IT WAS THE BEGINNING OF JUNE WHEN ELLI WOKE UP TO HEAR THE LOUD SOUNDS OF A MOVING TRUCK NEXT DOOR. She rolled over and fell off her bed, landing face first on the floor.

Nothing much has happened for the girls. Elli moved to homeschooling and Shirley "barley" survived the last weeks. The next week after Elli finished all of the testing for her classes, a letter came in the mail and showed that she passed everything with flying, amazing colors—nothing but A's all around.

Mary and Bonnie were so proud of her, bringing her to get victory cupcakes from a bakery near the flower shop.

That following weekend, the three bullies that followed Elli home had mysteriously turned up missing.

"You okay?" Shirley asked as she rolled over to look at Elli as she laughed a bit.

"Yeah," Elli got up and jumped back into bed, pulling the covers over herself again.

"Wait, we're those moving truck noises?" Shirley climbed over Elli causing her to groan in pain as Shirley moved towards Elli's window that faced the right neighboring house. "New neighbor! New neighbor! New neighbor!" she jumped up and down, clapping her hands.

"Wow. Didn't know," Elli said with sarcasm. "We did both hear the loud beeping which woke me up," she climbed out of bed and moved towards the window.

"Ooh, maybe it's a girl and we could make a new friend," Shirley said with excitement.

Elli looked at her. "Tempy, it's," she looked at her watch. "eight-thirty in the morning. Why are you so energetic? How? I should rephrase."

Shirley looked at her. "Because, we might actually make a new friend. Now, let's see who comes out of the truck."

The two of them watched as the huge truck opened from the back and movers started to move big items into the house.

Another car pulled up and a man, woman, and a girl got out. The woman had brown hair while the man had a ginger red. Kinda like Shirley's.

"Ooh, it's a girl," Shirley clapped quickly in excitement. "New friends!"

The girl looked at the house before reaching her hand inside the backseat and grabbing her bag. The two girls watched as the parents moved towards the trunk and got out some stuff before heading inside and the girl mimicked their actions doing the same.

"Maybe we should introduce ourselves. Ask to help," Shirley suggested.

Elli shook her head. "That's moving a bit fast. We should wait a bit. Let them settle in before we go in introducing ourselves."

Shirley gave silence for a second before nodding. "Yeah, you're right. We'll introduce ourselves later on this week then. But, for now, we should go downstairs and eat something," she moved away from the window—Elli following—and headed downstairs to the kitchen.

As they entered the kitchen, the were now face to face with Bonnie and Marilyn. Marilyn was cooking while Bonnie was fixing her makeup in her mini compact mirror.

They were dressed formally. Something Elli had only seen when they went out for dinner for an anniversary date. Not for something this early in the morning.

"Morning, Mary," Elli gave her a hug as Shirley gave Bonnie one. "Whatcha making?" Elli looked at the skillet.

"Eggs for Bon and pancakes with bacon for the two of you," she smiled and kissed the top of Elli's head.

"Yes," Shirley and Elli high-five and swap places. Shirley hugging Mary and Elli hugging Bonnie.

"Your food is the best, Mary," Shirley spoke as Mary blushed. "I don't understand why you won't become a chef."

"She's got enough for her right now," Bonnie spoke as she kissed the top of Elli's head then adjusted her earrings.

"Well, where are you two going looking so formal, Mrs. Carmine and Mrs. Preston?" Elli asked as she sat at the table with Shirley now joining her side.

"Well," Mary plated Bonnie's eggs, handing them to her. "we've got to set up flowers for a wedding. They asked for a really big set up and Bon needs some extra help," she began to plate the pancakes and bacon for the girls.

"She also gave us tickets," Bonnie spoke as Elli gave a jaw dropping expression. Literally.

"No fair. I've always wanted to go to a wedding," she acted like a child, crossing her arms and fake pouted. "Who's the wedding for?"

"Mrs. Wilson. I forgot her first name, but she called for dozens of flowers so me and my gorgeous assistant have to attend and help her wedding day be the best of the best," Bonnie spoke as she quickly finished her eggs.

"In the meantime, finish the dishes and make sure to check the mail. We will be back late tonight or tomorrow morning, so make sure to lock all the doors before you go to sleep, baby," Mary spoke as she took off her yellow, bee name branded apron and put it on a hook.

Bonnie cleaned her mouth with a napkin and started to put everything she needed into her purse. "We've got to go, dear. It's nine-fifteen," she grabbed her small jacket and went towards Elli and Shirley, giving them each a kiss on the head.

"Oh, right," Mary grabbed her purse and did the same as Bonnie. "We'll call to check up on you, baby. Love you," They walked to the door.

"Love you too," Elli spoke as the door closed shut. She waited to hear the car leaving the driveway and onto the street to ask Shirley, "Wanna eat on the couch as we watch tv?"

The two were really into a show called My Three Sons as it followed the main character, a single father, who's raising his three sons with the help of his father-in-law after the death of his wife.

Shirley nodded and they grabbed their plates and silverware and moved to the couch. They lounged back as Elli clicked the tv on and sighed as she placed a strip of bacon in her mouth.

They were living the life.

•••••

The days passed by quickly as it was now the end of the week—Friday—and Elli still hadn't introduced herself to the new neighbor.

So that afternoon, she baked a fresh batch of chocolate chip cookies and put them into a nice tin bin. She got dressed and walked over to the neighbors house. As she was about to knock on the door, she thought to herself.

What if they don't like cookies? What if they are allergic to chocolate? Why if they think I'm trying to poison them? What if—

"Um, hello?" Elli snapped out of her thoughts to see the red headed girl in front of her.

"Hi!" Elli partially yelled which caused the girl to jump. "Sorry, didn't mean to shout," she laughed awkwardly and mentally slapped herself in the face. "I'm Elli. I live next door," she put her hand out and looked the girl in the eyes.

Elli's heart fluttered as she locked eyes with her. She could've swore that a blush was given on the girls face as well as if she felt the same way.

"I'm Deborah, but my friends call me Debbie o-or Deb. W-Whichever is fine," she quickly shook her head as she let go of Elli's hand.

"Oh, well nice to meet you," she put the cookie bin forward. "I made some cookies for you and your family. I hope you like—"

"Chocolate chip! That's my favorite!" Debbie said with excitement as she dove into the cookies, practically stuffing her face.

"Perhaps I'll," Elli moved forward and wiped a smear of chocolate that was on Debbie's cheek. "make you more," she smiled and played it off cool as Debbie began to blush.

"Maybe you can," she smiled back as she put the top on the cookie bin. "Let me invite you inside so my parents can thank you for the cookies," Debbie moved to the side and let Elli in following behind.

Debbie lead her to the living room area where a man was sat in a recliner reading a newspaper and a woman was sitting on the couch knitting a blanket.

The man had on glasses and gave a rude look at Elli as he put down his newspaper with a glare. "And who might you be?"

"Oh, Nick, be nice," said the woman on the couch as she put down her knitting needles.

"That's a lovely blanket, ma'am," Elli smiled.

"Oh, thank you, darling. At least someone appreciates my work," she looked at her husband as Elli had to refrain herself from chuckling.

"Mom, dad, this is the next door neighbor to the left, Elli. Elli, these are my parents, Elizabeth and Nick."

"That's Nicholas to you, child," he put his newspaper back up as Elizabeth hit his arm.

"Play nice. You can call me Lizzie dear," she smiled.

"Anyways, Elli brought us over some cookies as a welcome present. Would you guys like one right now? They are delicious," Debbie claimed as her mother came up and grabbed one from the tin, placing it into her mouth.

"These are marvelous, darling!" she placed a hand over her mouth as she spoke. "You need to make us more when you have the time, please," Lizzie grabbed the tin out of her daughters hands and moved to the kitchen to place it down.

"Sure. I'd be happy to," she answered then gave Debbie a smile which caused Deb to blush a bit and she looked down. "Well, I must be off. Maybe we can hangout sometime over the week. I have another friend who is also wanting to meet you. You'll love her. She's a little bundle of joy."

Deb laughed. "I'd love to," she led Elli to the door. "Thanks again for the cookies and coming over. I swear I thought I wasn't going to have anyone to talk to at all over the summer, but it's great to know someone now."

Elli smiled. "No problem. You're welcome over anytime. Bonnie and Mary would love to have you over always." Debbie opened the door and Elli stepped out.

"See you over the week," Debbie spoke as she grabbed Elli's hand and turned her around.

Elli squeezed her hand lightly. "Over the week," she let go slowly then walked back home.

Debbie closed the door and walked back into her living room with a smile that she tried to keep on the down low. "Isn't she wonderful? I can't believe I know someone now," she plopped on the couch next to her mother.

"I know, sweetie. And she's so kind and cute. Makes mean cookies too. I think I'm getting addicted," Lizzie popped another into her mouth as she took her knitting needles back into hand.

"I don't like her," Nick spoke as he flipped a newspaper page.

"Why not, dad? You liked my other friends back in California. What's so different about her?" Debbie crossed her arms.

"She's. . . different than your other friends, honey. I just don't like her because of that," he flipped another page.

"Because of her race?" Debbie asked and gave her father a look as he didn't say anything. "That's a stupid reason, dad. Why would you even think that?"

"Because, dear, they're different and—"

"And nothing! Nothing is different about them. Everyone is the same. No difference! You just say that because you think it's right and you always will no matter how many times I try to tell you. How many times mom and I try to tell you," Debbie put her foot down and her father closed his newspaper shut.

"You shall not speak to me that way, young lady! I can think what I want to think and you won't change that," his face began to get red. "I know what is right, not you. You're just some child who doesn't know their right from left or wrong from correct."

"I'm allowed to have a thought and I want to say what I think, and what I think you should change about yourself," she stood up and walked out the living room and to her room.

"What's gotten into her?" Nick opened back up his newspaper. "Thinking she knows something. Like when she told us she liked woman and men. That disgusting, hell worshiping faze."

Lizzie gave a face of disgust. "If my daughter wants to give an opinion, you will let her. You have no right to speak to her like that because you are a grown man and should know better," she picked up her knitting needles and left the living room.

•••••

As Debbie listened to her silver record player that played Elvis Presley songs that were put into a mashup album she got a year ago for her birthday, she looked out her window. Her window was directly across from Elli's, so she could see right into her room.

As she was looking at the leaves flow in the wind that were on the ground, Elli knocked on her window and Deb looked right up at her. She smiled and gave a small wave as Elli gave one back.

Elli leaned down and pulled her window up and mimicked Deb by leaning her arms on the window seal and leaned her chin on her arm. "Whatcha thinkin' so hard about?"

Deb shook her head. "Nothing. Just getting side tracked," she reached up and placed a stray piece of hair behind her ear. "What's this town like? I mean, what's the atmosphere? Are there things I need to know or anyone I shouldn't mess with?"

"Well. . ." Elli started and they had a full blown conversation until dark.

They only got up to go eat dinner and for one bathroom break which was pretty impressive. Elli got to know more about Deb and Deb got to know more about Elli.

Minus the superpower and her family that dumped her in the sixties but who needs to know all that.
Am I right?

In the mist of their conversation, Deb asked a question, "Anyone you've liked yet? Or dated?"

Elli thought for a moment. "Well, yes kinda. Or no. I mean," she thought for a second. "It's just hard to like someone with the preference I have."

Debbie gave a confused look. "What do you mean?"

"Well, I like men. . . and woman. So in this state, it's hard for people to except that. I used to question my sexuality a little while ago but now I know what I am."

"Well, what do you like to be labeled as, if you don't mind me asking?" Debbie asked in curiosity.

"Well, I go by bisexual." It felt good to get it off of Elli's chest by finally telling someone other than Mary and Bon.

Now, when Elli came out to Mary and Bon, it went a little something like this:

"I have to tell you guys something," Elli spoke as she entered the living room and faced the couple who were watching Gidget Goes Hawaiian. They both held glasses of red wine in their hands with added orange and lemon slices as embellishments on the glass and blackberries on the inside for flavor.

"Go ahead, dear," Mary spoke.

"Okay," she took a breath. "I'm gay."

"We know," Bon and Mary said as they took a sip of their wine simultaneously.

Elli gave a shocked face. "And, how on Earth did you two know? I wasn't attracted to anyone and I just now figured myself out."

Bonnie chuckled as she took another sip of wine. "Honey, your two guardians are lesbians. We have a very good gaydar and we figured you out the moment we brought you home from the flower shop. It's not that hard to figure out, sweet cakes."

Mary nodded in agreement. "Also, with the pictures of Ms. Freckles in your book bag, baby." Elli began to smile to herself of the pictures of her and Kyla. "It wasn't that hard to figure out. But, whenever you're ready to label yourself, come tell us. We will support you no matter what."

"Except if you decide to date someone with a mullet," pointed out Bonnie.

"Yep," agreed Mary. "No mullets or we will ground you until you turn twenty-one."

Elli looked up at Debbie thinking to get a negative response, but she was welcomed with a smile. "What?" Elli chuckled.

"Nothing. Just that we're almost the same. I too like men and woman. I also label myself as bisexual, so it's good to know someone who I can relate to."

Elli nodded. "I know right."

Debbie started to fiddle with her fingers. "D-Do you like anyone, like, right now?" she asked then quickly fixed herself. "I meant, like if you were to. . . I meant if you. . . Well, I meant—"

Elli started to laugh as she gave a smile. "I do. I like someone," she smiled. "It's getting late, and I'm pretty tired from making you cookies so I'll talk to you over the week and introduce you to my friend Shirley."

Debbie nodded as she mentally whacked herself in the face for stuttering and fixing her words a million of times. "Y-Yeah. Sounds great."

"Great," Elli nodded and leaned back. "Oh," she popped her head back out the window. "you've got good taste in music. Shirley and I love Elvis," she smiled then closed her window along with her putting her curtain behind it.

Debbie sat there for a moment before closing hers too and dropping the blinds with the curtain as well. She was blushing like a maniac and thank goodness it was dark or else Elli would've seen her tomato of a face.

Debbie and Elli were catching feeling for each other and it was no joke nor oblivious to either of them.