Ramoí Newman


For my good bud,
Beezy
aka shortstuff,
Love ya, XOXO
Mwah!!

ALMOST PERFECT
Ramoí Newman

Almost Perfect © 2010 by Ramoí Newman

 All Rights Reserved.
This document may not be re-distributed.

 ONE
“Come on please” a familiar voice was pleading with
me, or more like whining. I shook my head mouthing no,
“Why not?” I rolled my eyes, while covertly pushing my ear
buds further into my ears, in an effort to drown her voice out
with the sound of Paramore. I fixed my almost waist length
jet black hair so it covered my ears. I stared at her it was
rather amusing watching her vigorously gesturing and her
mouth rapidly moving without making a sound. She ripped
my earphones out after a while, when she noticed I wasn’t
listening to her, glared at me, then reached over the table to
snatch away my Ipod from my lap. I looked up and stared
into the face off Elizabeth Justine, my best friend. She was
currently giving me puppy dog eyes in hope that I would
cave, and give in to her.
“Why not” she continued, her voice taking on a very
childlike tone, almost throwing a tantrum, I smiled. “I know
you can do it Claire, you’re a great singer, actor, need I say
more” I sighed deeply determination was almost emitting
from her pores. I knew she was no where close to giving up.
God! I was growing weary of it. Day in day out, her constant
chatter, she went on and on. Since last week when it was
announce that a new play was being produced by our
theatre and arts department, she’s been trying to convince
me to try out.
I looked down at my tray of food in front of me, pushing
the pasta around on my plate with the fork, but never
actually eating any. I pushed my tray away in disgust. My
headache was getting worse and I really wanted my Ipod
back from her so I said “Fine Izzy, I’ll do it”
“What” she asked feigning unawareness and
innocence.
“I’ll try out for the play”
“Well took you long enough to agree” she said smiling at me
widely looking proud. The same expression a parent wore
when their child took its first steps. I reached into my black
tote with white skulls and retrieved a party sized bag of cool
ranch Doritos. I tore the bag open and immediately began
munching. I eyed Claire looking doubtfully at the lunch her
mom had packed, a tofu sandwich or so I think. Obviously
Mrs. Justine was on another one of her crazy diets and
decided her family had to suffer along with her.
I wrinkled my nose and held out my Doritos to her she
grabbed the bag eagerly. I took a sip of my strawberry
chocolate-mocha smoothie stared at her from across the
table we shared out on the terrace (which was not unlike an
outdoor restaurant) on the outdoor section of the school
cafeteria. We both attended The Illyrian Academy (TIA) in
Upper Eastside Manhattan. Her dark brunette curls with a
touch of copper curled ruthlessly around her shoulders.
Gossip Girl really got it right, an almost exact equivalent to
how our school and lifestyle is.
The three main rules were:
A. Attendance actually attend school no matter how late
you came it didn’t matter just as long as you got there, at
the cost of our tuition and who our parents were no one
should care what time we got to school.
B. Uniformity always wear a plain white school shirt with
the crest on the left breast pocket, navy blue school blazers
were compulsory for males and optional for girls but that
didn’t mean the males couldn’t take them off during school
hours, girls could opt to wear vests instead as long as it had
the school crest on it. Always wear your tie, the guys wore
tan slacks and the girls wore navy blue plaid skirts and
sometimes they made an exception for shorts. Sandals, flip-
flops, slippers, gladiators, and sneakers were not permitted
(you could only wear sneakers for Phys. Ed.) The male’s
wardrobe was very limited but as for girls, Freedom! You
could wear scarves, sweaters, stockings, leggings, fishnets,
heels, pumps, boots, ballet flats, casual flats, fishnet gloves,
fingerless-gloves of any colour. They didn’t care about
piercings and tattoos but as for alcohol and drugs as long as
they didn’t know they didn’t care. But my absolute favourite
thing was you could do anything to your school skirt, just as
long as it was the right fabric. You could wear a pencil skirt,
a high waist pencil skirt, mini, knee length, pleats or none it
didn’t matter.
C. Social life never and I mean NEVER do something to give
yourself, your family, friends, associates, schoolmates, the
school or the dean a bad name.
Other than that they let you do whatever the hell you
want. I turned my attention back to Izzy and said “Dude, you
know I like any excuse to get out of these shoes” I pointed
down to my black six inch heeled Jimmy Choos and
continued “So lets go to gym”
“God Claire! do we have to?”
“I’m going with or without you, your choice” I said while
scooping up my bag and piling my stuff back in it, including
my Ipod that earlier I’d snatched back. Raising my head to
look at her I could see her deliberating whether or not she
should go. I smiled at her distant expression; it was an
oddity seeing her engrossed in thought about anything. I
pointedly took up my bag, shouldered it, got up and walked
purposefully to the side door, stopping and to look over my
shoulder I asked “Coming?”
She sighed and took up her bag, hurriedly joining me,
somewhat reluctantly. I smiled in triumph. We walked
through the side door and, through the cafeteria and headed
through the glass corridor (it got this name because of the
ceiling to floor windows it boasted instead of solid wall). The
girl’s locker room was on the other side of the building on
the west opposite to the boys on the east wing. Pushing the
huge double doors open was no easy task, then we rushed
forward into the room greeted by the chatter of about
twenty or so females in various states of undress.
 “Hey girlies!” I shouted “Who’s ready for some soccer”
They all responded by giving a very loud Spartan “Ahwoo!” I
smiled. I was the undisputed champion at this one sport, I’d
probably get captain if there was a female team except not
enough girls showed interest in soccer or ANY sport
whatsoever. I went over to my locker put my bag down on
the bench, got my stuff and began to undress. I’d been
wearing a silk tank and black tights under my clothes so it
wasn’t much of a task. I quickly slipped on a plain white slim
tee school crest printed on the left breast, a pair of navy
blue school shorts and sat down to lace up my shoes then I
pulled up my hair into a high ponytail. Putting my uniform on
hangers I’d left for it I hung it in my locker and stuffed my
bag in, then I shut the locker. While most girls opted for tight
fitting clothes (no doubt to impress boys) I wore whatever I
felt comfortable in, even if that meant wearing knee high
navy converses instead of standard cleats which was
probably safer, but who cares. We trudged to the field balls
in hand, Izzy at my side, she seemed so out of place here,
curly dark brown hair pulled in a ponytail swinging wildly,
golden eyes pleading with me to stick her on the sidelines.
The field was a huge grassy space with two soccer
fields, the lacrosse and football fields were on the other side
of the building. The need for two fields was obvious because
the male and female classes ran concurrently but not
together if you get my meaning. I always wondered how the
males beat us here every week seeing as they were coming
all the way from the eastern wing and our changing room
had a side door leading right to the fields. They were
currently exercising on the nearer field, their preference was
deliberate, seeing as we had to walk pass them. Wolf
whistles could be heard all around and various shouts, I felt
bold today as I spied Erich Orsino instructing them. I have for
the longest while been carrying a torch for him, though he
didn’t know it. I’d rather not to act on it because of his
reputation for being such a connoisseur and player with the
girls at our school and also foreign models, he was way out
of my league. Don’t get me wrong I’m a good catch, pretty,
smart, fun, athletic, talented and best of all a huge
troublemaker but it wasn’t like he ever showed any interest
in me. I’ve known him for like two years, we were both
seniors and shared a lot of classes. Currently they were
doing push-ups and an idea popped into mind as we stood
staring at them, or more like gaping.
“Girls” I said “Why don’t we help these fine gentlemen
exercise?” Murmurs of agreement could be heard all around.
I walked over and stood in front of Erich, he smiled at me I
smiled back, a feeling of warmth spreading through me.
“Everybody” I began addressing the girls “Grab a partner”
The boys began to rise, excitement written all over their
faces. “No” I said simply “Stay down”