Light up the Sky

e l e v e n

      Maya

I wait on the sofa till mom tells me to get up when they come. I keep revising the ways to be sociable in my head. I just want to go out, with him.
As the doorbell rings, mom tells me to stand by her, and greet them. It's only Mrs. Brown, and Alvin. His grandma didn't come, nor did his dad. I just consider how awkward it will be for Alvin, being the only man since dad had already left for India. Alvin smiles at mom, and then looks at me. I feel like I might just scream. HE IS SUCH A BEAUTY! Even though it might be against homosexual rights to be able to say that to a straight guy, he needs to hear that. I hope I'm not drooling, but that's not a worry since at least my dazed conscience managed to pull off a smile that doesn't give the creeps. Mom looks back at me, and tells both of us, "Why don't you guys talk up in her room or even outside? Or you could set yourselves a movie?". Jackpot. No matter how awkward this is for me, I can see that mom really wants this. Not me and Alvin, but for herself. I nod gently and look over at Alvin who is shyly looking at the floor emotionlessly. I wonder if I had done something wrong and embarrassing like drool or say something naïve, but then he looked back up and smiled. "So what do you want to do?" I ask, trying to be charming but honestly, I don't think I'm pulling it off. "Outside sounds good. We walk to the bridge if you want." He says without trying. Four-petaled Clover! I can go out with him! I try to act cool about it as we walk out the backdoor. "Bridge right? I mean the sun just set, and it probably has laid a great view. Come on," he says, and whips himself back like Zac Efron all through HSM. I follow him as we start talking about the most random topics like studies, food and sitcoms as we pedal our legs, dodging all the broken branches and puddles of rainwater, to make our way towards the bridge.