A Guide to Love (ONC 2023)

Chapter 1

"Are you leaving?" A voice asked, as Mila hauled the suitcase out.

"Yes."

Lila sat on the front steps of the porch, staring as Mila struggled with the black suitcase. 

"I'm going to miss you, you know."

Mila looked up. "I'll miss you too, Lila. But," she held up the plane ticket, "I'm off to California, off to Stanford."

Twisting the strands of her hair into a bun, Mila lugged the suitcase off the stairs. "I'll visit. Promise."

Lila pouted again. "You say that every year, and year after year, you never visit."

Mila smiled at her. "I'm in my sophomore age of college, Lila, there's things that I need to do."

Lila sighed again, and grabbed one of her bags. "I bet next time you're not even going to stay the summer."

"You're acting even more like me now, with the name and attitude."

Laura came out and watched, pale silver blond hair flashing in the sunlight. "Mila...take care, would you? And make sure to send us some presents."

"I promise."

_*_*_*_*

"Be careful out there, would you?" Mrs. Reynolds said tearfully.

"Mom, I've gone to college before. And it's literally 3 hours away." Scarletta checked off another item on her list. "I think I got everything."

"If only your father was here to see this," her mom said sadly, closing the trunk up tightly. 

"Mom, I'll be back before you know it! Stanford's not far away, I'll come every month and have dinner with you and stay up with you watching kdramas."

She nodded, wiping away tears and runny makeup. "Do be careful though, Scar. I know it can be stressful, with you getting in Stanford and all that, but-"

"-make sure to have fun. I know. I'm living in college dorms now, with three other girls."

"Promise that you'll send letters and that you'll come home at least once a month?"

"I promise, Mom."

_*_*_*

"KATHLEEN!!"

Shrinking back, Kathleen grabbed her duffel bag. "Yes, Auntie?"

"Make sure you pack these goji berries, they're good for the eyes, and these black sesame seeds, they'll make your hair good, and these jujubes, and dates and-"

"They're all in my suitcase, Auntie."

Her aunt smiled a little. "Go make us proud!! We didn't raise you to be a failure, so go get that PhD from Stanford, and become a doctor, then get settled with a good man who's good to you, have some chil-"

"Stop, Auntie."

"I'm just saying! The thing with your parents has had a big impact on our family already, you must make the family proud."

"Seriously, Auntie. I can live my life the way I want to live it." then, quietly, so quiet that Kathleen could barely hear herself, she mumbled, "My parents would never do this with me. They-"

"Get going now, Kathleen, you're going to be late!! You have 4 hours to get settled in your new dorm, since I can't afford to get you an apartment with the tuition fees, even your scholarships aren't going to help. And make sure you practice the piano and guqin as well."

"Of course, Auntie."

Her aunt lifted her chin up slightly, eyes warming. "Kath...go make us proud, will you?"

"Of course, Auntie."

"Do you promise to try your best?"

"I promise."