All My Stars

5

"Where are we?"

Sumi had brought me to a house overlooking others in a gated community.

"My house" Which made sense, the house was a reflection of her, sleek and modern. 

" I didn't think you'd be so close by"

" We'll be here until you graduate, I didn't want your commute to be long" Sumi shrugs casually as if this isn't one of the most thoughtful things anyone has ever done for me.

I can't put how grateful I am into words so the only thing I manage to get out is a flimsy 'thank you '

She nods "Let me show you around"

The inside is just as beautiful as the exterior, with the monochrome furnishings giving the place a minimalistic feel.

We walk through the house and she points out the important things, stopping briefly for me to take everything in.

"This would be your room should you choose to stay in it" It's completely empty and the walls are white and bare.

"I left it this way so you can design it however you choose"

"Where's your room?"

Okay, I'm curious. Sue me.

"Right here" She opens the door across the hall from mine and waits for me to walk in first before standing behind me.

It smells like her in here and I'm not very subtle with the way I inhale, taking in a lungful of that scent she wears.

"If you prefer to stay here, with me. We can redecorate together"  I'm no fool, I know what she's implying.

" I like it the way it is" There was no reason to sleep in separate rooms, once I'd spent more time and gotten to know her, sleeping together would feel natural.

The mirror on the ceiling above the bed caught my attention.

"Why do you have a mirror on your ceiling?"

The look she gives me is odd, like I should already know.

"When you find out is completely up to you"

"Right now then?"

She laughs, biting her lip to contain it.

" I don't think you're ready for that yet, let's go have lunch"

I follow behind her, throwing one last curious look at the mirror.

She looks at ease here, taking her jacket off and tossing it over a chair before going to pour us juice.

"How long have you been staying here?"

"I got here a little while before the party but I stay here whenever I'm in the country"

We have lunch together and I get to know more about her. All too soon she's parking the car in my school's parking lot.

"Your parents want you to move in soon"

"How soon?" Anxiety crawls up the back of my neck like a spider edging onwards.

"End of this week"

"What! But we just met!" 

She leans back into her seat, drumming her fingers on the steering wheel softly.

" I know, they won't budge on this. trust me, I've tried" She scoffs.

"Did you not want me to move in?"

" I thought it'd be best for you if we went about things a little slower. Unfortunately, your parents don't have the same idea. I can have your things moved whenever you like, just say when"

" Actually, is it okay if I pack everything up myself?"

She nods.

"Yeah of course"

"Okay, I gotta get to class"

She leans across the console to kiss my cheek gently.

"Bye then"

"Bye" I can barely focus enough to open the door and get out.

" Can I come to get you after class to take you home?" 

"Mhm" With another 'see you later ' she's speeding out.

"Hey!" Jaylah calls from across the lot.

"You're totally into her" 

"We're not going through this again" I follow after her as she runs to our next class.