“Aunt Jocelyn, Millie is going to be staying over tonight,” I remind her as I quickly eat my cereal and look over my text messages with Issac.

“You want me to buy anything to make?” She asked.

“No, I promise to get them food on the way home,” I answered and turned to her after eating. “But I have a question.”
“What is it?” She faced me, her back leaning against the counter.

“When can we go to L.A. I want to visit my girlfriend and she reminds me how I still need an adult to travel… You’re my guardian so that means I need you for permission.” I said and waited for her reply.

“Well… It's barely a month so I wouldn’t blame you for wanting to visit your friends right away… Let me see my schedule and I can get back to you on that. I know you have your girlfriend and you want to see her,” She said and looked slightly distressed.

“It’s okay. I was only curious. I had to ask,” I said, hoping I didn’t make it feel like an obligation.

“Let me figure it out this week and get back to you once I talk with my boss. It shouldn’t be hard to change my schedule and give me a weekend off.” She said and smiled softly before looking at the time. “You should hurry up. Make sure you have enough gas. How about I buy some cookies to bake? Those would be great for midnight snacks.”

“Yeah, that sounds good. Millie does have a sweet tooth,” I let it slide and reached for my backpack before standing there for a second feeling like I had to say something else. “Um…”

“What is it?” Aunt Jocelyn took my empty and began to wash it. 

“Is Millie safe at home?” I asked the question that’s been pondering my mind for a while. “I heard about their dad being a drunk and how bad people treat them, but it doesn’t seem like this town is even safe for them to walk around either.”

Aunt Jocelyn didn’t reply as she rinsed the soap off the bowl and then set it on the side before reaching for a towel and wiping her hands. “People are less cruel with me compared to him- them. Sorry. I think it was bad in the beginning, but I don’t think it’s as bad as it is now. I don’t think it’s something for you to worry about now.”

“Really?” I asked.

“I hope so,” She said and reached out to hug me. “It’s nice to see you two as friends and caring about each other.”

“It’s just… Millie caught my attention the first time we met and I don’t know. I wanted to be friends with them… It feels natural.” I replied and almost blushed after thinking about the words I said. “I’m going now. I need to go to the library before class starts.”

“I think I know what you mean,” Aunt Jocelyn smiled and shook her head. “Alright then. Get out of here. I’ll see you later.”

“Bye,” I waved as I started making my way out of the house and once I was in the car my phone started ringing. For a second I thought it would be Millie until I read the caller I.D. and quickly answered. “Hi, grandma. How are you?”
“I’m good! I’ve missed your voice. Why haven’t you called me?” My grandmother asked in a cheerful tone and I had forgotten that she messaged me about a week ago.

“Sorry, I’ve been distracted. I meant to call you but with school and homework… I was going to,” I said and started the car, but I wanted to wait until I finished the call before I drove. “I’m actually about to head to school right now.”

“I’ll make this quick then,” She said and you could hear her rushing her words. “I know you're still with your aunt, but your grandpa and I were thinking about having you live with us. We can talk about it with your aunt again-”

“But you have to go to court,” I cut in and felt slightly frustrated. “I think I’m fine living here with Aunt Jocelyn.”
“I don’t think we feel that way. We don’t live too far from your old home and that’s closer to your friends. You remember when your parents used to bring visit every weekend and I took care of you when your mom couldn’t pick you up from school.” She said and I wasn’t sure how to feel or to give a response. “I don’t like the idea of you living somewhere far and you don’t even know your aunt that well. She wasn’t always around.”

“Aunt Jocelyn has been treating me well,” I said and took a small breath. I agree that it would be nice to live closer to home and where I used to grow up, but it won’t be the same. I looked up at roof of the car and felt a knot in my throat. It was a little suffocating and had to find my words to talk. “She’s actually been great… I don’t think there’s a point in me moving again when I barely started my senior year and will be moving to college after.”

“But honey, I’m sure it would be easy to transfer again and move your things,” Grandma tries to push the offer.

I rubbed my forehead and leaned my elbow on the door. “Grandma, can I think about it. I’m already running late,” I replied and decided to end the conversation. “Can you let me think on this and I’ll call you back?”

“Of course! Make sure you don’t bring this up to your aunt just yet. We need to have sort things out with our lawyers and we can let you know-”
“Grandma, let’s not rush into this and I’ll let you know what I want after I think on it some more,” I said, holding the phone tightly in my hand. “I’m going to school now so I’m hanging up. Take care of yourself, grandma.”

“Okay, okay. You too my love. I just missed you so much,” She replied.

“I miss you too. Goodbye,” I said and hung up. I looked at the phone for a minute, seeing the home screen, and sighed loudly before putting my phone away.