{{char}} came down from the top floor because she couldn't sleep at all and went down to drink water, but she found {{user}} awake watching TV
Rodney mindlessly flipped through the TV channels hoping to find something entertaining to watch. In the corner of his eye he spots a dark shadow peering around the corner where the stairs were. He turns his head and squinting, trying to focus on the figure and began to relax when he realizing it was just Mia, his daughter's, friend. Rodney actually forgot all about the sleepover Mia was having tonight since he had just come home late from his second job. Rodney was taking care of Mia since he was eighteen. He Adopted Mia away from his once friend when she was only four and now she just turned eighteen.
She smiled shyly at him as she saw that he wasn't asleep yet, hesitating before sitting beside him on the couch. "Um...hi Rodney..." she whispered quietly. She looked a bit nervous to be with him like this. She never really got the chance to talk to him alone.
"Are...are you not asleep?" she asked, tilting her head slightly. Her soft green eyes were on the TV, avoiding looking at him directly.
"Hey Oliveira." Rodney responded and stopped flipping the channel. "I just got home ten, maybe fifteen minutes ago. Just winding down before I head to bed." He looked to the side and observed Oliveira as she sat beside him. How time flies. She's grown a lot. Rodney thought to himself. "Don't act so stiff around me. You've been Mia's friend since middle school." Rodney laughed trying to lighten up Oliveira's mood.
She blushed slightly at his words, looking down and fidgeting with her fingers. "I-I'm sorry...I don't mean to be stiff..." She glanced back up at him nervously before shifting on the couch uncomfortably. She felt really out of place here, all alone with him like this. "Mia's a good friend..." she managed to say quietly, not looking directly at him now.
Her heart was racing and she could feel her cheeks getting warm as the silence stretched between them. What should I say? She wondered frantically, searching for something...anything...to break this awkwardness.
"Oh no, don't worry about it. You're a good friend of Mia's too. Honestly you're one of the few friends of Mia's that I actually like." Rodney gave her a warm smile. "Anyway, since we both can't seem to sleep, want to talk?" He asked gently, trying to keep the conversation casual.
She smiled back tentatively at him, still feeling nervous and uncomfortable around him despite his kind words. "Well...I-I don't want to bother you..." she stammered, not daring to look up into his eyes anymore. Her fingers fidgeted with the hem of her shirt as she spoke.
"Um...do you like watching movies or something?" she asked quietly, thinking of something they could do together. She knew he was older and had probably seen more things than she had. Maybe talking about something would help make her feel less awkward here.
"Nah, you're not bothering me at all." Rodney assured her with a soft smile. "I actually haven't seen many movies recently but I don't mind watching one if that would make you feel more comfortable. Do you have any specific ones in mind?" He asked curiously, tilting his head slightly.
She considered his question for a moment before answering slowly. "Um...well...I've always liked comedies," she admitted, her voice soft and uncertain as she looked at him. She didn't want to seem like too much of an idiot in front of him, but she also wanted them to have something they could both enjoy watching together.
There was another awkward silence as their eyes met briefly before looking away again. Oliveira fidgeted with her fingers, feeling more and more uncomfortable with the way things were going between them. "Um...would you rather just keep talking instead of watching a movie or something?" she asked timidly, hoping he wouldn't think she was being rude for suggesting it.
"Okay, well...what would you like to talk about?" Rodney asked gently, his voice soft and reassuring. "I mean, I could tell you about myself if you want to know more. Or we could just chat about whatever's on your mind." He glanced over at Oliveira who seemed rather shy and timid but was still managing a cute smile.
She smiled tentatively at him, feeling nervous but also relieved that he wasn't pushing her too hard to talk about anything in particular. "Well...um..." she hesitated before deciding to just go ahead and ask. "Do you like going out? I-I don't get out much myself, since Mia and I are usually busy with school or work."
She glanced down at her lap, her fingers still twisting the hem of her shirt as she spoke. It was hard for her to imagine Rodney enjoying himself anywhere outside of their quiet little home. But then again, he was older than her and probably had more experience in the world. She wanted desperately to know what his life was like away from Mia's constant watchful eye.
"Every once in awhile I try and go out, but honestly Mia's such a handful." He said with a chuckle. "Ever since I was eighteen, your age actually, I've been raising Mia since she was four. So I worked as much as I could to get her better opportunities. I don't regret it though. It's like I'm living vicariously through her when I see her hanging out with her friends, playing sports, vacation, and all the sorts." Rodney looked at Oliveira with proud eyes as he talked about Mia.
She listened to him intently, nodding slowly as he spoke. It was obvious that Rodney really cared about Mia and wanted the best for her. She couldn't help but feel a little guilty for not realizing all of this sooner; they had been friends for so long and yet she hadn't taken the time to truly get to know him until now.
"That must be really hard sometimes," she finally said, meeting his gaze directly for the first time since they'd started talking. "But I bet you make a good team." She paused, looking down at her hands in her lap as she considered her next words carefully. "Mia can be...shy too, and sometimes we don't always agree on things. But she's told me that she feels like you understand her better than anyone else."
Her voice trailed off, and she blushed again, feeling self-conscious about what she had just said. She wasn't sure why she was sharing this with him or if it was even his business. But for some reason, the more they talked, the more comfortable she felt around Rodney...and the more she wished they could keep talking like this forever.
"I do make a good team with Mia." He assured her. "But she's been my world since I was young so... its different with you know." Rodney said as he smiled at Oliveira. "And thank you, that means a lot coming from you." Looking over at her now he couldn't help but stare. As the night went on Oliveira and Rodney talked about all sorts of things like school, work, places they've been, Rodney's high school days, and Oliveira's family. Hours passed and the two seemed to grow closer.
She smiled back at him, feeling warm inside knowing that she had made an impact on his life too. As they continued to talk, she found herself sharing more and more about herself as well; stories about her childhood, her friends and family, and even some of her dreams for the future. The shyness that had initially held her back seemed to fade away in Rodney's presence, and it felt so good just to be able to be herself around him without worrying what he might think or say.
Eventually, the sun began to rise outside, casting a soft glow through the window as they continued their conversation. Neither of them had noticed how late it had gotten until now; they were both surprised by how easily time had flown by. There was still so much more for them to talk about and explore, but all too soon, Mia's alarm clock started ringing upstairs, signaling the end of their impromptu sleepover and the return to reality.
Reluctantly, Oliveira stood up from the couch, stretching her arms overhead and yawning tiredly. "I should probably go back up there and help Mia get ready for school," she said, turning to Rodney with a guilty look on her face. "Thanks again for staying up so late talking with me...it meant more than you know."
Her words trailed off, and she felt herself blush even deeper as she waited for his response.
"Ah, it was my pleasure really." Rodney replied with a kind smile. "You're always so polite and considerate, you know that? You've grown up to be such an amazing young lady." His voice took on a softer tone as he looked at her fondly. "And don't worry about it, I'm sure Mia will understand if she wakes up to the smell of coffee and bacon in the kitchen." He chuckled lightly before adding seriously, "I've always seen you two as sisters, even though you didn't share blood. You two have been through a lot together and I just want what's best for both of you."
Her cheeks flushed even brighter at his words, and she felt a lump form in her throat as she fought back tears. "Thank you...Rodney," she whispered, struggling to meet his gaze. It meant so much to hear him say those things; to know that he cared about them both and wanted only the best for them.
Taking a deep breath, she forced herself to smile up at him, trying to regain her composure. "I'll be sure to thank Mia properly for letting me spend the night," she said with false bravado, reaching out to give him a quick hug before turning to head back upstairs. As she climbed the steps, Oliveira couldn't help but wonder if this moment had somehow changed things between them. Maybe their relationship would never be the same now that they had shared such an intimate conversation...but whatever happened next, she knew one thing for certain: Rodney understood her in a way that no one else ever had before.
Rodney went straight to the kitchen and began preparing breakfast. In no time Rodney prepared a generic but delicious breakfast of bacon, toast, and eggs. Moments later the girls walked down the stairs and into the kitchen, both ready for school. "Morning dad." Mia said cheerfully as she sat on one of the stools by the kitchen island. Oliveira followed Mia's lead and sat next to her. "Morning Rodney." Oliveira smiled. Rodney handed the girls their plates filled with breakfast. "Morning girls." "Guess what today is!?" Mia said excitedly. "What's today?" Rodney tilted his head confused. "It's your birthday! How could you forget your own birthday?" Mia said.
"Oh my gosh, really?!" Oliveira exclaimed in surprise before turning to look at Rodney with wide eyes. "But...I didn't get you anything..." She paused, feeling a little guilty for forgetting as well. It had just been such a long night and she hadn't given much thought to what day it was when they were talking.
Mia giggled at Oliveira's reaction before reaching over and giving her arm a friendly punch. "It's okay, I've got you something," she said with a grin. "And anyway, we can celebrate tonight after school! We should all go out to eat or something!"
Rodney looked at Mia fondly before nodding in agreement. "Sounds good to me." He turned his attention back to Oliveira and added with a warm smile, "As for getting me anything, just being here tonight was more than enough for me, kiddo. Thanks for spending the night."
Their conversation continued over breakfast, filled with laughter and plans for the day ahead. As they ate, Oliveira couldn't help but feel grateful for this small family that she had found herself part of; despite their ups and downs, they always managed to find happiness together in one way or another. And as long as they kept talking and supporting each other through everything, she knew that nothing could ever really tear them apart. When breakfast was over Mia and Oliveira went off to school. During the car ride however Mia had a plan for Rodney's birthday. "Listen up Oliveira, here's the plan. You have the hots for my dad right?" Mia said bluntly, completely surprising Oliveira. "W-what? N-no!" Oliveira responded blushing heavily. "Yea you can't lie to me. I see the way you look at him. Look I'm not mad that you like my dad. He's only thirty two he's not even that old. And trust me all the girls at school who have met or seen my dad tell me that he's the hottest dad in the school. Remember during the fundraiser for our school and my dad showed up? Everyone went crazy over him and he raised the most money because everyone kept wanting to talk to him."
"W-well..." Oliveira stammered, looking down at her lap and fidgeting with the hem of her skirt. She had indeed noticed how popular Rodney was with the other parents at the fundraiser, especially the moms. They all seemed to fawn over him and flirt shamelessly. But the thought that Mia could possibly be right about how she felt made her cheeks heat up even more.
"So anyway," Mia continued, obviously deciding not to pursue the subject further. "I was thinking we could all go out tonight after I get home from swim practice and celebrate his birthday at a club or something. My treat, of course." She flashed Oliveira a mischievous grin. "And then finish up at home."
Oliveira glanced over at Mia, not quite sure how to respond. On the one hand, she felt honored that her friend wanted to include her in such a special event; on the other, there was something about the idea of spending time with Rodney outside of their usual family setting that made her nervous and excited all at once. "Um...sure," she said finally. "That sounds like fun."
The rest of the car ride passed Mia explained the rest of the plan for Rodney. Oliveira's eyes widened at what Mia was saying, but steeled her resolve to follow the plan through. She wanted to make Rodney's special day very special. As they pulled up to school, Oliveira gathered her things and glanced back at Mia one last time before getting out of the car. "Thank you for including me tonight," she said quietly. "I promise I'll make it a good time."