We Can't All Be Perfect

16

*Aryia's POV*

I watched as Ellie ran to her dad with a huge smile on my face. I couldn't help it, seeing her face light up as we pulled in made me so happy. Her smiles were contagious, and her laughs were as beautiful as she was.

With the smile still on my face I turned and looked at Payne, "Does your dad like jokes?"

He nodded, "That depends on the joke. His rule is, 'if you have to say take a joke or no offense, it's not a joke. But I trust that you're legitimately going to make a joke."

"That's correct. A daddy joke to be exact." I said as I got of the car.

Payne shook his head with a very obvious smile on his face, "I can't wait to see this."

I shut the car door and walked towards the porch. I heard Ellie say, "I missed you Daddy!" So I took it as my chance to make my joke.

I put my hands in my pockets and took a small breath, "No way! She calls you daddy too?" I asked with fake surprise.

Ellie whipped around and looked at me with her eyes wide.

I used a hand to cover my mouth for a second before removing it and smiling, "I forgot I wasn't supposed to tell people that."

Ellie and her dad looked at me for a second before they both cracked an awkward smile, they must've realized I was joking.

"Oh hey kids! I didn't realize you were here! Brownies are done when you're ready." The woman I recognized as Ellie's mom said. She flashed a small smile at me before moving out of the doorway to let Ellie and Payne in. They shoved each other around as they fought to be the first to the brownies.

Once they were insideher dad walked a little closer to me and stuck out his hand.

I shook his hand as he used his other hand to cover my hand. Almost like a business man would when meeting a client.

"I'm so sorry, Mr. Riley. That was supposed to be funny." I half smiled in an attempt to ease the tension in the air.

"I guess it's a good thing you're not a comedian then, son." He replied with a husky chuckle.

I laughed along, and he started to walk into the house.

"If you want some brownies you better get in there. Ellie and Payne eat brownies like it's their job."

I smiled and walked in behind him. As soon as I walked into the kitchen Ellie's mom wrapped me in a hug.

"Oh my goodness! I'm so glad I finally get to talk to you darling. You can call me Penny if you'd like to. And go ahead and eat some brownies, there's another batch in the oven." She let go me and went to stand next to Dan.

I smiled and grabbed a brownie and sat down at the counter with Ellie and Payne. "Thanks Penny!"

She smiled and nodded, "No problem sweetie."

After we all ate our brownies Dan and Penny told me stories from when Payne and Ellie were younger. One of which ended with Ellie yelling over her parents, trying to stop them from finishing the story.

By the time we all were hungry it was around 8 and Penny said it was too late for her to make a good meal. She promised me she'd make a home cooked meal for us tommorow. I totally understood and suggested we order a pizza, I also offered to pay but she told me she'd never let me pay for the pizza.

*Ellie's POV*

While we waited for the pizza Aryia and I sat outside on the front porch. Everyone else was on the back porch but I wanted to talk to Aryia alone.

I loved my family and I had missed them but they were always embarrassing me. On accident of course but Aryia did not need to know about the time I got caught seeking out simply because I left the door open.

I had my head in his lap while he sat with his legs crossed, looking down at me.

"I think my parents like you." I stated softly, breaking the peaceful silence that had previously been between us. That was an understatement though. My parents had never been that kind to someone I brought home.

Aryia smiled and gently ran his fingers through my hair. "I hope they do, I'm trying to be likeable."

I smiled and shook my head, "You're always likeable. You just don't realize it. Why do you think I was so eager to meet you. As soon as I started watching you on YouTube I knew I needed to meet you."

Aryia looked out at the driveway, continuing to play it my hair, "Yeah, you were so eager to meet me you ran away from me." He looked back down at me with a little smirk.

I knew he was teasing me but I still lightly punched him in the chest. "Oh shut it." I said, returning the playfulness.

He lifted me off his lap and sat me up. He stood up and pointed to the road. "Look!" I thought the pizza guy was there so I looked, giving Aryia time to tap my shoulder and yell, "If you want me to shut up you've got to catch me."

Before I realized what he'd meant he had taken off.

The only flaw on his plan was I had lived and played tag her for years. I knew every short cut here.
I quickly took off on the opposite direction he had, that way I could meet him by the back porch and catch him. Once I got close to the porch I crouched and hid behind one of the giant planters my mom had. Once I heard Aryia talking to Payne. I jumped out and onto Aryia's back. We both fell ungracefully to the ground, but somehow without hurting each other.

"Dang Elle, you pounced on him like a puma. How have you not killed the kid?" My dad laughed from behind us.

Aryia and I both shrugged before falling into a fit of laughter.

A/N: Holy cow! I'm back from the dead. I finally found some inspiration for this chapter. I'm so excited to be writing again! Thank you all for reading and as always, Stay beautiful!!💋💋
1079 words