Not Quite Like the Movies (Otis Milburn x OC)

Love Means DEFINITELY Having to Say You're Sorry

Chapter XVIV

Abby can't say she's never been to the office before. Of course, back at her school in L.A., it was usually for reading in class or making snarky comments under her breath. But considering Mr. Groff called in Otis and Maeve alongside her, this has to be pretty bad.

She comes in to see Otis and Maeve sat next to each other, not talking. She sits on the other side of Maeve, and decides that groveling may only make things worse. After all, she can only assume based on Maeve's avoidance of Otis' eye contact, that approach has already been tried (and has failed). "Hey," she says. "So, uh, how was your weekend?"

Maeve simply gives her a death stare as she sits back down and turns to face away from her.

"Alright, then," Abby says. "...I'm really freaking sorry, by the way. I mean, you know that. Thought it bears repeating. You can go back to ignoring me now."

The door to the office opens, and Mr. Groff calls out, "Maeve. You're first." Without a look back, Maeve gets up and walks into the office.

Abby looks over at Otis, moves into Maeve's seat, and sighs. "So...do you still want to stay at mine, or do you think you'll go home after school," she asks.

"I don't know," Otis says. "I mean, I think my mum let me have the weekend, but she'll come marching straight over if I'm not home for dinner."

"I can't believe she'd write all that stuff about you," Abby says. "Like...trying to make you sound like a freak and all. I mean, I know she doesn't like me. She doesn't have to like me. Shit, if she wanted to write an embarrassing book about a neurotic teenager, she could have just used me. I'm used to unwanted attention. But you're her son." Abby shakes her head. "And this whole Maeve thing...I mean...she didn't have to like me, either, but for a while, she did. We were friends and that was cool. Then...I don't know."

"It's my fault," Otis says. He waits for Abby to jump in with her usual "no-it's-not-because-you're-perfect" routine but she doesn't.

Instead, she just squeezes his hand, and says, "I fucked up too. Don't think there's a real fraction to indicate who fucked up the most, unfortunately."

"I'm sorry either way."

"'Love means never having to say you're sorry,'" Abby says with an eye roll. Otis furrows his eyebrows, confused. "Love Story, 1970. It's an awful, untrue film quote based on a novel whose author should look into suing John Green for The Fault in Our Stars. Not to mention Nicholas Sparks for all his 'original' novels."

"...I'm also sorry you know that," Otis says, and Abby smirks.

"You know me," Abby says. "Font of useless information."

"Hey," Otis says, nudging Abby's knee with his own. "I'm pretty sure knowing the choruses of every single from Westlife's first album might come in handy...eventually."

The door to the office creaks open and Maeve walks past both of them without a word.

"Hammond," Mr. Groff says. Abby stands up and comes over to the door, staring Mr. Groff in the eyes. "Fortunately for you, there isn't enough evidence to prove quite how involved you are, and I wasn't going to risk you're attendance at this school becoming your parents' next causé celebre. Watch yourself. Next time, you will not be so lucky." He waves a hand at her. "You are dismissed."

As she waits by the door, Mr. Groff signals for Otis next. "Milburn," he says, clearing his throat. "A word to the wise. Beware the wild female. They will chew you up and spit you out like stale crisps."

The bell rings, and Mr. Groff gives them both a hard look. "Get to class."

They follow behind Maeve out into the hallway. Abby clears her throat and she turns around. "You're not in any trouble," Maeve says. "I sorted it."