Alice.

Perfect, or else.

I turn to look at the clock. 6:02am. I look back to my paused video game. "No point in sleeping now." I turned off the game, and got up to put on my clothes. I walked to my large, closet, and threw on a deep blue sweater, and my black jeans. I walked to my bathroom and brushed my long hair. I looked in the mirror, admiring my pale skin, green eyes, and red hair. I thought I was pretty, and hopefully that'll never change. If I lost my beauty, I'd lose my friends, and my family would have no use for me anymore. I was a Perfect, and that's what I had to be. I just need to make it through the rest of the year, no fights, no drama and no problems. I went downstairs to find mom and dad had already left, but my brother, Ethan, was there.

"Hey, Ethan." I said, causally.

"Alice.. We need to talk." He said, with seriousness in his voice, a seriousness I had never heard from him before. It scared me.

"What's wrong?" I begged. He looked at me solemnly, he was my best friend, my brother, my protection against boys. I'd love him, no matter what. He knew everything about me.

"I-I-I'm leaving for college next week." He said as he turned his gaze to his plate.

"You're leaving?" I asked, scared he'd say yes.

"Yes." He said. I could feel the tears falling, and my face getting hotter.

"You can't!" I yelled. "Don't leave me, Ethan. You're my best friend. I can't live without you!" I yelled. He sat there in silence, and took my blows as I rattled on about him abandoning me. Finally, I stopped, and collapsed on the floor. "You- you can't leave me, Ethan. I can't be perfect without you here, so I can tell you my flaws and problems. You'll be at college, and I don't know when I can call. Just don't leave and it'll be okay." I looked at him, and tears were rolling down his face.

"I'm sorry, Allie." He looked at me. I got up and left, without another word. I looked at my phone, and checked my messages and time. 7:13. I sat in the truck, and started banging my head against the wheel, and I couldn't control my tears. I decided I wouldn't give him the satisfaction of my being sad. He obviously didn't care or he'd stay. I needed him. He was my best friend and my brother. I decided I should get to school, can't ruin my perfect attendance, or perfect grades. I drove to school, letting my face lose it's redness, and letting myself regain control of my tears and emotions.

I arrived at school. 7:35. I walked in and went straight into the bathroom, the redness was gone, and so was my eyeliner. I redid my makeup, and then went to the gym, waiting to be dismissed. I was greeted by crowds of boys when I arrived.

"Hello, Mason, Jared, and Thomas." They were Perfects, as well. "How are you today?"

Mason said," We're all fine, but we'd like to know how you are, my dear."

"Oh." I said, blushing. "I'm wonderful, thank you." I couldn't tell anyone how I was feeling, I'm the "perfect girl", and obviously, the "perfect girl" can't have problems. I have to have perfect grades, perfect personality, perfect looks. My mother and father told me one day, if I wasn't perfect, how disappointed they'd be. I'm not a princess, but I have to act like one, and be proper, and perfect! Why did I have to be a Barbie for them?!

"Alice?" I heard a voice say, and snapped back into reality.

"Uhm, yes?" I said, realizing I was still with Mason.

"So do you?" He asked.

"Do I what?" I replied. I needed to focus.

He said, annoyed," Want to go to the dance with me?" I noticed girls watching his every move, talking about his jawline, and perfect hair, he was perfect, but somehow, not perfect for me.

"I'm sorry, Mason. I don't plan on going to the dance." I replied and he face saddened a bit. "Hey, look" I said, nodding in the direction of the girls, he turned to look. "Mollie is staring at you, it's obvious she likes you, and she has a great personality. I think you would be perfect together." I said with a smile, but he looked at me, pained. Wait, he really liked me, didn't he, and I just hit him, hard.

"I'm sorry." I said, sincerely. "I didn't realize." He looked at me and you could tell he was thinking.

"You know what?" He said angry and annoyed, but yet keeping his voice down. "It's okay." He didn't say another word, he just walked to Mollie, and I could hear parts of their conversation.

"Will you...." He asked.

"Of course!!!" Mollie yelled. I was happy. He looked at me, and held her hand. His face said," Can't have me now, loser. I smiled and walked to the bleachers and had a seat. He looked so shocked, that I was happy for him. I was perfect, of course I was happy for him.

I had to be.