LILLY YU
19 Years Old
When I stepped into Millie's car, it smelled like French pear and vanilla, just like the candle scent I bought which was now sitting restlessly on the bedside table waiting to be lit.
"Okay, see you guys soon."
Millie hung up and said, "A bit of a bummer and bad news."
"Why? What's wrong?" I asked, slamming the door gently after Millie started the engine. The smell of petrol filling up the car in the crowded carpark, making my eyes water slightly.
"My course mates decided to have a meeting urgently for an assignment. I told them I'll meet them after lunch. Will you be okay by yourself at my place? I can just cancel if you don't want to be alone." Millie said apologetically.
"Hey, don't sweat it. I'll be fine," I assured her. "I'll just watch a bunch of YouTube videos or some movies on Netflix, and steal all your food," I added.
Millie laughed, "That's what you always do."
Knowing Millie, I knew she would constantly feel bad if I don't say anything. We have been friends for so long so I would I know that she wouldn't want to let me down. That bit of assurance would definitely keep her from worrying. I have come to accept that everyone has their own lives and so do I. It's all a matter of respect. And I love Millie and I only want the best for her.
Millie gave a small smile and started the car, "Okay! Let's have Korean food. I'm craving for fried chicken and bibimbap."
I nodded and grinned in agreement, "Sounds good to me."
The roads were more busy here compared to home. I still loved it. It's quiet and peaceful just like calm waters. I never thought much about my hometown until I have been to somewhere else. Until I realised how great it was to call a place my home. No memories were ever perfect but seeing the brighter side helped sometimes.
Millie parked her car right in front of the shop. We went in and was greeted by a lovely waitress welcoming us to our seats. The place wasn't too crowded but it was filled with enough people that little chatters were heard all over the place. We looked through the menu and finally decided on what to have.
The waitress took our orders with a smile, "Shouldn't be too long."
"Thank you," Millie and I replied at the same time.
I remembered when I used to work as a waitress as my first job. The place was always understaffed, filled with people, and worst yet, their pay was below minimum wage. It was tough and I tried to save up as much as I can. Eventually, I left the job to find a better one.
"So...what have you been up to?" Millie asked placing her hands under her chin with sparkles in her eyes. Creepy.
"Really? You want an update on my life when you practically know it all and we FaceTime like all the time?" I said, raising an eyebrow.
"Okay, you're right" Millie exhaled and pulled out her phone. "I guess it's time to show you memes and videos I find funny. I'll share them to you."
The food finally came. We ordered Korean fried chicken, bibimbap and tofu stew which were placed in front of us.
"They look so good!" I said.
We picked up our chopsticks and dug in.
"Have you ever feel like parts of you are missing? It's not just one but a few and you can't really figure out what they are?" Millie confessed all of a sudden after a few bites in.
I thought for a bit to respond to her question, "If you're asking me, I do, and I bet there's other people out there that haven't figured it all out yet too. But hey, what's going on?"
Millie looked to the side, thinking, sighing, and finally she said, "Lilly, I think I'm going to drop out."
YOU ARE READING
When I Grow Up
General FictionLilly Yu was an only child, afraid of adults and most frightened by her English teacher, Miss Yao, at the age of 10. One day, Lilly received a mysterious letter from an unknown sender that was directly sent to her home. More letters started appearin...
