Finally Perfect by J.S Christopher (e ink epub reader txt) 📕

I noticed two black jeeps parked across the street from our house, I’d never seen them before, but Thanksgiving was tomorrow so I assumed the neighbors family were starting to come to town. At 7:30 I looked at myself one last time in the mirror, smoothing out the wrinkles in my dress, touched up my makeup and I walked down the stairs “Aunty this dress is amazing, and the watch, and earrings like… I’m speechless this is just great” I said still making my way down. “The dress is a little tight but it still looks…” I turned the corner and walked into the dining room, “I’m glad you like them” an unfamiliar woman’s voice said. An older couple and a boy a little older than me were sitting at the table. My Aunt walked over and handed them a glass of wine, then made her way to me. I was confused but I smiled wearily, “Umm hello” I said, my Aunt grabbed me by the hand and said “Remi, this is Mr. and Mrs. Baker, and their son Derrick.” The couple stood up, the man was of average height probably 5’8 and pudgy, he reached out and kissed my hand, he was bald aside from his matching busy white eyebrows and mustache. His eyes were tired and but they were gray and kind, he was wearing a black suit with matching black shinny dress shoes and black tie, his watch matched mine but was gold and with a larger face; overall he looked expensive. I looked at his wife who bent over to give me a hug, “Oh Debbie she is gorgeous” she said smiling at my Aunt. Her perfume was strong, her freshly dyed blonde hair was in a side bun, her wrinkled face was covered in makeup that looked like she spent hours on it, nothing was out of place or uneven, her green eyes were covered in a dark eye shadow, her earrings were diamond hoops, that matched her bracelet and necklace, her black dress fell over her knees, and her red pumps were shinny. When they greeted me they both had accents that I had never heard, like they were from the south. It was adorable. I looked at Derrick and he seemed less than interested to be here, he stood at 6’3 and was like a statue, his white dress shirt rippled over his muscles and were rolled up at the forearms, if he would have sneezed the shirt sleeve would have ripped, he wore a gray vest and dark blue jeans with black dress shoes. He had his mothers green eyes, his hair was black and was shaven close on both sides, the top he left at a medium length and was combed over to the left a little. He clenched his jaw, looked down at me, and nodded I almost melted, he looked like a Greek god. “N..nice to meet you all” I stammered, I sat next to Derrick. His silver watch matched mine but again had a larger face.  I looked at my Aunt again trying to figure what was going on and she said nothing. Despite my confusion the night was great, my Aunt cooked the best meal I’ve ever eaten, and we talked and laughed. Derrick didn’t say much but I found out he was 18 and senior at his high school, apparently he is super smart and athletic and almost every college wants to recruit him. I talked about school (obviously leaving out my social status and complete loneliness) and my passion for ballet, Mr. Baker mentioned that he knew the direction of the ballet troupe in Tennessee, where they were from. Occasionally while talking I could see Mr. and Mrs. Baker stealing glances at each other and my Aunt would encourage me to continue talking. After dinner my Aunt stood and said “Remi, dear will you please clear the table while I speak with the Bakers” I nodded “You help as well Derrick” Mr. Baker said, as they stood to go to the porch outside Mrs. Baker grabbed Mr. Bakers shoulder and whisper “She is perfect” she giggled and went outside. I shook my head and I stood up and started to clear the table, I made awkward eye contact with Derrick and gave him a closed mouth smile and he watched me, expressionless, “So..” I flinched a little, his voice was deep and country, I’ve never heard an accent like that. “You’re 16? What are you like a freshman” he said slightly irritated, I placed a dish in the sink, “Uhh… Yeah my birthday was last Saturday and no I’m a sophomore actually.” I was still looking down at the sink when he said, “Even better” in a mocking tone he smiled slightly at me and he was even more perfect that before, his teeth were perfectly white and he had dimples in the wrinkles of his smile. I bit my lip then opened my mouth to question him about what his family was doing here when finally the adults returned and Mrs. Baker clapped her hand together and said “Well its settled, she’s perfect!” she said giddy and looked at Derrick, who rolled his eyes. “What’s settled? Who’s perfect?” I asked as I walking from the kitchen drying my hands on a towel. I looked at Derrick slightly confused, he said nothing but he folded his arms and with those beautiful green eyes, looked at his dad who said “Well, the arrangement dear” Mr. Baker said, “Surely your Aunt has told you” I shook my head no; they looked confused Mrs. Baker grabbed my shoulders and said “You’re going to come live with us in Tennessee”.I backed up a little, “I’m confused” I looked at my Aunt terrified. “Did I do something wrong? Am I being punched for sleeping late? I’m so sorry” I begged. Everyone looked at me like I had two heads; even Derrick’s stern look melted from his face and was replaced with a look of concerned.  Everyone then turned to look at my Aunt, who refused to look over at them. My Aunt smiled at me nervously and said with a hesitant laugh, “No, of…of course not why would you say such a thing” She was ringing her hands. Then it clicked, “Oh I see...” I said finally. “I’m being adopted!”  The Bakers laughed and Derrick rolled his eyes, he slapped his hands on his legs and stood to leave the room, before he left he whispered something to his mom, putting his hand to his chest then pointing at me. “Oh Derrick” she said a little stern and slapped his arm; he then went and sat on the bottom of the steps. “Stop being stupid” My Aunt whispered coldly. Mr. Baker grabbed my hand, and said “You’re not being adopted honey” he looked at Mrs. Baker, she was smiling and her hands were clasped together and tucked under her chin. He looked back at me  “We want you to marry Derrick”

I pulled back “What?” I said horrified. “Excuse us for a minute, we’ll start packing” My Aunt grabbed me and pushed me past Derrick who was still sitting on the stairs, his face in his hands, he grumbled as he pulled his hands off his face. We made eye contact, as my Aunt pushed me up the stairs; he looked at me sternly but worried. I wonder if he could tell there was panic in my eyes. My Aunt pushed me into my room and slammed the door shut, swung around and stared at me “Why do you insist on embarrassing me? You’re going to go live with them and do whatever the hell they tell you. If they want you to go to the moon you go. If they want you to marry Derrick you will do it” she hissed as she poked me in the chest with her finger. “Why?!” I raised my voice a little “You can’t just tell me who to marry, you can’t do this! What did I do? Why are you doing this? What will Uncle say?!” “Your Uncle is dying” she said cutting me off, “Don’t you get it? You think my little piss poor job and the shitty check I get for taking care you is enough? Because I had to take care of you I couldn’t afford his medication that’s why, because I couldn’t afford proper care for him, and the Bakers are willing to help me take care of him! Because they are going to help me move out of this dump of a neighborhood! And because you’re good for nothing mother owes them a huge favor” she put her hands on her hips. I stood there with my hands to my side. “I’m not going” I said looking down at the ground. **POW** she slapped me hard against my cheek that brought my down on one knee, I rubbed my sore cheek. She bent down and grabbed my chin and brought it close to hers. “You have no idea how happy I am to get rid of you, you’re going you little shit weather you like it or not.” Derrick opened the door and my Aunt let go quickly “Is everything okay in here?” he said beaming at my Aunt. “Yes everything is fine” she laughed a little “Why don’t you help her pack, I’ll tell your parents they can go back to the hotel” my Aunt looked at me coldly then up at Derrick, he gave her a blank stare and watched her as she left the room. I couldn’t face him, but he reached his hand down to help me up since I was still on the floor. I grabbed his hand and stood up, god his cologne was heavenly but I kept my head down and sadly started to gather a few pictures on the mirror. I mean I wasn’t sad about leaving my Aunt, she was terrible, I was just so sick of feeling abandoned; like no