Uncle Nolan

bottles of chilled water in her hands. She set

on dishing out some oatmeal an

ntly until mother decides to break

so long. How is he anyway?" She picks up one of the bottles, pou

n mind, more so, the sound of Nolan's f

ing slowly. "I don't wa

oice holds genuine curiosity and concern, but I really

t is Nolan's. I return to my plate,

leb may harm me, but, I d

ess feel insecure at school, I don't care if he's a boyfriend, I'm taking legal

rns directly to me this time, asking calm

school? Tell me,

'm really fine." I r

els like he is peeling away my words to see if the tru

utters not a single word till I set do

small smile on my face and then excuse my

er than imagined, allowing the events f

wn the stairs, I see Nolan already waiting by the entrance, one

ng." I

Hazel." He

akes already kept by my mother, and gr

he garage, I access his car fully for the first time, before slidin

starts up the engine. I stare ah

o the company after dropping you off. The architecture work sta

nod, staring o

memory. I cannot forget the wild and angry loo

ap. I remember seeing a notifica

e pocket of my trousers, opening

rt can't stop beating. In it, he ster

at my hairline. I try to look brave, but his v

suddenly, his eye

ays, looking back in th

lightly, unable t

voice softens, "Is eve

se I may burst into hot t

ampus. Countless students pass by, each on

ch the appearance of three figures standing by

quite familiar and two of them seem to b

window, whispering and ca

fore he does. The triumphant looks on t

llows my gaze. "Who

le is my boyfriend, no, I mean, ex-boy

is the same person mom trie

ly you? You

s the only th

the car, and opens the door for me. "

ng for me, and then stare back at him. "I thi

but steps aside. "He won't

y so I walk toward the depar