Imperfect Perfection
//CHAPTER ONE\\
ALICE
I hummed a tune, wrapping my wet hair up into a towel. A strand came loose and tumbled down, and I tucked it behind my ear. My bare feet pattered across the carpeted hallway into my bathroom. The counter was lined with numerous skin and makeup products, and a stray tissue. I tossed the tissue into the trash can.
I turned on the water, liquid spurting out. I grabbed a washcloth from the towering stack and my cleanser. I looked up at my reflection. My green eyes stared back. Acne dotted my chin, forehead, and nose, and freckles were scattered across my cheeks. Instantly, a picture of my older sister Taylor appeared in my head, with her luscious auburn hair and warm brown eyes.
I sighed, and began to scrub my face. I dropped the washcloth on the counter, and picked up my concealer. Maybe all this trouble would pay off for once ...
- - -
"Taylor, what's it like being pretty?"
We had this conversation everyday. And everyday it was the same. "I'm not pretty. And you're pretty, so shut up." which, of course, led to denial from me. It repeated until we got to school. Today, it didn't change.
"Alice, will you SHUT UP? I'm not even pretty. I'm fat. You're skinny. I wish I could have your body." She sighed, and kept her eyes on the road. I didn't respond.
I watched the houses fly by, the sidewalk blurring. In the window, my reflection stared back. My hair was straight as a pin, my face loaded with makeup. I was wearing one of my favorite tops. But, I still didn't feel pretty.
Maybe, that was because I wasn't.
- - -
I zoned out as Mrs. Trelit droned on about a project we'd be beginning. It was a partner project, which meant I'd have to actually find someone to be partners with. Unless, of course, she assigned partners, which Mrs. Trelit rarely did. She encouraged us to do projects with our friends.
There was only one problem to that scenario, though. I had two friends, and neither of them were in any of my classes, besides lunch. Which meant whenever we did partner projects, I got stuck with the weird kid in the back of the room.
"For this project, you will have to construct an experiment. I don't care what you do, except it has to be science related. That should be common sense, people. This will be worth 85% of your grade. Also, for this project, I will be doing something different. I will assign your partners."
A boo erupted from the corner of the classroom, and some students groaned. I did. Just to play along.
"David and Jenna." She nodded at them, and they exchanged glances. "Kylie and Tyler. Julia and Andrew ..."
I stopped listening and looked to see who was left. No one I particularly liked. No one I particularly hated, either.
"Alice, you will be with Cameron. Caitlyn, you and Jaidyn." I stopped breathing for a moment. I was partners with Cameron. Cameron Matthews. I looked over at him uneasily, and he flashed me a bright smile.
And that's when my day was ruined.
MsMinty101