Chapter 54: A big surprise
Milie's POV
"Milie, it's already eight. Don't you have college today?" Mom's voice broke through my sleep.
I groaned and pulled the blanket over my head.
For a second, I didn't remember why I felt so exhausted.
Then last night came rushing back. The date. The kiss. The confusion.
My eyes squeezed shut.
"Milie?" Mom knocked again. "Baby, are you awake?"
I sat up slowly. Sleep hadn't helped. If anything, my thoughts felt even heavier this morning.
Part of me wanted to stay under the blanket forever and avoid the entire world.
"No college today," I muttered to myself.
Not Daxton. Not Sammy. Not Alan.
Especially not Sammy. He might ask me about the date, and I fear blurting out things I shouldn't.
"Milie, sweetheart, I'm coming in if you don't answer."
With a sigh, I dragged myself out of bed and opened the door.
Mom immediately studied my face. "Did you cry?"
"No." A lie.
She knew it. I knew it. But thankfully, she didn't push.
Instead, she pulled me into her arms.
The moment she hugged me, something inside me loosened.
"I'm okay," I whispered.
"Are you?"
I buried my face in her shoulder. "No."
Her hand moved through my hair. "What happened?"
I shook my head. I couldn't explain it because I didn't understand it myself.
How was I supposed to explain something I couldn't even name?
"I just don't feel like going to college today."
To my surprise, she smiled. "Perfect."
I blinked. "Perfect?"
"Yes."
I narrowed my eyes suspiciously.
"That's it? No lecture?"
"No lecture."
"No discussion about attendance?"
"Nope."
"No emotional blackmail?"
Mom laughed. "Not today."
I stared at her and shook her. "Who are you and what have you done with my mother?"
She flicked my forehead. "Shut up, my drama queen.”
I chuckled, and I didn't regret ditching college.
A few months ago, the same Mom would have pushed. Today, she simply understood.
And somehow, I knew my friendship with Alan was the reason.
After brushing my teeth and speaking briefly with Dad, I curled up on the couch with a blanket and tried to distract myself with television.
It worked for exactly twenty minutes, and then my phone rang.
It was Daxton. My chest tightened immediately.
I stared at the screen and took a deep breath before answering.
"Hello?"
"Look who finally woke up," Sammy's voice blasted through the speaker.
Of course, they were together.
"Good morning, idiot."
"Where are you, you idiot?"
I heard Daxton laugh quietly in the background. My heart felt a knot.
"I'm not coming to college today," I said quickly.
"Why?" Sammy asked.
"Mom kidnapped me."
"What?"
"For Shopping."
"You should've told me. I would've skipped classes too."
I smiled weakly. "Sorry, but no need."
"I absolutely would've."
Before I could answer, Daxton cut us off. "Enjoy your day, Mils."
My throat tightened. "Thanks."
"Don't worry about anything here."
The words carried more meaning than they should have.
The call ended, and I stared at my phone.
He didn't buy my story.
He knew I needed space. He knew I wasn't ready to face him today.
And so, instead of demanding answers, he gave me room to breathe.
My eyes burned. "Stop," I whispered to myself, and walked to Mom in the kitchen.
We cooked together, watched a movie, argued over trivial things, and then went out for lunch with Dad.
For a few precious hours, I forgot about everything.
I felt so light and relaxed that when we got home, I collapsed onto my bed and immediately fell asleep, until someone pounded on the door again.
"Mom," I groaned into my pillow. "Please let me sleep."
The knocking continued. Then a familiar voice floated through the door.
"Mils. Wake up."
I instantly sat upright. It was Alan.
My heartbeat immediately betrayed me.
Why was he here? More importantly...Why was I suddenly awake?
I stared at the door. Annoyed at myself. Annoyed at my heart. Annoyed at how excited I felt.
"What do you want?" I yelled.
"I have something to show you."
"I'm sleeping."
"No, you're not."
"Yes, I am."
"You literally answered me, Mils."
I rolled my eyes. Unfortunately, he had a point.
"It'll blow your mind, believe me."
"Nothing can blow my mind right now."
"Challenge accepted."
My lips curled up despite myself, and that annoyed me even more.
I opened the door, and the second he saw me, he burst out laughing.
"What?"
"You opened the door in three seconds, just for surprise. You greedy girl."
"I did not."
"You absolutely did."
I crossed my arms. "What do you want?"
His grin widened. "You."
My heart immediately skipped.
Then he added. "For the surprise."
"Idiot." I hit him on his shoulder.
"So where is it?"
"Not here."
Before I could ask anything else, he grabbed my wrist. "Come on."
We stepped down, and as we passed the living room, Alan smiled at Mom.
"Thanks for your help, Aunty."
"Anytime, sweetheart."
I immediately turned toward her.
"You helped him?"
Mom suddenly found the television fascinating.
"Traitor."
Alan laughed, and I narrowed my eyes.
Now I was even more curious. "What is it?"
"Patience, girl."
"I hate patience."
"I know."
He looked over his shoulder and smiled. And for some reason...I noticed my mood.
It had taken a 180-degree turn.
He led me down the street. "What surprise he had planned in our own neighbourhood?"
After passing several houses, Alan suddenly stopped. Before I could ask why, he stepped behind me.
My heart jumped unexpectedly.
"Alan?"
"Ready?"
His palms covered my eyes.
"Alan!"
"No cheating."
"This feels illegal."
"This is friendship."
"This is kidnapping."
He laughed. And despite everything happening inside my head and heart, I laughed too.
"Trust me?" he asked quietly.
"Ofcourse." The answer came naturally, without thought, without hesitation.
He then guided me forward. One step, then another, then another.
My curiosity was killing me.
"Can I look now?"
"No."
"Alan."
"Almost."
I groaned dramatically.
He laughed again, and then suddenly he stopped.
"Okay, Mils." A smile entered his voice.
My heartbeat quickened as he took his palm off me. "You can look now."
And when I opened my eyes, I was more confused than surprised. "Alan, what is this?"