Elena
It's raining. It's pouring, and the old man is, in fact, snoring in his recliner with his feet up; not a care in the world rests on those eyelids. Thank God he came around and got off his alpha kick to allow Mike and me to see each other still. He knows that I'm eighteen and technically an adult, so there isn't much he can do, except try to make sure that I make sound choices. He still has his rules, but he's okay with me spending time alone with Mike next door. Mike is welcome to come over here -in fact, it's preferred and strongly encouraged– but he must stay out of my room.
My head swivels so I can stare out the window and wonder if Mike is home. I'm done only seeing him in passing; lately, that's all it's been. With determination and a goal to check off, I kick my legs from und
