Millie didn’t give me a house address.

It was a donut shop and they stood outside with a white paper bag in their hands.

“I hope you have some coffee on you,” I commented as they stepped inside my car and sat down on the passenger seat.

“I don’t, but you can go inside to grab one before we leave and I didn’t know what was your type of drink in the morning,” They commented and raised the bag to show to me. “I do have donut holes and chocolate twists. I hope you like that.”

“I do,” I said putting my car in park and unbuckling myself. “You didn’t get a drink for yourself?”

Millie gave a sheepish smile and looked embarrassed. “This was all I could afford.”

“Got it,” I said and opened the door to step out of the car and look back in through the open window. “Coffee or hot chocolate?”

Millie blushed and hummed loudly, “Hot chocolate.”

“Got it. I’ll be back,” I said then walked inside to buy our beverages and it didn’t take long to order. I returned to the car with a hot chocolate and I got myself an iced coffee. This was a good way to wake up.

“Thanks,” Millie said, taking the cup when I returned to my car.

I grabbed a donut and took a bite, “Is it okay if we stay here for a bit?”

“That’s fine. I’m not in a rush,” Millie said as they took a sip from their cup and seemed happy.

“So, were you ever going to tell me you knew my aunt?” I asked curiously.

“What’s there to tell?” Millie responded and took out the chocolate donut from the bag. “Everyone knows each other in this town and I did meet her a few times, but it’s not like I know her personally. Well, honestly, I didn’t know you were related until the ladies in the office talked about it when I went to turn in a detention slip and they don’t care if I listen in on their gossip.”

“Why would they talk about her?” I asked, confused.

They looked at me with an expression like I should already know, but I don’t and they let out a loud sigh. “Come on, this town doesn’t like me so they might not like your aunt and they could be talking about her because of you.” They explained and continued eating.

I remembered the expressions the people in the office made when we visited to turn in some forms and I looked away trying to process this. “So they hate anyone that’s gay or different,” I mumbled.

“I don’t mean it in a bad way, but yes. It’s tough living here,” Millie said and frowned for a second before facing me. “But your aunt is cool. I like her, but I didn’t expect to see her again.”
“Why?” I asked.

“Just. I hardly see her these days. I don’t go out much and restrict myself from venturing out in this town if I want to stay safe,” They replied and finished the rest of their donut. “It might not look it, but guys don’t like it when they find out my gender when they see me dress like this in the street and it’s not like I want to give them that sort of attention either.”

I felt a bit disgusted listening and I wondered how much Millie had been through. “Sorry that happened,” I said and put my drink in the cup holder.

“It’s the other people who should be apologizing, not you,” Millie mumbled. “But fuck them 'cause they would never feel sorry.”

I smiled and started driving towards school. “I doubt they will so I’ll say it.”

“It’s too early in the morning to hear you being nice,” Millie said and looked out the window quietly.

It was almost a quiet drive until I parked the car and we stayed seated a little longer. “Can I ask you something?” I asked.

“I never like hearing you say it like that. It gives me a weird feeling like I should expect disappointment,” Millie said and frowned when finishing their drink.

“Nah, it’s nothing like that. I was curious about what my aunt told me.” I said and waited for a second before continuing with my question. “How come your dad hates the way you dress? You brought it up last time and I didn’t think much of it, but now I’m a little curious.”

“Hm,” Millie sat back and gave a small sigh before looking at me. “It’s a simple answer. My dad didn’t like how I changed the way I dressed since the beginning and refused to accept. He thinks that anything that isn’t manly or masculine is wrong and tries to toss what he can find. Lately, he’s been in a bad mood cause he’s a drunk so it’s hard keeping my clothes and make-up. I have to do my laundry to make sure I have everything.”

“Your dad’s an alcoholic?” I asked.

Millie nodded and was silent for a moment before facing me again to continue. “He was always drinking since I was a kid, but I might have made it worse or my mom made it worse when she got caught cheating on him.”

“Shit. So, your parents are divorced?” I asked.

“No,” Millie laughed and rolled their eyes. “They might as well have since they can’t stand each other, but they are still married and still living under the same roof. It’s weird.”

I didn’t say anything for a moment then shook my head and was still in disbelief. “That would be weird living like that.”

“And you? Why are you living with your aunt?” Millie asked in return.

I pressed my lips together and started grabbing our empty cups then stepped out of the car to throw it out. “My parents got in an accident,” I answered after walking back. Millie had stepped out of the car, backpack in hand, and waited for me to lock the car. “I want to go back home, but there’s no one there anymore and I only have my aunt. I’ve never been close with the rest of my family besides my grandparents and I barely found out why my aunt hasn’t been in touch with my extended family. I guess I’m also living in an awkward living situation as well.”

Millie stood there watching me before reaching out to grab my arm, “And are you okay? After moving and living here.”

I let out a small chuckle and shrug shoulders. I’m not sure, I thought. “I’m dealing with it,” I answered.

“It’s okay… It’s okay to be upset and mad,” Millie said and gave me an expression of concern, their brows pulled together while frowning. “I know how it is to be alone and it's different compared to my experience, but it’s okay to be pissed off. You’re too nice to hold that in.”

I couldn’t look at them as I listened and took a small breath before taking a step back. “It’s fine. I’m fine.” I said and felt my jaw clench.

Millie frowned as they followed me and shook their head. “I doubt it, but if you don’t want to talk about it then fine. I guess you are fine.” They said and walked faster to be beside me. “Do you like scary movies? I suddenly have the urge to watch Carrie. I’m sure you’ve seen that movie.”

“The original or the newer vision?” I asked, confused at the sudden change of topic.

“The original. You can never go wrong with the original,” They said thoughtfully and gasped as they turned to me. “What if they try to pull a Carrie on me during prom?”

“What?” I turned to them and was more confused by their imagination. “You have a really big imagination. Why would they do that?”

“Come on, you see the way they are with me. You heard the way Daniel talked about checking my dick. You can’t trust him,” They said in a matter-of-fact and gave me a side look. “Don’t think I’m weird thinking about this. Trust me, they would find a way to humiliate me to end the school year with a bang.”

“That’s just sad,” I commented.

“I’ll have to wear red, just to be safe.” They said and continued walking.

“Prom is still months away. I’m sure you'll give them the idea if you keep talking about it like that,” I replied and heard the bell ring for the morning period. “Shouldn’t you be more worried about winter formal or Halloween?”

“No one cares about things like that here. They want a show and I’ll give it to them. Halloween, I’ll be a sexy mummy. Winter Formal, I want a nice light blue dress and make myself look like Elsa from Frozen. It’ll be iconic.” They were full of excitement and turned to me. “It’ll need creamy white laces and has it fluffy in the back to give a nice short tail.”

”That doesn’t sound like an Elsa dress…” I replied.

”Use your imagination please.” They replied dryly.

“Sorry. I wasn’t trying to imagine it hard enough. I don’t even think they make sexy mummy costumes… I don’t know where you’ll find that,” I said and we walked so far that we’re in front of Millie’s classroom. “Okay, so this is your stop. I’ll see you in third period.”

“Wait before you go,” Millie reached for my arm when I was about to turn away and quickly let go. “Friday. I’m sleeping over Friday night and I demand pizza, scary movies, and grill cheese for breakfast.”

I laughed and hummed loudly, “I didn’t expect conditions for your time.”

”Sorry, my time is precious.” They said with a smirk.

“I’ll keep that in mine,” I said and gave them a small wave. “I’m going to class now. I hope you can give me your time later on without any bargins.”

I could looked back for a moment to see Millie waving and I went back down the stairs to walk towards the other building.