001 // MEETING

"remember. growing might feel like breaking at first."

//

"come on now."

Helena claps her hands together, trying to meet the gaze of her neice.

"we're going to be late." a reminder. not the first one either.

Helia- Helena's neice makes no effort to continue getting ready for school. she stands on the spot, arms crossed as she kicks at the shoes she's supposed to be wearing. "why can't you drop me off?" she begs her father.

it's not that Helia doesn't like her auntie Helena. she's merry, enthusiastic and buys her donuts. she just prefers her parents like every other child. the natural instinct is understandable.

"me and mummy need to go to work." Namjoon explains like he's done countless times before. every time, the emotions are the same, never changing- tired and droopy. Helia is a stubborn child, understanding when she wants to be- she gets it from him.

"do you have to?" Helia groans, trying not to throw a strop.

Helena saw it coming.

"yes." Namjoon speaks sternly, grabbing his satchel. his job as a university lecturer is one that requires him to carry his laptop, books and papers everywhere. not to mention, waking up really early and working from home means he doesn't get as much free time and relaxation as he would like.

thankfully, his girlfriend, Adora- Helia's other caregiver, only works part time as a support worker. "that's why auntie Helena is dropping you off." who Helia will always have, regardless.

Helia, the young child, feels thankful that she gets to live with her beautiful mother, father and auntie. to have three caregivers makes her feel like the luckiest girl in the universe.

"that's me." Helena points to herself and slaps a cheerful smile across her face. the smile means nothing because internally, she's trying not to lose her temper. everyone's tired. she has to be at university and just wants to drop her niece off already. "it's my job."

"your job is to drop me off?" Helia asks with large, colossal eyes. she's always found her auntie interesting- in everything that she says or does. when Helia's teacher asked her- who is your role model?, her small hand, covered with red paint, shot up in the air and her aunties name slipped past her lips.

"i have the best job in the world, don't i?"

Helia pursues her lips. she's thinking- it's what she does every second of everyday. sometimes, it's distracting for her. "but i thought your dream job was to save the world." she reminds her auntie, finally getting ready.

Helia can see auntie Helena saving the world with her black forehead fringe, short stature, deep coloured eyes and awkward laughter. a superhero.

"that too, but spending time with my niece is a dream come true."

"don't stop smiling and let's go shall we?" Helena smiles in relief when she sees Helia ready for school. she carries her niece's reading bag and lunchbox as well as her own backpack. she just had to return her heavy library books today didn't she?

"don't forget your sunflower for the competition!" Adora- Namjoon's long term girlfriend walks out of their bedroom with sock covered feet. she waves her hand, smiling a miniature, gentle smile that makes the day brighter, despite the clouds full of rain and gloom.

Adora isn't one to smile much. but whenever she does, her energy radiates everywhere and demands everyone's attention because of how beautiful she can be as a person. she's been losing herself lately, due to her struggling mental illness but is surrounded by the familial support around her. with Helia, she's on top of the world.

"good luck!" Namjoon shouts from his seat at the kitchen table. he has to leave in five minutes too. "remember, it's okay if you don't win." he reminds the child with a shining, dimpled smile as he warms his hands around a self made, delicate coffee mug.

"see you later Helena." the friendly couple also call out.

"bye guys! have a good day at work." the young adult replies, waving her hand before leaving through the front door that shuts their home away.

at the same time Helena and Helia leave their house with heavy bags and a tall, fantastic sunflower, their closely located, unknown neighbours do too. the atmosphere turns awkward as they all step outside.

Helena notices the older boy leaving his neighbourhood home with what looks like his younger brother. to him, Helia probably looks like her sister.

Helena hasn't spoken to the boys before. they've been neighbours for years now and she doesn't know whether the fact that they never see each other is why they don't speak at all.

she's aware that the two boys live with their parents and that's all. the older boy looks like he's around the same age as her. he seems unapproachable but Helena finds herself admiring small but significant details such as the short strands of dusky, black hair popping out of his bucket hat, fine jawline, circular, gorgeous eyes, the belt around his hips and his shoes.

Helena wants his shoes. she reminds herself how broke she is and immediately turns her eyes away.

Namjoon and Adora had mentioned the quiet neighbours name before but Helena blames her shit memory for not being able to remember.

both duos walk down their assigned paths before walking onto the same pavement. Helena feels slightly anxious with the kid and big brother behind her. she tries not to show how much she's struggling with holding everything. this damn sunflower competition-

"ha! my sunflower is growing faster than yours." the boy remarks.

Helena immediately turns around, whipping her head with a surprised look on her face. a frown spreads onto her lips when she sees the younger, Helia sized boy smirking.

Helena notices Helia's upset face and she clenches her fists.

"don't listen." Helena leans down, nudging naive Helia gently.

Helena tilts her head to the side, stopping in her rapid tracks before turning around and walking up to the small boy (he's probably the same age as Helia which is eight). don't worry, she's not going to cut his sunflower-

Helena ignores the older boy besides him. she's not here to speak to him. she's aware of his intimidating gaze. "everybody grows at different rates. remember that." the warm hearted female speaks wisdom before walking away.

even little kids need to be spoken to.