per ☹ fect // zalfie

per ☹ fect

5 years. That's how long i stayed at my last school, unnoticed. Not that I was bother within that time I had come to appreciate that after watching all the drama that comes with being popular, I was pleased I was undetected.

But now everything has changed.

Every girl and guy wanted to be apart of 'Italia high popular crew' known to me as the gang.However only a selected few were able to capture the attention of the leader and seemed to impress to join the gang. The gang consists of strong characters, trouble makers, biggest school couples and the school hotty. I was adapted into the group and even only being at the school for one night everyone knew who Joe and I was. It was only Monday morning as well.

"I'm going to speak to Matt" Louise gritted through her teeth glaring at a boy opposite the corridor to us. This was the millionth time she said what she was going to speak to him,even though being a bubbly character Louise was extremely nervous.

"You have said this a million times now" Tanya said snakily. Louise smiled and strutted across the corridor calling out Matts name in anger. To what I have found out only last night, that Matt and Louise both fancied each other but couldn't confess their love.

To me that was stupid.

Louise's smiling lips pressed against Matts.

"I can't watch" I squeaked covering up my face with my fingers. Tanya just laughed, I felt fingers lightly tap me on the shoulder and I turned around coming face to face with Jack Harries smirking me.

"Looking wonderful in your uniform sweetheart" he flirted, I swallowed and mumbled a 'thank you'. He leaned against my locker stuffing his hands into his pockets with Marcus,Joe and Alfie looking over his shoulders. I read through my timetable as Jack eyes still stared at me. Today I only had a few classes which were mostly based in the morning.

"I better be going to my first lesson" I said quietly tugging at my leather bag, clutching my books resting them against my chest.

"I'll come with you Zo" Tanya reported unlocking the hand hold between her and Jim, laying a small peck on his cheek.

"Sweetheart" Jack said in his husky voice, making my head turn back at him. "I'll see you later" Winking his eyes at me.

"Uhh" I mumbled.

"Jack, leave her alone" Tanya snapped before pulling me away from Jack. I smiled in gratitude as we hurried away from Jack, ignoring the looks and glares.

"Is Jack like that with everyone?" I whispered in Tanya's ear as entered the class still being practically pulled to the back seats.

"Truthfully, not in a long time. I think he likes you".

"Oh great" I said in disgust.

"You should be happy, Jack is the school hotty" she said emphatic.

"I'm not really used to this attention" I bit my nails looking Tanya straight in the eyes. "Or boys" I added quietly.

"Haven't you had a boyfriend before?" She gasped covering up her mouth.

♡

I survived my first week of college, finding friends with Louise and even growing closer to Tanya. They seemed like the type of girls, I hated back at my old school. It was a bright sunny Saturdays morning when I finally awoke, by the sound of Louise singing to herself.

"Good, you awake. I thought you were dead"she cheered, turning the volume of her music down. I sat up against the pillows, wiping a trail of my warm saliva which was drooling down my cheek.

"Ha ha" I said sarcastically.

"What are we doing today?" Tanya asked as she perfected her eyeliner.

"I was going to sit in the library and complete my project" I nodded, proud that I was putting the effort into my work.

"No no no" Louise giggled.

"It's my first project I want to impress" I blinked my eyes as the both sniggered at me.

"You can do your project tomorrow come shopping with us" Tanya rolled her eyes as she sat down beside me.

"I do need a few jumpers all mine are really fading" I gritted my teeth, as I wondered over to the wardrobe. Sniffing at the sleeve of my fading pink jumper which smelt of strong alcohol.

Flashback

It was eerily silent in the house, as I gently closed the front door. Laying my keys on the hook and slipping off my battered school shoes. I slowly shifted through the house into the kitchen where I could hear mumbling.

"Hello?" I called out quietly, biting my lower lip hard as it started to tingle. "Mum" I raised voice higher witnessing my mum standing there tipping down a bottle of wine, which she must of hidden from us.

"Zoe" she gasped, slamming the glass bottle on the kitchen table. "It's been my first drink in ages" she try to convince me as she shook her head.

"mum you promise you would stop" I stare her in the eyes coldly.

"Ive only had one little drink, I can handle it" she said, stepping closer to me. "I'm better now, I only care about you and Joe." She ran her hand down my cheek softly. "My darling" she whispered.

"No" I snapped stepping away from her grasp. "You can't handle it" I hissed at her watching her face screw up in frustration.

"I can" she hissed. " I can look after you and Joe perfectly" she grabbed the bottle again.

"I look after myself and Joe. You just go out to the pub at night when we're sleeping, but I watch you leave the house and watch you stumble back in" I rambled, then gripping the bottle out of hands then tipping it down the sink.

"That was my last drink" she screamed squeezing my wrists. " I buy you clothes,laptops,food, newest technology and you treat me like this" she lied.

"Dad buys all this" I threw my hands into the air. "You're a shit mother".

"I'm a shit mother because I have liver cancer, is that what you mean?" She asked.

"You killing yourself and killing me and Joe, it's better of you would be dead" I shouted, watching her hand raise to my cheek. "Go on hit me, like dad hit you. It don't hurt mum, promise I'll be fine" I said sarcastically.

"Earth to Zoe" Louise giggled as she tapped my on the shoulder. I shivered at the memories. "Are you cold Zoe?" She asked like a mother would.

"Yeah" I nodded pushing the memories back of my mind. " I think I might buy a whole new wardrobe of clothes" I smiled, throwing a bundle of clothes off hangers.

"That's my chummy" Louise said in excitement. Picking out a black simple skater skirt and a collared top, I slipped on a pair worn out converse. A small smile came to Tanya as I relieved my outfit.As Louise went to the door, it suddenly flew backwards, startling not only Louise but Tanya and I. Jim,Marcus,Joe,Jack and Joe came laughing in, Jim automatically noticing Tanya.

"Babygirl" he cooed as the ran into each other's arms. Alfie giving me a small smile as I started to blush.

"Zoe" Joe whispered catching my attention. "Today" he mumbled as I nodded.

Today was mums birthday, she had died two months ago due to liver cancer.

"I know" I gulped, itching the back of my head. Feeling uncomfortable, neither Joe or I wanted anyone to find out about mum. It was in the pass. A hand grabbed my upper arm suddenly tugging me away from my brother.

"Sweetheart" Jack gave me a smirk, lower his head towards mine as I struggled away from his grip.I twisted the stiff bones in my neck, making him quince.

"Should we go?" I muttered.

"yes sweetheart" he winded his fingers around mine. "Everyone let's go" his voice doomed making everyone go silent like the army.

"Ooo" Louise nudged my arm gently as she walked passed me and Jack.

"Help me" I mouthed as she shrugged her shoulders.