Eric and Milly

by Thecricketsarecalling

A sequel to The Boy Who Could Fly. What if nobody besides Milly found out about Eric's ability to fly? What if these two outsiders slowly fell in love while discovering themselves as well as each other?

1. Falling in love

November 1986

It was nearly a month since Milly learned that Eric could in fact fly. It was a secret just between the two of them. She knew he had saved her life the day of the field trip, and after her vivid dream of them flying through the clouds, watching the sky light up with fireworks like a scene straight out of one of Milly's favorite movies To Catch A Thief, she couldn't deny it any longer. Her puppy dog crush on Eric felt like it was for the first time ever in her whole life the real thing. Love. She couldn't believe it herself, but after speaking with Dr. Granda, they scheduled therapy appointments once a week. Milly knew she couldn't keep hiding from the truth. Her father's death last year was a wound that hadn't healed, and festered. This move hadn't helped things, and her relationship with her mother had become a rollercoaster. Feeling like there was too much responsibility piling on, it hit her that the only thing that had been distracting her from the depression she had fallen into, and the only thing that truly did make her happy was him.

She had never had a boyfriend before, sure there had been harmless little crushes, but nothing like this. When Mrs. Sherman first asked her to help Eric, she wasn't sure if she was throwing away any chance at starting fresh at this new school? She didn't know if she was throwing away her social life, and had heard in the beginning what the girls in her class whispered about. They snickered whenever Milly and Eric sat together in the back of the classroom trying to work together, or roll the ball back and forth together in the gym. Mona, Erin, and Colette even giggled, and whispered when Milly and Eric started holding hands in the hallways. Milly had originally not even thought about what she was doing. Eric followed her like a shadow, but sometimes in the crowded hallways it was easier to just hold his hand and lead him. She had seen the looks they were getting whenever they sat out on the front lawn during lunch, and twice different classmates of Milly's had asked what exactly was going on between her and Eric? At first Milly blinked, taken aback at this. In fact, she felt pure panic leap in her throat when she was asked if Eric and her were dating? It wasn't until things started going really well with Eric's progress, that she really started to realize that she might have feelings for him. It all began when she was writing in her journal about Eric's progress, when she found herself absently writing with her pen in her swooping cursive... Amelia Gibb She smiled as she wrote this over and over, even drawing tiny little hearts around the page.

Catching what she was doing, she blushed despite the fact she was alone in her bedroom. She thought back on the past few weeks, and how much fun she was actually having with Eric. It all began when he first smiled at her while the two were spending a boring Sunday sitting in his bedroom making paper airplanes. That smile he flashed her, was what she truly believed was the beginning of this strange infatuation. After that she started to notice that he wouldn't just mimic and copy her. He started showing real expression in his face, and really seemed to show interest in the latest activities she picked out for them. She showed him tiny movies she rented at the library having to do with airplanes, skydiving, birds, and kites. She started spending an hour after work with him in her bedroom reading to him. He loved anything to do with flying, and so far his favorite had been Dumbo. In fact, Milly even rented it for them and surprised Eric when he came over for dinner one night. Luis had mumbled something about them watching baby movies, and went upstairs with Max. Her mother, who had been pretty stressed at work had informed her that after dinner, she was planning on pouring herself a glass of wine, and locking herself in her bedroom to try to make heads or tails over the latest computer manual. Milly had shown her mother earlier what she had rented. She had gotten Dumbo, and blushed asking her mother if it was stupid? Her mother smiled, shaking her head saying of course not. Milly was thrilled when she saw the curious look on Eric's face when she showed him the VHS table after she finished washing the dishes. Eric had stood beside her as she washed, sleeves rolled up as she worked in the soapy warm water, trying to get him to get the hang of drying them. Eric didn't seem to quite get it, and she knew they could try another night since she wanted to hurry up so she could show him the surprise. He watched her washing up, and when she pulled the drain and the sink made a strange gurgling sound as the water went down the drain, she saw the concentrated expression in his eyes, his brow slightly wrinkled, before Milly laughed, and playfully flicked some soap suds over at him. The tiny cloud of bubbles fell on Eric's shirt, who stared down, raising an eyebrow.

Cracking up, Milly took the dishcloth, before wiping his shirt, and taking his hand to the fridge. Opening it, she took out two New Cokes, before shutting the door and handing him one. Eric stared at the pop can, before his free hand went and found hers. Smiling, she noticed that it seemed as if more and more all Eric and her were doing was holding hands. Mrs. Sherman said that she couldn't have even gotten this close with him, and this showed a great level of trust between them. That Milly was a comfort to Eric, and by holding her hand, he felt safe and comforted. Together, they entered the living room, before she took the cokes, and placed them on the coffee table. Smiling, she reached and grabbed the VHS tape she had rented with her mother earlier that evening. Every Thursday and Friday Eric would usually come over for dinner since Uncle Hugo would go "out" to the Elk's club downtown. Milly would usually hear him a little after one in the morning stumble up the sidewalk hiccuping, before stumbling up his porch stairs. Milly hated this since she knew Eric was alone. She knew he was perfectly fine, either practicing outside his window with his arms outstretched, or the tiny lights on in the attic, showing that was where he was sleeping.

Milly worried about him, and had convinced her mother that it was okay for Eric to come over for dinner those two nights. On Thursday he was allowed to stay until nine, and on Thursday until eleven. Milly made sure to keep on top of her chores, and try her best with her schoolwork so her mother wouldn't think Eric was being some sort of distraction. What she didn't know was that most nights after she believed Eric went home, he actually came across and stayed in her bedroom reading stories with Milly, or making paper airplanes by the window. Milly was comforted by this, knowing that he liked to be with her. She knew he liked being alone, but when Uncle Hugo wasn't home, it was just him alone in that giant empty house. Twice she had snuck out to sit in the attic with him reading while he slept underneath the old dusty blankets near the photo of himself as a baby with his parents. She knew this was his safe space, the attic and her bedroom. That night she had shown him the tape, before her face dropped.

"You've probably seen it. I just...can't remember the last time I saw it. Maybe when I was little? Thought we could pop popcorn and watch it."

Eric's mouth slowly turned into a smile before he looked up at her, and Milly knew he liked it. Going into the kitchen, she used the microwave and popped a bag of popcorn. Eric followed her, watching closely as she dumped the contents into a bowl, and brought it into the living room. Turning the lights off, she sat down on the couch, grabbing the old blanket that was usually draped across the back of the couch. She popped her can of coke, and watched as Eric opened his, closely watching her. Smiling, she held her pop can out.

"Here."

He looked confused, before he slowly lifted his Coke fan, and copied what she was doing. She laughed, as she clinked her can against his.

"Cheers. Let's drink to...us."

Eric smiled and nodded, before they both took loud sips of their soda, smacking their lips, before Milly giggled and lightly burped. Eric's expression at her doing this made her crack up completely.

"Hey! Sorry! Pop makes me burp."

Eric kept smiling, before she pressed play using the VCR remote, and the tracking came on the screen. Milly eyed Eric, before she dragged the coffee table closer to them, and took a handful of popcorn. She showed Eric. He watched her closely, before taking a handful himself, and started munching on the snack beside her. The movie began showing the Disney logo, and Milly absolutely loved the look of awe in Eric's eyes as he watched, completely transfixed on the screen. She knew this was exactly what he needed. In fact, Milly found herself spending most of the movie watching him instead of the movie. Eric's smile was from ear to ear, his eyes wide in awe, and whenever a real exciting part happened in the movie, he would rock back and forth slightly. When the moment of Dumbo's mother rocking him happened, Milly could have sworn she saw the glimmer of tears in his eyes, when suddenly she felt his arm curl around her shoulders. Milly was so caught up in watching the movie with him that she didn't even realize what was happening. She stiffened for just a second, before glancing over and saw that Eric did it almost out of pure impulse. His eyes were still glued to the screen, when his arm went around Milly, and pulled her close to him. Both were sitting with the blanket draped over their laps, the half eaten bowl of popcorn sitting before them, along with their empty cokes. The movie was nearly finished, but she saw he did this as a sense of comfort. His arm held her against him firmly, and she smiled, staring up at him, wondering what Eric would look like in another few years. She suspected he might get taller, and probably still have those pouty full lips of his.

Tonight he was wearing his red hoodie, cord pants, and a white T-shirt. His hair was messy, and stuck up in different directions. She had only touched his hair a few times, usually if something got in it like a leaf, or dust from playing in the park. She knew that showering for him was a huge issue since Uncle Hugo once said sometimes it felt like he was wrestling whenever he got him in the tub. Eric was clean for the most part, and Uncle Hugo tried to bathe him every other night, always insisting he use deodorant since he was becoming a 'man' now. His clothing was always clean, even though it was wrinkled, but he always looked miserable after being bathed. His face flushed, and his hair sticking up in crazy directions. She wondered what he would look like with slightly longer hair. She knew Misty Winchester who lived down the street, and had a hair salon out of her garage cut Eric's hair once every few months since she had a sister who was a lot like him. She lived in Ohio with her parents, but Misty had explained she knew how to deal with kids with autism, and was very patient with Eric, which always went a long way. She remembered smiling, feeling Eric's arm around her as they finished watching the movie, gently laying her head on his shoulder while watching the movie, and never wanting tonight to end. Even though as of lately whenever Eric was around these strange new fluttering feelings overcame her. She suspected this was what the girls called 'butterflies'. Sure, she still got frustrated with Eric, but she really did feel like every single day she was helping him come out of his shell, and discover new things in this world he might never have the chance to if she hadn't walked into his life. Somehow whenever she was around him, she didn't find herself dwelling over the fact that her father was gone, or that she had moved away, leaving all of her friends, and everything she had ever known behind.

She remembered sitting on the couch watching Dumbo, snuggled in close to Eric, smelling the detergent Uncle Hugo used on Eric's clothing, along with the faint lingering smell of his deodorant, and sweat. Something about these smells, all mixed together, was comforting to Millie. She suspected it was because they all reminded her of him. She laid there, his arm around her, holding onto her tightly, as she rested her head on his shoulder. Her free hand laid on top of the blanket covering them, before she slipped hers into his. He glanced down for just a second, smirking, before redirecting his attention back to the movie. She smiled. gently squeezing his hand, looking at even their age, there was still a huge size difference. His nails were chewed down to nothing, but the skin of his hand felt warm and smooth. Sitting there watching the movie, she suspected this was what it would be like if they were out on a date. Just her boyfriend watching a movie with her alone downstairs. Boyfriend... She smiled at the thought of calling Eric her boyfriend. At first the very thought of that seemed so strange. Now sitting here in the dark, snuggled up close to him, she found the word actually comforting. It wasn't until the fieldtrip happened and her week following at the hospital that she knew Eric's secret. She figured a good portion of the night Eric visited her at the hospital had in fact been a dream. Eric was dressed nice, his hair perfect, and the timing of the fireworks seemed straight out of a scene from her favorite movie. Still, details of the dream seemed so real. The smell of gunpowder from the exploding rockets, the damp coolness of the clouds as they swirled through them, Eric's soft plump lips pressing against hers...

Then images of her dead father, Mona throwing the volleyball, and the way her stomach dropped as she went flying out the window, speeding down towards the street below. She understood once she woke up how crazy she sounded, and after talking with Dr. Granada, she knew if she kept carrying on that Eric had in fact saved her the day of the field trip, she might attract some not so great attention. She already knew Mrs. Sherman was fighting for Eric to stay in her uncle's custody despite his drinking, and if the day ever came that the doctors took him to the hospital again, they might not let him leave. Mrs. Sherman had explained that they were trying to bring Eric in at least once a weekend, but she had been working with Uncle Hugo on watching his drinking, at least so Eric wouldn't be left alone in case the state ever did a random wellness visit. This scared her, but she didn't care. She would do whatever she could to help Eric, and make sure he would never be taken back to that awful place. The very idea of him strapped down to a bed there scared the absolute Hell out of her. So the day came when she was allowed back home after missing nearly a week of school. Her head looked fine, and she was going to follow up with appointments with Dr. Granada once a week. She knew certain things she would need to hold back on, but maybe sharing her feelings about her father, and how tense things had been at home with her mom couldn't hurt? Plus, she had a feeling if she admitted to Geneva she was falling for Eric, she might judge and laugh in her face. She knew she didn't care, but something about Dr. Granada reminded her of Mrs. Sherman. There was no judgement. When she admitted to Dr. Granada that she couldn't wait to get home so she could see Eric, she smiled as she wrote notes down.

"Sounds like you care a great deal about this Eric boy. Would you say he's your friend?" Milly thought of his big brown eyes, and smiled.

"Umm...he's more than that."

"Best friend then?"

"More."

Dr. Granada lifted an eyebrow.

"Boyfriend?"

Milly blushed before Dr. Granada smiled.

"That's wonderful Milly. I know he means a great deal to you. I can tell...the way you talk about him. Have you told your mother about this yet?"

"Not really. Things are still sorta weird back home but I'm trying my best to take things slow to help her. I know she's probably missing my dad the most out of all of us. She has a lot on her plate right now. She's still awesome, letting me have Eric over all the time, and letting me go out with him. She might feel bad or something, but...I don't know, I'm making a few friends at school. There's Geneva who lives next door, she goes to another school, but there's Cindy, and Maria. Originally I thought they would laugh if I told them I liked Eric. They teased...nothing enough to be mean, but found it sorta weird that I was always hanging out with him. Now...I don't care what they think. I like Eric a lot...and I can't wait to see him once I get home."

"Do you think he feels the same way about you?"

Milly shrugged.

"Maybe. It's hard to tell with him. I've learned to kinda communicate with him without even speaking. Mrs. Sherman gave me this book called American Sign Language. There are these simple signs I keep trying to show Eric. He doesn't seem interested, but...we still talk in our own way. I mean, it's mostly just me talking, and him listening, but he nods, and shakes his head. He shows emotion and expression much easier now. I started getting a sense that maybe he...you know...liked me liked me, but I don't wanna scare him."

"I'm sure you won't. From what you're saying, you might be the only person on this planet that understands him. I think you two are lucky to have each other."

With that, Milly couldn't wait to get home. She kept expecting Eric to visit her, but her mother explained following his accident, he came down with a cold, and Mrs. Sherman had been spending a great deal of time over at Uncle Hugo's to keep an eye on things. Instantly Milly felt worried hearing that Eric was sick, but her mother reassured her that she had seen him several times sitting outside his window, arms stretched out pretending to fly, staring across the way...almost as if he was waiting for her. When finally the day came to be brought home, Milly's mother said she could. take the rest of the week off as long as she promised to do the rest of her makeup work once she got settled, Millie was actually happy to even see Max, before racing upstairs to check on Tilly, her bird, who Luis had been feeding for her. Her mother called up that they could go and grab something to eat, and that's when Milly saw the pink and white rose on her windowsill. That's when she knew...she was in love with Eric. That night after they got home, Milly saw that Uncle Hugo was passed out drunk on the downstairs couch, surrounded by beer bottles, Wrinkling her nose, she crept up the back stairs, before reaching the attic. She had originally wanted to race right over after she found the rose waiting for her. She even called his name, waiting for him to appear in his bedroom window. Instead, her mother called for her to come downstairs so they could grab pizza.

For once, her mother seemed to be in a good mood, and let Luis and Milly order whatever kind of pizza they wanted. Milly had taken two slices home, wrapping them up in tinfoil for Eric since she knew he loved pizza. Her mother planned on showering, and watching her taped stories tonight, while Luis read some comics she allowed him to pick up from the five and dime after they grabbed dinner. Milly's mom let her buy some new eyeshadow, even though she usually wasn't allowed to wear too much makeup unless it was just for fun. She even let Milly buy some cherry flavored lip gloss as well. Once they were home, Milly told her mom she was going to run the pizza over to Eric. Hearing the TV going downstairs, she crept up the stairs, before reaching the attic. The lights were on, including the Christmas ones. Smiling, she walked in, and saw Eric sitting on the floor, making paper airplanes next to the dusty old photo of himself and his parents. Just seeing him made her heart pound.

"Eric?"

Eric froze, his head shooting up, before his eyes widened, His mouth opened for a second, but no sound escaped. Instead, he smiled, hands flapping at his sides, as he stood up, completely forgetting about the paper airplanes. Milly's heart pounded as he hurried over to her, stopping less than an inch away. He stood there, staring at her, before Milly smiled.

"You...caught me didn't you? The day of the field trip...you saved me?"

Eric stared at her, before giving the same small shrug and smile like he did that night in her dream. Her heart swelled, before she looked at him smiling. "You can fly can't you Eric?" Eric mirrored the same exact facial expressions he showed in her dream, as he pretended to think about it for a second, before smiling, and nodding. Milly grinned, before she awkwardly held up the two slices of pizza wrapped in tin foil. She put it down on top of some of some old boxes.

"Me, Luis, and mom got pizza. I brought you back some..."

She saw he was still staring at her. She smiled, before she took a deep breath.

"I have a dream about you that you visited me in the hospital. You took me flying and we saw fireworks. Was that real?"

Eric did the same half smirk smile at her, making her grin.

"I promise I won't tell anyone your secret...not even my mother. I swear."

Eric nodded, looking grateful, before Milly reached, and took his hand. The feeling of it slipping into hers, instantly made her feel better.

"Maybe someday when it's safer...you could take me flying?"

Eric continued to stare at her, before she smiled.

"I got your present. It's beautiful. I'm going to ask Geneva how to preserve it. I never want it to die."

Eric continued staring at her, before Milly smiled.

"Listen, I've had a lot of time to think about everything while in the hospital...and I know if I don't say this now...I'll just chicken out and never say it. My dad...he died last year, remember how I told you? You were the first person I actually admitted aloud about what really happened. You know...what it's like to lose someone. I've felt so lost Eric...and after what happened the day of the field trip I know you're special, and I'm honored you trust me with your secret. It's just...I haven't been able to stop thinking about you. You're different...and I think that's why I like you."

She knew she was babbling, but struggled as she continued on.

"I know I'm not like Mona, or Erin...or any of the other pretty girls from our school. I just..."

She felt her cheeks flush, before she took a deep breath, and lifted her eyes staring at him.

"I like you Eric. I like you...like you. Do you...like me like that?"

Eric thought about it for a second, before smiling and nodding. Milly felt suddenly very relieved, and knew he understood her. She nervously chewed on her bottom lip.

"I know the school's fair is at the end of the week, then the school's Halloween party. I was wondering...if you would wanna go with me...you know...as a date. Like...boyfriend and girlfriend?"

Eric stared at her, as Milly felt her cheeks burn. She figured she had said too much. Besides, the fair, and the Halloween party might be too much, and scare him. She knew Mrs. Sherman had warned her about pushing Eric when it came to social settings, and somehow as she poured her heart out, she forgot. Maybe she was scaring him? Instead, she dropped her eyes and gave a small humorless laugh.

"I don't care about any of that stuff. All I care about is...do you wanna be my boyfriend?"

She continued staring down at their sneakers, when slowly Eric took her hand, and led her over to the little area, where the lights were strung up, and the photo of his parents were. This was one of his safe places, and she was honored she was allowed back here. Letting him walk with her, he carefully sat her down on the pile of blankets, before he leaned down, and took something out. He sat down beside her, holding an old dusty wooden box, before pulling the top off. Milly carefully watched him, before he pulled out a beautiful gold ring, which she suspected had belonged to Eric's mother. Her eyes widened.

"Eric..."

He locked eyes with her, as he slipped it onto her finger. It was just a little loose, but for the most part, was perfect on her. Holding her hand out, she gasped, never feeling like something so romantic could happen to her. She lifted her eyes, and saw Eric staring at her smiling.

"Eric I can't. It's too special..."

Eric shook his head slowly, before leaning down, and gently kissing her hand, before looking back up at her. Feeling her heart swell, she smiled.

"So? You'll be my boyfriend?"

Eric smiled and nodded yes. Knowing that there was honestly no better moment to do this, she decided that underneath the Christmas lights would be just as romantic as underneath the fireworks and stars from her dream. She leaned forward, closing her eyes and tilting her head. Eric leaned in at the same exact time, and that's when she softly felt his lips press against hers. It was that night they became official. They spent the rest of the evening giving each other quick kisses, and pecks on the cheek, both smiling, and blushing, before Millie and him split the pizza and laid up against the blankets, and Millie talked for a solid hour about the hospital, and her sessions with Dr. Granada. Once it was getting too late, she carefully led him down to his room, before promising him she would see him in the morning. Eric held onto her hand tight, not wanting to let go. She smiled, leaning in and softly kissing his cheek, before telling him she would see him in the morning. That night, she kept glancing at her window, feeling giddy with excitement, as she couldn't stop smiling. When she came back to school a few days later, everyone kept giving her attention, asking a million questions about what happened, and how bad it hurt? Milly shrugged saying she couldn't really remember anything, only that she slipped, and was really lucky. For once even Mona and Erin were being nice.

"Good thing Eric was there huh?"

"Yeah, he's a good boyfriend." Instantly Mona's large bubble she was blowing popped, before Erin and her exchanged a stunned look during their science lab.

"Wait...you...and Eric are..."

"Dating, yeah. Why? What's wrong?"

Both girls looked stunned, before Erin shrugged.

"Um, it's just...isn't it weird since he's..."

"What?"

Milly glared at them, ready to freak out if they called him a retard, or weird again. Instead, both girls seemed uncomfortable, before Mona shurgged.

"Isn't it hard that he can't really talk?" Milly shrugged.

"There's more than one way to communicate."

Erin grinned.

"I bet! He is cute Milly...you guys are adorable! Plus those lips! So...how far have you two gone?"

"Erin!"

Mona said. Milly turned bright red, and before she could answer the bell rang. Mona rolled her eyes, as Erin and her began to gather their things.

"Listen, after the costume contest on Halloween, a bunch of us who set up the gym are going to stick around after hours and have a little private party of our own. You should hang out! You're taking Eric right?"

Milly finished sliding her trapper keeper into her bag. She shrugged.

"Maybe, not sure if it might be too overwhelming for him. We're definitely going to the fair this Friday though."

"That's so sweet! What are you thinking about costumes if you're going? Remember if you take your boyfriend you gotta match! Cam and I are playing Madonna and Sean Penn, and Erin and Guy are going as Andie and Blaine from Pretty In Pink."

Milly smiled, Geneva had taken her to see that at the movies awhile back.

"Not sure yet, like I said we'll see..."

Mona smiled, even though Millie wasn't entirely sure if she trusted her. Still, it was nice to get a little bit of attention, and she was sure with these two, news of Milly and Eric dating would spread like wildfire. Heading to the hallways, she knew she had art next, which meant she wouldn't see Eric until study period. Still, the rest of her afternoons were always pretty easy. She also really loved the look on Eric's face after he hadn't seen her for a few classes. He remained in Mrs. Sherman's room, and Ms. Anderson, and Mr. Peters, two tutors that Eric had been working with since middle school always came in and worked with him for awhile. Mrs. Sherman had expressed how she wished there were better resources for him, including speech therapy. Still, she figured the little bit of help Eric was getting was more than she could have ever dreamt about. It was a daily struggle with Uncle Hugo, who did love Eric, and tried his best, it was just his drinking, and leaving Eric to his own devices that worried her. Still, with the progress he was making was huge, and Mrs. Sherman, along with the rest of the facility, all agreed that this was mostly due to Milly. She made flashcards, and tried focusing on one sign per week so Eric wouldn't get frustrated, or overwhelmed. She knew at this rate it would take forever, but when he first mimicked the "Yes" and "no" sign instead of just shaking or nodding his head, Milly was thrilled. She could see how thrilled he was having pleased her, and they worked together three times a day. His favorite was when she read to him, or during study period when she spent half the time catching up on her own work, while he made paper airplanes.

They always sat in the back, facing the wall so when he did send them off the fly, they would hit the wall, and fall to the floor. At the end of the period Milly and him would collect the planes, and Eric would spend the rest of the time flattening them out, and counting down the minutes until he could see Milly again who went upstairs for her math classes. When they did work together in study hall, it would be anything Milly figured they needed to work on. One fun thing was her doing the mirror activity, where she would change her facial expression, and he would copy her. They went through several emotions like happy, sad, angry, sick, confused, ect. Then he would make paper airplanes with her. As always he hated seeing her go, and loved the days where they had gym together. When Milly did mention the Halloween party, she wasn't so sure. She did have a pretty clever costume for the two of them, but wasn't so sure if Eric would be comfortable going with so many people. When she did meet up with him at the end of the day, she would stop by her locker, while Eric either depending on his mood would mimic her as she grabbed her things. Sometimes he would hold her bag as she loaded it up with whatever books she needed for homework. Other times, he just stood close to her, as she went on and on about her day. Most times now, she would meet him outside of Mrs. Sherman's room. She would reach him, and see his eyes brighten up as she hurried over smiling. As always she would lean over and kiss his cheek, and he would blush smiling. Sometimes, if the hallways weren't too crowded, and he wasn't too overwhelmed, he would mimic her, and kiss her cheek back, all the while smiling.

She always thought of the school fair, and the costume contest as their first real "dates". Those nights were stories for another day, but after they attended both, everyone in town knew that Eric and Milly were an item. Even Luis asked one day while they were walking him home from school, both holding hands, and slightly swinging arms.

"Hey Milly? Are you and Eric..."

He watched them before making a face.

"Are you two in love?"

Milly's eyes widened, stunned to hear him say that. Eric meanwhile didn't seem to mind. He was blissfully staring up at the clouds as they continued to walk together.

"Um...yeah I guess so."

Luis stuck his tongue out.

"Yuck!"

Milly rolled her eyes as Luis ran ahead, meeting Max in the yard. These past few weeks had flown by...in fact speaking of flying, Milly kept thinking back to the weekend of the school fair, and the costume contest. She honestly hadn't had that much fun since before her father died. She actually felt like she was fitting in. Somehow the few whispers, and crude remarks about Eric and her, didn't seem to bother her. She was able to ignore it, as long as they weren't making fun of him. Suddenly, after that weekend, nobody seemed to make fun anymore. It was almost as if they faded into the background, and it was old news that they were dating. Mona and Eric were actually decent, even though Milly confided in Eric that she still didn't trust them. The fair was so much fun, and her favorite part honestly was riding the ferris wheel right after the sunset with Eric who gazed up at the full moon in complete wonder. She remembered looking up as well, and getting caught up in the beauty of the moon as well. It was a harvest moon, large, orange, and round hanging in the blue velvet sky. While she was staring at it, she had absolutely no idea that Eric was now staring at her. He was determined, struggling as he softly spoke, straining.

"M...M...Milly."

It was barely above a whisper, but loud enough for her to slowly turn and stare at him. Her eyes huge. This was the first time she ever heard him speak a word...and it had been her name. She gasped, their cart at the top of the wheel as more passengers were getting loaded on. Faint screams coming from the other rides, as everything began lighting up for the evening. The smell of fair food drifted in the air, as Milly zeroed in on Eric's face. She had never felt more proud in her entire life.

"Yes! That's right Eric! That's right!"

She squealed with delight, before taking his face in her hands, and closing her eyes, before deeply kissing him. She had only seen kisses like this in romances, and wasn't exactly sure if she was doing it right, but her mouth firmly kissed his, slowly moving, before she couldn't control it, and felt her mouth slightly open and close. When the ride started moving away, she pulled back slightly, flushed, and completely out of breath. Eric's face looked exactly the same, as he took a deep breath, and smiled. A few days later, Geneva, who had gotten her licence, had driven Eric and her to the mall to look for costumes. Geneva said she would go, as long as Milly put in a good word for her to Todd, her lab partner from school who Geneva had seen a few times around town, and developed quite a crush on. Milly wasn't sure if Todd was interested, but had asked if he would meet up with her, Eric, and a girl he might like who went to a different school who lived near her. Todd seemed curious enough, and promised to meet them in the food court. Milly still wasn't sure if the Halloween party would work out fine. The contest was inside the gym, where a craft fair was also being held. The rest of it was outside near the basketball courts, where picnic tables would be set up for cider donuts, and warm apple cider, There was also going to be a hayride going behind the school. Milly knew the crowds had mostly shown up for the fair, and seeing that a huge football game was being held a few towns over that same night, she figured it might be more low key, which was probably exactly what Eric needed. Still, Mrs. Sherman, and Uncle Hugo urged her to take him, even if he freaked out, and got overwhelmed, at least they could try, and see how he reacted to this sort of social setting. Besides, Uncle Hugo had grinned saying ever since Eric and her had gotten "sweet" on each other, he had noticed a drastic change in Eric's mood.

All for the better. Milly had more than enough allowance saved, and Uncle Hugo had given her twenty dollars to pick out whatever she needed for Eric's costume. She had taken him to the mall before with Luis, where he became fixated on one of those tiny airplane rides that little kids could ride in. That day however, he stuck close with Milly, squeezing her hand, as they walked by all of the different storefronts. Geneva talked a mile a minute, counting down until they would head upstairs to the food court to meet up with Todd. Milly could tell he was nervous, even though she kept shrugging it off like she wasn't. She also noticed that Geneva was wearing her cream colored sweater, and bright blue eyeshadow. Milly had whispered to Eric if he felt scared or overwhelmed, to just squeeze her hand, and if it was all too much for him, they could leave whenever he wanted. Instead, he squeezed her hand here and there, and walked with her, looking at all of the different storefronts. Milly then grinned, as she saw what store she was looking for.

"Over here Eric! Look!"

She pulled him over to the store, and pointed to the outrageously dressed mannequins. She pulled him in close and smiled.

"What do you think? My mom will flip, but if it's for Halloween I don't think it should matter. Your uncle has that old leather jacket remember?"

Eric stared up at the mannequins with wonder, before Milliy nudged him and smiled.

"Geneva said she can help us, and we can buy spray to do our hair like that. Thought we could do it for shock value."

She smiled, knowing he would go along with this probably just because it made her happy. She was going to have to be extremely careful, know his limits, but had looked into the costume contest, and they didn't even need to get up on stage. Just get their photo taken ahead of time, and then people would come by the ballot tables and vote later. The grand prize would be announced later that night, and if you weren't there to collect it, you or your partner's house would be called the following morning. The grand prize was two hundred dollars. Milly had begun tossing around a little day dream of hers, knowing that Eric's birthday was at the beginning of December, She knew it was a long shot, but figured dressing up with Eric like this would be a blast. She led him into the store as he looked up around in wonder. Geneva kept checking her watch before following them in. Milly laughed before showing her what she was thinking. Geneva cocked her head to the side, before she burst out laughing, "Are you serious?"

"Yeah, I mean Eric's got old jeans that Uncle Hugo doesn't care if I rip up, and an old leather jacket. You said I could borrow your fishnets, and tutu, and all I would really need to get are the T-shirts, some spike jewelry, and stuff for our hair. Thought it would be a riot."

Geneva laughed, making a face.

"You're mom is going to lose it!"

Milly smiled as she started looking through the clothing racks. She raised her eyebrows making Geneva laugh.

"That's the point."

Cracking up, Geneva joined in on helping her pick things out. Eric meanwhile wandered around the store, staring up with wide eyes, before Milly and Geneva fond the perfect T-shirt for Eric. It was a black and white printed T-shirt from the band The Clash.

"Eric, come over here for a second."

He did as he was told, all the while staring up, looking at the store's lights. Milly held the T-shirt up against him, before she nodded at Geneva. When it was her turn to try on her T-shirt, one which was black, red, and blue for Suzine and The Banshees. Genena sat with Eric outside of the dressing room, and when Millie stepped out, she was wearing jeans, and the tight T-shirt. The moment she stepped out, she saw the expression on Eric's face and knew he liked it.. Geneva caught this and grinned, motioning to him.

"Your boyfriend's eyes are about to pop out of his head. I think we have a winner."

Milly laughed, all the while secretly loving how sexy she felt in this T-shirt. She dressed quickly, before purchasing her and Eric's items, before they went with Geneva to the food court. Todd was waiting there, and sadly Milly saw the flicker of disappointment in his eyes when Geneva introduced herself, and started talking a mile a minute. Wanting them to be alone for a little bit, Milly asked Eric what kind of food he wanted to get? Eric carefully looked around, before pointing to the pizza place. Smiling, Millie ordered them each a slice of pizza, and two cokes. As they waited for their food, Millie nudged Eric to look where Geneva was. She sighed.

"I'm not sure how this is going. Todd is a really nice guy, but...you know how Geneva is. She's nervous...but she's probably trying to seem confident, and won't shut up. I just hope he lets her down easy if he doesn't like her."

She sighed, before their order was called, and she grabbed the tray, while Eric carried their cokes. Once they got back, they sat back eating, while Genena didn't even take a breath. Todd seemed a little overwhelmed, and afterwards once they dumped their trays, they walked around the mall a few times. Geneva in the front, talking Todd's ear off, while Milly and Eric hung in the back. Geneva bought chewing gum, and candy, while Todd looked at different comics. Milly then spotted something she knew Eric would love, and grabbed it while Eric wasn't looking. Checking it out, she tucked it in her bags, while finally Todd cleared his throat after buying a few comics, and told them he needed to help his dad out in the garage. Geneva fished her pen out of her pink and orange purse, and wrote her number down on Todd's hand. Milly sighed, seeing that Todd didn't seem the slightest bit interested, but Geneva seemed blissfully unaware. After Todd left, Geneva wanted to look at a few more stores, before finally they loaded up into her car, and she drove them back. Once home, Milly with permission from Uncle Hugo, had an old worn pair of Army issued boots that had once belonged to him. He told Milly if she tied them tight enough, they would fit him. She also had the old leather jacket, and jeans. She sat cross legged on Eric's bed, using a tiny pair of scissors and was currently in the middle of distressing the jeans. Eric watched her carefully as she hummed and did so, telling him they could work on their costumes throughout the week after school. Eric watched her fascinated, before Milly then remembered her surprise. Her eyes lit up, before she reached for her bag which still held her T-shirt, and some of the junk jewelry.

"Oh! I bought this at the magazine shop for you. Thought you might like it..."

She dug into the bag, before handing him the glossy colored magazine. Eric raised an eyebrow confused, before he slowly took it. Instantly from the look on his face, she knew he loved it. His eyes widened, as he stared at the cover. On it was an old 1930's airplane with two young boys posing next to it. Milly smiled.

"It's a whole magazine of different airplanes, choppers, jets...well things that you love. I know you like cutting the photos out whenever you can. Thought maybe you could make a collage on your wall or something. I even got you tape..."

She fished out, and showed him the roll, before she smiled as he lifted his eyes and smiled. She put down the jeans, before she scooted in closer to him, as she helped him slowly start to flip through it. Each page, he seemed amazed at, his smile getting bigger and bigger, as Milly leaned against him, leaning her head against his shoulder as he flipped through the pages, and pointed out everything to her. When the Halloween contest came, both Milly and Eric shocked everyone as they arrived to get their photos taken together dressed as punk rockers. She wasn't sure if Eric was going to allow her to style his hair, but he stayed perfectly still as she used the styling mousse, and then prepared him for the spray.

"It will wash out, I'll help wash your hair tonight...just close your eyes, it feels a little cold. Squeeze my hand."

He snapped his eyes shut, and only flinched a little as she sprayed in the red and blue hair paint. When she showed him his reflection in the upstairs bathroom mirror, he looked stunned, but smiled as she started doing her own, spiking it up using gel. She knew her mother would murder her if she saw them, and that was the main reason why they were getting ready at Uncle Hugo's. Uncle Hugo was out with his drinking buddies for the night, so Milly was looking forward to getting ready with him. As she styled her hair, she then motioned to the bag near the shower.

"Your clothes are there. You can get changed while I finish my hair and try to make it stay."

Eric continued looking at his own reflection, with his very strange looking hair, before turning and grabbing the bag. Millie hummed, giddy with excitement over what everyone would think seeing them, when it hit her. Eric was getting ready right behind her. She froze, the colored hair spray in her hand, when she eyed the mirror and saw Eric standing only in his blue and white boxers. He had taken off his cord pants, and was pulling on his torn jeans she had gotten ready for him, before zipping, and buttoning them. Milly started, and looked at his flat stomach, and skinny chest. He was totally unaware that she was watching him, as he leaned down and grabbed the black and white Clash T-shirt. She watched as he raised it above his head, and she could see the hair underneath his arms. A strange fluttering feeling entered her stomach, as he stood, reaching for the leather jacket, when she snapped out of staring. Finishing her hair, she began on her makeup, using eyeliner, and dark eyeshadows like Geneva had taught her. This made her feel like she was a whole new person. Besides chapstick, she really never put anything on. Geneva had done a few makeovers with her before in her bedroom, but Milly always thought she put too much on her. Her mother wasn't against makeup, just didn't seem interested.

So, she began buying Seventeen magazines, as well as Cosmo. Most nights after she wrote in her diary and then school journal, she would grab whatever was the latest issue she bought at the mini-market. Here she would stare at the glossy colorful photos, or read the articles. She found Cosmo the most interesting since her mother didn't know she bought these. She would read the articles about sex, and feel her cheeks burn. Somehow these articles answered more questions for her than sex-ed did. In fact, sex was something she couldn't seem to stop thinking about. She overheard the girls in the locker room, and that Mona had gone all the way just a few weeks beforehand. Milly couldn't believe what she was hearing as Mona talked about how they had parked near Coy's pond, and did it in the back seat of Cam's car. She talked about how badly it hurt, and how Cam kept struggling to put the condom on. Milly was horrified hearing this, but unable to move from her gym locker, as Erin asked a million questions. Some of which made Milly's cheeks burn. Now Milly stood back, her hair teased and sprayed. She wore a glitter covered headband which made her hair stay held up, sprayed in different places. One was blue, the other pink. It made her heart hammered as she grinned, and turned around before pointing to her head.

"So? What do you think?"

Her makeup was heavy, but pretty. She had heavy eyeliner on, and dark blue eyeshadow. She wore bright red lipstick, and felt like she looked like she was in her twenties. Smiling, she couldn't help but giggle at Eric's expression. He walked over, closely looking at her. Having him this close, sendt those strange fluttering in her stomach. He stared at her, before he smirked. She knew he found her appearance weird, but liked it nevertheless. She then took a deep breath before she motioned to the bag sitting on the top of the closed bathroom hamper.

"Grab that for me Eric?"

Eric took a second, before turning to grab the bag. Milly felt her heart race, before without so much as a second thought, She pulled her blouse over her head, making sure not to mess up her hair or makeup. Eric turned, and then froze, bag still in his hands. Milly smiled nervously. She stood in her jeans, and now only wearing the gold and purple lace bra she had bought a few weeks beforehand with Geneva, who explained it was very important to own a few bras and panties that weren't just plain white. That owning this stuff would boost her confidence. Standing there in just her bra, she saw Eric staring at her breasts, seemed transfixed. Milly nervously took a deep breath, before she cleared her throat.

"You know, it's okay to look...you...are my boyfriend after all."

She smiled, before seeing Eric wasn't showing any sign he understood. Instead, he just continued staring, before Milly felt herself blush even deeper. Eric didn't make her uncomfortable, but she knew this was extremely forward of her. In fact, she might even be scaring him. Sighing, dropping her eyes. she felt ashamed that she was doing this.

"Sorry Eric I..."

She went to reach forward to grab her bag from him, when he stopped her. It wasn't anything weird, just him dropping the bag he had been holding. Milly saw his eyes were still staring at her body, and it made her remember as speical as Eric was...he was still a teenage boy. She saw him staring, before she softly smiled.

"Are you staring at me?"

Eric didn't answer. Instead he continued looking at her, before Milly knew now that they were "dating" it also meant they were both growing up. They were teenagers, and slowly adjusting to the changes that were happening to their body, as well as noticing each other in ways they hadn't before. Sighing, she knew they had plenty of time to figure this stuff out together, but not like this. Not tonight. Smiling, she bent down, grabbed the bag, and took out her T-shirt. She pulled it on, as Eric continued watching her, curious, and a small flicker of disappointment in his eyes once she put her shirt back on. When she had to take her jeans off, she told him to wait in his bedroom. Eric did as he was told, as Milly started pulling on the rest of her costume, she put on the jelly bracelets, spiked necklace, and huge hoop earrings. Seeing a small spike bracelet she had bought for Eric, she cleaned up all of her makeup and hair products she had been using, bagged everything up, before heading to Eric's room. Eric sat on his bed, his hands in his lap, staring straight ahead at the wall. Milly entered, before she laughed and did a small spin. "Tada!" Eric looked up at her and gave a small smile, as she spun around and laughed.

"We're going to look like psychopaths! I can't wait for everyone to see..."

She sat beside him, and went to reach and took his wrist so she could put the bracelet. Eric pulled slightly away. Milly raised an eyebrow, before trying again. "Come on Eric, let me put this on you." Eric pulled his hand back,covering his lap. Confused, Milly tried again, but Eric wouldn't budge.

"What's wrong?"

She tried again, and that's when she noticed. The jeans Eric was now wearing were old and tighter. She saw that he was trying to cover up a bulge that had formed in his pants.

Seeing it, Milly quickly dropped her eyes embarrassed. Her cheeks burned, before it hit her that Eric couldn't control what his body was doing. In fact, she should have known better taking her shirt off in front of him. Maybe it was too much too soon? Feeling slightly ashamed, she knew that Eric's body was changing. She knew that Uncle Hugo helped shave him, which he had remarked about once when Milly came downstairs to grab them pops to drink in the attic. He said thankfully Eric's facial hair barely grew, so he only had to do it once a week. In fact, scared of cutting him since he usually struggled, Uncle Hugo had bought one of those fancy electric shavers. He said the noise still scared him, but he hadn't been fighting him as much, and rarely got cut anymore. Still, his body was changing, and even though Milly knew to a certain extent he understood sorta what was going on, a great deal of it was all new and scary to him. She knew this was what the guys at school called a "hard-on", which meant a guy's penis would get hard when they got excited. This embarrassed Milly to no end since when she first heard about it, she kept wondering in the back of her mind if this happened to Eric? Seeing his hands covering his lap she sighed. Of course this would happen to Eric, he was a teenage boy afterall. Sighing, she gently put her arm around him.

"You know, that's normal right?"

Eric took a second, before he looked up at her ashamed. He slowly nodded, and Milly knew this probably wasn't the first time this had happened to him. Smiling sadly, she playfully rubbed his arm.

"You don't need to be embarrassed or anything. I'm sorry I got changed in front of you."

Eric kept staring at her, before she smiled, gazing into his eyes before she leaned forward, kicking her nose against his. He softly smiled, and she knew he was okay.

"Let's go get our photo taken then we'll go for a walk. I don't really want to be around a bunch of people tonight. Do you?"

Eric shook his head making Milly smile as she gave his arm a small squeeze. She then kissed his cheek, and told him she was going to use the bathroom real quick before they left. Getting up, she figured he might need some privacy for a few minutes. Leaving, she took a deep breath, and couldn't believe it. She had done that to Eric. Looking down at herself she figured a great deal of this was uncharted waters for the two of them, and the only way the two could get through it would be facing these kinds of things together. That night they arrived at the gym, and Mrs. D' Gregario lost it over their costume. Eric clung onto Milly's arm for dear life, as Mrs. D' Gregario called over several teachers, including Principal Thomas to come see. Even Mrs. Sherman came over and laughed as everyone raved about how different and awesome they looked. Milly brought Eric over, and they got their photo taken for the contest. She saw Mona and the others, who once they spotted them all ran over.

"Oh my God Milly! Eric and you look awesome!"

They all fussed over them, while Eric stayed silent, squeezing Milly's hand. Knowing he was getting overwhelmed, Milly politely declined their offer to all hang out after the party, lying and telling them she had curfew. As she walked away, she could tell Cam and the rest of his asshole friends were all whispering, and laughing at them. Not wanting to be around people who were nice to their faces, then cruel as soon as they turned their backs, Milly knew they had entered the contest, and Eric deserved to get away from the overwhelming amount of people here since he did after all allow Milly to dress him up for this. She pulled him to the cider donut station and bought them each one, along with two cups of hot apple cider. Together, the two went outside in the chilly Fall's air and ate, as Milly and Eric watched different people come and go. Once they were finished, she knew they should start planning on getting back. Her mother was working late, and even though it was just for a Halloween costume, she figured if her mother spotted her dressed like this she might flip. Holding his hand, they left the school grounds, before she smiled, staring at him. He did look so strange dressed as a punk rocker. Laughing, she walked with him, slightly swinging their arms when Eric gave her arm a slight pull in the direction of the park. Raising an eyebrow, she stared at him. "Eric, home is this way, come on." Eric pulled her again gently, before motioning for her to follow him towards the park, and woods. Looking around, she figured a little detour wouldn't hurt, so she sighed, shrugging her shoulders, and walked with him. That night Eric much like her dream at the hospital...showed her he did indeed know how to fly. Now weeks later, their secret safe between them, Milly had never felt so happy before in her life. They were still 'dating', and Milly truly never thought she could love somebody as much as she loved Eric.

It was the night before Thanksgiving. Uncle Hugo was at the Elk's, and had informed Milly that tomorrow morning he was taking Eric to his cousin's who lived a few town's over. Hating this, since she originally intended on inviting Uncle Hugo and Eric over for dinner. When she learned that they weren't going to be in town, she hated the swell of dissapointment falling over her. She knew Eric had family, as distant as they were, and needed to spend time with them. Still, over the course of the past few weeks, Milly had found herself becoming very attached to Eric. She always picked him up before school, where they would hold hands, before dropping Luis off. Her mother explained once the snow came, and the sidewalks were too hard to walk on, they would simply have to start taking the bus. Milly wasn't too sure how Eric would react to a crowded bus, but figured as long as they sat together holding hands he would be perfectly fine. They would drop Luis off, then arrive at school. They would go to Mrs. Sherman's room since it was their homeroom, and all together spend three hours in total together during the day. When Milly had to go to her other classes that Eric wasn't part of, he would watch her with big sad eyes, almost pleading for her not to go. It of course got used to it. In the beginning once they started working together, he would try several times to follow her, only for Mrs. Sherman stood in the way, gently guiding him back to his seat, and reminding him that Milly had other classes to get to, but would pick him up before lunch. As always Eric would look heartbroken and frustrated, before sulking back to his seat. On the days they had gym together, which was three times a week, she could tell that he would get excited since that meant an additional hour with her. As usual they would sit off to the side, rolling the ball back and forth. If Eric felt like he had an audience, he would refuse to roll, or catch it. Just a few weeks ago during gym Milly hadn't been feeling so great. Her sleep had been restless the night before, and she had tossed and turned most of the night, waking up crabby and out of sorts. She had been grumpy most of the morning, and it wasn't until she got up from the bleachers, after spending the past hour rolling the volleyball back and forth to Eric. She couldn't seem to put her finger on it, but watching Mona and the others from afar, she felt her temper rising. She knew they had really backed off, still pretending to be friendly, but more than likely talking about Eric and her behind their backs. Even though she didn't care, she was still annoyed. When she got up, she felt a strange sensation as her stomach cramped up, and then dampness.

She was horrified to find that she had just started her first period ever in gym class.

The crotch and seat of shorts were stained with blood. Her eyes widened as the bell rang, signaling everyone to head to the locker rooms. Mrs. D was too far away for help, and she knew if she tried walking over everyone would see the blood on her shorts and know. Humiliated, she couldn't believe it. She had been waiting to start hers for a while now. Her mother had walked her through the basics, and said if she ever did start at school to just get a pass to the nurse and to call her. The thought of this someday happening to her scared the living daylights out of her. It sounded like such a pain, plus the horror stories she heard about tampons, PMS, cramps, and breaking out were nothing as Milly heard horror stories about girls finding out at school, and blood staining their clothing, and seats. She reached down and touched the crotch of her shorts, only to pull her hand back and saw her fingertips stained faintly.

She gulped, too scared to even think when... Eric handed her his hoodie.

He usually never took it off unless they were outside walking laps together and it was too hot. Today he handed her his green hoodie, causing her to snap out of her racing thoughts. She looked at him, as he blankly stared at her, still holding it out. Did he know? She wasn't sure if he even understood, but he was a lifesaver offering his hoodie. Blushing, she took it, and wrapped it around her waist, praying she wouldn't stain it on him.

"Thanks Eric."

She hurried over to Mrs. D and whispered what happened. She was given a pass to the nurse, and was able to call her mother. She was given a pad, and changed into her regular clothing, stuffing her stained clothing into a plastic bag. She figured out the pad, but felt awkward wearing it. She felt like she was walking funny when she came back out. The nurse, Mrs. Vicky, was really nice and sympathetic towards her, giving her a small bag of pads and tampons. She explained that she should talk to her mother once she got home, take a nice hot shower, and a few aspins for her cramps. Waiting for her mother to pick her up, she laid down in the back room, feeling the cramps wash over her one after another. She knew Geneva had already gotten her period as did almost all of the other girls she knew. In fact, she suspected she might be the last girl in her grade to have gotten it. Nurse Vicky appeared a few minutes later, looking a little annoyed. Milly was laying on the cot, miserable with cramps, Eric's hoodie on and zipped up since it felt ten degrees cooler in the nurse's office. Seeing Nurse Vicky, she lifted her head.

"Is my mom here?"

"Not yet honey, but Eric Gibb is outside and he won't leave. I could..."

She shook her head. "Can he come see me? I already called Mrs. Sherman upstairs to drive him home today...I might need to explain it to him...we usually walk together."

Nurse Vicky nodded, smiling before leaving. A minute or two later, Eric appeared looking out of place in the doorway. Milly smiled.

"Hey Eric."

He looked worried and hurried in. Milly sat up on the cot, before motioning for him to sit down next to her. Eric did so, looking at her carefully, before she smiled. "I'm not feeling so good Eric so my mom is coming to get me. I already talked to Mrs. Sherman, she'll take you home after school." Eric looked at her, before she sadly smiled.

"I'm kinda embarrassed to talk about this with you but...I wasn't hurt today. The blood was normal. It's something that happens to girls. I have cramps but they aren't so bad. Mostly just...I don't know...embarrassed I guess."

She then motioned to the hoddie and went to unzip it. "Thanks for this, you saved me..." She went to unzip it when Eric stopped her, gently placing his hand over hers which was in the middle of unzipping it. He shook his head. Milly smiled raiisng an eyebrow.

"You're...letting me keep it? What if your uncle gets mad?"

Eric didn't seem bothered at all. Instead he just continued smiling, before Millie sighed, feeling extremly lucky to have have him. A dull cramp started settling around her, before she reached over and gave him a tight tug. He stayed with her until her mother arrived, and looked bothered when Milly had to leave. That night she went to bed early, misrible after a whole day of cramps. She slept unaware that Eric flew over, and sat on the edge of her bed, watching her sleep, all the while gently stroking her hair. She wore Eric's hoodie all the time, feeling like a love sick teenager wearing her boyfriend's letterman jacket. Eric and her had in fact won the costume contest, both receiving word the following morning. The night before had been magical, and she felt special for having such a secret just between Eric and her. It was pure magic, and if something like this could happen...that meant anything was possible. She felt like the luckiest girl in the world to have Eric as her boyfriend, and started to notice things she hadn't ever noticed before until he flew with her. The way the clouds looked, the color of the sky depending on the day, the sounds of the birds... It all seemed so vivid, last night's events playing over and over again in her mind before she smiled.

There was no denying it now. She was head over heels in love with Eric Gibb. Her mother had seen the photo of their costumes in the paper when it announced the winner a few days later, and her eyes nearly fell out of her head. Milly couldn't help but smile, and had taken Eric to the local bank, to use his portion of his check to open a savings account for him. Her mother had done the same for her years ago, teaching her about earning interest, and how it was always a good idea to put away money from allowances, and holidays. She had a nice little savings account, always keeping some money for spending each week, but ever since her father passed away, she had truly learned the value of a dollar, while her brother spent his money as soon as he earned any. Usually wasting it on GI Joe dolls, bubble gum, or comics. Millie knew Uncle Hugo meant well, but she didn't want Eric's share to be wasted on beer. So, she went with him, and helped him open a savings. Her half meanwhile she had plans for seeing that Eric's birthday was just a few weeks away. It was a half day at school today. There had been a prep ralley, but Milly and Eric had been excusted to the libary due to the noise. The two had looked up different books, before settling down, and looking at a book about all kinds of different kites from all over the world. Eric leaned over the book fassinated as Milly read, and carefully flipped through the pages, both leaning up against each other. When the bell rang, Milly knew Luis was spending the afternoon over a friend's house since their mother had baking to do, and Luis said him and his friend Jeffery were the offical taste testers.

Her mother would be working late, and Uncle Hugo was at the Elk's. Milly had swung by the mini-market while walking home with Eric. Here she bought two cans of New Coke, and a bag of carmel choclates. The two walked hand in hand, looking at how most of the trees which were now either gold or brown. The air was crisp and chill, and Milly was greatful to be wearing Eric's baggy green hoodie, while he wore his red one. Once they were home, they went out back where the hammock that Milly had helped her mother string up when they first moved here. This hammock had been her father's favorite, and sometimes nothing felt better than laying in it, reading, and looking up at leafs swirlling in the sky. Today, she had grabbed the blanket off the couch, and the two very carefully climbed onto it. They both now knew how to both get onto it without having to flip them upside down, which had already happened twice. Boths laid back in the hammock, covering themselfs with the blanket, before Milly started popping the candies into her mouth, tossing them to Eric, who played along with her, and catch them in his mouth. Milly laughed as they snuggled in together. She had been in the middle of reading the book Poppy to Eric since there was an owl character who flew.

As always he would, wrap his arm around her, so she could snuggle up against him, reading as he followed along. They swung back and forth, listening the the russling of the leafs, before it began to get dark out. She hated that it got dark out so early, but could tell Eric was getting cold, and the two carefully grabbed their things, before heading inside, Turning on the heat, she told him she could make hot choclate for them, and order a pizza since her mother wouldn't be home until later. She showed him the small turkey that had been disfrostng in the fridge for the last few days, and how she had been helping her mom out, and even bake the homemade pumpskin pie that was wrapped up in the fridge as well.

"Maybe tomorow night once you get home maybe you could come over and I can give you leftovers. We could watch a movie or something..."

Eric listened, before she got an idea. She took mugs out, pouring their hot choclate, before sitting down at the small kitchen table. Eric sat across from her, when she signed "Hello". Eric blankly stared at her, before she did it again. Eric just watched, before taking his mug and softly blowing on it. Smiling, Milly then had an idea.

"Hey. How about we play a game. I'll sign something...and if you can do it yourself...you'll win something."

Eric raised an eyebrow before Milly grinned, knowing exactly what to do now.

"I'll give you a kiss every time you're able to repeat and sign a command the right way."

Eric suddnely looked very interested as Milly laughed and signed "Hello." She then motioned to Eric.

"Okay, now your turn. Sign hello."

She waited a second, before Eric signed it back perfectly for her. This was the fastest she had ever seen him repeat something she asked. Instantly her eyes light up.

"Eric! Good job!"

He smirked, before he pointed to his lips, lightly tapping them, showing he wasn't about to forget about his prize. Smiling, Milly blushed slightly, before she rolled her eyes, stood up, and tilted her head to the side, pressing her lips against his. Smiling through the kiss, she pulled back, seeing that Eric was blushing as well. Signing

"How are you?" she was stunned to see him sign "Hello, how are you?" right back to her. Laughing, she shook her head as she started to lean in towards him. "I think we might have a systen that actually works Eric." She said laughing, as she leaned in, ready to kiss her boyfriend again.