Love of Stars

[Chapter 11 - Sweetheart]

I'll be honest; the last 2 weeks have been hell. That is, if hell froze over and perpetually tried to run you over with a reindeer. You may be asking something along the lines of: I understand it's winter but damn y'all really do be exaggerating. 

Lucky for you mate, I have an answer as to why hell became a popsicle. I'm sorry to say that the airconditioning say "Bye Felicia" and died on us right when we needed it most. 

You see, my mum got sick and started to collapse every time she tried to tread on her own two feet she'd fall if I wasn't t there. It was obvious that she was in horrible shape since she got dizzy just from sitting up in bed.

I was scared shitless so I felt like going to that wasteland called school or the studio was the last thing I could do. It was my job to take care of her and I ignored every one of her pleas for me to go out. It lasted over a week, but I made sure not to fall behind in class. 

Thank the lord for Google Classroom

"At least go even half the day, sweetheart."

"What if you forget to eat? What if you fall and can't get up? You KNOW we don't have Life Alert, mum... and don't fuckin forget-"

"Watch your language young lady, I won't let those heinous words live under my roof."

"Aight mum, I'll consider eating wet soap as my punishment," I said as I rolled my eyes. "Anyhoo, as I was SAYING, I'm seriously concerned about what'll happen to you if I go. So I'll stay until you've got a bit more color."

"But-" she started, brows knit so closely that it looked like she had a unibrow.

"Nuh-uh," I said as I shook my finger. "And nothing you can say will change my mind. When it comes to you, there's not a single thing more important."

I looked deep into her exhausted eyes and gave her a soft smile, trying to relay my unspoken message.

The truth is, I can't lose you.

- ❈ -

It's been my the first time going to the grocery store in over a week.

I'd been giving the best things I could find from the fridge and pantry to mum which left me with stale graham crackers, peanut butter, and microwaveable Mac n Cheese. I gave the more fresh foods to her and seeing her recover more every day made my heart soar. After feeding the last of the chicken noodle soup and toast to mum, I laced up my boots, stepped out, and closed the door as quietly as possible. As soon as I walked out onto the dusty street, I tossed my hood up over my hair and tentatively walked my way down towards the nearest Trader Joe's.

The sliding doors gave a mechanical whir as I stepped through. I felt a flash of relief when I realized that the store was surprisingly empty, but looking at the pricing of the fruits gave me genuine heartburn. I knew just how much mum liked peaches so I let out a soft sigh which quickly turned into a smile when I thought about the face she makes when she takes the first bite out of the pink fruit.

In a slight daze, I grabbed a couple, along with some romaine lettuce, and placed them carefully into my cloth bag. I walked briskly along the isles, gravitating straight for the cheapest loaf of bread in the entire store. I got the rest of the groceries in under 5 minutes. Knowing exactly where everything in the store is helps more than you'd think.

Feeling like a criminal, I looked in all directions in case somebody pointed out that I was skipping school. I'd always been paranoid about getting in trouble so I quickly tried to check out my groceries and get straight back home. I kept my head down as I handed over the cash and waited for the change.