freedom

chapter three

Chapter 3

date

Saturday comes Milly waits nervously under a big oak tree where her and Elijah agreed to meet the late afternoon welcoming the setting sun that'll soon turn into a dark sky one only the moon and stars could befriend. Milly keeps checking her phone worried Elijah may have gotten held up or changed his mind.

But then Milly hears the rumbles of footsteps steps hitting crunchy leaves and grass as Milly looks up, she sees his familiar face when suddenly all of her worries and fears melt away like a past movie that gave you both fear and anticipation. Seeing Elijah's tall figure and messy black hair mixed with his casual style of blue jeans and a white top.

"I thought maybe you weren't coming" Milly teases as Elijah looks down at her a small but noticeable smile slowly rising on his face "and miss out on a date with you no way."

Milly blushes at the straightforwardness. Suddenly Elijah takes her hand. He leads her through the trees. "Come on I have a fun surprise planned."

Intrigued she let Elijah guide her further into the park. After a small amount of time, they both emerge at a secluded meadow edged by blooming wildflowers. A checkered picnic blanket waits in a small, odd spot empty of flowers yet still surrounded by them.

"Elijah, it's beautiful!" Milly says with a gasp of delight. All her worries about her home are forgotten in this idyllic scene. Elijah beams proudly as they both settle in and enjoy the feast and sweet moments together.

They were there for hours losing track of time something easy to do when lost in conversation and laughter. Elijah always knew how to make Milly laugh with his witty jokes and charming grin.

As the sun continues to sink lower and lower, Milly stands up and stretches her arms over her head with a contented sigh. Wandering over to the edge of the meadow, she runs her fingers lightly over the blooms carpeting the grass.

"The flowers are so pretty," Milly remarks, turning to smile at Elijah over her shoulder. "Thanks again for bringing me here – it's the best date ever."

He comes over to join Milly's side, slipping his arm around her waist to pull her against his strong frame. "I'm glad you like it, but you know what's even prettier?" He gestures to her with a playful smirk.

Heat floods her cheeks as Milly dips her head, trying in vain to hide her grin. Moments like this has always caught her off guard but in the best way. There's an easy intimacy between both Elijah and Milly that just feels right.

As they both stand embraced under the painted sky, Milly's heart fluttering as she feels like the luckiest girl in the world finding someone like Elijah to share these moments with. As the perfect pinks and oranges of the sky fade to dusk, both of them continue gently swaying in each other's arms among the flower-strewn grass. Milly rests her head against his strong chest, listening to the steady rhythm of his heart beneath.

But Milly's brother and his accusatory words from earlier creep back into her thoughts. Sighing, she tilts her head back to meet Elijah's perceptive gaze.

"You know my brother say's you have a 'reputation'," Milly murmurs ruefully. "He has no idea what he's talking about, I swear" Elijah smiles down at her understandingly, brushing a lock of hair from her forehead to behind her ear. "Don't worry about him, people will say what they want. All that matters is how I treat you."

His words, paired with the tender caress, alleviate her lingering concerns. Still, curiosity gets the better of her. "And how do they see you? What is this 'reputation'?"

Elijah releases a small chuckle before shrugging disarmingly. "I like to have fun, what can I say? But I'd never do anything to hurt you, Beautiful."

Milly wraps her arms around his neck, as she beams up at him assuredly. "I trust you."

The late evening sky is darkened as Milly sneaks up to the front door, hoping to slip inside unnoticed after such a perfect night. But as her keys scrapes the lock, the front door swings open to reveal her older looming brother.

"And where have you been?" He demands sternly, arms folded across his chest.

Milly sighs, trying to push past him into the warm entry. "Just out with friends, no big deal." Milly states a somewhat obvious lie. Her brother barricades the doorway, glare hardening. "Don't play coy with me, sis. You were with that no-good hoodlum Elijah again, weren't you?" Suddenly Milly's anger flares up at his disparaging words. "His name is Elijah, and he's really sweet. You don't know anything about him!"

Before the two of them start arguing in earnest, their mother appears behind her brother with a stern look. "Alright you two, that's enough. Inside now and get ready for bed no more arguing tonight."

With a haughty chin raise, her brother turns on his heel. As Milly moves to follow her mother inside, her brother shoots a cold look over his shoulder, "Stay away from that scumbag if you know what's good for you."

Milly grits her teeth, beyond ready for bed to escape this confrontation for the night. But my brother will get an earful tomorrow about keeping his prejudice to himself. Milly thinks to herself before the darkness of sleep welcomes her warmly.