Beauty of Pain

Chapter 12 - Mirrors

"Hey!"

I switched my gaze to the voice that called me from the doorway.

"yeah." I 'greeted' back at Miley as she walked in. The classroom was empty. The padlock was hung loose at the door as I came in to see all the students gone, just my bag pack contrasting through the room.

She left already too, huh?

"Let's get going?" Miley suggested making me jump the slightest out of my thoughts.

"yeah"

"Pfft, what's with the mood today?" She asked, wrapping her arms around my right forearm. I closed the zipper, not paying much attention to the question, plus I didn't know what she was talking about.

"Oh my god! Is this because I couldn't come talk to you in two days? Or because we couldn't go home together?"

Oh... actually, thinking about it, I forgot that she, in fact, did not approach in days, hanging around with... Oh, that dumpling is a good distraction, not gonna lie.

"uh huh"

"C'mon! I am sorry! I was just a bit busy with, you know, the cheerleading stuff 'n all."

"yeah. I know"

As if. I have noticed her difference since the grade change, and she got into the same class with Jennie, and I got separated. It's not like she's entitled to me anyway. At least she looks happy. Happier...

Since I didn't want our first conversation in days to get awkward, "So what are your plans now?"

"hmm? Now? I dunno. Gonna go home, but I wanna spend some time with you. let's go to the mall?"

I am so tired though...

"You know I don't like to go to public places, Miley," I said, locking the padlock in place after closing the door.

"please!"

"alright fine"

"Akki!"
(akka/akki - elder sister in Sri Lankan Sinhalese)

"Hey, little potato! How are you doing today?" I greeted my younger brother in the big crib. He could barely speak since he had just turned one. But I am glad one of his words is 'akki'. Such a cute thing.

"I am going out for some business work. See you," was all my mom said before she stormed out.

"Alright, see you, take care!" I yelled, hoping she heard 'em before I turned back to the small fellow on the crib. "Guess it's me and you again, lil guy." I picked him up, carrying him in my arms so I could feed him.

It's like a routine-feed him, play with him, and then put him to sleep before my homework. It takes hours, but I feel like I've already become so good at it.

He was already half asleep on my shoulder when dad came in.

"oh hi"

"ey. Had lunch?"

"not yet. Where's mom?"

Uh, what should I say.... Will he get mad if I say she went out again...

"She just went out a few minutes ago because she had to meet a customer. Said she'd be back soon."

"...."

And just like that, he left my sight.

And in the late evenings, it's always loud...

-Next day-

Bump

"What the fuck is wrong with you early in the morning, bruh?"