Perfectly Imperfect

Prologue

"Mark, I'm going to get into trouble again," I whispered loudly so Mark could hear the frustration in my voice.

I climbed down the unstable ladder slowly and carefully, hoping that I won't fall to my doom. Oh, the situations that idiot puts me in.

I feel the cold grass press against my feet, I could see Mark, clearly thanks to the luminous moonlight, with a cheeky grin plastered on his face.

"Calm down my plans always work in the end," Mark says with such confidence.

Cocky bastard.

"I swear this is the last time, I've been getting caught way too much lately. Rose has eyes like a hawk." I groaned.

I take a quick glance at my sister's window to see if she was up by any chance.

I see a faint beam of light through her blinds

Phew. I guess she's doing her night studies.

We snuck around hoping to avoid the tight security placed every corner of this gigantic mansion.

"C'mon hurry up, with your speed we're probably gonna miss it." Mark teased.

"Shut up, how about you actually tell me where we're going?" I snorted.

"Don't worry it's not far, it's around the cherry blossom hill." he replied.

I let out a deep sigh, it wasn't far but it's 11pm for crying out loud. As we neared our hidden exit, courtesy of Mark, a loud rustle came from a nearby bush. I quickly froze, I looked up to Mark who looked back with a face of fear and excitement. The rustling became louder and louder until it was only a couple of meters away.

A small puppy crawled underneath the bushes and it was our family dog, Kuushou. He was a Shikoku breed with a small frame covered in tough but soft fur of white with patches of different tones of brown and red. My father surprised me with Kuushou for my Christmas present last year, and at first sight, I absolutely adored him. Mark and I hushed Kuushou before he would start barking and alerting everyone in the mansion. We gave a quick pat on Kuushou's head before departing.

We pushed three loose bricks out from the wall and snuck under the overgrown hedge. As soon as we left my family's mansion, Mark grabbed hold of my hand so I wouldn't drag him down. Because according to him, I am a slow runner.

When we arrived atop a hill, a loud bang echoed around me with a bunch of vibrant colourful sparks. My eyes widened from the vivid colours, my mouth ajar. The perfect place to see the New Year's fireworks, and the beautiful view of the city lights.

He pulled me down on the grass so we're sitting, I turned to look at Mark, his eyes filled with wonder, hopes and dreams. I glanced at our intertwined hands, I felt the heat creeping up to my cheeks to my whole face. We sat in silence watching the rest of the magnificent light show. I glanced back to Mark and he glanced at me too, still with our hands intertwined, he smiled.

After the fireworks came to an end, Mark walked me back to the house. And I see my family standing outside the mansion.

Well shit, I'm caught.

"Mark tonight was better than expected, I have to admit." I sighed in a defeated manner.

I gave him a quick hug, which ended quicker than it should've. I let go of his embrace and with one last look, I walked slowly to the entrance with my family waiting for me.

Absolutely terrified of my punishment, my eyes dart to my father's furious facial expression. I look around and I can see the faces of disappointment from my mother and elder sister, it seemed as if all three of towered over me.

"Lily! Where have you been!" my father demanded.

"I was just going out for my nightly stroll." I nervously said, avoiding all eye contact.

"This is the last time, I am forbidding you from being anywhere close to that troublemaker, Mark!" he thundered with rage.

"Ever since you met that boy," he snarled "your grades have swooped extremely low."

I hung my head lowly, defeated. My father was going to kill me, he was furious.

"You, young lady are going to study abroad in America starting from tomorrow. We've packed your bags, you'll be on a plane tomorrow morning and you'll be sent to the most prestigious private boarding school in California only second to Odyssey Academy, you've given me no choice, this is a must if you even want a chance to make it into Odyssey Academy."

I didn't even bother looking up, I didn't want to look up because I knew I was going to burst into tears at any second. My family marched in silence back into the mansion, leaving me alone in tears at the entry gate. I look back to see Mark standing nervously with a worried look. He was standing a few metres away from the gate, hiding behind a tree. When I walked to the gate I slowly lifted my head, I knew I looked a mess but this might be the last time I can see him.

"Goodbye, Mark. And I'm sorry."

As soon as I rose my head, my tears started to fall. I slowly gained control of my emotions and walked with difficulty towards the gate as waterfalls continued to flow down my rosy cheeks. I clenched my fist in anger, I felt my nails digging into my palms. I was angry, it wasn't fair. I ran back inside the mansion before I could make a fool of myself in front of Mark.