Less than Perfect, S. J. Evans [classic literature books txt] 📗

to her already, and she couldn’t even seem to grasp how it had happened. Her heart may be able to heal, and that should be how things are supposed to be; but could it really be real?

The sky was opened up into a beautiful blue and fuchsia glory. Small white clouds drifted slowly across the blushing sky and the air was fresh and clean, lacking the fog and mugginess that had eclipsed the sky for so many days. The sun was setting in a perfect halo of beauty, and Skye sighed at the beauty of it all. She walked through the perfectly cut green grass with carelessness. She breathed in the heaviness of what real and fresh beauty feels like. Her mind was clear; she felt as if she could take on the world if she needed to.
She let the sun soak up everything and take away the fear still nestled in a little patch of her stomach. She was free of Johnny’s menacing anger, and she had been avoiding Bryan’s insistent badgering; she wasn’t ready to let him back into her life. Skye’s lips were hitched into a smile the moment she saw Jules. He was sitting atop the tree-house, his legs dangling off the side and his perfect eyes peering down at her. His face lit up the moment he caught her approaching him; and he jumped down from the structure, his body crouching down the moment he hit the ground. He stood up, tall, unharmed, and completely innocent, as if it had been any normal drop.
Skye let out a gasp and stopped for a moment only to have followed with a sprint the next moment. “Jules, are you crazy?” She shrieked, her voice tinged with surprise and laughter passed the initial upset vibe. How is he standing? That fall was fairly far.

She thought quizzically. She ran over to him as he brushed the dirt off of his hands and laughed, most likely at her.
“I would like to think that I am; otherwise I would be even more worried about myself.” He teased, grinning radiantly down at her.
Skye ran into him and hastily looked him over, searching for something close to an injury. “Are you alright, you’re not hurt are you?” She asked breathlessly. She didn’t look into his eyes for long; she knew she would get lost again.
“Never been better. You know, you look really cute when you’re worried for me.” He said matter-of-factly. “I like it, a lot

.” He winked when she peered up at his face.
Skye slapped his arm. “Shut up,” she yelled through sheer laughter. She was trying very hard not to let him see her laugh carelessly; she wanted him to think that she was still worried about him. He somehow managed to take the fall harmlessly. “I can’t believe you’re not hurt, are you sure you’re not?” She turned his hand over—palm side up—to examine it. She looked at the red but scar-free hand in awe, her smile slipping into complete amazement. “Unbelievable.” She whispered.
“I’m not hurt, Skye, I promise.” His voice echoed beautifully in her ear. Skye brushed her dainty fingers over his big and strong hand, checking for a scar or something

, as she fought her own urge to intertwine her fingers with his. Jules brought his free hand up to her face and caressed it, his thumb brushing gently over it. “Hey, I’m fine.” He said carefully, his dark emerald eyes showing nothing less than compassion.
“How?” She asked in awe, her eyes fluttering up to look into those vibrant eyes.
“I’ve endured a lot. Plus I grew up with an older brother who pushed me off of things a lot; I guess I just got used to falling and catching myself.” The moment he realized what he had said, he sucked in a sharp breath. Skye looked at him with surprise.
“You have an older brother?” She asked him.
Jules sighed and rubbed at his temples. “I had

an older brother. He passed away last year.” Jules’ face dropped, he looked devastated as if he was reliving the moment it all happened.
Skye gasped and turned away from him, she felt her heart drop into her stomach and she wanted to cry. I upset him again, why can’t I just get out of this all. I’m only making things worse for everyone.

“I’m so sorry, Jules. I—I didn’t mean to bring back anything. Sorry.” Her voice trailed off in the breeze and she felt her stomach tense up. She was ready to cry. Doing the only thing she thought she could do, she ran into Jules and wrapped her arms around him, burying her face in his chest.
Jules took it as a shock for a moment, but the next moment he was smiling and hugging Skye preciously. “It’s okay, Skye. As sad as it is…we all kind of expected it. He was always getting himself wrapped up in the wrong crowds and into drugs and gangs. I even took it as a shock when he survived so long. We were always trying to protect him and warn him about what could happen, but he inherited my father’s pride and stubbornness.” He said it within sorrow and contentment. Jules stared at the ground as he held Skye closely.
Skye let out one last tear and smiled to herself, she was sad about the loss but happy that Jules was always so kind to her, it was starting to give her hope; hope in her never ending doubtful and gloomy world. “I’m sorry, Jules.” She whispered.
Jules smiled and pulled her away so that he could look into her eyes. “Don’t be sorry, Skye. You didn’t do anything

wrong.” He dropped his hand and rubbed his fingers along hers. “Let’s just go have some fun; wallowing in sorrow has never got anyone anywhere.” His face lit up again and Skye felt compelled to touch his face, to touch something so perfect and beautiful.
She nodded and wiped at her eyes. “Okay, what did you have in mind?” She asked him, her voice echoing harmoniously in the air.
Jules grinned. “I don’t know; whatever you want, I just want you to be happy, stool girl.”
“Okay. Well, if you are serious and you want to do something together, I would be perfectly alright with just talking or walking around the playground.” She grinned up at the caring boy standing before her.
Jules examined her face and chuckled. “I had something else in mind, actually.” He said mischievously.
Skye regarded him with a questionable smile and looked at him like he was crazy. “Then why did you just tell me to decide? You big liar,” She shoved him playfully.
“Oh really? Come on.” He gently grabbed her arm and pulled her after him. They ran through the woods, Skye asking him where they were going over and over again. Jules only laughed and urged her on. They ran into an opening in the woods, far away from the park and tree house, and Jules let go of her arm. There was a calm gathering of water at the bottom of the waterfall to their left. A huge rock nestled by the edge of the water and Jules jumped up onto it. “Are you coming?” He asked, his eyes glistening in the setting sun’s light.
Skye looked up from staring at the beautiful clear water and stared at Jules’ bright face. “Coming? Where?” She said quizzically. Why would he want me to join him on a—

Her train of thought was lost when she looked at the rope in his hands. Oh, no way

. She doubted herself in the ability to actually make it into the water without hurting herself.
Jules pulled his shirt over his head, showing his tan and muscular chest, and tossed it down to the ground. Skye fought back a gasp when she caught a look at him. Wow.

She found herself looking up him and she blushed when she saw him grinning. “The water will feel good, I promise.” He said before grabbing onto the rope and swinging on it. He dropped into the water and a splash erupted. She climbed the rock hurriedly and peered down below at Jules. He had just popped his head out of the water. He shook his head and his soaked hair perfectly fell around his face. “Hey, come on in, Skye. It feels great!” He exclaimed.
Skye shook her head and laughed at him. “No, I’m good up here.”
Jules swam closer to the rock and managed to pull himself out of the water and onto the huge smooth rock. He jumped to his feet and grinned at Skye. His entire body was drenched by the cool water and he opened up his arms to her. “Oh, you want a hug?” He said closing in on Skye.
Skye backed away until she was completely on the other side, one more move would knock her off of the rock. “No, come on Jules, don’t.” She pleaded through laughter.
Jules grinned ridiculously and stopped right in front of her. “Too late,” he said quickly as he pulled her into his arms and carried her, squeals escaping her lips fluidly. He held her over the edge of the rock and she squirmed in his strong but careful arms. “Any last words, stool girl?” He buried his rich green eyes into hers and she let up on the squeals.
“You’re such a looser,” she said teasingly. She looked at the eyes hiding behind wet strands of hair and sighed inside. She closed her eyes as he threw her into the water, her body flailing before she plunged deep under.
Jules let out a playful yell as he jumped into the water beside her. Under the water, Skye opened her eyes after feeling the pressure of Jules’ body beside her and smiled. Jules opened his eyes and swam right up next to Skye, their bodies only inches apart, separated by one’s own restraint. Both of them extended their hands and molded them together, Jules’ big hands protectively closing in on Skye’s dainty hands.
After a moment of the both of them getting lost in each other’s company, Jules helped Skye up to the surface. They gasped for air once above, but they didn’t look away from each other. How can someone so perfect be in my life?

Skye collided with the thought, slapping herself on the inside for even getting so close to someone in such a short time.
There was a dead silence between the two; Jules was asking himself the same question Skye was, over and over again in his mind. The thought that he doesn’t deserve her kept crossing by his mind and he shook his head of the thoughts. Skye reacted the same way, almost as if they were the same person, and shook her head clear of thought. Suddenly the silence flipped into a sheer awkwardness and Jules scattered himself away from Skye, swimming back to solid ground.
Skye sighed silently and followed after him. I’m pushing him away. Stop acting like such a lost and confused puppy, such a sickening puppy

. She scolded herself angrily. You

have a boyfriend

.
Jules hopped up from the water and reached for his