Perfectly Imperfect

"Do not conform any longer to the pattern of this world

But be transformed by the renewing of your mind

Then you will be able to test and approve what God's will is

His good, pleasing and perfect will"

-Romans 12:22

Chapter One: Syaoran

As I was walking pass the playground, I couldn't help but stare at the innocent children running around and making a fool of themselves yet they were smiling and laughing, having the best time of their lives. I felt bitterness spread though my whole body. Jealous. That was the appropriate word to describe what kind of person I am and what I was feeling. I couldn't believe that a long time ago, I had been one of them.

For a moment, I was fascinated by the happiness of the children and I wished that I was a child again. Standing in front of the playground in my leather jacket, black shirt and torn skinny jeans, I felt sure that I did not belong in there. I shrugged as I felt some parents stopped and stared at me, scrutinizing my appearance as a grimace made its way on their faces. They immediately went to their children and took a protective stance. Frantic murmurs were exchanged between them as they tried avoiding my gaze. Obviously, I wasn't welcomed. Playing the part of hooligan that these pathetic people had expected me to be, I took out a cigarette from my jeans' pocket and lit it.

I ignored the disapproving glances and exchanges of whispers from the parents as I continued walking pass the playground with my head held high. When I reached the living room of my house, I could hear my parents from the dining area having a serious conversation. As soon as I walked into the dining area, there was an immediate silence as my parents had suddenly appeared to find it interesting to stare at our marble floor. I couldn't believe it! They were no better than the parents in the playground. My parents thought that I was a hooligan too- someone that they will never be proud of. As infuriated as I am, I knew I couldn't blame them. I mean, who would mistake me for an angel? I went upstairs to my only sanctuary, my bedroom, ignoring the pang of pain and betrayal that I felt as my own parents giving the same treatment as other parents. My phone rang waking me from my misery.

"Hello?"

"Syaoran! Dude, where the hell are you?" Takahiro growled. Takahiro and I had been friends for about three years now since I moved here in Japan from Hong Kong. He had been my best buddy.

"Duh! Where else would I be but at home. Why?" I asked. I tried to think back. Perhaps I've forgotten that we were supposed to hang out together today.

"Forget about being at home and come to the Booze now. You better be here in five minutes."

With that, he ended the call. What in the world could be so important that he wanted to see me now? I sighed as I grabbed my leather jacket and my motorcycle key. No way am I going to tolerate those stares from the parents in the playground again. I can't even face my parents. I slammed the house door without acknowledging my parents and smirked when I heard the satisfying bang from the door. Frankly I couldn't care less. Okay, so maybe I did care a bit but it's only a teeny-weenie bit. I kind of felt guilty because I knew that my parents were disappointed of what I had become. They did not want a sixteen years old rebellious teenager like me; they want their sweet, little Syaoran. Too bad, cause there is no freakin' way that I would change for them.

Erasing that thought in mind, I rode my motorcycle and within five minutes, I arrived at the Booze. As expected, the place is really packed. The Booze is actually a Pizza restaurant where people like me, the bad-influence-with-no-future kind of people, usually hang out. I pushed my way through the last table where my friends and I usually sat. I found Takahiro with his girlfriend, Kihiko, on his lap exchanging saliva with him. If he called me just to witness their make-out session, I'm going to make sure that he won't be able to have any children period. I approached them before giving him a light punch on his shoulder. Kihiko glared at me with brown eyes under those fake eyelashes of hers when Takahiro ended their totally gross exchanging of saliva. Takahiro turned to me and grinned mischievously. I wonder if you can get STDs from sharing saliva with another person.

"Syaoran! What took you so long?" he asked.

It's not like he was waiting for me without entertainment. I chose not to answer his question and raised an eyebrow before meeting his eyes. Hell, I was not going home till I found out the reason why I was called out here. If possible, his grin got even bigger.

"Well, my buddy, I got a surprise for you."

cherbloz94: it's nice to start writing a story again...