“So, would you like to explain why you ditched school?” Aunt Jocelyn asked.

 We came home around one o'clock with two boxes of pizza and a bag full of candy. Millie wanted the candy and ran off to buy some while I paid for the pizza. I felt better after talking it out, but Millie didn’t push me any further afterward and waited until I calmed down. I felt lighter than I did when I arrived at school and could only hope that I wouldn’t have to go through that feeling again. I put the box on the table and Millie quietly sat down.

“I didn’t feel good,” I answered and opened the fridge to grab two soda cans. “Grandma called me. She didn’t want me to tell you… But she’s going to try and have me live with her… She said that I would be happier living closer to home again.” 

Aunt Jocelyn sighed loudly and bit down on her lips. “I figured she’d call you at some point… I know why they would think that too,” She said and shook her head, disapprovingly. “If you want to move-“

”I don’t,” I cut her off before she could finish talking. “I thought about it while Millie and I were at the park… I want to stay here.”

Aunt Jocelyn looked at me, obviously trying to hold back her tears, and nodded. “I’ll talk to my mom… Don’t worry about anything,” She said wiping her cheeks and nodding. “You two eat your pizza. I’m gonna go to the market real fast. I’ll be back.”

Millie watched my aunt grab her car keys and step out of the house. “I think you made her happy.”

“I think so too,” I said as I looked out the window from the kitchen and watched her drive away. “She probably left so I wouldn’t see her cry. She hasn’t really cried in front of me since I moved in. We've had some moments, but she always leaves the room.”

“Have you?” Millie asked.

“No,” I answered as I grabbed paper plates and handed one to Millie. “Let’s go to my room and put on a movie. I’ll let you pick.”

“Don’t let me pick,” Millie laughed and grabbed two slices then followed me to my room. “I’m gonna force you to put on Twilight.”

I crunched up my nose and turned on my television, shaking my head. “Please no. I would think you’ll pick Mean Girls or something. I know you wouldn’t want to pick something like John Wick or a Marvel movie.’

“First off, I like Marvel movies and DC. I grew up admiring Batman and I wanted Robin to be my boyfriend. Also, what’s wrong with Twilight? Such a modern take on Romeo and Juliet.”

I held in my laugh as I looked at the movies from the streaming service and picked the newest Batman movie. “Yeah, you can’t convince me.”

Millie took a sad bite of their pizza and moved to sit on the couch. “You’re so mean…”

“Try again on Christmas,” I joked and sat beside them.

“It’ll be on my wishlist,” They said and watched the beginning of the movie. “Okay, this is going to be a good movie.”

As we ate and filled ourselves with junk food, I glanced over at Millie. “So, is it always Robin that you liked or was it also Catwoman?” I asked, curiously.

Millie smiled and glanced back at me before pressing their lips together. “You can say I didn’t mind both,” Millie answered and looked thoughtful before continuing to watch the movie. “I’m bisexual, but I feel more attractive towards males.”

“Oh,” I hummed and thought about it. “So… You’ve dated-”

“I have never been in a relationship. I thought about it a lot when I was figuring out about myself. My identity and then I thought about the people I liked or felt attractive to.” They explained and pointed at the movie. “You watch movies and be like ‘damn batman is hot’, but then you see Catwoman and think the same way. You wonder why you like both stronger, and it was also confusing when I thought about myself.”

I sat there quietly as a scene showed Batman fighting a few street criminals and I thought about how Millie explained their experience. “I don’t think I’ve ever had a thought like that before.”

Millie smiled and reached for their bag of candy. “I believe that. You're straight,” They replied and opened a bag of gummies.

I was almost confused by their response before turning to Millie. “What is attractive for you? Or interest in a person?”

“It’s hard to say,” Millie said and watched Batman riding his motorcycle through the city. “I don’t want to have feelings for anyone in this city. They’re all so toxic and I can’t even trust anyone. I don’t even know if they are being honest with me or trying to trick me.”

“This city caused you too much trauma. You’ll have to fix all those trust issues or you’ll wound up in a toxic relationship,” I said and lowered the volume on the television.

Millie chuckled and tilted their head at me, “Actually, being friends with you has helped me try to trust people, but it’s only you so far. I don’t think you get it when I said how safe you make me feel… It’s a weird feeling.”

“I think I get it but at the same time, I don't,” I mumbled.

Millie changed their sitting position to have their legs crossed on the couch and have their body face me. “It’s embarrassing. There were a lot of changes after we became friends, but it’s been nice that I think it’s also bad at the same time,” Millie looked away and I noticed their cheeks growing red. “The way you’ve treated me, I wish I could find a boyfriend like you.”

“Oh,” I looked away and tried to think back if I ever gave Millie that sort of oppression.

“Don’t be mad. Don’t think this is like a confession. I just had to say it because it’s easier to say it out loud and not overthink it in my head,” Millie said and covered their face with their hands. “I’m jealous of your girlfriend. You care a lot for her. It gives me hope that I'll find a partner like that someday but I know it won't be in this city. I rather hold off all that romance experience until I ditch this city.”

I took a glance at Millie and we looked at each other before I turned back to the movie. “I think you put me too high on a pedestal. This long-distance sucks and it's a lot harder than I thought it’ll be. Stephanie’s my first girlfriend and I liked her before we became friends. I’m sure you’ll find someone that’ll treat you good. If you want to wait until you move out then that sounds fair.”

“So you don’t hate me for what I said?” Millie asked.

“I don’t, but it’s weird hearing that. I’m not a remodel or think I’m the type to be admired that way. I hope you don’t think my kindness coming off as some type of flirtation,” I expressed and Millie blushed again.

“I won’t. I know you never see me that way. I’ve just never had a good friend in so long and it feels nice,” Millie said and shifted to look back at the movie. “Having someone that listens and lets me shop at places that I like without restricting myself. It just feels nice….”

I looked at Millie as I listened and saw their face still red. I can understand the way they're trying to explain it and it sort of makes me feel bad. I know that we’ve been glued together since we met, but it hasn’t been any more than friendship between us and I would never give off any sort of impression by the way I act.