freedom

chapter two

Chapter 2

Brother

Two hours later the loud ringing bell signals the end of class a class full of passing notes, making jokes and excitement for the weekend. As the other students rise eagerly from their seats, chattering about plans for after school, Milly stretches her arms up alongside a big yawn.

"Finally, class is over!" Milly say's with dramatic relief, glancing at Elijah with a playful smile. He grins back, leisurely gathering his things in that charming carefree way of his. While the others file out quickly, Milly takes her time putting her notes away, not quite ready to exit this intimate bubble they'd shared in the back of the classroom. Her hand still tingling where Elijah had held it under the desk with his own. As the last stragglers disappear out the door, Elijah saunters over to Milly's side, shoving his hands in his pockets casually. "Big plans for the rest of the day?" he asks with a hint of teasing curiosity.

Milly bites her lip to contain her grin. "Nothing as exciting as yours, I'm sure. Walk me to my next class?" Elijah beams like she just offered him the world. Looping her bag over her shoulder, she slips her arm through his as they both leave the room together.

As Elijah walks Milly casually down the hallway, she can feel the eyes and whispers of their classmates all around them. His popularity combined with their intimate closeness has certainly sparked the rumor mill.

Milly tries to ignore the glances and murmurs, focusing instead on the wonderful feeling of Elijah's arm linked with hers. But she can't help the bloom of pink that floods her cheeks – She's just not used to being Centre of all the attention.

Suddenly Elijah's usual group of friends spots them up ahead. "Hey man!" one of them calls out boisterously to Elijah with a wave. Milly starts to shyly withdraw her arm, not wanting to intrude on their male bonding. But Elijah just smiles down warmly at Milly before turning back up to his mates. "What's up guys?"

They whoop and holler teasingly. "Getting cozy with the new girl, I see!" Milly's blush deepens but Elijah just grins, making no attempt to deny or downplay their clear closeness. Slipping an arm around her waist instead, He proudly introduces Milly. "You all know my girl now, so be cool." His friends hoot and whistle in approval as Milly waves timidly. But their acceptance, coupled with Elijah's casual public claim, fills Milly with fluttering joy.

As Milly and Elijah walk down the hall together, Elijah's arm a warm, comforting weight around her waist, she scans the faces of his friend group and realizes that one of his mates look familiar.

"Wait, I know you!" Milly says, pointing at a lanky boy hanging towards the back. "You and my friend do graffiti together in town, right?" The boy's face lights up in recognition. "Oh yeah, I remember now. Good to see you again," He replies warmly.

Just then, a firm hand closes around Milly's wrist, jolting me from the moment. she turns with a gasp to find my older brother towering over Milly possessively. "There you are sis, I've been looking all over for you time to go," He commands, already starting to drag her away.

Milly stumbles slightly in protest. "But bro, I was just." Milly suddenly gets cut off "I said let's go" His tone brokers no argument.

Shooting Elijah and his friends an apologetic look, Milly allows herself to be tugged along reluctantly. Her brother shoots Elijah a glare showing disapproval. Well doesn't he know how to ruin a good moment!

Milly sighs, knowing there will be questions to deflect when they're alone. As Milly takes one final glance at Elijah thinking of the exciting date to come.

Milly's brother drags her forcefully down the hallway until they are out of earshot from Elijah and his friends. Suddenly he spins her around to face him hands on his hips expectantly.

"Well? what do you have to say for yourself?" He demanded sternly Milly's anger raised from the accusatory tone. "We were just talking and hanging out what's the big deal?"

"The 'big deal' is that guy has a reputation. I don't want you mixed up with someone like him," her brother shoots back.

Milly begins to get frustrated with his overprotectiveness. "You don't even know him. Elijah's really cool – and he asked me out this weekend." Milly expected an explosion, but her brother just stares her down coldly. "Not a chance. I don't trust him as far as I could throw him. No sister of mine is going anywhere with that slimeball. Consider it cancelled."

With that, her brother storms off, leaving Milly fuming. How dare he try to ruin this! As if I need his permission anyway. Milly thinks to herself determined.

Milly huffs angrily as she stomps off to class, still fuming from her brother's stubborn interference. As Milly flops in her seat with a sulky sigh, she pulls out her phone under the desk. Quickly tapping out a message to Elijah:

"Sorry about the drama with my bro. Don't listen to anything he says – our date is still ON this weekend."

Milly hits the send button trying to calm her racing thoughts. There's no way I'm letting my brother bully me out of this. It's my life and if I want to go on a date with Elijah then dammit I will! Milly's thoughts run like a sportscar but instead of gas it's run on annoyance of her brother.

After a moment Milly's phone vibrates with Elijah's reply. "Wouldn't miss it for the world. See you Saturday beautiful".

A grin spreads across Milly's face, her anger melting away. This is what matters – Elijah makes me happy, and nothing my brother or anyone says will change that. Milly thinks to herself as the teachers rambles on blurred in the background.