Imperfect

Chapter 2

That leads to us now, running to school, in the forest.

The path's not flat or straight but we're used to it.

I love the view, and the air. You know what I mean.

After a moment of stiff running I manage to start off like usual. The wind isn't rough, there are loads of clouds in the sky but it's perfect.

Do you ever get really nostalgic about places you've grown up with. Well the woods are my place, so many memories and the adrenalin and joy of running. It's, well, great.

I can see Stacy in front of me, racing, like usual, to get there first.

But I'm faster. I've been doing this for longer. I just need to keep going and I'll be in front of her.

She's picking up speed on her own though not quick enough.

I grin at her as I pass and she sticks her tong out at me. I can't help but laugh at her, she's so silly.

When I do get to school Stacy's long gone to middle school-the land of torture.

Mum had asked me to give her tips on what to do and how to act 'cool' (Mum's words, not mine). It was a bit pointless:

"So what do you supposed to do and say and stuff?" Stacy asked.

"Don't say anything, you'll regret every word afterwards. Don't try to stand out from the crowd, you'll just embarrass yourself, then immediately regret it later."

"So do nothing, and say nothing pretty, much." She said, raising her eyebrows.

"No. Just don't stand out from the crowd, and try your best not to embarrass yourself. It'll make you feel bad and you'll remember it until you're seventy, then and you'll remember it until you're seventy, then you may have a chance to get dementia and forget about it." I advised.

"Hey, most adults say that they can just laugh about it!" She argued.

"They lie. It will never stop haunting . It will never stop haunting you, and because you're a child they'll never open up to you about it either." I told her honestly.

"What about school dances and stuff?" She asked.

"You've got friends, you might make some new ones, you could go in a group. Anyway if someone likes you, don't do anything too drastic to make it clear that either you like them or they don't like you, the same rule applies if you like someone else as well. Middle school is that awkward and bad. You will regret everything you say and do after you've moved on."

"So, be myself and people will like me?" She laughed sarcastically.

"Yeah, go with that." I told her.

Now however is a little different. She's quite popular and actually has a nerdy boyfriend, who is not completely unpopular like you might think.

After all people tend not to go by the old school 'cliques' and whatnot. In fact it's a lot more mixed up now, after all if you're relatively smart then you'll want to hang around with dumber people to make yourself feel smarter. And 'less bright' people will want to hang around with smarter people so they can help them.

He's called Jake and I'm pretty sure when they're not together they spend half their time texting each other.

I suppose it's better than in the old days, though they both might've had more of life back then.

My middle school experience was not the best, but was definitely not lacking either: I audition every year for the school performance, and though I'm sure I cannot sing as well as everyone thinks, Miss Gillard gives me a massive part with a solo and a duet with tones of lines every time. Then that of course leads to me having to have singing lessons.