TUESDAY
Around 6am, birds began waking up. The house was in shambles, as Miller spent all night attempting to clean and organize the entire inventory of every room. The bags under his eyes were telling, and he scowled as he bumped into all the furniture. Running his fingers through his chaotic hair, he made a mental list of all the chores he had to do before picking Victor up as he promised he would yesterday.
It's a fair distance between Miller's house and Victors, and today Miller couldn't be more glad. He thought the long walk would allow him time to recollect himself. The streets are gray, with random gunk further than human eyes could see. Miller walked almost in a lumbering manner, but he did frequently touch his face lazily feeling for new pimples.
He sighed as he knocked on the door, memories of the last time he was there resurfacing.
"Are you okay? You look miserable."
Victor walked slowly alongside Miller. The weather evidently matched Miller's mood, "I'm fine, I didn't sleep much."
Today he wore a knitted pastel blue sweater, gifted to him when he was 14 by his distant aunt and the same wrinkly jeans he's been wearing for 2 weeks now which he got on sale. The sky was as cloudy today with a misty earthy scent in the air, this was actually Miller's favorite part of the year but he enjoyed the weather more when it was windy. Victor walked closely beside him, feeling flustered as he stared at Miller's loose hand.
"Soo, did you sleep well?"
"Eh so-so. Made some coffee though so I'll be good."
Victor bit his inner lip and fidgeted with the strings on his hoodie, "Hey Miller?"
"Yeah?" He replied softly.
"Can we-"
"Hey Miller!" A loud inelegant voice called from across the streets, an infamous voice known all around this part of town belonging to none other than Kendrick Curtis. He had dark thick messy hair with pink highlights and a medium complexion. He strided to where they stood, extending his hand out lazily. "It's been a minute, man." Grinning at the two, "And who are you?"
He stutters, "Oh hey I'm-"
Kendrick is in his second year of college, but frequently is seen around his old high school. He is extremely eccentric, and dresses accordingly. He and Miller met when he was still a senior, they have a history of drinking or smoking weed at parties together. In other words, Victor was not fond of him and considered Kendrick a bad influence.
"I'm Victor." He stood reserved but he felt winded up. Of course Kendrick didn't remember his name despite them sharing several classes together-
"Victor? Like a guy's name..?"
Victor braced himself for more microaggressions, "Yeah, it's what I prefer to be called."
"Yeah anyways what are you doing up early? Don't you work at night at that club?" A sudden pang in Miller's heart- Victor is definitely going to think less of him now for being close with a bigot. He internally facepalmed and stuck in a breath.
Kendrick blinked, "What? Uh no-" Looking back at Victor "So you're trans or something? Because no offense you kinda look like a little chick."
Victor's eyes widened at the honesty, not noticing how Miller stopped breathing.
"Actually you know what? I told Ms. Jackson I would be there early to help with papers for community service hours. We should probably get going, bye Kendrick."
Miller frowns after turning away and begins pulling Victor away from the waiting confrontation. Victor sighed in relief, but Kendrick frowned. He grabbed Miller's free arm tightly, stopping them with no effort.
