Perfect by Ed Sheeran 🔝

______________________________________

♔Lindsey's P.O.V♔

MY WORLD stops as Zac looks right at me from the stage. Our eyes never leaving each other, like we were the only two people in this room; the only two people in the world.

I could feel my heart racing as I continued to look at him. He called me someone special; someone close to his heart. Something blossomed in me after having heard those words from him. It wasn't the fact that I held importance in his life. It was the fact that Zac somehow loved me. But did I love him too?

I didn't have enough time to think as Zac began to sing to the slow tune of Ed Sheeran's Perfect. The lights dimmed and was replaced with a disco light that spun slowly from the ceiling. Everyone found their respective partners and began to sway to the slow beat of the song.

I didn't mind the fact that I was standing all alone without a partner. All I was focused on was Zac's soothing voice as he sang the song.

♪♫I found a love for me

Darling just dive right in

And follow my lead♪♫

My world began to turn into that of a fairytale. It was the first time I heard Zac sing, much less sing for me. Nonetheless, I loved it. I was so hypnotized with his voice and how gently it caressed my ears that I did not notice him making his way towards me.

I felt conscious all of a sudden. Everyone from school had attended this party. What would they think if they saw me with Zac?

I tried pulling off a Cinderella, and turned away to run, but Zac was too close that he easily stopped me before I could take off. He gently pulled me towards him, until my back hit his chest.

♪♫Not knowing what it was

I will not give you up this time

But darling, just kiss me slow, your heart is all I own

And in your eyes you're holding mine♪♫

My heart skyrocketed as he whispered those loving words to me. With his free hand, he spun me around so that we were facing each other.

♪♫Baby, I'm dancing in the dark with you between my arms

Barefoot on the grass, listening to our favorite song

When you said you looked a mess, I whispered underneath my breath

But you heard it, darling, you look perfect tonight♪♫

He placed his free hand on my waist and led me through the slow beat of the song. We never left each other as we got lost in our own worlds, completely forgetting about those around us. Completely forgetting that we were worlds apart from each other. That us being together could be destructive.

♪♫I don't deserve this

You look perfect tonight♪♫

The music dims down as the tune slowly began to fade away. I'm snapped back to reality when everyone begins to applaud for us, a few wolf whistles coming from here and there. I hadn't realised that we somehow managed to get people to form a crowd around us.

Zac smiles down at me and I do the same.

"Did you like it?" He whispered to me.

"I loved it. Everything about tonight with you was amazing, Zac." I truly enjoyed tonight and it's all thanks to Zac.

"But my night is not complete yet."

I looked at him, a bit confused. "How so?"

"I didn't get to see the beauty that lies beneath the mask."

The air gets knocked out of my lungs. I knew that Zac would eventually ask me to remove my mask, but I never knew that it would be this soon.

"I don't think that's a good idea," I mumbled as I pulled away from him, creating some distance between us.

"What do you mean? Why isn't it a good idea?" He closes the distance between us and gently cups my face.

"I may not be who you want me to be. I'm afraid, Zac. Afraid of exposing myself to you. Afraid that our differences might pull us apart."

"I don't care about our differences. Heck, I don't even care about what people say. I just want to see you. Be with you. Please, show me," he whispered to me, our forheads touching.

His breath gently fanned my cheek as he awaited my next move. Although I didn't want to, I made up my mind. I would remove my mask. And I would only do it for Zac.

I gently took his hand and gave it a gentle kiss. Taking a deep breath, I fidget with the white ribbon that bound the mask to my face. After it was loose, I gently took off my mask, revealing myself to Zac and everyone at the party.

My eyes meet Zac's. Instead of seeing the love and understanding I've seen all night, I see shock and disbelief instead.

"Um, Zac?" He was scaring me. He hadn't said anything after I removed the mask. To make matters worse, everyone had seen, and were now throwing gasps and snide remarks towards me.

I try to hold his hand, but Zac pulls away before I could even touch him. He isn't shocked like he was before, he was just angry.

"Zac, I can explain--" he cuts me off before I could continue.

"Where is she and what have you done to her?" He asked sternly, not even looking my way. Was I such a disgust to him that he couldn't even face me?

"Zac, what are you---"

"Fuck, janitor! Just answer me." He raised his voice this time around. Our argument started to gather unwanted attention around us.

I could still hear some people whispering things like, who is she? She's such a slut. She probably slept with him just to be his date tonight. What a hoe.

Tears unwilling brimmed in my eyes, threatening to fall. I just wanted to get out of here and escape all this drama.

I gulped, trying to hold back the tears. Closing the distance between Zac and I, I turned his face so that he was looking at me.

"Zac, it's me. I am the girl. The one you've been talking to and sharing your problems with. It's me, Zac."

"No, you're not," he grabs hold of both my arms, holding me in a hurtful, death grip.

"Zac, you're hurting me." He releases me like I just burned him. Tears began to fall down my face. I stare at my feet. What have I done?

Monica walks into the center of the crowd. She eyes me in disgust before turning her attention to Zac.

"This is what you left me for? A janitor. Wow. You've really lowered your standards, Zac Parker." She laughs at us, and walks back to her group of friemds. I feel so humiliated.

"Dude, you're into janitors now? You should've told me, man. I could have organised some fun time for you in the janitors closet." Jimmy says to Zac and snickers, proceeding to hi five his pal Roger.

Now I felt disgusted from what Jimmy had said. The worst part is that Zac just takes all that in. He doesn't say anything.

"I was wrong about you, Zac." I said, catching his attention as he looks at me this time around.

"You never cared about me. All you care us about your fucking social status and trying to look good in front of these people."

My sadness and hurt was now replaced by anger.

I let out a sarcastic laugh. "You were a liar from the start. How did I not see this? This whole time I thought I finally found someone I could talk to. Someone who understood me for who I was and not my social standards, but I was wrong. I only found a traitor."

"You're just like them. You never cared about my feelings."

I turn to leave, when I spot the roses he gave me placed on a nearby table. I walked over and grabbed them. Then I turned back and made my way to Zac. Reaching him, I took the bouquet and threw it at his chest.

He was taken aback by my sudden move amd flinched on the spot. I watched the roses fall to the ground. Dismantled and completely destroyed, just like my hopes of happiness with Zac was.

I look up at him. "Thanks for a great night Zachary Parker."

I turn around and sprint out of the party, pushing through some people. I run as fast as I can and I don't look back. This time around the tears tumbled down my cheeks and I don't stop them. I let myself dwell in the pain Zac and everyone else has caused me to feel the beginning.

I let myself sink into despair, because I knew that it was better to cry and let it out as it relieves the pain from within. Rather than keeping it in and letting the pain consume you to an extent that you can't take it anymore.

So I did. I let myself cry to forget I'd ever known a man called Zac Parker.

♔

The weekend flew by so quickly that I found myself staring at Monday. My body was curled up in a woolen blanket, as I brought it over my face to avoid the sun rays from disturbing my sleep as it seeped through the curtains.

My alarm clock goes off. I reached over and pressed a button, stopping the obnoxiously loud blaring sound it made. I slowly opened my eyelids, adjusting my eyes to the brightness in my room. Instead of getting up, I lay motionless in bed, staring at the white ceiling that hung above me.

My mind seemed to be painting a picture on the white ceiling. The picture of the humiliation I faced last night, and the most hurtful, Zac's rejection.

By now I had made up my mind not to head to school today. One might say that I was being a coward by running away from my problem. Truth be told, I was not being cowardice at the moment.

I was not running away from my problems. Rather, I was trying to think all this through. This challenge was threw quite a fist at me, and it was a hard blow. I just needed more time to recover from this blow and possibly find a solution to all this.

"Lindsey!" Uncle shouted out. He's probably in the living room, judging from how loud he was.

"Yeah!" I yelled back still glued to my bed.

"You're getting late for school, kiddo! Get moving!" Just greath

"It's my day off! So no school today!" I lied. It was the only thing I could think of. I was not facing Zac after yesterday's argument.

"Okay! Suit yourself!" Thank goodness uncle didn't ask any further questions.

Deciding that staying in bed all day wouldn't be a good idea, I master the energy I have and get off my bed, heading to the shower.

Since the water was lukewarm, I turned on the tap and jumped in after having stripped my clothes off. I stand under the showerhead, allowing the water to hit my skin bringing the comfort and peace I've been missing.

Memories of last night began to play like a recording in my head; especially Zac's disappointment and anger after finding out about my identity. I didn't mean to, but I quietly sobbed for the rest of my shower.

The pain was still raw like a fresh wound. It would take ages to heal. It was intolerable, but I was willing to fight this pain in order to regain my happiness once more.

I stepped out of the shower and wiped away the droplets of water that gathered on my skin. I grab a pair of denim jeans and a plain orange top. I put them on and headed downstairs.

The sweet aroma of strawberry cake fills my nostrils. I stepped into the kitchen and found a plate awaiting my presence on the counter. I grabbed a fork and gobbled it up in one go.

Uncle walked in, his hands oily as usual. He rushed over to the sink and washed his hands with soap.

As soon as I'm done, I rush over to the sink and wait for uncle to finish so that I can wash my plate.

"There's something bothering you. Tell me." Uncle said, clearly detecting my withdrawn and awfully quiet self.

"I don't wanna talk about it." I stare at my empty plate, which had scrapings of cream left on it.

"Fine by me. I can't believe you've grown up so much that you can't even share your problems with your uncle." Damn, he used the words on me.

"Fine, I'll tell you." Uncle can be so persuasive sometimes. But he was the only family I had. Who else would I share my problems with if not him?

"Let's head to the living room. We can talk there." He leads me to the living room. Uncle takes a seat on a couch and I sit besides him, facing him.

"It's so complicated, uncle. I don't even know where to start." I whined and hid my face in my hands. What will uncle think of me after I tell him that I basically fell in love with a guy that I wrote notes to, only to find out that he is the popular band leader that everyone loved? I was so screwed.

"Just take your time, and start when you're ready." Uncle patiently awaited for me to start.

I took a deep breath and told him eveeything. From the start, how Zac had eventually discovered my notes. How we eventually bonded and continued to write to each other, our first meeting at the school roof where he hadn't recognised me as the note girl and last night's party. But I left out  my admission about having fallen for Zac.

Uncle only listened carefully, his eyes focused solely on me as I told him the truth.

"To be honest, I had a blast with him last night. But everything went downhill after he asked me to remove my mask. I guess he didn't expect to see a janitor under the mask." I looked away, afraid to meet uncle's eyes.

"I'm gonna kill him if I ever see him near you."  Good thing I kept Zac anonymous. I don't know uncle could have done if he had known his name.

"That's why I didn't want to talk about it. I don't want you getting worried over petty things. It's not good for your health."

"Don't worry too much about me, kiddo. I just want to make sure that you're alright. I can't stand some lousy boy breaking my niece's precious heart."

"Don't worry, uncle. I'm alright. Really. I've moved on. To be honest, I don't care at all." Lie. I cared too much. I cared too much for the boy who rejected me.

"Good. But your old man still wants to cheer you up. How about we head out for some ice cream?"

"Yes, definitely." I jumped to my feet and ran back upstairs. I needed to look for an outfit to head out.

But that was less important. What made me really happy was how uncle always managed to cheer me up.

I was grateful for having someone as understanding as he was in my life.

♔___♔___♔

Thanks so much for reading.❤❤ This chapter was approximately 2.5K+ words, and it was really hard to write. I would really like it if you pressed the little 🌟 at the left corner and left a vote. It would make my whole day.
Thanks so much, everyone.

P.S. We are nearing the end.