Perfect girlfriend

Chapter two - Normal boy

Jayden's POV:

Hi, my name is Jayden, and I am part of the school's team. The coach offered me to be a captain, but I denied it. That was too much pressure for me. I'm glad about my position. Currently, I am single. It's not like I don't want a girlfriend. Let's say that my eyes never landed on anyone. I tried to talk with one girl last year. Her name is Layla. She was nice, but after some time, I stopped doing it. The reason is that my friends were looking at me weirdly. Like it's wrong to talk with a girl. She looked a bit shy or, to say, private. Well, not everyone likes to share their personal life. Unlike some people, I respect that. I don't even tell everything to my friends. Of the team, I talk the most with Evan. He understands me and has no problem with who I am talking. I mean that he didn't say anything when I was talking with Layla. I think I need to do it with her again. After all, I am not inviting her on a date. It's a casual conversation. Something that no one knows is that I like her style. Unlike all the girls who try to be pretty, she is herself. Not everyone can look good in oversized clothes. I don't know why she chose this style, but it looks good on her. I wish that people were free to wear what they wanted. Also, no one gets impressed by clothes. At least, I don't. I choose my friends thanks to their personality, not how they look. I pay attention to appearance, but not that much. Some people look good only on the outside. Inside they are different. From one conversation, you can't tell much about a person. I want to talk with everyone in school without being judged because they are different. I hope this year I will have the chance to do it.

I woke up and went to get ready. Less than two weeks have left until the new school year. It's not like I plan to do anything. Maybe I can try to change and be nice to everyone. I'm sure that there are some not-so-nice comments about me. The thing is that if you are part of the team, people think that you are mean. I'm not surprised. Some of the boys proved it. I'm trying to be different, but it's not easy. All I want is to be an ordinary boy. Let's hope that I will have the chance.

I walked downstairs for breakfast. My parents took a week off work. Now they are at home. Well, they work a lot, so they deserve it. Also, they need to spend some time together. I mean that they see each other before and after work. During the day, mom and dad are busy. I sat at the table and started eating. No one can beat my mom's cooking skills.

- Jayden, what will you do today? - dad asked

- I don't know. Maybe I can go out or stay at home.

- Enjoy the weather. Moreover, soon you will start school.

- I know, but I can't always be outside.

- Why don't you call Evan? You two are friends, right?

- Yes, we are. I'll check where he is.

- Your mom and I have some things to do. If you want, you can come with us.

- Thanks, but I'll pass. Grocery shopping is not my thing. - I said, and he laughed

- Enjoy your day.

After breakfast, I called Evan. Luckily, he was free. He said that he could come for some video games. Maybe we can go outside and leave them for tonight. He has slept in my house. Let's say that we are close friends. Evan is the most normal person in the whole team. He doesn't care what other people do and doesn't judge anyone. Mom and dad went out. Soon, my friend came home. As I see, he is ready for games.

- Hey, what's the plan?

- I thought we could do something during the day and leave the games for the night.

- No problem. What do you want us to do?

- I don't know.

- If you want, we can go out. We haven't talked in a while.

- To understand that you have some questions.

- Maybe. - he said, chuckling

- Let's go for drinks. It's too hot to stay under the sun

Both of us walked out and went to a fast-food restaurant. We ordered cold drinks. I have drunk alcohol, but I didn't like its taste. That's why I have decided not to drink for now. Maybe in the future, I will try again.

- What do you want to ask?

- I was wondering if you would try to talk with Layla again. You didn't have much time last year. I saw that you enjoyed it.

- Honestly, I would love to, but I don't want the whole team to look at me.

- If you want it, then do it.

- She is not a bad girl.

- No one said that she was.

- I know, but things are different. If someone is not part of our group, the boys look at this person as if he is the bad one.

- Don't listen to them. Do what you want to do. The girl won't wait until you get ready.

- I don't know what to tell her except that I like her style.

- What?

- Nothing.

- Are you falling for her?

- No. I have never talked with this girl. I mean, not enough. The thing is that she is not trying to impress anyone. Layla dresses like that because she likes it.

- You need to talk with her. As soon as possible. - my friend said, chuckling

- I will think about it.

Evan and I talked for a while. Later, we walked around the town. He wanted us to eat lunch at one new restaurant. Honestly, I like the way they designed it. The place looked a bit dark, but it was calm. I have to say that the food is good. I ordered beef with rice. It's not like my mom's cooking, but it was good.

- I like the food here.

- For the first time, I came here last week. I liked the place a lot. It wasn't noisy, and people were enjoying the atmosphere.

- You have a good test for food places. - I said, and my friend laughed

- Maybe I do. You can take Layla here for your first date.

- Man, stop it. We won't date.

- Why? You said that she was good.

- I did, but I barely know her. I don't want to go on a blind date.

- You'll never know until you don't try.

- Can we talk about something else?

- Sure, but you won't get away with that.

After our lunch, we went back home. It was too hot for us to stay outside. Well, I have a pool at home. We can use it against the sun. It's not like this will help much. When my friend heard about it, his eyes widened. Like I was offering him to take a bath in gold. We changed into swimsuits and jumped into the pool. The water was a bit hot, but not too much. Mostly, it was warm. It's still good for us. Evan was enjoying the day.

- I see that you like it.

- A lot. Maybe Layla can come swim here one day.

- Ok, what is your problem? Honestly, you are driving me crazy.

- Nothing. I just want to make you realize that you like Layla.

- I don't like her. Not the way you are thinking.

- Man, you can lie to whoever you want, but not me. I have seen the way you look at her. Even the cheerleaders can't get your attention. I don't know what she did to you, but you fell for her.

- For a millionth time. I don't like Layla.

- Keep saying it until you believe it. We'll see what will happen between you two this year. Maybe Layla will look different.

- What do you mean?

- Would you like her if she changed her style?

- As I have said, appearance is not the most important thing to me. If I cared for that, you wouldn't be my friend.

- Excuse me.

- Don't get offended. I won't leave you. No one else will listen to me.

- Ok, ok. Apart from the jokes, I think that you have to talk with Layla.

- Why? It's not like I don't want to, but it's not urgent.

- Because there is something in Layla that makes you look at her differently. I don't know if it's about her clothes or something else, but it's visible. You change when she is around.

- Look, I don't want to talk about this.

- Ok, I'll ask you something else.

- What is it this time?

- Who will you bring to the dances?

- What dances?

- For the beginning of the new school year. You know that this is a must.

- I haven't thought about it.

- You might get mad, but you can ask Layla.

- Seriously? I don't think that she will accept to go with me.

- Why not? You are not a bad guy.

- I know, but I have never seen her at dances. Maybe she doesn't like them.

- If you don't ask her, you will never understand.

- I appreciate your idea, but no. I don't plan to ask Layla.

- Then with who will you go? You can't be alone.

- I don't know. I probably will end up with one of the cheerleaders.

- Don't you think you have to be with a girl you like? I don't mean only Layla.

- Nowadays, this is rare.

- Make a move. If you wait, it might get late.

- Sometimes, what you want and what you need are different things.

- So?

- Forget it. I don't want to talk about that.

- It's your choice. I'll go with Chelsey.

We stayed in the pool until dinnertime. Later, mom called us for dinner. I know Evan isn't wrong, but I don't think Layla will want to come with me. Yes, we have talked before, but maybe she won't come. I want to tell her many things, but I'm afraid I'll mess up. It's not like I will talk to her and say I want to go out with her. Only that I like her style and if we can talk more often. It's not typical for me, but I would love it if that could happen.

- Honey, are you ok?

- Jayden.

- Yo, man.

- What?

- Everyone was calling you. - Evan said

- For what?

- Because you zoned out. Are you thinking about her right now?

- I told you something.

- Who is her? - mom asked

- No one.

- A girl that he likes. It's not like he will tell her.

- Why not?

- Because it's not true. - I said

- I hope that you believe yourself because I don't.

- Believe whatever you want. I know the truth.

- If you say so.

After dinner, we walked into my room to play video games. At least my friend stopped talking about Layla. It's not like I mind it, but she is not the most important thing to me. We played until 10 pm. Later, Evan went home. I offered Evan to stay home for the night, but he denied it. Maybe next time. I was about to go to bed when mom walked in. I know why she is here.

- Mom, I don't want to talk about it.

- About what?

- You know what I mean.

- Is it true what Evan said?

- No. He likes to mess around.

- I don't think this time he was messing.

- Please just leave me alone.

- If you like someone, tell them before it's too late.

- Mom, I don't like her.

- Are you sure?

- Yes, I am.

- I hope that you are wrong.

- Why?

- Because I will love it if you finally find a girlfriend.

- This will happen when I want to.

- If you say so. Goodnight and sweet dreams.

- Thanks. To you too.

I love my mom, but I think she wants too much from me. I want a girlfriend, but I don't want to be a random girl. So, about Layla. She is a nice girl, but I don't know her enough. I mean that she hasn't shared with me her deepest secrets. It's not like I expected her to do it. I would love it if she could come to the dances with me. The thing is that I have never seen her there. I don't want to get rejected. At least not from her. If it's someone else, I won't care. Maybe I like her, but I don't see myself with her. We are too different. I hope that I am wrong.