Life for the imperfect

Life for the imperfect-chapter nineteen

I didn't know what to say. I was surprised, I was disappointed and slightly upset.

However, I couldn't find it within me to actually be angry with either of them, or even really hurt.

That's when I realised something. Shouldn't I be upset? But I really wasn't.

Then I understood. I had never really liked Nate as any more than a friend. I said yes to him asking me out because it felt so nice to have a guy like me, and mistook that happiness for return of the feeling.

"Chloe," Lina said quietly, "please say something. Are you angry?"

I looked straight at her and shook my head, "No, I just realised that Nate is only my friend and nothing else."

She gaped at me, "You mean, your not mad at me or him?"

I shook my head again and told her, "I've got to tell Nate that I don't like him somehow. I don't want to hurt his feelings."

She laughed and laughed, shaking her head, "I can't believe how fucking nice you are!"

"Language!" I exclaimed, which for some strange reason only made her laugh harder.

Her eyes were tearing up from the laughter until, after a few minutes and multiple slaps in the arm from me, she finally calmed down.

"What's so funny?" I asked, curious.

"You're just too nice! Anyway," she replied, suddenly serious, "I'm so so so unbelievably sorry!"

I hugged her and said, "It's fine. Do you like him?"

She nodded shyly and I chuckled. Then I grabbed my phone and called Nate.

"Hey, can you meet me at my house at eight tonight? I have to tell you something."

He agreed, "I have to tell you something too."

I said goodbye and hung up.

Lina hugged me again, squealing quietly.

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When Nate got to my house, he came inside, made himself at home and then I struck up conversation.

"So, um Lina and I were talkin....." Nate interrupted me there.

"I can't take it anymore. I did something, something terrible."

"I-I know, I...."

"I kissed Lina. There! I told you. I said it! I feel terrible. I don't know what else to say I...."

"Lina told me." I mumbled.

"What?" Nate looked confused.

"Lina told me. I asked you here to tell you that I've realised I didn't really like you that way, I'm happy for you two and you're still my best friend." I got that all out in a rush.

Nate looked at me, his face like a fishes. Then he pulled me close and hugged me tightly.

"You are absolutely amazing."

I smiled and blushed, flattered.

He got up and went home.

That night I went to bed with one big thought in my head, 'who would have thought that actually having a life would keep me exhausted every day?'

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The next day, Nate and Lina were so overly happy with me because of how I'd reacted.

At lunch they announced to me that they were dating and they were both ecstatic. I felt so very happy for them and we were all happy as a hummingbird in love.

That is, until last period. By then, the news had gotten around that Nate and Lina were dating and I was suddenly the talk of the class.

"Nerdy, how does it feel to know that even your so called friends hate you?" Reena asked, feigning curiosity.

I sighed and replied with sarcasm so thick, I might have won an Oscar, "Absolutely amazing, it's the best day in the world."

She looked so genuinely confused and so clearly thought I was telling the truth, that I laughed and pushed past her to my awaiting hell.

I sat down next to Danny, expecting him to immediately start picking on me. Sure enough, he snickered and teased, "Nerd Boy moved on already? I bet you're just to frigid. I bet that slut Lina will be more fun..."

I interrupted him with a slap.

"Look," I began, to his shock, "pick on me all you want, I don't give a damn. Hell, at least you say it to my face. Just never, ever, make fun of my friends. They're better than you and you have no right."

I looked away from him, surprised by my own actions. At first he just stared but eventually he regained his senses.

"Hit a nerve have I, Nerdy."

I sighed and replied, "Arthur, believe me when I say, I don't care what you think if me in the slightest. You can say whatever you want and try to provoke me, but you're opinion is completely unimportant to me and I know what you say is untrue so it doesn't matter. Now can we please just focus on the work."

I turned back and worked on the project. I managed to get through fifteen minutes without interruption.

That is, until I got a note from him slid onto my work, 'So you don't care that we almost kissed, twice?!'

I was shocked, I couldn't believe he could admit that so casually.

'That was a mistake, it didn't mean anything. I had a boyfriend and you have a girlfriend.'

And it was true, I had no feelings for him and that had happened on the spur of the moment.

'No I don't."

His reply was short and simple, but it still shocked me.

'What about Reena?'

'We're not dating!'

'That's a mute point, my answer still stands.'

He didn't reply to that and I couldn't help but glance at him. He was looking at me in shock and surprise.

We didn't communicate again until the end if class, when he confirmed that he was coming to my house tonight.

I could tell that he was still shocked that I thought he and Reena were dating. It's not exactly unbelievable.

I shook my head, this kid just enjoys frustrating people.