Millie was awake before me and was looking at their phone until they noticed I was awake. “Morning,” They said. 

Millie slept on a twin-size air mattress and moved to sit up to see me better. “Morning. How did you sleep?”

“I think better than you… I heard you tossing and turning in your sleep. You really do have a hard time sleeping.” Millie moved to prop themselves on the edge of my bed.

“Yeah… But I honestly feel a little better waking up than I have the last few days. Maybe it was all that junk food we ate,” I said and looked at the time on my phone. “Are you hungry?”

“Just a little. I’m not always hungry in the morning,” They replied.

“Pancakes then?” I rubbed my eyes as I was trying to wake up and wondered if my aunt was still home or awake.

“Sounds good,” I said, getting up and stretching, then let out a loud yawn. I’m going to brush my teeth first. You can chill out or do whatever you want,” I said and exited the room. 

We spent the day having a small meal for breakfast and then decided to spend the rest of our afternoon at the mall. I mainly tailed behind Millie as we were going through the stores, but I didn’t mind it. It was a way to distract ourselves and even if we stayed home, we would have continued to stuff our faces or continue watching movies. Which would have been fine, but this would be better for us or even more entertaining for Millie. I realized there wasn’t much to see around town besides trying out a few mom-and-pop stores like this smoothie shop that Millie suggested and went to the market to buy a tub of ice cream. Millie held back on their shopping this time and before I knew it we were in my room sitting on the air mattress that could barely fit us both and we were now watching a cartoon movie. 

“What are we watching?” I asked.

“What you don’t like it?” Millie gasped and took a glance at me. “It’s Shrek. Don’t tell me you’ve never watched Shrek.”

“I’ve heard about it, but no. Is it good?” I asked and smiled at certain scenes.

“Is it good? Alright, we are going to watch this and the other movies.” Millie said and smiled turning to me. “Do we still have cookies left over? I want to add them to my ice cream.”

“There should be some on the counter by the fridge,” I answered.

Millie quickly stepped out of the room and I continued watching the movie. “Do you want any?” Millie asked.

“No, I’ll get some later,” I watched and laughed at some of the scenes until Millie returned. 

“You know it would be awesome if we bought that chocolate syrup to put on top,” Millie said as they sat back down beside me and I smiled seeing the large bowl of ice cream and cookies broken on top. “Don’t worry I saved you some cookies.”

“It’s fine if you took them all. That looks good,” I said and returned to watching the movie after finding it entertaining. “Hey, question, he’s going to fall in love with the princess right?”

Millie took a bite before shaking their head, “That’s a spoiler and I hate spoiling movies.”

I sighed and continued watching to the end then turned to Millie, “I can’t believe they had a dragon eat him. It’s a kid’s movie!”

Millie laughed and quickly played the second movie, “I doubt this movie is for the kids. I’m more confused about how you’ve never seen this movie. Where was your childhood?”

“I spent it watching Spongebob and Pokemon. I don’t think I should be getting judged here. I’m starting to feel offended. Why am I being judged?” I asked as I took the bowl from Millie’s hand and stood up to leave the room.

“Because everyone has seen this movie,” Millie said and watched me before pausing the movie to follow me. “I could have taken that.”

“Go sit back down. I’m the host here. Besides my mom always told me to wash the dishes before the guest does.” I said and walked to the sink to wash the bowl. “Hey, if we’re going to keep watching movies and you're staying over again, then what should we have for dinner? My aunt texted me earlier while we were at the mall that she’d be out of work by five. That’s still another hour.”

“You guys don’t have to worry about that. I’ll eat whatever you guys get me,” Millie said.

“You have an option and you're also a guest. You can be picky,” I placed the bowl on the dry rack. “You want hamburgers or maybe my aunt can cook something you like? Would you want spaghetti or we can go to the market again.”

Millie looked away before shrugging their shoulders while mumbling. “I think something home cook would be good.”

“Alright,” I said taking out my phone to send a message to my aunt then led back to my room. “I’m surprised that you're okay staying over another night.”

I sat back down on the air mattress and Mille laid themselves down, their head on my leg. “I rather be here and not at home.”

“Because of your dad?” I asked.

“My dad and mom. It’s just weird and I’d rather be here so that my dad doesn’t get mad when he sees me. He threw away one of my dresses last week and I’m still not mad.” Millie complained and reached for the controller to continue the movie. “He’s lucky that I bought most of my clothes at the thrift store.”

Millie kept their head on my leg while watching the movie and I reached out to pat their head. “Well, for wearing thrift clothes or finally being able to buy them at the store, it’s brave of you to wear what you want and not let your parents stop you.” 

Millie didn’t say anything and I couldn’t see their expression as they watched the movie. “It’s tiring having to always be brave,” Millie mumbled.

“I know how that feels… I think I’m trying to put a face on to show that I’m okay with the move and processing my parents…” I looked up at the ceiling and took a deep breath before looking back at the movie. “Life is hard.”

“I know you're trying hard to not show that you're hurting, but you're also brave too and I’m sorry that you're hurting,” Millie said as they sat up and gently nudged my legs. “You should give yourself more credit.”

We locked eyes at each other and their words gave a comforting feeling that I couldn’t find the words to it. “Thank you…,” I smiled noticed we were missing the whole beginning of the movie and pressed my lips together. “Thanks for comforting me these past two days.”

Millie moved to lie down on the empty space beside me and stared up at the ceiling, “It’s a little embarrassing saying this, but it’s not too late if you want to try out for football. Ruby had a friend on the football team and with a bit of flirting I’m sure she can help you get a spot.”

I turned to Millie, confused, before reaching for the remote to pause the movie and try to understand. “But I thought you didn’t want me to-”

“I know, but that was stupid of me to say all that and I was saying it out of my loneliness. I think I wasn’t a good friend putting that sort of judgement on you and thinking that you’ll change. I know you won’t,” Millie sat up and shifted to sit beside me, their shoulders touching mine. “You already had the thought of wanting to try out and I know you said that you wouldn’t try out the cause of how stupid everyone is in school… I think I’ll feel more regretful than you if you didn’t do this… My thoughts are saying that since I seek shelter from you… You need one for yourself.”

I wasn’t sure how I felt hearing their words, making me speechless. I nudged them, smiling. “You won’t regret that?”

“Yes, but you won’t,” Millie smirked nudging me back and reaching over me to grab the remote. “As a good friend, I’ll be at the stand cheering you on.”

I chuckled, nodding, and Millie continued playing the movie. “Ruby might bribe me for a date if I ask her.”

“She knows about Stephanie,” Millie said and rewind the movie to the parts we missed.

I glanced at my phone, remembering that I hadn’t messaged Stephanie for the past two days, and saw Millie moving. They grabbed their blankets to cover themselves. “I don’t think that will stop her,” I mumbled.

“I can tell her to fuck herself then. I feel like she sees me as a girl and thinks she’s better looking than me,” Millie said, concentrating on the movie before we heard noises in the kitchen.

“My aunt must be home,” I mumbled and moved to stand up. “I’ll be right back.”