Perks of having a Cooler Girlfriend

Chapter 1

Chapter 1 

"Do you feel lonely?"

 Do you feel lonely... Do you feel lonely... Do you feel lonely...

 The question was simple yet it had me riled up as if it was the most complicated calculus question in the examination.

 I looked down at my seven-year old brother, Miles, looking up at me with the cherubic face of his. His eyes were wide, looking up at me, studying my expression. His chestnut brown hair brushed over his forehead and he tilted up his head, urging me to answer.

 "I... I... I don't know." I answered rather lamely to my smart little bro.

 "You've been taking care of me too much for the past year. Don't you think you may be missing out on the fun times of high school if you spend all this time with me?" Miles asked, his tone full of concern, like a wise 50 year-old was speaking to me, rather than a seven-year old.

 "Why? Has my little brother become a big boy already that he doesn't need his older brother?" I joked.

 However, it was true. I had been spending all my time last year with Miles. I figured Miles needed all the care and love he could get after Mom died. Damn, I thought when I recalled how we heard that our mother was hit by some reckless driver on the road. It was a depressing time for all of us. The mother we loved had to be taken away so suddenly. I didn't talk for a month. Had quite a temper actually and I adamantly refused to speak with anyone.

 I thought I had to be the one who suffered the worst from Mom's death. I had to be. Mainly, because she died on my birthday. She was taken away on my birthday.

 For that whole month I spent mourning, I only thought about how hard it had been for me. But forgot about the others who could've suffered more. My younger brother.

 How could he cope without the care of a nurturing mother? The kid was only six years old then!

 Dad was actually very helpful. He tried spending more time with Miles, but he still had a day job to go to. So, I thought that I had to be there for Miles.

 Each day, after he came back from school, I would ask of his day and play some board games with him. Sometimes, I let Miles invite his friends over to our house to play some video games that I had bought for Miles with my pocket money. When I had to work at my part-time jobs, I would ask my buddy, Luke Hunter, to babysit Miles for me. Unfortunately, for a price. That bastard.

 Miles looked away, sorrowfully, taking seriously my joke.

 "It's not that I don't need your company. It's more of how it is unfair to you." He muttered softly, interlocking his gaze with mine, and I noted how serious and mature my younger brother was.

 I sat down on the dining room chair, as if the matter weighed heavily on my shoulders and I sat quietly in comprehension. Maybe, I do have to make full use of my high school life. I had been too preoccupied with my studies, my part-time jobs and taking care of Miles that I hardly thought of hanging out with my friends, going to parties or finding a girlfriend even.

 Maybe, it was time that I start having fun and not let Mom's death hurt me so much. I think that was what Mom would have wanted.

 "Would you be okay with that, Milo?" I asked, ruffling Miles' hair.

 "I'll be fine, Mike." he smiled at me.

 I frowned though. Who would take care of Miles if I'm out with friends? Miles seemed to have read my mind as he added immediately.

 "Don't worry, Mike! Remember my classmate, Angel? Her mother is really nice and makes delicious brownies. Mrs Carter said I am welcome in her house anytime. Angel is also fun to play with! She's not like the other girls who only plays with Barbies." Miles chattered on.

 He looked so lively all of a sudden, talking about Angel. He perked up, going on and on about how Angel liked to go cycling, loved playing video games like Miles did. His cheeks were beetroot red as he spoke, and his eyes glistening with happiness. Oh... I think I know what this is about, I thought, smirking.

 I pulled a my-little-brother-is-all-grown-up look, pinching his cheeks.

 He saw my face and his eyes widened, his lower lip quivering.

 "It...It's not what you think, Mike."

 "It's exactly what I am thinking. My little brother is all grown up!" I gushed like a gossipy housewife, wiping an imaginary tear off my face.

 He rolled his eyes as I laughed heartily at my little brother.

 The sun went down by the time I was done poking fun at my younger brother. He had a crush! Awww... How cute...

 As I exited the kitchen that night, I brought out with me two very important things. My sandwich and my chocolate milk.

Oh, and also a decision that the first thing I'm going to do with my high-school-life-spent-to-the-fullest, is to find a girlfriend.

 ***

"Hey, Michael! Wow, this is the first time you had called to meet up. So, what's up?" my good friend, Dylan Stone, piped, smoothly sliding in the seat at McDonalds.

 I scrutinised Dylan, studying him from head to toe. Yup, I think the decision to ask advice from him is correct.

 Dylan Stone.

Age: 17 years old.

 School: Same as mine, Kingston High School

 Relation to me: Good friend since middle school

 About him: A soccer jock and a player in our school

 Looks: Meh. Good-looking but could be more polished. I mean, look at the unkempt hair! Tsk, tsk, tsk. His dirty blonde hair surely needs to be combed. He also needs to work a bit on the way he presents himself too. His jeans are ripped and were baggy, and his shirt looked like they weren't ironed.

 "Please tell me you're not gay and you asked me to come here cause' you'll confess." he whispered to himself, clasping his hands together like he was praying, with a heavenward tilt of his head.

 I rolled my eyes. I think I forgot to mention, that he was a teeny bit of a drama king.

 "No. I came to ask something of you, Dylan."

 He sighed rather dramatically, his chest heaving outwards exaggeratedly, and he smiled.

 "Good. It looked like you were checking me out, just now."

 "I was."

 His eyes popped up. "Ermm... Yeah. I was thinking if you were the best person to get advice from. I was studying you."

 He raised a brow, and he pulled a comical face of judgement. What? Isn't it common for people to judge you?

"Oh... kay... Well, what advice do you need, bro?"

 "I plan to find a girlfriend..."

***

"Stop it, Dylan! Don't you dare call Luke!" I hissed harshly, trying to snatch away his mobile phone, as Dylan grinned sneakily, using one arm to push me away while the other is used to dial Luke's number. Damn, friends. I'd rather hang out with Miles. At least, he won't shamefully tell your other friends about you. And make such an awful scene in public.

 I continuously tried jabbing Dylan, only to have all of my violent blows on him futile. Well, Dylan is part of Kingston High's soccer team. Damn it. If only the power of brain energy could be converted to strength, then Dylan would have nothing against my wrath.

When Luke picked up after three rings, Dylan sleekly answered the phone.

 "Guess what our buddy, Michael, asked of me today?" Dylan greeted, amused.

 I inwardly groaned. Well, just let the flow go. I mean, more help the better, no? I crossed my arms, faced across from Dylan.

 "Haha, he asked me to help him find a girlfriend! Haha, I'm not kidding. Well, what do you think we should do? Blaire's party?" He paused, and smirked in my direction. "I think you're right. Michael here needs to go to his first ever party."