Chapter 3 - BINGO

My jaw all but fell to the floor after Mrs. Madden told me everything regarding my new position. 

It was a live-in, so by the following week I'd be able to move in officially. 

To say I was nervous would have been an understatement. I honestly couldn't shake the feeling that something was off, but I had already been looking forward to spending more time with Rin. 

It may have been because of all the changes my life was about to go through: getting a new job, moving to a new place, quitting the job at the restaurant. It had already left me feeling overwhelmed. But I wasn't going to let this opportunity go to waste.

After Mrs. Madden and I said our goodbyes that night, I went straight home and already began packing my things. I didn't have much, but I figured the sooner I got things packed, the easier the move would be. I was set to officially move in some time next week, but my first day was today. 

I had just pulled out the key Mrs. Madden gave me when the door creaked open.

"Alek! You're here, and just in time! Come on in."

"Oh, hello. Thank you." I replied, smiling politely. 

I was hit by the smell of pancakes as soon as I walked in, my stomach growling right on cue. 

"Pancakes? I love pancakes!" I did a little skip, but then quickly remembered I had to act professional. 

Giggling, Mrs. Madden replied, "Yes! Rin loves pancakes too and I just couldn't say no to his cute face when he came into my room this morning begging for some. Now, since today is Sunday, he doesn't have school so I figured you two could enjoy a lazy day together while I head off to work." 

"Oh, you can't stay any longer? Have you had anything to eat?"

"Oh no, don't worry about me. I'll pick something up on the way. Thank you, Aleksander, for accepting this offer. I have a good feeling about you." Mrs. Madden's reassuring tone helped to ease my nerves, at least she believed in me. I can do this. 

"Alek? You're here!" Both our heads turned in the direction of little Rin scrambling over to us, a big smile on his face and syrup dripping down the side of his mouth. 

"Hello, Rin! Are you having a good day?" I bent down to his level. 

"Yea! Did you see? Mommy made pancakes! I love pancakes!" 

"Me too! Are you all stuffed now?" 

"No, I'm not done. Come sit with me?" Rin tilted his head in question and I couldn't hold back my laugh. 

"Of course! Come on, let's go have some pancakes!" I rose back up to Mrs. Madden, and offered her a smile. 

"Go on then, we don't want you to be late. And don't worry, Rin's in good hands. He's a sweetheart." 

"Ah, thank you, Darling. Rin, sweetie? I'll be home later, okay? Be good for Aleksander." They exchanged a hug and a kiss and then she was off. 

"Alright, pancakes here we come!" 

Breakfast was amazing, and I may or may not have envied Rin for having such a wonderful cook as a mother before we eventually got settled on the couch, watching the best kids show "Bluey". Call me crazy, but I loved that show even as a full grown adult. It made me wish my childhood was similar to that of the main character's. 

"Rin, your eyes are going to get bad if you sit that close to the TV." I warned as the boy moved down to the floor and sat directly in front of the screen, singing along with one of the songs. 

"Daddy says that's a myth!" 

"Does he now?" I raised a brow in question, surprised to think about how little I knew of the boy's father. 

"Yep! He sits next to me when we watch Bluey!"

"Oh, well in that case—" I started, getting myself comfortable next to the little guy. Bad eyes be damned. He was too sweet to shut down. 

Giggling, Rin began, "Daddy says I remind him of Bingo! But I like Bluey, what do you think?"

I smiled, "Sorry, Kiddo. You definitely fall under the Bingo category more than Bluey. But, I can see Bluey in y'a, too, so don't worry too much." I ruffled his hair before I could stop myself. 

It was a little hard to process how quickly I took to the little guy. It felt like I had known him his whole little life. 

"Hmmm. . .okay!" 

The rest of the day went by much quicker than planned, and soon I realized it was almost dinner time. 

"Alright, Rin. What do you want to eat?" I asked with a smile, watching as he concentrated on his drawing yet again, Bluey still playing in the background. 

"Corn dogs!" He chirped before going right back to his drawing, the tip of his tongue sticking out the corner of his mouth as he focused his sole attention on the task at hand. 

I chuckled lowly to myself before I began the simple mission of making his dinner. 

As soon as I pulled the corn dogs out, two little hands reached up to the counter, "I wanna help!"

Looking down at Rin's bright hazel eyes filled with determination, I obviously couldn't deny the boy. 

So, the rest of the evening until Mrs. Madden returned was filled with Rin running around the kitchen and having a blast, while I scurried after him giggling. And when we weren't doing that, it was steering the little stinker away from random things on the counter. 

I couldn't have imagined a better way to spend my Sunday.

A/N~

Hey there Reading Mice! What do you think of this chapter? I think it’s pretty cute. Don’t worry, the angst will be coming soon, so enjoy the warmth while it lasts 👀

QOTD: If you could have any eye color, what would it be? 

Answer: for me, probably green, but mine are hazel and I kinda like them:) 

-Eli <3