Chapter 12

—Mom, we're here!

I pronounced as I entered while behind me my father and my best friend were staring at each other like two wild beasts fighting for a piece of meat, only that one of them would be like a big lion and the other just a cub, well that was the image that goes through my mind just by looking at them.

—Welcome, my dear

I was greeted by my mother at the entrance with a sweet smile.

— And... Mark?

My mother wondered surprised to see my father so early at home.

—Yes... Apparently dad left the office early....

—Good afternoon, Mr. Eliam

—Hi Dan, will you do your homework together?

—Yes.

—and then we will play video games

I answered enthusiastically after Dan

—that's right...your mom called Dan

—my mom?

—That's right, she says she's going to be a little late picking you up, so you'll be staying for dinner with us today.

My mother spoke with a smile

—Thank you, Mr. Eliam...you are very kind.

"What a polite little boy"

Eliam thought as he saw little Dan politely saying thank you.

—and honey why didn't you tell me you were leaving early today?

—I'm sorry...I wasn't planning on leaving early today either, however, something came up unexpectedly at the office and well see me here.

While my parents got to talking, Dan and I went straight to my room to do my homework for school.

As you may know my mother and Liliana became very good friends since Dan started staying at my house, when Liliana rested from work my mother and Alicia would go out together to hang out while my father took care of us.

When I met Liliana she looked very pale and that was due to the overwork she had, of course there was also the worry of taking care of Dan alone. As I found out, Dan's father passed away when she was pregnant, my mother did not ask more about it, because she did not want Liliana to feel uncomfortable with that.

With the help of some of Alicia's friends they managed to give her some vitamins so she could recover her vitality and well, that's how it was... She looks better now than the last time I met her.

—that's right! I almost forgot about it

I exclaimed while I started to rummage through my backpack and managed to find the letter I had to give to Dan.

—take this

—And this?

Dan asked in surprise as he held the envelope in his hand.

—They asked me the favor of delivering it to you.

Not quite satisfied with the answer Dan's expression began to change.

—You should refuse every time you're asked to give me a letter," he said.

—What can I say... I am a good person.

—too good I would say

He replied as he crumpled up the letter as if it were a piece of disposable paper and stuffed it in his backpack.

—You don't plan to read it?

—I know what the letter will say.

—that you are psychic now?

—no... It's just the same thing every week "I'd like to confess my feelings to you blah, blah, blah" you know...the typical letter from a boy or girl with no courage to tell me how they feel face to face.

"These kids lack creativity in writing a romantic letter and Dan lacks a bit of finesse, when it comes to situations like this, not all of us can have the courage to propose to a person in front of them for fear of being rejected in front of everyone present."

I thought as I watched and sighed slyly.

—how simple... If it were me I think I would say something like "you're the person I want to be with forever... So please accept my feelings" or something like that.

Dan just listened to what she was saying without saying a word.

—Do you think it's weird?

—no... Not at all

—that's good...

I answered relieved

—And do you plan to tell that to anyone?

I asked averting my eyes

—Of course!

—To whom?!

he asked nervously and with a somber look on his forehead.

—I don't know.

—Hey? wait, wait, what do you mean you don't know? Don't you like someone?

—Me?

I pointed my finger at myself

"Now that you mention it...since I came into this world I haven't managed to be interested in someone romantically, and even if I did like someone I'd be older than that person, it's like I'm with a baby...And that would be weird, even for me."

I started thinking.

—no... There really isn't anyone I'm interested in.

—oh, I see

He replied calmly and with a bit of relief.

—for now, I'm not interested in that... I just want to study to make my parents proud.

"And of course, to see BL couples"

I said the last thing in my mind

—you know... When I talk to you I feel like I'm talking to someone older than me.....

"Ah, damn it! Sometimes I forget that I'm a girl in this life, I hope you haven't noticed!"

I thought nervously

—Y-you think so?

—Yes... And that's what I like the most about you.

She answered with a smile and a slight blush on her cheeks.

—I hope it will always remain a pleasure.

Replied my father as he interrupted in my room, while Dan and I let go of the fright in our place.

—Dad! You almost made me have a heart attack!

"Literally almost did, my heart was beating so fast!"

I could clearly feel my heart beating very fast from the sudden fright.

—I'm sorry Ameri... Dad didn't mean to scare you.

My father answered caressing my head tenderly.

—Yes it shows...

Dan replied sarcastically

—What did you say boy?

—Before you two get into an argument, why did you come to my room dad?

—what? a father can't come to his daughter's room for no reason?

—Dad...

—it's okay, it's okay, I came to let you know that dinner is ready.

—Really?!

I answered surprised, we spent so much time doing homework and talking that we didn't notice the time.

—Now we can't play video games

I pronounced somewhat discouraged

—Yes we can... Remember that my mom will pick me up later.

—that's right! I almost forgot

—Kids, time for dinner!

my mother shouted from the living room

—Hey... Why is mom calling us, if you were supposed to tell us about dinner?

I asked with my arms crossed and an eyebrow raised.

—W-well, she must have forgotten.

my father answered nervously

—Dad... the truth

—Well, it's okay... I just wanted to see what you were doing.

We both looked at each other

—What we always do...Homework

We both answered at the same time, after reprimanding my father we went to the dining room to eat the delicious dinner my mother prepared for us. Every time we eat dinner my parents ask us how we did at school and as always we tell her what happened... Of course, without forgetting the love letters that Dan receives, according to my mother in college my father also received that kind of letters, but unlike Dan, my father would return the letters face to face answering.

"don't be a bother."

In a very cold way.

Sometimes I wonder how did he go from being a serious person to the person he is now? The answer is very obvious... I looked at my mother and thought.

"It was mom"

Later Dan and I started to play fighting video games, to know who is the best... But as always I ended up defeating him.

"I'm still good at this... I haven't gotten rusty yet".

I said to myself excited inside.

It was almost ten o'clock at night and Dan's mom came to pick him up to take him home so he could rest.

—Thank you so much for letting him stay late.

—Don't worry Lili, that's what friends are for.

My mother replied

—Next time I will win Ameri!

—We'll see about that Dan!

We answered each other like little video game rivals while my mother and Dan's mother listened to us and let out a little smile.

—these kids...

—Have a good night...

—Same to you, Mrs. Liliana, see you tomorrow Dan

—Yes, rest Ameri!

"Well, I'll go to rest too, tomorrow will be a tiring day...I wonder what gender I'll be in this world?"

I thought... As I said goodbye to my parents to go to my room.

"I can't wait any longer...I already want it to be tomorrow"....

The next day I woke up... But not with the same energy I used to wake up with, I felt a bit exhausted.

I clearly felt that my body was a little heavy, but I wouldn't let that affect my school day, especially today when I would finally be able to know everyone else's secondary gender including my own.

So, I got out of bed to go to the living room to have breakfast, if I ate something I was sure I would be full of energy and I would feel much better... or that was what I thought.

—good morning...

—good morning, honey, I made your favorite toast with eggs and bacon... -yes... Thank you mom...

—Yes... Thank you mom

I answered still tired, my mother looked at me intrigued when she heard my answer.

—Good morning! What's for breakfast?

My father asked with his hair out of alignment.

—What's wrong?

My father asked my mother who was watching me who was eating, but not with the same energy as she always did.

—I don't know, Ameri is strange....

—I'm not strange... I just have a little headache, that's all....

My father came towards me placing his hand on my forehead.

"It feels so cool"

I thought as I felt my father's hand.

—It seems that our daughter has some fever

—Really?!

my mother exclaimed with concern

—You don't have to worry mom

I said, pushing my father's hand aside.

—It's just a slight fever, it will pass quickly.

—Of course not, honey... You need to rest.

My mother answered as she put one arm around me and with the other she held my hand to lead me to my room.

—I'll call the school to let them know you won't be there.

My father answered, dialing from his cell phone

—I'll take her to bed and then I'll contact Alicia to come right away.

Back in my room, I lay down on my bed to grab my cell phone and text Dan while my mom was calling crazy Alicia.

"it's just a little fever"

I thought as I typed the message

"So, I won't be going to school today, please can I borrow your notes from today's class, thanks."