ROSES AND THORNS-BEING REAL

CHAPTER SIXTEEN-MILAN

I wonder what it is about Real that she doesn't wanna meet her brother especially when he's right in front of her.

"Thought you said your Siblings stayed in London?" I ask.

"Yeah, I'm also as surprised as you are." She says.

We both get out of the car and seat on the chairs by the park. I take out a cigarette and put it in between my lips to light it up, but Real takes it.

"Not now, please." She says looking me in the eye.

"Stop acting crazy and give it back." I tell her, trying to get a hold of her hand.

"Do you wanna die?"

"Maybe." I reply taking it from her.

"Jerk." She says.

I light up my cigarette and take a long puff and let the release the smoke through my mouth. I watch as it surrounds us.

"Doesn't bother me." I reply taking another puff.

I've decided to spend my evening with Real since my parents and Daryn are out somewhere. We have some junk as we talk about regular stuff and I help Real set up her Tik Tok account since she doesn't have any and I become her first follower. She pots today's video of her singing and we wait for it to grow.

"So, tell me about your school. Is it that hard to find a girlfriend?" Real asks.

"Not to me. Girls are crazy." I tell her.

"Then why you still single?"

"I wanted to only be Sasha, so since she chose Troy over me, I decided I wouldn't ask out anyone from my school anymore." I tell her.

"Did she tell you the reason?"

"Everyone knows it's coz Troy convinced her I'm no good enough for her and that I lose control." I tell her.

"What kinda control?" she asks confused.

"When I'm not feeling the vibe. But I'm okay now." I tell her.

Around 9pm, I say goodbye to her and ask what she's gonna be doing tomorrow and she says she'll be with Nicole, so I guess I'm gonna see her at the game the coming week.

It's Saturday evening; went for gym and practice earlier and spent the other time helping mom at the boutique. In the evening, I decide to text Real and ask what she's doing.

Milan

Hi, you

You up?

Real

Hey, just got back from Nicole's.

Milan

How did it go?

Real

It was amazing, check out this video.

>ATTACHED A VIDEO.

Real attaches a video and I open it. Hers and Nicole's voice are blending perfectly in the duet, I keep replaying it up until my phone buzzes and it's another text from Real.

Real

How's it?

Milan

Awful

Real

Honestly, you're a total freaking liar ☹

Milan

Relax, I was only pulling your leg

Real asks me to stop teasing her all the time. I enjoy it though; but if it makes her uncomfortable, then I don't gotta do it anymore.

Milan

When are you returning to London?

Real

As in to stay?

Milan

Yeah

Real

When the pigs fly.

I just can't believe how funny Real is. I don't want her to leave though. I still wanna get to know her. I bring up the topic about asking my parents to let her stay with us, but she begs me not to tell them and I just listen to her. She tells me hat I've already done enough by introducing her to my parents. The week goes on slowly; it's Thursday and Real is still working on music with Nicole so we don't talk much his week. I decide to remind her about my game tomorrow. I'd really love for her to be there.

Milan

It's tomorrow, make sure you show up.

It shows delivered and she takes like thirty good minutes to finally respond.

Reality

I wouldn't miss it for anything.

Milan

Looking forward to seeing you there.

Real just leaves me on seen and doesn't respond back. I just go to bed and decide to take an online class and go for practice. I try as much as possible to avoid dad and his negative reviews. I speak to my advisor and I feel ready for the game. We do our final practice and take a shower right before the game. Coach calls us all and encourages us to really work hard on the game and tells us that he believes in us.

We get in the court and I spot mom and dad on the first roll; mom's screaming as always. Other people are also shouting. We meet the opposite team and shake hands and do some warm ups and as soon as the ampere blows the whistle, the game begins. I look at the crowd again and don't spot Real anywhere.

We keep playing and I keep glancing at the crowd to look out for Real and realize the ball is with one of the guys from the opposite team.

"Where you at, man. Concentrate." Karl says.

Thinking of Real is kind of draining my energy. Maybe she's just caught up in traffic and will be here any moment. I try to put my mind on the game and try to concentrate on the game. Half time through the game we exchange goals and I ask coach if I get a sub, but he insists I keep playing and looking back at the crowd; I see a faded version of Real which just disappears. I try to blush it all off and concentrate, but I can't get Real off of my mind.

As soon as the game ends, I take a shower and go home. Real's phone is unreachable. I walk into the house and just lose it.

"I hate it here!" I yell as I drop approximately all the glassware on the shelf.

"Stop it, Milan." Mom says holding my arm.

"You just don' know how I'm feeling right now. I'm going crazy, mother." I say as I let myself go from her grip and throw the glass vase to the ground.

"Honey!" mom screams, terrified.

I don' t remembers much of what is going on, all I remember is dad holding my hand and injecting me with an EpiPen. It stings, my hands and feet become weak and I see everything becoming blurry and I see black.

 "You really gonna keep doing this?"