"Ah, Japan, how I wish to go there," Milo murmured.
"Milo! Milo!" his mom called.
"Huh? Yes, mom?" Milo answered.
"You have to understand, your father and I cannot continue our relationship anymore," his mom explained.
"Why, mom?" Milo asked.
"Oh, it's just that there's no spark anymore, and I have someone else now. You will understand someday, Milo."
He looked at his mom with lifeless eyes, unsure of what to say or feel.
"Haaaaaaa," a deep breath he released.
"It's fine, mom.
You might need something; here's some money," his mom said, trying not to cry.
He looked at the money and his mom, sadness in his eyes.
"It's fine, mom. I'll manage. Let's keep in touch."
As he walked out of the restaurant, his mom started crying.
Walking in the streets with a blank mind, his eyes full of sadness but no tears. He looked tired, yet hadn't done anything all day. In the quiet, he whispered to himself, "What about our happiness?" The words hung in the air, unanswered.
In his room, Milo checked his phone to see a message from Jennifer after a week of silence.
"Hey," the message read.
"Hey, I miss you. Did I do something wrong?" he typed back, anxiety creeping in.
"No, it's just that I realize you're not my type anymore. All of those things were in the heat of the moment, and I thought you were a challenge," her reply came swiftly.
"Oh," was all he could manage.
"I'm sorry. You deserve better," she added.
Milo stared into darkness.
"Why did I accept that girl anyway?" he thought. "She confessed in front of her friends. Of course, who am I to say no? I did everything she asked; I stayed loyal and consistent."
"AHHHHHHHHH!" he shouted, frustration echoing in the small room.
The door creaked open. "Hey!" Nick arrived, cheerful as ever.
"Hey, Nick," Milo answered, barely above a whisper.
"Is there a vampire in here? Why so dark?" Nick asked, flicking on the light.
"I just wanted to sleep in the dark," Milo mumbled.
"By the way, did you get into school this week?" Nick asked, concerned.
"No, I'm kinda sick."
"I've got some medicine here," Nick offered.
"No, I'm fine. I'm just not doing well right now," Milo admitted.
"Okay. But if you need anything, I'm in the top bed, okay?"
"Okay," Milo whispered.
That night at the restaurant where they worked, orders came rapid-fire.
"Milo, we need more plates!" the chef shouted. "Milo, clean this mess!"
"Yes sir!" was all Milo could say, rushing from task to task.
Walking home after their shift, they saw Jennifer with another man. She immediately changed lanes, avoiding eye contact.
Milo's heart shattered. He clenched his fists, took a deep breath, and let go. "Hayst, it's fine. We broke up earlier," his words heavy with sorrow.
"That bitch," Nick spat out.
"It's fine, Nick. That's just life," Milo replied, releasing a heavy sigh. His chest hurt, his eyes lifeless again.
"Are you okay?" Nick asked.
"Ohm," Milo mumbled.
"No, you're not. Just call me if you need anything, okay?"
Alone in his bed, tears came involuntarily. "I'm tired," he whispered, his voice barely audible.
The next morning, Nick had breakfast ready.
"Wakey, wakey. I already cooked food. Stand up and eat at least, okay? I'm going to school."
"Ohm, be careful," Milo replied.
Nick looked concerned. "You too. I hid the rope because I was worried about you."
Milo managed a weak laugh. "Nah, an extension cord is enough," he said, but there was no humor in his voice.
"Hey, stop joking like that. Take care, Milo."
Walking the streets again, face stressed, eyes lifeless, Milo saw a sweet couple. His eyes filled with envy, then became lifeless again. "They'll break up", he thought bitterly.
Instead of going to school, he went to the park. The cloudy weather matched his mood. He sat on a bench, breathing in fresh air. Suddenly, intrusive thoughts invaded his mind—his mother with another man, his ex-girlfriend with her new partner.
"AHHHHHHH," he shouted, startling everyone in the park. Embarrassed, he quickly left and found refuge in a restaurant, ordering fried chicken.
Later, Nick confronted him at work. "Did you go to school today?"
"No," Milo replied.
"What? That's a whole week, Milo. What are you doing?"
"Don't worry, I'll get it covered."
"You better be. We grew up poor. Don't let that... bitch kill your dreams."
"Please don't call her that," Milo winced.
"Maybe you should go home. Next week is mostly holidays."
Milo's heart sank, remembering his mom didn't live there anymore. "Maybe... I'm gonna go home," he said softly.
On the bus home, Milo put on headphones, trying to drown out chaotic thoughts. His father stood waiting at the bus stop, smiling slightly.
"Hey there, Milo," his dad greeted, patting his back.
"Ohm," Milo mumbled.
"I cooked fried chicken. It's your favorite, right?" his dad asked, trying to sound cheerful.
"Ohm." The coldest conversation father and son had ever had.
At home, silence hung heavy in the air.
"How's school?" his dad asked.
"Fine."
"How's work?"
"Fine."
After eating, Milo retreated to his room. His dad went out to buy beer. He sat alone, drinking, loneliness settling in.
The next morning, Milo cooked breakfast. His father stumbled in to take a bath. They ate awkwardly.
"So, did you and your mom talk?" his father asked.
"Yes," Milo replied curtly.
"And?"
"Well, I really don't want to talk about it."
"I'm sorry you have to go through this," his father said, guilt etched on his face.
"It's fine, Dad. It's you who's suffering more," Milo replied, poking at his food.
"That's why I've been drinking," his father admitted. "Your mom is, you know, a bitch."
Milo stopped eating and turned to his dad. "Please don't call her that."
"Right, I'm sorry. I'm gonna leave now. Can you clean the house?"
"I know, I know," Milo replied, annoyed.
That evening, Milo cooked vegetables, hoping his father would join him. Hours passed, but his father never arrived. Milo ate alone.
Later, the door slammed open. "You whore!" he recognized his father's slurred voice.
Milo lay in bed as his father rampaged through the house. Suddenly, the noise stopped, replaced by loud sobbing. Eventually, the house fell silent.
"Bye, Dad," Milo said reluctantly as he prepared to return to the city.
His dad smiled, hiding sadness. As Milo turned his back, their smiles faded, replaced by unspoken emotions.
"You're back!" Nick hugged Milo upon his return.
"My mom told me about your mom and dad. I'm sorry."
"Thank you," Milo replied, exhausted.
"That must be heartbreaking, losing your family and a girl."
"Yeah, and I'm not gonna forget if you keep bringing it up," Milo forced a smile.
"Anyway, go to school, you lazy ass!"
In class, Milo sat at the back, lifeless, disconnected from the lively atmosphere around him. He started doodling a flower when a voice interrupted.
"Milo," Eska called, tilting her head and smiling, making her even prettier.
"Oh," Milo said, his heart skipping.
"You've been gone for a week," she said, concerned.
"Uhm, right, some family problems," he replied casually.
"You can tell me if you want."
"Nah, I'm fine."
"Our chairman wants to see you in her office," Eska informed him.
As he left, Milo looked back at Eska, the girl he'd loved since elementary school.
"I never thought we'd be together all this time, but I always knew those smiles were never for me. That's why I gave my all to Jennifer."
"Mr. Milo! Most of your midterm exams failed. What is happening?" his teacher exclaimed.
"Nothing, ma'am. Just a problem with my schedule," Milo replied unconvincingly.
"People like yourself tend to hide their problems. Try to open up a little. Not to me, but to your friends. Do you have close friends in your class?"
"No, ma'am."
"How about outside?"
"Yes, ma'am."
"That's good. I want you to do your best on the next exam."
After work that night, Nick suggested buying drinks. As Milo walked to the store, he saw college students drinking outside. His eyes widened when he spotted Eska, her boyfriend's arm around her shoulders.
"Milo, wait up," Eska called, running toward him.
He forced a smile as Eska's boyfriend, Daryl—confident, attractive, tall, and tattooed—joined them.
"By the way, Milo, this is Daryl, my boyfriend. And Daryl, this is Milo, my childhood friend," Eska introduced them uneasily.
"Hello, mate," Daryl extended his hand.
Milo reached out, trembling. "Hello."
"Seems like you're trembling," Daryl observed.
"Tired from work," Milo forced a smile.
"Why not join us?" Daryl offered.
"Thank you, but I'm weak with alcohol," Milo declined.
After Daryl left, an awkward silence settled.
"So, you have a boyfriend already," Milo said, barely hiding pain.
"We started dating last week," Eska replied softly. "What do you think about him?"
"He's attractive and kinda cool," Milo said bitterly. "I'm gonna go now. Nick is waiting."
"Don't you want to join us?" Eska asked hopefully.
"I don't drink alcohol," Milo replied, avoiding her eyes.
"It's my first time too," she said, trembling slightly.
"Have fun," he said, turning away, his chest tight.
Back in his room, after Nick left to see his girlfriend, Milo tried to sleep. Images of Eska with Daryl, memories of Jennifer—they all tormented him.
"Why didn't I confess to Eska? Now it's too late", he thought.
'Maybe it's my fault for still liking another girl while having a girlfriend. If I didn't like anyone, maybe Jennifer wouldn't have cheated."
"Why am I thinking about these things when my parents are divorced and my future is in bad shape? What did I do to be punished like this?"
Tears welled up in his eyes. He sobbed quietly at first, then louder, his cries echoing in the empty room.
Looking into darkness, Milo felt his eyes sting as if pricked by countless tiny needles. He lay curled up, relentless images encircling his mind like a swarm of bees. Each memory a sharp sting, piercing through his thoughts. But he was too exhausted to do anything about it.