Ugly Love (Hoover)/Chapter 2
from the Collection “Ugly Love”
Chapter Summary
Six years earlier, high school senior Miles Archer delivered a roll sheet to the administration office. Mrs. Borden asked him to wait and escort Rachel, a newly enrolled student, to their shared English class.
While waiting, Miles realized he had never been sent to the office during high school. He thought his mother would have been proud, but jokingly wished he had earned detention. He texted his friend Ian about the new girl and his lack of disciplinary trouble.
When Rachel appeared, Miles was immediately captivated by her green eyes and red hair. He struggled to introduce himself and could barely concentrate on anything except her name. He felt certain he would fall in love with her.
Rachel said she had moved from Phoenix, Arizona, to California. Miles mentioned that his father owned buildings in Phoenix. Wanting their conversation to continue, he kept asking questions as they walked past their classroom.
At the end of the hallway, Rachel admitted she had not been ready to leave Phoenix and asked where the classroom was. Miles confessed they had passed it. She blushed, and they turned back together.
Miles introduced Rachel to Mr. Clayton, and she took the only empty seat across the room. He imagined that her smiles meant she understood his interest and would eventually love him. He secretly photographed her and sent Ian the picture with a message imagining their future children.
By Friday, Miles had not spoken to Rachel again, although they shared three classes and she continued smiling at him. His attraction had undermined his confidence. Worried that someone else would approach her first, he decided to ask her out.
Waiting beside her locker, Miles asked about her first week and whether she had made friends. He complimented her scent, then fought through his nerves to ask whether she wanted to do something that evening. Her existing plans briefly left him feeling rejected.
Rachel then said she was free the following day. Relieved, Miles agreed to meet and asked for her phone number. He noticed her excitement, saved her contact, and confidently expected to keep it and call her often.
Characters
Quotes
My arms forget how to reach out to introduce the person they’re attached to.
My heart forgets to wait and get to know a girl before it starts to claw its way out of my chest to get to her.
I’ve said nothing to her since the day we met. I don’t know
why. We have three classes together. Every time I see her, she
smiles at me like she wants me to talk to her.
“I’m not busy tomorrow, though,” she says, obliterating the
wall with her words.
I make room for those words. Lots of room. I let them invade
me. I soak those words up like a sponge.