All About Your Love

Chapter Two

Miles Pov

I was late to class again.

Lately, I've been really out of my game ever since the news of mum's illness. I can't help but feel all helpless and small with the whole situation, so I tried to help Dad in the best way I could —by looking after Daphne and getting my s**t together. I missed mum so much. I knew she wouldn't want me to be all spiralled and burnout about this whole situation, but it was hard not to.

I wish there were like cosmic warning for shifts in people's daily lives. Because just a few months ago, Mum was persuading me by our poolside to try out the football team. Now, she was lying in the hospital with no sign or response of recovery.

Those thoughts weighed on me as I walked into class. I didn't bother greeting Mrs Bradford because she and apparently everyone seemed they were focused on something—or someone. I kept my head down, trying to get to my seat without drawing any attention. But then my eyes caught sight of her.

Today she's in a floral dress, her head bent over with that same swoony look she had back in the library when I first saw her. I could see the freckles on her nose, and her hair—golden, messy, and pushed behind her ears—like tangles of sunshine. And her smile that made you want to be the reason behind it.

"Nicole Drey?" Mrs Bradford's voice cut through the room, pulling Nicole out of her thoughts. "Care to answer my question once you're done daydreaming?"

Nicole stood up shyly with her cheeks all pink. God, she was adorable.

"What was the question?" she managed to choke out.

"I asked you to define the concept of love." Mrs Bradford repeated.

Nicole flipped through the pages of her notes and read aloud. Mrs. Bradford, satisfied, wrote her answer on the blackboard, the scratchy noise of the chalk filling the silence that settled over the lecture room. She turned back.

"And do you think love is worth it?"

Nicole was hesitant initially, like she was battling with herself then she shook her head and answered

"No. it's not worth it."

I ignored the whispers across the room. I was too focused on her as she answered based on her opinion. While she spoke, I imagined what the reason could be as to why she felt so strongly opposed to love in real life when that's all I've noticed she read about.

I glanced ahead to notice Chad Wells staring so inquisitively at her, like he was fascinated by her opinions and it made me uncomfortable in the inside , she seemed to have noticed cause she looked down at her notebooks immediately, scribbling on the covers to avoid his gaze.

"I disagree with that," Lindsey Graham said suddenly, her cheer uniform matched with that of Chad's varsity jacket. "Love is still worth the risk, even if it can lead to heartbreak."

Students nodded. Even Mrs Bradford too.

Nicole's voice was calm but steady. "It wasn't just heartbreak for them. It was loss—of time, for one partner and years of—trying to figure out who they were and how it all went wrong for them."

"But they once loved each other," another student chimed in.

“And if they didn’t, the book still would've ended long before showing they've grown apart. Love is temporary. It’s not some magical cure. That’s what the book was trying to show—that’s why they ended, because they were naïve enough to think their love could last forever.” Nicole responded, her reply came sharper.

"It's easy for you to say that," Lindsey snapped.

The class went silent

"What does that mean?" Nicole asked, her voice tighter this time.

"Love is easy to ridicule when you've never felt it before." Lindsey replied.

The class went silent again.

Mrs Bradford cleared her throat. "That's enough class. Let's move on." She said and passed around handouts, then announced that the rest of the class would be for reviews and activities.

I tired focusing on my worksheet, lost in my thoughts of all the negative things that could possibly happen while Mum is in the hospital, Dad working himself into exhaustion, and me—trying to hold it all together. I glanced up before the period ended and found Nicole glanced at me. But she quickly looked away.

There was something about it that had my heart racing so fast till the bell rang.

---

After class, I checked my phone. Saw texts from Dad.

Reminding me to put Daphne through her homework. To also make sure she's tucked in after the housekeeper leaves. Because he'll be late again.

From work to Mum's ward. That had been his routine for these past weeks. He'd come back looking so stressed, getting just few hours of sleep, and then repeat the circle all over again. I cannot help but feel all small everytime he comes back and just drowns his thoughts staring at the TV while eating whatever the cook prepared. So I have to do whatever I could to help.

---

The sun was still high when I was done with my classes for the day, already heading home. I met up with Sam, my friend from orientation. (Yes, the orientation that Dad asked me to go to so I could "mix with teens my age," according to him.) Even though I insisted on staying home to help out with whatever I can. He dropped me off since he lived nearby.

Nobody was home. The housekeeper had left a note telling me where she dropped everything we could possibly want for the day, and Dad was probably at the hospital with Mum. They'd always been inseparable, they were always together even months before mum's illness—going to fancy events, waving checks around, making a name for themselves in our town. Dad's money was part of the reason the football team was the best in the state. It bought them new gears every few months and kept a perfect field.

Dad was fond of the team, he played football in his school, Team Captain. Which was why he and mum kept talking me into being in the team Honestly I considered it once. But now? with all that's happening, I'd rather just clear any activity or schedule that would keep me occupied from helping out around the house.

Mum loved the perks of her marriage—the social standing, the money, the clothes her friends envied, the celebrity status her last name carried. My parents never thought they'd get so wealthy after getting married immediately after Dad immigrated from his home country and settled here with Mum. Dad went back to college after I was born. He got a degree in finance., and became CFO of United Emirates, a major business chain throughout the country. He travelled a lot for work, but due to Mum's illness he's been in the state. Though he travels the times we all managed to make it work.

I heard heavy footsteps.

"Miles! I'm home! P.E was tough today. Can you help me make my art class project? I'm hungry— Where are you?" Daphne yells, while still making loud thuds as she walked, dropping all her school items everywhere in her room.

"In the kitchen," I answered back, "I'm making a sandwich, you want one?"

"yeah, but no peanut butter—you know I'm—" I cut her off even before she completes what she hasn't failed to mention to everyone a million and one times.

"—trying reduce the gluten. Yeah, yeah I got it." I answered .

Daphne rolled her eyes like she always did. Which makes me feel, it was going to get stuck one of these days.

"How's mum?" she asked, staring at me.

I forced a smile on did what i was supposed to do as a big brother.

"Mum's fine, she's getting better. Dad says she's responding to treatment. She'll be with us any moment from now."

It was a lie, which made me feel horrible inwardly. Knowing none of that was happening. But at least I got to shield Daphne. She smiled, comforted, and that was enough for now.

She grabbed a sandwich. "I'm going to go shower!" she yelled before running off.

I sighed, continued making more sandwich while eating the ones I made for myself. Grabbing my back pack I yelled "I'm heading back to school—I have an extra curricular activity, I'll be back soon. You good?"

"I'm good! Byeee!" She responded.

I smiled shaking my head while I stepped out