Chapter 9
JULIAN POLE
After class, we rode straight to the hospital where my mum works. Obviously, Luka and Rico had to tag along—like parasites. Honestly, I don't even think my mum loves me anymore. If I showed up without them, she'd probably ask where her boys were.
The hospital was packed, buzzing like always, so we sat at reception to wait. Rico, of course, pulled out his phone and dialed her. Rico. Not me, her actual son.
"Hello, mum," Rico said, all casual. "We're at reception." He paused, then frowned. "Alright. Fine." He hung up, looking like someone stole his puppy.
"What?" I asked, already suspicious.
"She can't make it," he said with fake sadness.
"What?!" Luka practically shouted, drawing half the waiting room's attention.
"Keep your voice down," I hissed, sinking lower in my chair.
"But she promised to see us today!" Luka whined, bottom lip trembling like a toddler.
"Are you seriously about to cry?" I asked. "What are you, five?"
He sniffed. "You don't get it, Julian."
"Rico is obviously messing with you," I said, pointing as my mum walked out in her scrubs, heading straight for us.
"Mother!" Luka yelled, jumping up and running to hug her.
"She's my mother, asshole!" I shouted after him.
"Oh, baby, I missed you too," Mum said as she hugged him. Him.
"Rico said you weren't coming," Luka complained, glaring at Rico.
"Rico?!" Mum turned sharply.
"I was just teasing!" Rico threw his hands up, then hugged her too.
Mum sighed. "How many times have I told you two—you're supposed to be taking care of him. He's still a baby."
"A baby?" I repeated. "He's twenty."
"Exactly. Two years younger than you two. That's a big gap," Mum said, patting Luka's head like he was a toddler.
"See?" Luka smirked. "Tell them I'm literally just a baby."
"Really, Luka?" Rico muttered.
Luka huffed like a diva.
Mum shook her head and waved us toward the cafeteria. "Alright, enough bickering. Let's eat. What's that you're carrying, Julian?"
I lifted the box in my hands. "Cookies."
"We made them for you," Luka said, puffing his chest.
"You didn't make shit," I muttered.
"Language, Julian," Mum scolded automatically.
"Sorry, ma," I said, glaring at Luka.
"Rico and I slaved over a hot stove," Rico added. "Luka just made a mess."
"Not true!" Luka argued, trying to look innocent.
By the time we sat in the cafeteria, the cookies were already disappearing. Luka stole the first one, naturally.
"So," Mum said, chewing slowly, "how's school? Sorry I haven't been home. Work's been… a lot."
School's fine," Rico answered flatly.
Mum narrowed her eyes. "What's that tone?"
"Nothing, ma'am. We just miss you."
Her gaze flicked to me. "Julian, is your father giving you trouble again?"
I stiffened, looking at Rico. "…No, Mum."
"Then what is it?" She closed the cookie box with a snap.
"Julian's falling behind. Your husband's not taking it well. But he has a tutor now," Luka blurted, all in one breath.
I glared at him so hard my eyes burned.
"What? She needed to know," he muttered.
"You have a tutor? Who's paying for that?" Mum asked sharply.
I panicked. "So there's this pro—uh, ah—Rico!"
Rico elbowed Luka, shutting him up. I almost wanted to kiss him for it. Almost.
"I sell my paintings online," I admitted quietly. "That's how I pay."
"You should've come to me, Julian," she said gently.
"No, Mum. They're not… paintings I can exactly display." I fiddled with my sleeves.
Truth was, I'd been selling my art online to cover tutoring fees — even though my professor said I could just "pay in effort." Still, I couldn't bring myself to freeload. And honestly… I couldn't stop thinking about him. I hadn't seen him in class today, and he hadn't texted me about our session. Was he okay?
Was I worried? … Maybe?. I did have a crush on him.
Like a fool.
"When are you telling your father?" Mum asked suddenly.
"What?" I blinked, dragged out of my thoughts.
"When are you telling him what you really want?"
"Mum," I groaned.
"No, Julian," Rico cut in, frustrated. "We've planned this for ages. You said you'd tell him. We're waiting."
Their words pressed against me like bricks. I wanted to scream. "I will. Just… let me graduate first. I'll get the certificate for him, then I'll do what I want."
Silence stretched until Luka broke it softly. "When are you coming home, Mum?"
"Soon, Luka. Soon." She smiled at him. At him. I swear she loves them more than me.
"Mrs. Pole?"
We all turned. A man in a sharp suit was striding toward our table, cutting through the cafeteria noise like he owned the place.
At first glance, something in my stomach twisted—not a good feeling.