“Thanks for taking me home!” Aubrey thanked her friends. Since she was the only one away from the three because Faith, Erin, and Skyler were the only neighbors, they drove her to her house. The three of them waved their hands.
When Aubrey entered, she saw her Mommy sitting on their couch, watching a television show. "I didn’t expect you to come home early, Mommy," she told her Mommy. She came over and sat down next to her. She hugged her Mommy Carmen.
“I finished my office work as early as possible. I got to hang out with some of your classmates' mothers because we came across each other earlier. ” Aubrey left the hug. "I heard something too, my daughter."
"What is it?" she queried.
"Is Miller the name of the boy you went with to the concert of the group you idolize?" Aubrey already knew what her Mommy was going to say. “She said he cheated on your examination. He allegedly took the key to correction so your teacher is very angry. ”
"Has that boy done anything bad to you?" her mommy quizzed her about Miller.
“I don't believe Miller did that. In fact, he took care of me when we were at the concert,” Aubrey answered. Her mommy shakes her head.
“No. Isn't there enough evidence to prove that he really cheated? You shouldn’t trust such kids, Aubrey. He might even ruin your future,” her mom argued.
Aubrey didn't even let her mommy finish her statements. She stood up and took her bag. "I'll just rest," she said. She will be directed up the stairs to the second floor where her room will be found.
She dropped her bag on her desk and sat down. She insists to herself that she wants to prove Miller innocent. She was always like this - she didn't let the oppressors rule. Truth will set them free but truth is confined. She has more to discover.
~ • ~
It's Monday again. Aubrey wasn't interested at all with the subject because she will go home in a few minutes. She wasn't paying attention because their teacher wouldn't notice her either way. Their teacher for this subject is an old woman who only reads the content of the book and only explains the obvious explanation.
She looked behind her. He noticed Miller's pale face. His eyes were also droopy, looking as if any time he would lose consciousness. It’s just the first day of this new week and Miller still looks sick.
“We have an early dismissal today. You can eat now,” her teacher announced. As soon as the teacher left the classroom, she approached Miller. She knelt in front of his table.
"Are you okay?" she asked. Aubrey approached the young man and felt his neck to see if his body temperature was warm. Her jaw dropped when she felt Miller's high temperature. "Let's go to the clinic."
Miller refused. “No. You're burning,” Aubrey insisted. In the end, Miller agreed. Aubrey tells her friends to go to the cafeteria first because Aubrey will be taking Miller to the clinic.
As Miller was being helped down, Aubrey looked at the young man's face. Just look at his face and it looks like she's already burning with Miller's fever. Every time they rush each other Aubrey feels Miller's warmth.
She was concerned. Why did he even go to school when he was sick?
They are right in front of the clinic. Aubrey knocked three times on the door and then opened it. The school nurse came inside. Looks like there are no other students in the clinic.
Miller and her sat across from the nurse's table.
"What's wrong, babies?" the nurse asked.
"He’s burning with fever," Aubrey replied.
The nurse got up and went to the large white cabinet just behind her. He took out a thermometer. "Put it in your armpit, beh." The nurse handed Miller the thermometer.
Miller looked at the thermometer innocently. Aubrey laughed.
"Put it in your armpit." Aubrey couldn't help but laugh - she also didn't know why.
Miller unbuttoned his polo and placed the thermometer in his armpit. They waited for the nurse to get the thermometer. "It's okay now."
Miller handed over the thermometer and the nurse read it.
“Lagot, 39 degrees. You need to rest, baby,” the nurse said.
"Will you give him medicine?" Aubrey inquired. The nurse nodded. "Wait a minute. I'll just buy him something to eat. ”
Aubrey stood up. She was about to twist the door knob when Miller grabbed her hand. "Thank you, ah?" the young man smiled. Aubrey winked at him.
~ • ~
Aubrey is contemplating what she should buy for Miller - is it delicious food or overcooked? Her mind was arguing as of the moment.
She decided to buy mami so it has soup and is hot. Include the weather because from the beginning of yesterday, the sky seemed to be crying. It doesn't look like it's raining today because the clouds aren't getting dark. It's in between hot and cold wherein the sky is just white.
“One mami and an orange drink please. Take it out,” she dictated to the seller. She moved to the waiting area. Later, the saleswoman handed her a plastic bag containing what she had bought.
She exited the Cafeteria right after getting her order. She walked quickly to the clinic so that Miller could eat right away. It is better for him to take medicine to somehow reduce the bad feeling.
As usual, she knocked on the door three times before entering. She was surprised to see her friends inside the clinic. They were sitting in monoblock chairs with food in their lap while talking to Miller. Aubrey felt butterflies flutter in her stomach. It's funny that her friends are trying to get close to Miller now that there is "something" between the two of them.
As she approached them, the girl raised an eyebrow. "What about I join you and eat with Miller here?" she asked the friends.
“We wanted to go to you after we ordered food but we went there together. This is your food.” Erin handed Aubrey a plastic bag with food and drinks. Aubrey's eyes widened. "Hey, thanks!" she exclaimed, still surprised.
He handed the purchased food to Miller, who was lying on the bed. Miller sat on the bed first to get the food.
“Thank you, Aubrey. I'll just pay, ”the young man thanked her.
Aubrey shook her head. She put her hand on Miller's shoulder. “No need to pay for it. That's a small thing compared to the money you spent for the Fifth Harmony concert. I didn’t pay for that so you shouldn’t pay for this either, ”she assured him.
Miller suddenly felt emotional. He was moved by Aubrey's action.
Aubrey just hugged Miller. "Hey! Let's eat. We shouldn't wait for the food to be cold," Faith whispered, while Skyler laughed out loud because the young man noticed Faith's bitterness.
For Aubrey, boys crying or showing sadness should be normalized. Men are also human and they can feel sadness. We must not be deceived by what people say. Boys can be feminine and girls can be masculine. Let people do whatever they want to as long as they do not trample on the dignity of others.