Imperfectly perfect

Chapter 13

Baking chocolate chip cookies, blueberry muffins and, a cherry pie has got to be my new favourite way to spend a rainy day. Baked goods sat on the countertop, the heavenly aroma made my tummy grumble and my mouth water. It smelled like a grandma's house. Lauren decided to make her famous Spanish chicken and rice while I, laid on my bed, preparing my essay. Usually, I'm great at knowing what to say and how to say it. Where my mind goes, I never know. Words flowed so easily out of me but lately, my mind has been focused on one thing and one thing only. Or, should I say someone.

The rain fell in crazy chaotic drops, The gusting wind carrying them in wild votives one moment and in diagonal sheets the nexts. It breaks the broken paintwork of the cars and bounces from every hard surface. As I typed away, my fingers hitting the one and black keyboard, she walked in and laid beside me.

"Have you ever thought about one day writing a book?"

Random question but yes, yes I have but I don't think it'll ever happen. I'm a nobody. Who'd want to read a book about my life? The things that I went through? None of my struggles are any special than someone else's.

" I know the lgbt community would want too." Her green eyes stared into mine. Green eyes that were easy to describe. She blinked and the beauty was momentarily covered by the shield of her eyelashes; naturally long and soft looking. By the time she opened her eyes, I had still not recovered from her intense stare. " You can be a voice for the community. It doesn't just have to be up to celebrities who apart of it. You can share your story. Someone, girl or boy will read your book and feel comforted because someone out there understands and can relate."

When I had a crush on my best friend in the sixth grade, it scared me because I didn't think such feelings were possible. I'd sit on my bed, crying. Asking myself "what am I feeling?" Or "was it wrong?" I had no one around me who would've understand. No one around me to reassure me that what I felt was valid and okay. A year later, questions remained. I started looking and thinking about girls in a way I hadn't before. I started thinking, "what would it be like to be with a girl? Was it any different than being with a boy?" All of my thoughts, they were pure. Innocent. Harmless but deep down, I felt... perverted. I felt confused. Alone. Years later, here I am. A proud lesbian but still desperately wanting representation for the community that I'm in.

I've read one of Lauren's poems. Although she wrote about her father, her words fell through the air like confetti, their transient beauty drawing you in closer. For a moment, I was unguarded. I want everyone else to get a chance to feel what I felt.

I would love to write something about that part of my life. I would love to be some form of...inspiration for the community but, that isn't the only interesting thing about me, you know? That's not the only thing that made or makes me who I am. It is who I am but, it's not only who I am. She closed my laptop, placing it on my nightstand as her head laid comfortably on my lap. What some people may not know is that I'm very much into crime. I used to watch documentaries about cases, listen to podcasts."

" I know your sexuality isn't the only important thing about you, baby. A talent like yours shouldn't be wasted. The potential that you have in becoming an author is so, so high. I think you should write something for class or write something for you. Look for an editor. I don't want you thinking that you're not good enough."

Do you believe in me that much?

I hesitantly looked up at her. The swirls of emotion I saw there made me gasp. Lust and desire. I lifted her chin, and covered my mouth with hers. As our lips crushed together, I felt like I was walking on air. Every kiss we've shared, they were magic. I saw fireworks. Butterflies erupt inside of my stomach and I never want them to go. The way her lips connected with mine. Her mouth was warm, the caress of her lips softer than before and I opened my mouth and said, "I do." We pulled away, lingered into the moment .

"Why don't you come back here in an hour." I said, as my hand toyed with her hair. "We can have a romantic evening."

I'd like that very much. She pecked my lips, carefully getting off of the bed. Try not to miss me too much.

And, it was hard not to. The apartment felt so, empty when she left. My mind replayed the events that had occurred upstairs in my bedroom. How, intense every moment felt.

Ever since I moved in, the dining room has never been used. Mainly because I never have any guests besides Dinah. It was a grand space, to say the least. The huge brown table took up most of the space the dark, romantic room offered. At each side stood tall wine glasses, filled with whit wine. A white candle commanded attention from the Center of the table. I couldn't resist pealing off the petals from a bouquet of roses I had on the kitchen table. Scattering them from the entrance into the dining room and a little on the table.

As I sat the steaming hot plates on opposite sides, the doorbell rang. I straightened my black dress and all that was heard were the clicking sounds of my heels. It rings again and as I opened the door, she stood underneath her black umbrella, smiling. My aesthetic senses came to alive; I was struck by her beauty. Her short, curly black hair sat on her shoulders. The red strapless dress hugged her curves so...perfectly. I stepped aside, inviting her in as I closed the door behind her, leading the way into the dining room. The clicking of our heels added rhythm to the soft music that played onward without a pause. I pulled her chair in, shortly after as I sat down still, not over how beautiful she was.

When you said a romantic evening, I wasn't expected this. It's beautiful Camila. She did, her eyes scanning the room, smiling. No one has ever gone out of their way to make me feel so special. Thank you.

" You should always feel special, Lauren. And even though you're the one who prepared this delicious meal earlier which in this case let's just say that I did, you-" Her giggle interrupted me and softened the room, as if her gentle sound could make the lamplight more golden and the fires burn warmer. " you deserve to be treated like the beautiful queen you are. It's upsetting that you haven't."

We dug into her Spanish chicken and rice, and every bite tasted like home. Every bite reminded me of Cuba and, my grandma.

What's on your mind? That look in your eyes, you can't escape it.

" Cuba." I half smiled and continued, " Every dish takes me back to my grandma. How she always puts so much love into her cooking. She thought about everyone and we couldn't leave the table until our plates were cleaned. I miss her..."

She scooted closer to me, and held my hand. And I know she misses you too. I know there isn't a second where she isn't thinking about you. It's okay.

Her lips slight on my cheek like a few freckles petal caught in a breeze, so soft and with the smallest hint of coolness.

We finished out meal and like I'm gonna lose you started playing. I stood up, held her hand as I led her to the middle of the room. I placed my hand on her waist, our bodies close together. Music to me was like turning back the clock, travelling and returning to a life of agony and lost. I found myself in a different world. A world of happiness. Her movements flowed with a dazzling grace that took my breath away. We twirled and twirled as professionals do.

" Lauren?" I asked, her eyes locked into mine, " Would you like to be my girlfriend?"

And there it was. Her eyes lit up and she said, " I'd love too."