Enamored

9

Loud footsteps thud up the stairs and suddenly Myles's door is thrown open. Ash glares at the two teens mostly at (N). "You! I said no funny business!" (N) looks at the woman confused as she walks in and grabs him. Myles stood up about to stop his aunt when she held her hand out. "Stay put Myles. I need a word with (N)." "Okay don't. Don't hurt him. We were just talking."

The bleached-haired woman yanks the protesting teen outside the bakery. (N) stumbles as he's pushed under a streetlight. "What the hell?! I didn't do anything! We were just talking I'm serious!" Ash sighs and pulls out a cigarette and lights it. "You smoke?" "Occasionally. Anyway I dragged you out here to have a serious talk." (N) sweats as Ash puffs out smoke.

"Keep this a secret from Clara." "Keep what a secret?" Ash jumps as she turns to her wife who is holding a tray with two cups. "Honey, what uh what are you doing here?" "I made tea. I thought you two might need some." Ash grabs the cups and hands one to (N). "Thank you baby...now as I was saying you can't tell Clara." (N) blinks slowly as Clara remains beside Ash. 'Is she serious?'

"Ahh! Baby! Why're you still here?!" "I'll go back inside when you two finish your tea." Ash chugs her tea and elbows (N) causing him to sigh. After finishing their tea Clara leaves them and Ash turns to the teen. "Did you ever find what you were looking for?" "No." "So nothing...out of the ordinary?" "No. Was I supposed to find something else?" Ash tosses her cigarette on the ground and steps in it.

(N) sweats and looks around. "Do. Do you want me to ask about it?" The woman sighs and crosses her arms. "I guess I have no choice but to tell you." 'More like you want me to know so badly.' "Everything in the shed is a part of the past. Where our dreams were laid to rest." (N)'s eyes widen in realization. "You and Clara sacrificed your dreams for Myles?" "Yes. We don't talk about it because it's a sensitive subject. Sometime after Myles's mom passed he got really sick and almost died."

Ash looks up at the sky with a somber expression. "About ten years ago Clara was an elementary teacher and I had work." "What was your job?" "It doesn't matter. Anyway, it was a cold winter and Myles had gotten a fever. Clara couldn't quit teaching so I managed to take some time off work to look after him and his fever eventually went down. My job had a big campaign and I thought I could just drop in for a little while."

Ash frowns and squeezes her arms. "I thought he'd be fine. The fever was over. It's just an hour...one hour. The snow began to pick up as I jogged home. There he was...outside in the snow on the ground...unconscious. I don't know how long Myles was out there waiting for me. I thought maybe this is our punishment for being selfish and not paying attention to him."

"When Myles finally opened his eyes Clara and I decided to always be by his side. So we quit our jobs and opened up this bakery. Baking has always been a hobby of mine. But! As you know it's not the same for Clara." (N) looks at the woman. "And you don't want Myles to know because he'll blame himself?" "Yup. It was a hard time and I don't want him to worry." "It's not my place to speak but I think you should tell Myles. He deserves to know."

Ash smiles and turns to the bakery. "I know. But not right now. One day. Come on let's go back inside." As (N) walks with Ash she smacks the back of his head. "Ow! What the hell?!" "Next time keep the door open. Or I'll seriously kill you."
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"Alright, family I've decided will have a picnic tomorrow!" Ash yells grinning as Myles claps his hands. Clara smiles and looks at (N). "(N). I hope you'll join us." "Sure?" "Good. What's your favorite food? I want to make something you'll enjoy." Before the teen could respond Ash bangs in the kitchen table. "I want fried chicken!" "Aunt Ash don't interrupt (N)! But. I'd like to have cheeseburgers please!"
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(F/n) yawns as he scratches his head and rolls over in his bed. His eyes drift to (N) who sits on the floor facing away from him. "A picnic huh? I know it's not your speed but isn't Myles expecting you." "I left a note. Besides he doesn't need me." (F/n) lightly kicks his friends back. "You can't keep running away man. If you keep this up Myles will start to think you don't like him. After all, you're the reason he's been so confident lately."

'Fuck. (F/n)'s right. I hope I'm not too late.' "Yea, I'll go now. Thanks." The door closes and (F/n) slumps in his bed. "Finally."
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"Myles hey!" The black male turns around and smiles. "(N) there you are. I was starting to worry." Clara and Ash walk around the corner towards the teens. "There you are (N) we were waiting for you." "Sorry. I left a note. Did you see it?" Ash swirls a bat in her hand. "Yup, but I threw it away. Anyways follow us to the park." "The park?"
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Ash hits the ball and takes off running. She stops at a second base as the kids run after the ball. "Oh yeah! You see that Clara?! You falling in love with me again?!" The black woman smiles. "Yup! Just like in high school!" Myles turns to (N) and holds up a tray. "I helped Aunt Clara make the food." (N) picked up a piece and ate it. "Mmm. It's good." Myles blushes with a smile. "I'm glad."

Ash cups her mouth and yells. "Hey, kid! You're up to bat! Get over here." "Alright." (N) walks up to first base and grips the bat. 'Can I still play with my shoulder?' The kids cheer as the ball flies in the air. (N) runs to second base and turns to Myles. "You see that Myles?!" "Yea! Nice job!" Ash grins and yells. "You falling in love with him again?!" "Yea, I! Ahh! Aunt Ash!"

The woman grips her hair and screams. "Damnit! Not again!" Myles and (N)'s faces burn red as they avoid eye contact. Ash shakes her head and yells. "Come on Myles! It's your turn!" "What? I have to play?!" The black male grips the bat and swings. The ball flies and (N) grins. "Nice one Myles! Run for it!" "R-Right!"
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(F/n) fidgets beside (N) as the drama club reads tongue twisters out loud. He groans and turns to (N). "Who the hell commissioned this?! I'm dying!" "Mr Takanabe. It's supposed to help with annunciation." Yuki looks at the two with a glare. "Stop talking to each other and keep reading!" The two continue the tongue twisters as (N) glances at Myles. A smile forms on his face as he looks back at his paper.

A few minutes later the group starts stretching as (N) organizes some boxes. He looks at Myles as the male helps Yuki stretch. "Myles. How's the script going?" "Even if I don't remember the story completely the script is going well. I should be able to finish tomorrow." Yuki stretches forward and touches her foot. "(F/n) and I will handle the lighting. Rose and Hannah will do sound. Yuna is the producer and (N) is the stage director. Okay?"

Myles smiles and gently pushes the sliver-haired girl forward as she switches to her other foot. "Great. And that leaves the acting to me. I don't mind wearing a dress." (F/n) hisses as Rose leans on his back. "Ease up a bit! I'm not that flexible!" The redhead ignores him and looks at Myles. "Speaking of dresses. I'm not seeing any costumes around here." Yuna leans down with Hannah on her back. "Well, I can't sew. What about you?" Hannah now leans down with Yuna on her back. "Nope."

(N) smiles as he makes eye contact with Myles. "I might know someone who can help us." The black male tilts his head in confusion.
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"A dress? I can do that. Anything to help you guys with your club." Clara smiles at the two teens as (N) nudges Myles. "See. Aren't you glad we asked?" "Yea but are you sure you aren't busy Aunt Clara?" The black woman smiles and pats her nephew's head. "Not at all. I can do a little bit at a time when I'm free." The teens walk upstairs and meet Ash. "Welcome my lovely nephew and his lackey." "Lackey?" "Hi, Aunt Ash."

The bleached-haired woman pulls a disc from behind her back. "Hurry and get changed I got something for you guys."
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The two sit in the living room watching a play on the TV. Myles sniffles as the actors and actresses on stage bow. "That was...really touching. Compared to them we're just doing child's play." (N) smiles softly and stands up. "Even so. You have to give it your all. I'm sure you'll touch the hearts of the audience." "Right. I'll do my best."