Loving Your Imperfections

Bookworms To The Core

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Mia

I sigh, as I rested my chin on my hand. I was feeling drained. It happens far too often to me when I feel my body's absorbing bad energy. Don't ask- I just know.

I need to go home and rest this off, to cleanse myself badly, or I will be dealing with an anxiety attack soon. God, why is this happening to me? What is this lady's deal? What did I ever do to her? She hates me so much, and I don't get why.

"Babe, Grandma brought her special red velvet cake with cream cheese frosting, do you want a slice?" Nate whispered in my ear, making my eyes glisten. His grandma is the best baker this town has ever had. My lips curved into a bright smile, and I nodded in agreement.

Nate's eyes glistened with joy. He kisses my lips and gets up, grabbing a slice for me and one for himself before coming back to sit with me.

I dug in, forgetting for a while as we enjoyed the cake with a cup of coffee.

But just as I ate halfway through my cake, "Oh, Andrea. This way honey." I hear Amanda call out, gesturing from behind me. I turned to see Andrea coming in, wearing a black skin-tight dress with heels and hair in loose curls. 'Great' I thought, placing my fork down.

Nate looks at his mom and dad, and then sighs, clenching his jaw. His dad shrugs his shoulders, whipping something to Sophie. But by their reaction, it looks like neither one knew she was coming.

"I hope you guys don't mind. I invited Sndrea to join us. After all, this WAS supposed to be a friends AND family-only gathering, right?" Amanda says as she gets up to greet Andrea. They kiss each other on both cheeks with a smile before coming to take a seat across from us, and next to Amanda, making me feel awkward.

"Hi everyone. Mrs. Spencer, Mr. Spencer," she says, looking at Nate's parents. They nod awkwardly, smiling at her. "Hi, Nate. I hope you don't mind that I'm here," she says, disregarding my presence. "Why would he? After all, you guys have history together. FAR... more history than others." Amanda cuts in, getting a warning look from her husband.

"Amanda... enough." her husband warns her in a whispered voice, making her look at him with an irritated expression.

"I am so sorry." Jordan mouths out silently, making me purse my lips in understanding. "How could you invite this girl?" Amanda's husband Leroy asks in a whisper, making her shrug her shoulders. "You are unbelievable, Amanda," he adds, making her glare at him.

He looks at me with a pitiful look. He's always been nice to me, despite the fact he and Dad have gone at it a few times as well. It's been so bad, Dad and him have been close to going at it physically.

Believe me, it's a mess. I don't understand it myself one bit.

Conversations at the table just get more... and more awkward as Andrea keeps glancing toward us. It takes my appetite away, and not even Grandma Riley's cake tastes the same anymore. I toy with my fork, chatting part of the cake into tiny pieces until it's nothing but a smush of crumbs.

I zone out for the most part, feeling a bit of comfort as Nate's arm keeps resting on the back of my chair, soothing my back from time to time. I place one of Nate's earpieces on, and start his music app, setting it to the song Control, by Zoe.

He had made a list of songs on his app so I could listen to them when I felt too overwhelmed. It seemed like a good time to listen to it right now.

I closed my eyes, resting my head on his shoulder as I listened to the song.

🎶🎶'Don't know if you get it 'cause I can't express how thankful I am
That you were always with me when it hurts, I know that you'd understand
I don't wanna lose control
Nothing I can do anymore
Tryin' every day when I hold my breath
Spinnin' out in space pressing on my chest
I don't wanna lose control
Sometimes I still think it's coming but I know it's not
Tryin' to breathe in and then out but the air gets caught'🎶🎶

Nate notices my discomfort right away, and he begins to soothe me, stocking my arm softly up and down as I listen to the same song on repeat.

Sophie then begins thanking us for joining for the night and congratulating Nate and Brandon for a great game, and an excellent start to the season.  She even gives out a copy of her book to each of us, making me smile. I love her books, they're so good. She's by far one of my favorite romance writers.

"I have a signing event coming up in a few weeks, to kick off the sales of this book but wanted you guys to have the first copies. I hope you enjoy it, and please... let me know what you think," she says, making me smile.

I glance through it, reading the back. It was about a young girl, Isabella Swan, who was struggling to fight her inner demons. She fought hard to find herself, learning to love and cherish who she was along the way. All while trying to run from her abusive father. And she did all, with the help of the man who had fallen in love with her.

I couldn't wait to get home and start reading it, so I opened it up and began. The book somehow... seemed to resonate with me, well, for the most part. My dad was awesome, and I love him, but I get Isabella. She struggles to find the good in things and doubts her every move because she is yet to learn to trust and love herself.

The more I read the first pages, the more I forgot everything around me, zoning out and delving into the book.

It had a twist, since the book was a fantasy romance, and talked about werewolves. But to be honest, I loved it since it was one of my favorite genres to read.

I came back, looked around, and smiled seeing Nate, Kenzie, and myself had started reading the book. We were so engorged that we had completely forgotten where we were. Sophie smiled with pride, and winked at me, making me blush.

It was without a doubt we were fellow bookworms to the core. I smiled, going back to reading, snuggling into Nate's arm as he begins to soothe my arm again.

Amanda may have tried to ruin my night. But thanks to Nate, and this book, I was ok being here. Nate's presence always makes me feel safe, and reading a good book always makes me forget all my troubles for a while. Amanda and Andrea can kiss it. I won't let them keep ruining my night.

Nate looks at his dad, who I guess, they had a code or something. His dad nods, closing his eyes and smirking. He smiles, and wraps his arms around Sophie, as they continue to talk. "Hey... you wanna get out of here?" Nate asks, making me bite my bottom lip.

Truth is, I would love to. This whole situation is making me feel so awkward. I love being around Nate's family, but the fact Amanda and Andrea are here just kills it for me. "I'd love to," I whisper, making him lean over, kissing my lips.

He grabs my hand, gestures to Jordan, and he does the same, telling McKenzie to leave with him. She looks at her mom, who nods with a smile.

Before I know it, we are running toward the cars and take off with a fumingly angry Andrea sitting next to Amanda.

"Jordan! Jordan, you get back here!" Amanda yells over our shoulders, but it just makes us giggle. "Amanda, get back in here. Let the kids be." Leroy says in his deep voice as he comes behind her. I look at him as I am getting in the car.

He nods, smiling at me, and waves goodbye. He's a nice guy. I'll give him that. Whatever the problem is between him and my dad... I'm sure I'll know someday. For now, I'm just glad I'm getting out of here.

I clutch to the book as if for dear life as Nate speeds through the parking lot and we take off toward our favorite side of the lake.

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