| Title: Brooding California Author: Priscilla Chapter 3: Sleep Over �So where are we going?� I asked finally realizing that I still didn�t know where Milo was taking me. �To my place. My sister lives with me right now but we have room for another.� He said smiling with such warmth that I couldn�t help smile back. We pulled up to a large brick building that reminded me of the elementary schools back in Atlanta. Milo got out of the car and I followed closely behind as he entered the building and walked down a hall to the elevators. �We live in a studio apartment on the second floor. The first floor is sold as a storage garage. I don�t know if my sister�s home, but whatever.� He said shrugging his shoulders as he punched in the button on the elevator. �Won�t your sister think it�s weird that I�m staying over? I mean, I'm a complete stranger to her." I said, suddenly finding the laces of my shoes very interesting. Milo shook his head. "You may be a stranger to her, but not to me. Besides Miriam trusts my judgment. I'm sure she'll love you by the end of the night." Finally we got to the second floor and walked down another hall only to stop in front of a metal door marked S1 on it in chrome lettering. Milo unlocked the door and held it open for me to walk through. I almost gasped at the difference between the dreary outside hall and the place I was looking at now. There was a large kitchen connected to the living room and a long hall next to that, which probably led to the bedrooms. �Um, how about I show you around the place and then show you your room?� He asked. I nodded my consent and Milo took my hand. He showed me where his room and the bathroom were, then his sister's room and then showed me where I would be sleeping that night. Milo's sister arrived sometime around nine that evening and Milo did his best to explain my presence in their home. She took it much better than I expected, introducing herself with a hug instead of the usual handshake, making me feel truly accepted and welcome in their home. I ended up borrowing one of Miriam's old nightgowns for the night due to the fact that I had nothing in my possession but the clothes on my back and 50 bucks in my pocket. She laughed when I told her that. "I can see why my brother likes you so much. You're insane just like he is." She said sobering up a little but the slightest remains of a smile was still on his face. My eyebrows creased as her words dawned on me. "What are you talking about? Milo doesn't like me. He can't, we just met." I said. "Do you think he just brings everybody he meets on the street over to his house? My brother is extremely reserved, likes to stay in the shadows and keep to himself. The fact that he actually talked to you today means something big." Miriam said, looking me directly in the eyes. Title: Brooding California Author: Priscilla Chapter 4: Love Bites We went to sleep a couple of minutes later, or at least Miriam went to sleep. I was left the stay up and stare at the ceiling, trying to find truth in what she and I had discussed earlier that night. Ok, so if Milo did like me, that wouldn't be so bad right? I mean, it's not as if he isn't attractive. Who am I kidding? I've been inwardly drooling over him since he first looked up at me from the stations steps. Finally deciding that sleep was not an option right now, I got out of bed and made my way over to the kitchen for some milk. On my way there, I heard a faint sound coming from the living room. Thinking that someone must of left the TV on, I went over to shut it off. "Hey, I was watching that missy." I spun around at the sound of his voice and barely held back a gasp. Milo only smiled at my reaction. "Your sister wasn't kidding about you liking to stay in the shadows huh?" I asked when I managed to slow my heart rate. He shrugged his shoulders nonchalantly and sat back down on the couch. I sat next to him, and for several minutes the television provided the only sound in the room. "I like this. Having you here, it feels different, nice." He said finally breaking the silence. I smiled, suddenly thankful for the dimness of the room. "Me too." "You got a boyfriend?" He asked, finally turning his chocolate gaze on me. My face was burning suddenly. I shook my head no and he nodded. "Why do you want to know?" I asked really wanting to know his reason. Could he possibly be interested? In me? No way. "Just curious. I don't want some huge guy to jump me one day saying I was living with his girlfriend is all." I nodded my head and smiled even wider. My turn. "How about you?" "Girlfriend? Naw. I had one, but we broke up a couple of weeks ago. Things just didn't work out. Now I'm single and looking." I busted out laughing at that. It was hard for me to imagine him being single and looking for too much longer. What kind of woman would resist those eyes and that way that he looks at you so intently when you're talking? Like there's no one else in the room but the both of you. When I sobered up Milo was giving me one of those looks, and it stirred up so many things in me at once that I had to turn away. "What?" He asked, the teasing smirk firmly in place. I shook my head but couldn't help smile. "I don't know, it's just hard for me to imagine you being single and looking for long." I answered honestly. His smile widened and he leaned forward. My pulse picked up a few notches, causing my heart to jump in alarm. "Maybe I'm just waiting for the right girl." He whispered. We were close enough to touch my lips to his. For an instant he looked like he was going to close the distance and kiss me, instead he looked at me for a couple of seconds and turned away; once again resorting back to the shadows in his head. I've always wondered, but never asked, where he goes when he's so quiet and still? I cleared my throat and reminded myself how to breathe. When he finally turned back to me something else mingled in his amber orbs, disappointment....regret.....I couldn't tell. "I think I'll go to bed now. Goodnight." He said getting off the couch in one swift movement and walking down the hall. "Goodnight." I managed to whisper into the dark. I sat there in silent amazement as my heart rate managed to slow itself enough to be considered normal and in a moment of pure clarity I realized that Milo didn't need to kiss me for me to realize how I felt. I've already given him my heart, the question now is: Will he give me his? |