Not Being Perfect

Prologue

"Hey, I got major gossip!" Jacqueline exclaims.

"What is it?!" I ask eagerly.

"You know Mrs. Lulu, in English class? Well, she's gonna be a principal at another school, so we have a new teacher! Let's just hope she's nice, and not like a monkey fighting with a bear for a banana."

I stare at her while walking.

"How is that 'major' gossip? It's just a new teacher!" I throw my hands up in the air.

"Are you......." Jacqueline trailed off, and saw rain coming down.

We look at each other with troubled looks and know exactly what we are both thinking.

"Jacqueline! Oh my fuckìng god, it's raining! We didn't--" I sigh and run across the gravel path.

I hear Jacqueline try to catch up, but soon, I discover she goes onto another path under trees and I slap my head.

"Really, Jackie?! God, when am I--" I mutter, and I'm suddenly interrupted by someone placing me under an umbrella. I turn around and find myself in the eyes of Jackson Wills, the popular guy in school.

"Hi." He smiles, and I get a chill running down my body.

"Umm, hi. Thanks, but I should get to school--" I mutter.

"--No need for that. I can pull a couple strings and you'll be excused, Elena." He interrupts me.

I smile nervously and step out of the umbrella area.

"I thought you didn't like the rain. And you don't have an umbrella." Jackson says.

"I'm fine." I say, and start running to school.

Okay, Elena. You're only like, 20 steps away. Keep running. Don't worry about the rain falling on you. I thought, and started to run as fast as I could.

***

As I arrive at Twinbrook High's front doors, I hear the murmur of whispers roaming the halls, and give out the breath I've been holding.

YES! I'm not late. That would totally ruin my perfect attendence record. I think, and walk to my locker triumphantly.

"Uhh, Elena? Why are you 10 minutes later than you usually are? Now you have like, 5 minutes until class!" Mackenzie says.

My triumph is suddenly ruined and I'm slouching by the time I think of an answer.

"It started raining and I ran into---" I said and caught myself.

Why I didn't tell Mackenzie what happened with Jackson? Because she's the cousin of Jackson's friend, who's the sister of the friend, and the friend is Jackson's girlfriend. It could easily connect with the big blabbermouth Mackenzie is.

"And ran into who?" Mackenzie asked.

"Umm, none of your business, Mack." I laughed nervously. Than I caught myself again, since laughing nervously makes the other person even more suspicious!!!

God, Elena, what's gotten into you?! I thought.

Have I mentioned I'm horrible at lying?

"Elena, you're lying." Those words have ruined my ego. I don't even have one, which makes it even worse!

"No, I'm not..." I trailed off. Than I mentally slapped myself on the head.

I am so stupid. I am so stupid. Somebody please kill me. Please ring the bell. I don't want this conversation. Please, please, please. I think.

"Elena!!!!!! You are so horrible at lying!! Would you just tell me what hap--" Mackenzie started, but the bell rang, and I thanked the world.

"Bye, anyways!" I'd said, like nothing happened, and grabbed my Math books out of my locker.

"But, Elena!!!!! Promise me you'll tell me." Mackenzie urged.

"No thanks."

I skipped down the hall like a 5-year-old got her first ice cream cone.

I heard Mackenzie slapping herself and whining.

"IT WAS YOUR FAULT, ELENA!" Mackenzie shouted, and everyone ignored her and went into their classes.

I was the last one out and I took one last look at Mackenzie. She was on the floor, holding her cheek, and crying. I smiled and walked into my class, leaving Mackenzie alone on the floor.