Karl Fink?" "Hmm yeah, I was just thinking of something, wasn't that important" "Well did you hear a word I said then" I gave him a small smile to show I didn't but wanted to hear " Well I was wondering, if maybe..." He stopped looking nervous "If you would want to go out to dinner, or a picnic as friends, to get to know the new Karl" He suggested. I so badly want to say yes but not as friends " Sure, why not the picnic, I know this perfect field for tomorrow, it's supposed to be nice weather" I've never seen him so excited over something before, not even when he pranked us or we let him join in on something with us " Okay, umm I'll bring the food, all you have to bring is drinks and a blanket" I nodded " Deal, come over around noon" " Works for me" "I went to give him a fist bump and he went to give me a high five, we laughed nervously and went to try again, he tried a fist bump I tried a high five. We ended up settling on a hug, I never wanted to let him go. His arms felt like the safest place on Earth, the smell of cologne, shampoo, body wash and deodorant all clashing together making a perfect sent to describe him, the sound of his heartbeat and breathing calmed me knowing I was safe " Well see you tomorrow at noon" he smiled walking out of the house I wanted to scream of joy but didn't so I ran up to me room closing my door and screamed into my pillow I was so excited. Maybe Stan was right, maybe he did change a lot since 14, we are 20 and 21 now. I can't believe I'm older than Karl.  I smiled to myself looking at my art wall, debating whether to paint my feelings or not, but do I actually like him or is it just a stupid little girl crush " Avery honey!" I heard mom call from downstairs " Coming Mom!" I ran down the stairs " Yeah" I asked, walking into the kitchen "Jesus you got so big" she smiled and shook her head " Before you ask I have plans tomorrow " She looked at me shocked" Okay, what plans?" " Me and Karl are going on a picnic to get to know each other better, he's changing because he found his old self annoying and a jerk, I couldn't agree more" " Be nice Avery" " I am, it was his words not mine" " Well I know you and Karl and good kids but be careful " Eww Mom! Gross, we are just friends" I covered my ears knowing she was going to talk about 'the talk' " Relax I'm not going to lecture you, I just wanted your help with dinner" I sighed of relief and walked to the other side of the counter to help her make food " How about you run over and invite Karl" My mom said as we finished dinner and I was setting the table " Sure" I said definitely way too happy. I walked outside trying to keep my face straight and act normal but it didn't work, I walked into Karls shed as we usually just don't knock on each other's door to see him standing there shirtless working on something I couldn't see, or maybe I was too focused on his light chiseled abs " Avery Hi!" He quickly covered his work with a old rag " My Mom invited you to dinner, you can sit next me" I flashed him a big smile before bursting into laughter with him " Yeah hang on one minute, let me " he scanned around for his shirt and found it. Then he grabbed a clean rag wiping his face than what was exposing of his arms and then his hands " There I'm good to go" he smiled as we walked out of the shed and to my house coming in through the backdoor in the kitchen to see my family sitting there making their plates " Karl welcome!" My parents smiled at him and then Chole took a picture of us " What was the first Chole?" I asked " For once you two aren't trying to kill each other, it's a miracle" I shook my head with an eye roll, I sat in my spot and there's an empty seat next to me for Karl, I got my food and then handed the serving spoon to him " Thank you for dinner, I appreciate it" He smiled as I walked him home " Well, I guess I'll see you tomorrow"  " Yeah I guess so" I nodded smiling at him, we just stared in each other's eyes not saying a word. It's like when I kept dreaming of kissing him except I actually wanted to this time " Here, its Stan's ball you were looking for " he awkwardly grabbed the ball and handed it to me " Thanks, see you tomorrow at noon" I walked off freaking out inside, what was that! Does he like me? " Stan, I got your ball back from Karl!" I yelled and I heard him running " First he fixed Robert and now he gave you my ball back! He's the best!" I smiled at Stan jumping around with excitement " Dad Gracie won't share!" Freddie ran in with Gracie behind him with a toy on her mouth " You kids are too old to be fighting like this" his mood quickly went down when they started their fight. "Gracie share the toy with your brother. " I pet them all before I went back to my room and smiled to myself. I got ready for bed then fell asleep.