My Perfect Imperfections by Jalpa Williby Read Free Book Online Page B

She will be waiting for you. Please tell her I’ll see her soon.
    He is gone.
    And “soon” doesn’t come soon enough for me.
     

     
    My depression goes from bad to worse. I continue to attend college, but I stay to myself. My parents can’t help me. The medicines can’t help me. And, my psychiatrist can’t help me.
    I have no idea of the purpose of my existence anymore. I question what it is in this world that is still keeping me alive.
    If nothing else, at least my parents seem to have picked up the pieces and have found one another again. It gives me a sense of peace to see them happy. I know that Layna would have been ecstatic to see them together like this.
    As I watch their interaction during dinner, I wonder about human nature. It has taken Layna’s death for them to realize their love for one another. I sigh. People take so much for granted. If they only realize how lucky they are before it’s too late. I guess losing something so precious has opened my parents’ eyes to what’s been right in front of them all along.

Letting Go
     

     
     
Living Again

Chapter Eight
     
    I’m alive. I’m breathing, eating, using the bathroom, attending the college courses to get my degree, and I’m functioning day by day. Yes, I’m alive. But, am I living?
     

     
    As I wait anxiously for Dad to pick me up from college, I watch the storm worsening. I can’t help but worry about my dad driving on the slippery roads. Every time it rains or snows, my heart instantly beats faster as my anxiety increases.
    Dad is later than usual. Squinting my eyes, I try to see through the large snowflakes. It looks like a blizzard outside. Because it’s the last day before winter break begins, I’ve purposely made the effort to make it to classes, not wanting to miss anything. Watching the storm, I already regret my decision.
    Dad always pulls the van right by the curb. Since I wait for him in the cafeteria with large glass windows that face the parking lot, I have a perfect view when he pulls up. Normally, he likes to come into the building to bring me to the van.
    From my calculation, he’s running about half an hour late. I suppose I shouldn’t worry. With the bad roads, this is to be expected. I try to take some deep breaths to calm my nerves.
    Please let him be okay. Please let him be okay. Please let him be okay.
    “Hi, do you need help?”
    I swing my head toward the voice and notice hazel eyes staring at me. Instantly, I take in the stranger’s good looks. He appears to be in his mid-twenties with wavy, brown hair, almost down to his shoulders. He seems carefree and even a bit wild, as I notice the disheveled hair and tiny hoops on both ears. As a slight smile plays on his lips, I’m suddenly embarrassed for staring at him. Remembering that he’s still waiting for my answer, I shake my head no. As his intense eyes continue to bore into me, I quickly look away. Why is he here? Nobody talks to me. Ever.
    “Are you sure?” he insists.
    “I’m fine,” I answer with my device.
    “Huh, okay. Well, you don’t mind if I hang out with you for a while, do you? You know, just until your ride gets here.” Without waiting for an answer, he pulls a chair up next to me.
    Feeling annoyed, I just want him to leave me alone so I can focus on my dad. I turn my attention to stare out of the window, trying very hard to ignore him.
    “Lily, right? Your name is Lily?”
    What the hell? How does he know that? Maybe if I continue to disregard him, he’ll think I don’t understand him and leave. I’ve learned this trick through the years, and it always works.
    “I’m Chance.” Apparently, the trick doesn’t work with him.
    Not turning to acknowledge him, my attention stays on what’s happening outside, praying I would see the headlights of the van soon.
    “I’ve seen you around. You know, driving around here. I’ve been meaning to talk to you for a while now, but just didn’t have the guts to do it. When I saw you still