Imperfect Desires

"JJ!"

"What?"

"Do you like Ria Jie?"

  Jackie put the fruit basket in his hands on the ground and turned to look at his dearest niece. 

"Who told you that?"

Ava narrowed her eyes at him and put her hands on her hips saying, "I know I'm a bit slow but I'm not dumb. And I'm definitely not blind."

Jackie walked up to her and ruffled her hair, "It's good to have self-awareness." He smiled a bit at how she easily stated that she was slow. It seems she also knew that she was slow.

Ava slapped his hand away from her hair and fixed her hair while glaring at him in exasperation. "Don't try to change the subject here. I'm serious. Are you in love with her?"

"Love?" repeated Jackie thoughtfully. "I don't know."

"What? You don't know?"

Jackie nodded his head at her, "I do like her but love is an entirely different matter for now. Do you think it's easy to find love?"

"It isn't easy," replied Ava. "But that doesn't mean we shouldn't try to find love."

Jackie knitted his brows at her, "How old are you to even have this conversation with me? Don't tell me you're already looking for a boyfriend. Let me warn you! No boyfriends until you're in college. And definitely no puppy love in high school!"

Ava glanced at him strangely, "JJ, even my dad isn't as strict about my dating life as you are."

"It's because that my brother-in-law is way too lenient when it comes to you that I have to take some charge here. I can't let you stray away."

"Isn't this double standard though?" she retorted. "You also like Ria Jie and you're also just in high school. Why is it different for me?"

"It's different," insisted Jackie stubbornly. "It's not like I'm dating her. It's just that I... like her. Or it'd be right to say that I don't find her as annoying as others. So, it's easier to like her."

"JJ, don't you think your criteria of liking someone is a bit... weird?"

Jackie shook his head resolutely, "I don't think so at all."

Ava rubbed the apple she had picked from the tree on her clothes to clean it before taking a big bite from it. "JJ, do you mean you are not planning on going out with Ria Jie?"

"I haven't thought about it," replied Jackie.

"Why are you like this?" Ava hit his arm. "If you're not even taking it seriously, why are you being so nice to her?"

"I feel like being nice to her," retorted Jackie. "What is wrong with that? Besides, my Sister Xiu taught me that being kind doesn't cost you money. If you can be nice to someone, then be nice."

Ava groaned at him, "What is this? JJ, I thought you're the smartest one around me."

"I still am the smartest one around here," said Jackie proudly. He had the highest IQ in the family, he was rightfully proud.

"But I think you're really dumb," Ava shot back. "If you're being nice to a girl, you're giving her hope. And if you're not planning on dating her, then you're just a scumbag!"

Jackie slapped the back of her head, "I don't need you to tell me what I am. You're still 4 years younger than me. Also, I'm your uncle. Not your friend. Don't just say whatever comes to your mouth."

"It's hard to see you as my uncle," she mumbled. "As you just said, we are barely 4 years apart. What kind of an uncle and niece have 4 years age difference?" 

"I have even met an uncle who is even younger than his nephew!"

"Huh? Who?" questioned Ava curiously.

"Ronan is younger than Rowan!" reminded Jackie.

Ava's lips twitched as she thought about her dear cousin Rowan's uncle, Ronan Han. It was indeed as Jackie just said, Ronan was born even after Rowan. What a mess was this family? Everyone's relationship is twisted around.

Ava rubbed her forehead, "I keep forgetting that our family has everything one can ask for."

"Be glad you have such an entertaining family," said Jackie as he took the fruit basket from her and picked his own to leave.

"Who said I am not glad?" asked Ava as she skipped over to his side and held his arm. "I know I have the best family in the world. It's a family that can make anyone feel envious." She grinned foolishly to herself as she continued, "I have the coolest and handsome-st grandfather. I have a loving dad and an annoying mom. I even have my Uncle Li who is so caring and loving. And let's not forget my most awesome Xiuxiu! Even my grandma is a badass fighting criminal in court. Oh, and I also have you!"

"That's it?" 

"What?"

"You added so much with everyone. Even Nora got 'annoying' attached to her name. What about me? Why was it so bland? 'I also have you?' That's all?"

Ava laughed out, "Why are you being so picky?" She shook his arm in a spoiled manner, "You are my best uncle. How can anyone compare to you? No way! You're the most special to me."

"Oh? Am I now?"

"Yes!" She looked at him, "Don't you remember that the first person I ever talked to was you? It shows how special you are to me."

"You don't even remember that," Jackie pointed out for her. "You're only 4 back then. You definitely don't remember that it was only after I threatened you that you started speaking."

Ava gasped at him, "JJ, how can you do that to poor me?"

"Poor you? You spoiled brat! You're throwing your weight around just because your dad was willing to spoil you to heaven. I had to take extreme measures!"

"Still, you're still the first one I talked to," she argued in an aggrieved manner.

"That's indeed true," agreed Jackie. "And then you loved to cling to me like a piece of sticky gum. It was really annoying."

"You found me annoying?"

"I still do," he told her. "But now I have come to love the 'annoying' you."

Ava smiled proudly, "Then it doesn't matter how annoying I am as long as you're able to go along with me."

Jackie kicked her leg gently as he said, "Also, stop calling my sister Nora as annoying. She is your mother."

"Haha..." Ava laughed dryly.. "But it can't be helped."