Imperfect

Chapter 2. The Ride

It did not take long to pack up our things and head to the pier. Most of the time was spent making chitchat. Zophie and Brendon made each other their priority, I did not mind though. I was happy my best friend had someone to make her happy. But with intertwined hands and whispering sweet-nothings to each other as we walked around, I couldn't help but feel slightly awkward. Because at the same time I am walking around with not just two love birds but also Jace.

When we got food, Zophie and Brendon sat next to each other, forcing Jace and I to sit together as well. I couldn't help but wonder if Zophie had planned that. The thing is, I was never great with liking people. I always ended up awkwardly sitting there contemplating all the things that could go wrong if I did something. Like moving closer to him, or letting my hand brush his, but then all the bad things go through my head and I decide against it.

But it's not that I actually liked the guy sitting next to me... I mean, I didn't even know him. I've only seen him at school and he's either reading or talking loudly to his friends. In fact, the only thing I knew about him is that we shared chorus, art and science class together... well, and that he liked to read.

But during our lunch and though our conversations we talked to one another. I discovered he was a lot more outgoing then I had originally thought. We shared many funny stories and jokes, we were all laughing. In fact I hadn't laughed that hard in a long time. We were all really enjoying ourselves. Jace and I talked a lot as well when Zophie and Brendon got into conversations that we had no interest in.

It was about an hour after we finished our late lunch that we finally left. We continued our conversations as we walked down the pier and back to the plaza area. Even after this short time today I could tell that Jace and I had made fast friends... and I couldn't deny that I was rather happy about it. I suppose Zophie may have been right when she thought it was more than 'just a glance'.

After Zophie and Brendon finished a quiet conversation they looked over at me. "Hey Rain, we were thinking about maybe seeing a movie, do you and Jace want to come?" Zophie turned around and asked me suddenly.

Fishing my phone out of my pocket I checked the time. Deciding it was getting too late I answered. "I'm okay, thanks though... I'll head home" I nodded to her. Since Zophie picked me up in her car that meant I had to walk. We did not live far from the beach and I knew it would only be a twenty minute to a half hour walk. Which I didn't really mind all that much.

"Same here," Jace spoke up. "I should head out soon as well" he glanced at me out of the corner of his eye.

"Rain! You can't walk home! It's like twenty minutes!" Zophie piped up again. I could tell she was about to continue when Jace spoke instead.

"I can give you a ride," he said simply, like it was no big deal. I felt my stomach drop. All the sudden I felt my palms get sweaty and my stomach was fluttering. I hated feeling like this. I didn't even know him, why was I freaking out?

"Oh, perfect! That way she won't have to walk!" Zophie smiled, shooting me another knowing glance. A slight smirk played on her lips. I gave her a slight glare as a warning.

"Cool, see you two later then?" Brendon chimed in.

"Sounds good, ready Rain?" Jace looked over to me, giving me a side smile.

"Yeah, sure" I smiled back. After hugging Zophie and some goodbyes, Jace and I walked to his vehicle. Having a conversation on the way about how in love Brendon and Zophie are, I found us both laughing and making funny comments.