When You Walked into My Life

9 | Love

Phillipa's POV

I wake up feeling refreshed and well-rested. I quickly get ready and hear Renee in the kitchen. The least I can do is help out. We both get the kids fed and off to school before heading to school ourselves.

On the way over there I tell Renee that I will be returning home tonight. She stops dead in her tracks and asks me why.

I tell her it's because Tyler loves me and he just got too drunk the other night.

I watch as her face falls and then she starts the rant about how being drunk isn't an excuse and that the love I am experiencing isn't love at all.

I walk faster and try to ignore her. I am grateful that she is there for me, but she doesn't understand this. She is already married and has kids. How could she?

She eventually gives up and I mentally prepare for the day ahead of me. Two show days are very demanding for everyone.

We find Mrs. Goodwin's class and wait as the students come pilling in. I notice that everyone is wearing tie-dye. Cute.

A few more minutes pass then Aaron walks in. I notice that she seems to be the only person who doesn't have on a tie-dye piece of clothing. She is wearing black sweatpants with a super baggy sweatshirt. She takes a seat right across from me.

I look over at Renee who seems to be studying her. I can almost see her trying to connect the dots.

My eyes fall back onto the teen. I study her face once more. Something about her eyes seems different today. They are hazier and not as glowy.

Issac asks her what she thinks of love and this gets my attention.

"I don't think it exists," she says simply. "I don't and will never understand how the same people who tell you they love you, hurt you. Or when they say forever and then leave without warning. How is that love?"

For some reason, those words stick around in my mind. I can feel Renee staring at me with an, "if not me, listen to her," type of look.

As I look at the teen I can't shake whatever is building up inside me. Is it guilt? Pride? Sadness? Love?

Even when performing my show for the night something felt wrong. It could have been when Lin didn't look me in the eye in Helpless or when I slightly fumbled on my words during Burn.

All that I seemed to think about was Aaron and what she said earlier today. How is that love?

It was only when I received the thirtieth missed call from Tyler that I put my mind elsewhere.

I decided it would be best to spend another night with Renee and then head back home some other day. It was close to midnight anyways.

Lin's POV

I was very excited to get to the school today. Aaron and I have made great progress on the project. I really enjoyed that she asked me unique questions and not just the same boring ones most interviewers ask me. Her's were original and I appreciated it.

I walk into the classroom and wait for her to come in. I thought it was cool that the kids were wearing tie-dye.

She walks in and I notice she wasn't smiling or joking around. I watch as she finds her desk and talks with Issac.

"What do you think about love?" He asks her.

Her response shocks me. I completely related to everything that came out of her mouth, but at the same time, it made me sad.