Chapter Three

Anne called last night, and I was still in day dream about what she told me. There was something about talking to your lover you couldn't explain. Like how there was butterflies in your stomach, this weird feeling in your chest, and how you just get lost in that little world only both of you know.

Since it was my 18th birthday in a couple of weeks, she was planning on visiting me. I couldn't wait any longer though, I already couldn't sleep last night just by thinking about it. To hold her in my arms again and hear her voice close and not just over the phone but right beside me.

All these sucked, being so far away from her.

"Where are we going again?" Yawned as I looked out the window, finally getting away from school.

"Honey, we've talked about this. We're going to the market to buy our neighbors some gifts," She said. We took a turn to the elementary department building to pick up my little brother ,Evan, this time. My god, he's coming too?

He climbed in the car as a bunch of boys bid him goodbye. I'm impressed by how many friends this boy could make in a span of two days. He could already be popular for all I know.

"Someone's already making friends," I raised a brow at him. "Just how?"

"My spider collection, I brought them to school." He said as he giggled weirdly.

"That's really disgusting," I rolled my eyes and he does the same. You know, sibling things.

-

We got home at 6:00 pm as a whole. After shopping we picked up dad from his work. Got a basket of fruits for the neighborhood. Mom said they'll love it and I thought it was boring. They will think we're like a normal Christian family. Which we are, but I want things a bit more spiceyyy~~

So I bought rainbows. Should I? I mean, like, I don't want them to think my only personalty is being gay, it could throw them off, but on the other side, I also want them to know that I am gay. But then again, why would I want them to know that? What am I expecting from that? Who cares if I'm gay or not? Yeah... Who cares if I'm gay or not...

So should I..? Not like they're gonna notice the rainbow handle on the mug anyway. They'll think nothing of it.

"Ellie please deliver this to Miss Miller next door," mom said as she packed the fruits and mug to give to our other neighbors.

"M-me? Uhh what the hell am I going to say?" I said with sweaty palms. I am not good at talking.

"Just give it and smile." She said nonchalantly and shrugged like it was that easy without sounding freaky. What do I know? I'm not a white mom.

This should be a piece of cake I'm hoping. I imagine Ms. Miller next door as an old lady who likes to bake. She has to be wholesome. I'll just give the gift, smile and nod that's all... gift, smile and nod. Right...

I left the house without closing the door thinking that I wouldn't take too long. Her house was beside ours and nearly close. You could take a meter stick or two and it'll reach her house. I knocked on her front door. The lit light bulb on her garage says she's probably home. I heard foot steps nearing the door and I listen patiently as she opens it for me.

Here it goes...

"Oh, well I didn't expect any visitors today," She said as she scrunched her soaked short brown hair with a towel. She's wearing a green silk robe and her chest were a bit exposed... But more importantly, that's my fucking teacher right there.

Can't seem to brush the thought away, I stuttered in saying my lines. "My mom she, uh, wanted to give this to you..." I handed her the basket with shaking hands. There's something really embarrassing about this and I can't put my finger on it. Maybe the fact that her eyes were daunting, and I find myself searching for an excuse to shift my gaze away from that.

She said thank you and happily accepted the basket. As she should cause I'm tired from all that shopping I was forced to do.

"Would you like to come in? It's cold out, maybe I could get you a coffee in return,"

I nodded. This is normal right? I mean we are neighbors at this moment, we're not teacher and student it's not odd. I followed her anyway.

She opened the door for me welcoming me inside her home for the first time. A sweet scent lingers around the living room and into the kitchen.

"Make yourself at home, I'll just change quickly," She said as she hugged her robe on her body then she rushed upstairs to change.

Her home is not that different from ours, noticeably, she owns a lot of books. Those hard shelled ones, I doubt anybody reads these days. There are scattered piles of paper on her coffee table on her living room. There's a soft gray faux fur carpet underneath a single white leather sofa and a flat screen tv facing it. Other than that, nothing is that noticable. Her walls lack life, no frames nor decorations. Just a solid cream color on her living room.

I heard Ms. Miller's steps while I was busy checking out the books on her cabinet. It made me turn around then I saw her going down the stairs wearing a loose long sleeve sweater and leggings. Her neck and collar bone exposed due to the wide neckline of her blouse. I was pressured by her presence even though she's as simple as she can be.

"Sorry to keep you waiting. I hope you don't mind." She said as she took the final step of the stairs and started walking towards me. "Let's have a little chat shall we?"

I nodded and followed her to the dining room scanning it all over as she leads me. She has a lot of baking stuffs around here. A sack of flour, icing bags, jars of biscuits are towering her counter tops.

"Your mom's not home?" I asked as I sat on her dining table and she walked pass me to go to the kitchen.

She took time in answering my question. And I waited for her to comeback with two cups of coffee on a tray and her answer. She sat across me, not like there's any more chairs around.

"I live alone actually," She said as she sipped her coffee.

Oh. So no baker grandma... And she's the actual Miss Miller mom's talking about. I could've known that was the case. Ms. Miller sit still as she watch for my reaction.

"Cool," I nodded. "More room for thoughts, I guess...?" I said as I get more used to talking to her. She's less scary when she talks though.

"Yes, and more room to be reckless with it too." She said smiling.

The soft music playing on her radio fills in when there's lack of speech in both of us. I didn't notice the time, they're probably waiting for me at home confused as where I've gone. As we chatted about her biscuits and her hobbies, my heart started to palpitate because of the coffee. It's hotter than usual in here.

"I never got to introduce myself, do you even know my name?" I asked and she was surprised by the sudden change in topic.

"Of course, of course," She laughs nervously. "Riley... Isn't it?"

At least she tried.

I rolled my eyes playfully at her. "It was nice meeting you Miss Miller, I think I should be going now." I said sarcastically picking up the basket with me too.

"No, wait let me try one more time." She thought for a while, squinting her eyes at me . "You're Sam, aren't you?"

"Nope, and don't try again ma'am, you're breaking my heart," I jokingly said with a hand on my chest.

"Come on I handle a hundred student everyday, think I could memorize all of them?" She sighed. "Annabeth?"

"No, too far,"

"Darlene!" She said confidently.

"At this point, I think you're just guessing,"

She ignored me anyway, "Charlie?"

"Hmm, close enough," I shrugged.

"You're definitely Emily," She decided like she was right.

"Yeah, that's closer but still wrong, sorry."

"Oh, don't make me pick up my attendance book now," She shook her head.

Nope. That's too mean for me to do I think I'll just drop it for now. "It's Ellie, Ellie Holmes and I'm like on the last batch you're teaching, if you remember,"

"Ahh Ellie, right... I remember your face as clear as the day. It's just that I'm not good with names." She said as she stood up facing me. "Nice to meet you, and I'm sure you must know me already,"

"Yes I-" Before I could finish what I was about to say I felt my phone vibrate in my pocket. Ms. Miller noticed it too and she just gave me a raised eyebrow.

"I think I should go," I said.

I saw Ms. Miller eye's stared at me for a moment again, until she decided to say. "You should, it's getting late."

"So, I'll see you around?"

"Yes,"