Perfectly Imperfect // TheCampingRusher FF [complete]

17

*Nicole's POV* 

Later that night, I went home worried about what my mom would say. Brayden didn't drive me home, but he walked me home.

~During The Walk~

I hug myself, trying to keep warm. Brayden notices.

"You cold?"

"Yeah, a little."

He takes off his sweatshirt. (Not a volleyball one this time!)

He hands it to me. I kiss him on the cheeck as a 'thank you.'

"You know what?" Brayden asks.

"Hm?" I reply.

"I really love you." 

I didn't know what to say, it was so random. Right when I was going to reply he cut me off.

"Like, I just don't get how you like me, out of all people." 

"Brayden, I love you because, well I don't really know. You're a pain in the ass sometimes." I laugh. 

Brayden laughs too. He has such a cute little laugh. He looks over at me, and soon I look over at him. We intertwine our hands with each others and walk with my head on his shoulder.

"I don't understand why my mom would want me to stop seeing you. You make me happy. Doesn't she want me to be happy?" I say unknowingly. 

"Well, sometimes grades/school come before social lives. I used to help you before we were together, how bout I help you now?" Brayden suggests.

A light went off in my head. I jump up and turn to face Brayden, we are only a block from my house now. "I could say that the school signed me up for tutoring, which ended up being you. Then we are hanging out, and still somewhat pleasing my mom." 

Brayden laughs. "Okay, Nic." 

I squeal and give him a big hug. "I love you so much." I whisper.

"I love you too, Nic." He whispers back.

~TIME SKIP TO MORNING~

I woke up to the smell of pancakes and bacon. 

Was my mom cooking breakfast?

She never cooks breakfast. At least when I'm here.

 So I got up and went downstairs. 

"You're awake!" My mom says cheerfully.

"Um, yeah...?" I say.

"Look, about everything yesterday, we love you. We aren't trying to ruin your life, we just want you to have a bright future ahead of you."

"Don't worry about me, I already know everything they are learning. Honestly, I would drop out if I could. It's not worth sitting in a classroom/school for 6 hours when you already know everything that is coming out the teacher's mouth."

"We understand, it's just, we don't want to have a daughter that drops out of high school. It sounds like something someone would do if they were a junkie or something..I don't know."

I felt slightly offended, considering Straub had dropped out of high school. "Well you know that Mitchell from Australia I talk to with Brayden?"

She nods. 

"He dropped out. And yet he's still a great person."

She sighs and goes back to cooking. Leaving me to go back up to my room to see a text from Ryan on my phone. 

From Ryan:

Hey! Haven't talked to you in a while. Wanna get something to eat?

To Ryan:

Sure! I'll be at your place in 10.

I got ready to go to Ryan's.

Ryan has always been an amazing friend. Whenever I need a person to talk to, he's always there. I'm lucky to have him as a friend.

~TIME SKIP TO WHEN NICOLE GETS TO RYAN'S~

I get out of my car, and as soon as I see Ryan opening the door, I run up to him and give him a huge hug. I probably hadn't seen him in at least 3 weeks.

"Ryan!" I squeal.

"Hey Nic!" Ryan says back, laughing a little.

Releasing from our hug, I say "It's been so long, I al- OH MY GOSH!" I just noticed his new tattoo.

"RYAN THAT IS SO COOL!" I say holding his arm for a better view of his tattoo.

"Thanks!" He laughs that cute little Ryan laugh.

We head inside and we play some CS:GO.

"So how have things been between you and Brayd?"

"Good! He's such a sweetheart so you can't stay mad at him forever."

We both laugh.

"Nic, can I tell you something?"

"Of course! Anything."

"When I was in Australia, I asked Bee out."

I stayed silent.

"She said yes...and...I don't know if I like it or not. I mean, yeah, I really like her but being like on the other half of the world is a little much for me."

"I think you should do what makes you happy, Ryan. You deserve the best, and I don't think she's the girl for you."

"Why do you say that?" He tilts his head.

"She's been rude to me, and others. She doesn't really know how to control her mouth. She's honestly a huge bitch."

Ryan laughs. "I was kidding, Nic!"

I drop the controller and gasp in a playful way. 

"NO YOU AREN'T."

He nods while laughing.

I get up and tackle him down to the floor. "I WAS GIVING YOU MY ADVICE!"

"Yeah, and now I know you're the jealous type." He says as he tackles me while laughing. 

"I AM NOT!" I yell. "Yes you are!" He yells back. 

"I have Brayden, why would I be jealous of your love life?!?"

Ryan gets up and starts to laugh. "Wow, you are so easy to get upset." 

I get up following him and playfully punch him in the arm.

"Shit! That kind of hurt!" Ryan squeals. "That's what you get." I smirk.

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