a gentleman's mistress

XVIII. August 26th, 1986

Mira's POV:

I opened the door and storm out of the house.

"What happened?" Steven asked.

I look back to see Mom leaning beside the door. She tilts the glass between her lips. "Nothing."

"Guess I can scratch off the heartwarming goodbye?"

I got inside the car and closed the door.

If she wasn't my mom, I have a lot to say to her.

"So—" I tap against the armrest. "When were you planning to tell me that you're moving out?"

He chuckles, "I'm 29. I don't think I need my little sister's permission to move out."

"You don't need her permission. But, a little heads up would've been nice."

"I was planning to tell you before you start med school," he said.

"You sure it wouldn't be awkward?" I asked. "You know, suddenly bringing in your little sister."

"I'd rather you live awkwardly with us than couch hopping." He smiled and looked at me, "And it won't be awkward unless you make it awkward."

"True," I responded. "So, who's the roomie?"

"You'll meet him in an hour or so."

Steven and I are staying at a place fifty minutes by car and an hour and a half by train from my school. If I'm going to be on campus, I'll spend all day there, and if not, I'll stay at home and study or figure out where I'll work part-time to at least pay them for my portion.

Steven's new workplace is thirty or forty minutes away, depending on traffic.

If I had not fallen out with our parents, I could've gone to school smoothly. But I'll bite the bullet and commute if it gets them off my back.

"Is he a friend from work?" I ask.

His face scrunches, "Kind of."

When we finally got there, Steven shook my shoulder to wake me up. I hope I don't fall asleep on the train and miss my stop. I wipe off the drool and follow him out of the car.

"Why are we at a restaurant?" I closed the door behind me.

Steven scratches his head, "I'm meeting a friend here," he said. "Hungry?"

I am kind of hungry.

I followed Steven inside the restaurant. Once we got inside, his eyes searched the room, and he waved. I pinned in the direction he waved.

Isn't that the Dean?

When Steven moved, I did too.

"Dr.Cunningham."

"Dr.Liu."

They shake hands.

Suddenly, they laughed.

"How yah doing Carter?"

Carter?

The Dean's first name is Carter?

"I'm good. How about yourself?"

"Doing well." Steven steps aside, "You remember my little sister."

"Yes." He smiled, "Mira."

"H-Hello."

What is happening?

Dean Cunningham gestured for us to sit down, and we did. Quietly, I looked at the menu while they chit-chatted about the weather or something.