unspoken words | mileven

twenty-one

INTERTWINED FINGERS

"mommy's tired, can you walk on your own for now?" el places aurelia down on the ground as aurelia nods, "go home now?"

el smiles and nods.

it was late afternoon at the moment and el had just walked to the park with aurelia. the children's park that she could play on and not the one with the ducks.

"you tired as well?" el asks as aurelia shakes her head and laughs.

she smiles and nods again, "that's good, princess."

"meanie!" aurelia cries.

"no. we're not going to his house, i can't." el shakes her head.

"no! meanie!" aurelia points as el turns to the direction she was pointing at and sees mike and the boys playing basketball on the court.

only the boys. max wasn't there and was probably sleeping at home.

"wanna go say hi?" el asks as aurelia nods rapidly and starts run off, "no, no! don't run away!" el chases after her as aurelia giggles and runs through the entrance.

"aurelia violetta hopper! slow down!" el shouts as aurelia continues to run, "meanie!"

mike turns around and stops. he smiles and throws the ball away before opening his arms, "c'mere princess!"

she embraces him into a tight hug as he picks her up and laughs, "what are you doing here, princess?"

el finally catches up, "aurelia violetta hopper, i swear to god!"

mike chuckles, "ran a marathon in heels, huh?"

"shut up." she rolls her eyes and turns to the boys, "hey." she waves.

"you look prettied up, why?" lucas asks.

"because i woke up and felt good about myself and even drank a bit of wine." she explains and sits down at one of the benches as mike continues to play with aurelia.

"hey, i got you the smaller version of the crown but it's at home. i'll give you it next time." mike tells aurelia quietly as she giggles and smiles.

"wanna play?" dustin asks el as she shakes her head, "i suck."

"i'm sure you don't. you should have grown better over the years." will says as she shakes her head, "no talent."

"do you wanna try?" mike asks aurelia as el narrows her eyes at him, "don't hurt her."

"i won't! come on, princess." he walks over to below the hoop as lucas picks up the ball, "hold on tight." mike smiles as lucas places the ball in aurelia's hands.

mike raises aurelia high up in the air, "throw it into the hoop, baby." he grins widely as the boys now go to sit down next to el.

"how's life?" will asks and takes a sip of water.

el sighs, "thinking about going to therapy- don't tell my dad, max or mike about this, by the way." she points a finger at them as they nod.