Chapter 2: An Ordinary Girl

JULIA 

I paused at the thought of Evan coming back. Have I thought about it? Of course, I have. However, it was something I felt was impossible. 

Yet, here I was now—back to the city where we first met. 

The chances of seeing him had increased, and I didn’t know how to feel about it.  

After I found out I was pregnant, I told my parents right away. It was obvious that they couldn’t accept it at all. Their only daughter getting pregnant at a very young age wasn’t a part of their plans. And when I told them that Evan couldn’t seem to accept the child, they became even angrier. 

They had known Evan since he was young. Well, we have been best friends since we were little because my parents worked for his family—helpers of some sort. Our relationship wasn’t really perceived well in the Astor family. 

I could tell that they respected Evan’s decision to date their helper’s daughter. However, at the same time, I could also tell that they wanted someone better for him. So, as soon as I was out of the picture, my parents saw that as a sign that they weren’t welcome anymore too. 

I lost a lot that day—and so I moved in with Sarah and her family in the suburbs. It was a humble home, yet they accepted me. It was them that I raised Andy with. I felt indebted to them, of course. So, I took up every job that I could while taking care of Andy. 

It was one of the darkest times of my life. Yet, having Andy made it all better. 

I also continued my studies through online modalities by the time Andy turned two. This year, Sarah was offered a position in a company in the city, so I decided to move in with her. And since Andy was already five, I reckoned it was a good idea for him to go to school. 

And with that came the decision for me to go back to school, too. I was in my last year, and I decided to continue it in my past university. 

“Earth to Julia!” 

That snapped me out of my thoughts, and I was met with Sarah’s face right up mine. 

I jumped back in horror. 

“Geez,” she muttered. “Is my face that scary?” 

I sighed and placed my hand over my heart.

“Anyway, it was a test question!” she exclaimed, raising her chin. “And you failed miserably!” 

“You were thinking about him again, right?” she said, wiggling her eyebrows. 

I pursed my lips and shook my head. 

“Oh, come on. You have this weird look in your eyes whenever you think about him.” 

“What kind of weird look?” I asked, genuinely curious. 

“That lovestruck look,” Sarah said. “However, there’s a tinge of sadness to it. Ah, I can’t explain. Yet, it’s very distinct—that’s what I can tell you.” 

“It’s been six years now, Julia,” she continued, her voice softer this time. She held onto my hands and gave them a light squeeze. “Don't you think it’s time to move on?” 

“I have moved on,” I said in a firm tone. “I’ve lived these six years without him. I’m capable of living only with Andy.” 

“Then, why is it that you don’t want to go on blind dates?” Sarah exclaimed. “You’re extremely pretty! You have a hot body, and you have a personality that’s slightly less crazy than mine–which means that you’re easy to get along with!” 

I rolled my eyes and drank the rest of the tea in my cup. “It’s not that simple, Sarah. I have to take care of Andy.” 

She rolled her eyes. “For all I know, you’re really still stuck on Evander. No offense, but from the very start, you guys didn’t suit each other.” 

I frowned, crossing my arms in front of my chest. “What do you mean by that?” 

“Well, you’re Julia Johnson,” she started off. “And he’s Evander Cassiel Astor. Even your names don’t match!” 

“Hey, my name’s pretty!” I defended. 

“It is,” she said. “Pretty common! Even your last name is the second most common last name in the entire country.” 

“Okay, Sarah Smith,” I deadpanned, stating her extremely common name, too. 

She pursed her lips. “Alright, you got me there! Anyway, you suit someone who works a 9 to 5, is confident in his work, and does not have generational wealth! I have someone like that in my office. Want me to set you up?” 

I clicked my tongue and shook my head. “Stop it with the blind dates. The last time you set me up on one, he made me listen to his very loud rap mixtape.” 

“Well, was it good?” Sarah muttered. 

I chuckled and shook my head. “It was not!” 

“This guy is different!” she exclaimed. “He’s good-looking, too. I think you’ll really fit each other well.” 

“Drop it, Sarah,” I said in a serious tone, so she sighed and nodded. 

Just in time, Andy came out from his room, looking all cute and dapper. 

“There’s my prince,” I smiled, walking over to him. “Are you ready to go now?” 

Andy nodded. “Yes, Mommy.” 

“Let’s go,” I said and led him to Sarah’s car. It was a beat-up Toyota Corolla, but it took us to places, so we couldn’t really complain. 

We first arrived at the kindergarten where Andy would be studying. It was a small school that had affordable tuition. Still, it was the best place I could find within my budget range. 

“Are you ready for your first day, bub?” I asked with a fond look. 

Andy smiled up at me and nodded. “Hmm,” he hummed. “I’ll be a good boy, mommy.” 

“That’s my son,” I smiled. “I’ll pick you up later because I only have an orientation. Wait for me, okay?” 

He nodded without any complaints and went to the classroom by himself. 

As soon as he was gone, Sarah sighed. “I told you—that kid is way too good. He’s a genius, too! He helped me with the pronunciation of a word the other day.” 

I sighed and shook my head. “I don’t even want to ask what word that is.” 

“So, to your school now?” she asked. 

I smiled nervously before nodding. I stared out of the window with a small sigh. 

“It’s been a while, huh?” Sarah started off. 

“Yeah,” I muttered. “It feels surreal. I never thought I could go back.” 

“Well, it’s long overdue,” she said. “You know—the one person I remember in this school is the girl that used to run after Evander. She was the most persistent one out of the bunch. That little bitch.” 

“Hey,” I chuckled. “She was pretty nice. Although, she was persistent. However, she backed off when I told her that we’d been dating long-term.” 

“What was her name again?” Sarah asked, tilting her head to the side. “I remember it sounding very fancy—like Evander’s name.” 

“Heather,” I answered. 

“Right!” she exclaimed. “She even has a perfectly unique name. Oh, the world is so unfair.” 

“Heather Elodi Maison.”