Not Quite Like the Movies (Otis Milburn x OC)

Catholic School Girls Rule

Chapter IV

"Abby, if I tell you about something, will you promise not to freak out or make a big deal out of it," Maeve asks.

They're sitting in the asbestos bathrooms at school with their biology texts. "Sure," Abby says. "I mean, is this about why you called off the whole clinic thing? Because I really did think it was a good idea, Maeve."

"Sort of," Maeve says. "But not really. You cannot tell anyone about this. Not even your nan. I don't want this getting around town, okay?"

"Okay, what is it," Abby asks. "You haven't...killed anyone, right?"

"No," Maeve says. She pauses and looks away from Abby. "You know, I really don't think I should tell you this. I barely know you."

"But now I'm gonna wonder what it is, so you may as well tell me," Abby says. "Otherwise, I'll bug you about it until you have to knock some sense in me."

"I just don't know if it's the sort of thing you can handle," Maeve muses.

"Try me."

"I'm pregnant."

Abby stares at Maeve in mild surprise. "I mean...wow. You're...you aren't going to keep it, right? Like, you aren't really religious or anything. I don't know. Are you...going to give it up for adoption or something? Or...you know...get it taken care of?"

"I can't have a baby while I'm in school," Maeve says. "My life...look, there's other stuff going on that means having a baby would make things exponentially worse, okay?"

"That's fair," Abby says. "I wouldn't judge you for not keeping it even if you were rich like me or Aimee. Which, I mean, most people aren't, so if you are, sorry for assuming differently. But...why tell me?"

"The only other friends I have are Aimee and Otis," Maeve says. "And while this is way beyond you, those two would get it even less. Besides, to them, in the back of their minds, even though they're nice, I know they still think of me as Cockbiter."

"Look, I don't know Aimee that well," Abby says. "But considering how nice she's been to me even after all this garbage with Adam, and when I think of what I know about Otis, I feel like you aren't giving them enough credit. Or you're giving me way too much. But, in any case, thanks. For trusting me. I won't tell anyone."

Both girls sit quietly, staring down at their open texts. "So," Maeve asks. "What's going on with you and Otis anyway?"

"Nothing," Abby says. "We talked a little at the party. I got him in touch with some clients. I, um, I'm really not looking for a boyfriend. Boyfriends are one of those things that are great in theory, but not in practice. I'm definitely not looking for anything like that until after graduation. Or maybe ever. I think my expectations are too unrealistic, and I'd be a lot happier as an old spinster with a decent host of sex toys and social acquaintances."

Maeve raises her eyebrows. "Fair enough," she says. "So you're content to just have repressed feelings for him?"

"They aren't repressed," Abby says. "Maybe I could have a crush on him, but I barely know him. Besides, he's not any more interested than I am."

"If you say so," Maeve says, smirking to herself.

The sound of loud footsteps come toward the bathroom, and, sure enough, Otis and Eric run in in an excited flurry.

"We have sex pretzels," Eric announces with a gigantic grin.

"Clients. We have clients," Otis adds, and Abby squeals.