Imperfectly perfect

Chapter 7

The drive was silent but not the uncomfortable kind. The kind that's comforting and not forced into having a conversation. It was awkward nor were were thinking of something to say. Knowing you can sit in silence with people, it's a feeling not many people can appreciate.

How are you liking Miami so far Lauren? Where did you say that you moved from again?

She let out a chuckle, her eyes glued out the window. I moved from Ohio. I couldn't stay there anymore so, I moved out here. You know, I applied to two other colleges before this one? She said as she took a sip of her caramel fappuccino. Miami was my last choice. I got accepted into a college in New York and California but, when the acceptance letter for the one here came, I was stuck. It was a decision I needed to make on my one and my gut feeling screamed Miami so, here I am.

" Not that Miami isn't amazing but between those three choices, how come you turned down New York?" Dinah asked.

I looked through the rear view mirror and watched as she bent her head down. From our multiple conversations, I'm starting to know what she's going to say or where the conversation might lead too.

Before I became interested into writing, I was into photography. The wall of my bedroom at my parents house were covered with polaroids. Polaroids of my friends or beautiful scenery. When my ex and I were dating, she was the one that pushed me into applying. The plan was to move out there and live together. All of that changed and I knew that Miami would be a better choice. I can take a creative writing class and take pictures of the places that I drive by or even of the beach. I saw it as a win-win and I'm still trying to figure why my guy chose Miami. What made it so important.

Dinah nodded her head smiling. She looked over at me, a smirk plastered on her face as she pulled up on the side of the sidewalk. Lauren and both got out but just then, Dinah received a call and needed to come in right away. We wave goodbye as we headed up the street.

"So, how are you liking Miami so far?"

I can't really complain. The people are nice. There's a lot to see. There's one area I've been too twice and it's beyond breathtaking. The day we went to the beach, after work I drove up there, got out of my car and just sat on one of the works and just watched the sunset. I felt something. Something I can't quite describe but it made me feel safe.

" The hill?" I said shyly. " Besides the beach, that was one of the first places I went once I got my licenses."

Smiling to myself, I listened to her ramble about what it felt like for her to be up there. Sitting underneath the night sky. Stars illuminating the sky. House lights turned on. The breezy air between her hair. Her words clouded my vision. I pictured her, sitting comfortably on a rock, a smile curving the side of her lips. How relaxed and content she looked. Oh! How I wished to be next to her. My arms around her waist, her head laying on my shoulder.

I snapped out of my thoughts as I felt someone tanking on my sleeve. I looked over to my right, the dark haired Cuban pointing to the carnival up ahead, dragging me along. Children running around. Couples at booths trying to win their partner a stuffed animal.

I watched as she ran off, standing in line for the Ferris wheel. She reminded me of a little girl. All it took was a carnival to break down her walls. To show the world she wasn't what they thought. I couldn't help but smile.

Come with me? She asked as the line began getting shorter and shorter. It'll be fun I promise.

" I'm good. I'll wait here t'ill you get down."

She gave me a look and I gave in. I walked over to her as the man helped us up the stairs, my legs begun feeling weak. Wobbly. We sat down and I closed my eyes, whispering street names underneath my breath.

I was afraid of heights too. Airplanes, rollercoasters, highways, you name it. She said softly. Something about her voice soothes me. My shoulders dropped. My jaw unclenched. I felt her hand on top of mine, and my eyes shot open.

" Wh...What did you do?"

I listened to music. My mom would always tell me that, when I was younger, I'd purposely fall asleep to avoid seeing where we were going. On planes, that was a different story. She rubbed her thumb against my knuckles. Oblivious and unaware, her attention was focused on what was taken place beneath us. Not on the way she made me feel. My mom would play with my hair or caress my arm. The times I felt an attack, she knew what to do.

" My mom never knew. All the times that I just wanted to be held, she only panicked which, didn't help. I've had a few since I've lived on my own and I can only say, it sucks being alone."

***

We spent the entire morning and afternoon at the carnival. Taking pictures at the photo booths, going on more rides. Ones that were preferably on the ground. All of my doubts, irritation and nervousness from this morning was gone. We walked through the crowds of people, hand in hand. Neither one of us let go ever since we got out of the Ferris wheel. I didn't want this day to come to an end. I want to hold on to this moment for as long as I can.

We walked towards the bean bag table where the lady handed Lauren three bags. I hesitantly let go of her hand, stepping back a little and watched as she made three perfect shots.

"Where'd you learn to throw like that?" I said, amazed.

Softball definitely paid off, huh? She reached for her large teddy bear, her hand back in mine. Let's stop to get something to eat? I don't live too far from here.

And, she was right. It was a ten minute walk from where we were. Once we reached her apartment, we walked inside, my mouth fell open. The living room was artsy but modernly decorated. Her sofas were covered in a grey fabric. The coffee table was wooded. Black stainless chairs were on opposite sides of the coffee table. White curtains draped over the windows. An artwork by Richard grey day above the fireplace. Another by Elizabeth Peyton hung between the two windows. The flooring was in a dark grey with white lining.

Walking into the kitchen, the walls were painted into a beautiful shade of blue. I was in awe. The way her apartment was decorated represented who she was beautifully. A creative, old soul.

I know what you're thinking and the answer is no. I am not a rich billionaire or a girl that's living off her parents money. I bought the paintings in the living room at a yard sale. She said as she poured me a glass of lemonade. The furniture belonged to grandparents. Since they never use them, I decided to bring them with me.

" By the look of your apartment, I'd think were in Manhattan. You really love New York, huh?"

She chuckled as she sat on one of the opposite chairs, sucking on a lemons wedge. Four summers ago, my parents decided that a family trip would be the perfect idea to spend together. It was the first time that we had gotten out of Ohio and every minute was breathtaking, Camila. We went to the zoo, walked around Times Square at night. Even got to watch someone perform for a little while. She said as she got lost in her thoughts. Her memories. Before the last day, my mom and sister and I took a cab to Manhattan. There was an open apartment for sale and everything in that furnished apartment drew me in.

She went on about begging her mom to buy it so that once she lives for college, it'll be hers. That, if things with her ex went differently, that apartment would of probably been there's unless, it would be too late. Now that she moved here, the exciting part about living on own is being able to decorate her own apartment the way that she wants too.

I sat and listened. Apart of me was happy that Dinah had to go to work. If it wasn't for her, I'd probably be at home right now, wishing to be in this exact moment.

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Okay, i am currently writing chapter 13-14 and I was thinking of publishing the other chapters rather than making you babies wait. For those of you who have been reading, it can be confusing so:

Comment "❤️" if you'd like the chapters to be up all at once or "🖤" if you prefer that they'll be up separately.