Stubborn Love

Part 1

Part 1

Everything was different. Very different. I look around my old pre-school that I haven't walked in for nearly 15 years. My mother, Jocelyn, worked here and now she was the new owner. I just came down here to catch her when she faints. Jocelyn and I walk with the contractor.

"So, how is it?" Jocelyn asks impatiently.

"Well," he sighs, "everything is in pretty good shape. Few repairments, and we just have to rebuild some walls."

"So we're good?"

"We're good. There's nothing to worry about Jocelyn."

I see my mother smile wide giving me a hug. I rub my hand between her shoulder blades. Suddenly, my mouth dries up craving a cigarette. I let go of her hug as she turns her head.

"What's wrong?"

"I'm going to take a cigarette break. I'll catch up."

She walks with the contractor as I enter a small room as the only light peeking through was a square light of what use to be an office window. I pull my pack of cigarettes out. I desperately shove one against my lips. I search through my pockets as I've forgotten my lighter again.

"Really?" I whisper.

"Need a light?"

A deep, low voice startles me as I slowly turn around. One look at a set of brown eyes I sincerely recognize, my world collapsed. Milo.

"Yeah," I said softly.

My mind wouldn't let me think. My mouth wouldn't let me speak. My heart couldn't handle another beat. Milo takes a match as he starts it against the plywood wall. That matches' smoke quickly filled my senses overtaking Milo's manly scent. His hand comes forward lighting my cigarette. His eyes were always heaven to look into. The bad, mysterious boy signal he never knew he had. Why is he here?

"I didn't know you smoked," his voice is soft with hints of scratches.

"People change," I hiss. I look at him as he lights a cigarette hidden in his beanie. Never in a lifetime would Milo smoke.

"I didn't know you smoked?" I asked.

"Well, people change," his mouth curves into a sarcastic grin.

"What the hell are you doing here?" My voice shakes. I didn't want to cry. Memories I've tried to avoid swam through me. Everything I had with Milo wasn't gone.

"No reason," his voice squeaks as he stuffs his hand in his black, edgy, leather jacket, "just looking for a job. I always thought constructing was a good opportunity."

"Milo," I declared.

"To start over with everything," he confesses.

"Everything?"

"Everything. My family, my friends, my school... with you," he hesitates.

"Me?"

"Don't be dumb. Did you really think I'd never come back?" he half laughs.

"Yes! You left with out saying anything! Nothing! Not a note, a letter, not even a phone call. I was so worried about you. And then I stopped, because that's the moment when I knew you didn't care anymore."

"Well I'm here now, and I did care. I always cared," he growls.

"No, you didn't. Why don't you go somewhere else?" I shout.

"Are you serious? I've been everywhere, everywhere. I have no where else to go. I'm sorry that I just left, okay?"

"Sorry doesn't-"