Not Quite Like the Movies (Otis Milburn x OC)

Times Change

Chapter IX

"Abby," Nan asks. "Can we talk?"

"Why," Abby asks. "Did I do something?"

"Well, it's the tenth time in a row you've let 'Heaven Knows I'm Miserable Now' play at top volume, so I'm assuming something's wrong," Nan replies. "So do you want to talk about it?"

"...Am I a bad person if I accidentally gave someone an erection and it's something that person really doesn't like?"

Nan stares at Abby and sits down at her desk. "What exactly happened," she asks.

"Well, uh, me and Otis were goofing off in the pool, and we started making out," Abby explains. "And it was sort of the first time we ever went that far."

"You mean you two really have been upstairs holding hands," Nan says, surprised. "I thought you were kidding."

"I mean, we kissed a little before, but not like this," Abby says. "So, um...well, he got an erection. And at first, I, you know, thought he was hurt, and I practically had to drag the truth out of him. And, well, it turns out...he can't...finish. For himself, I mean. Like, he doesn't enjoy it. And now I feel really bad because I can tell he's embarrassed, and I feel a lot worse because I don't know if what I did counts as assault or not."

"Alright, then," Nan says. "I'm not going to pretend that this isn't one of the most unusual things I've heard since I retired. But did Otis say anything that made you think he felt violated?"

"Sort of," Abby says. "He really didn't want to even try...taking care of it. I mean, I'm not sure he likes doing what he did. I mean, he kissed back, but maybe I, you know, coerced him."

"Have you talked to him about it?"

"I told him to call me," Abby says. "He...he really didn't want me there, I think. I thought he needed space."

"Well, then," Nan says. "Are you prepared to give him that space?"

"I don't know," Abby says. "Yes? But I...I really like him. And I don't want him to hate me. Like, if I can at least apologize, I will, but I don't know if my saying anything will just make things worse."

"Look," Nan tells her. "I really think you just have to wait and see. You can certainly apologize, but if you want to know what's going through his head, you have to wait until he tells you himself. No guessing."

"Okay," Abby says.

"Oh, dear," Nan says. "It'll be alright."

"I sure hope so," Abby says.

She goes upstairs and does her homework, trying to distract herself. Thankfully, the phone rings and Abby dives for it, hoping it's Otis. When she sees it's Adam, she's simultaneously disappointed and relieved.

"Hey, what's up," she answers.

"I lost Madam."

"What," Abby says. Madam is Maureen Groff's dog, nay, her baby. She's well aware that between his grades and the flashing incident, Adam's already in deep shit at home, but this is bad.

"Fucking Tromboner was out walking dogs or some shit, and they went off leash and chased Madam, and now I can't find her," Adam says.

"Where are you," Abby asks. "I'll meet you there."

"The park," he says. "Hurry up, No Cups."

She boards to the park, and sees Adam waiting with his arms crossed. "Jesus," Adam says. "Took you long enough."

"It's been ten minutes," Abby says. "Chill."

"I can't chill," Adam says. "My dad already wants to send me to military school. If we don't find Madam..."