Not Quite Like the Movies (Otis Milburn x OC)

Chaos is Coming

Chapter XXII

"Well, sorry if you had your hopes up, Aimee," Abby says. "And I'm sure this is good news for you, Maeve." She holds up her phone. "Thanksgiving's canceled."

"What," Aimee gasps. "Did Hulu cancel the show?"

"No," Abby says, as she lies on the floor of Maeve's caravan, a few hours into their sleepover. "Mom uninvited me because we had a fight on Instagram."

Maeve furrows her brow. "You're on Instagram?"

"No, but Eric is," Abby says. "He posted a picture of me and Otis for some reason, and my mom commented on it."

"But you and Otis are adorable," Aimee says. "You should really start a joint Instagram account."

"If you two do that, I won't be able to be seen in public with either of you," Maeve says.

"Well, not to worry," Abby says. "Because the lovely Roxanne commented that I look fat and Otis looks, and I quote, 'like fucking Noddy.' So after Eric deleted her comment, I DMed her. And you know, I brought up the fact that when I lived with her and Dad, I was borderline malnourished and that she's lucky no one at the school she sent me to cared enough to call CPS. Also, that she needs to keep Otis' name out of her mouth. And thus, I've been 'uninvited from Thanksgiving' and told that my priorities are out of whack." Abby sighs. "And also that they're coming to town for Christmas and she hopes my attitude has improved by then. So, no, it does not look like I'll be joining Instagram or starting a joint account with Otis."

"Wow, that's all very non-chill of your mum," Aimee says. "Which is weird, because I didn't think she was that kind of mum at all."

"Well," Abby says. "The good news is, soon the whole world is going to find out what a bitch she is. After all, her best moments don't make for good television."

"You know, I was going to say at least you have a mum, but honestly, some people really are better off without the parents they have," Maeve puts in.

"Yeah...anyway, I brought my laptop," Abby says. "Who wants to watch movies and eat a shit ton of crisps?"

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"So," Abby says, flopping on Otis' bed the next afternoon. "Didja see my mom called me fat?"

"What?"

"Oh, and she called you Noddy," Abby goes on. Abby looks down at herself. "I think my ass is bigger, but that's probably a good thing, right?"

Otis narrows his eyes. "Are you...trying to tease me?"

Abby grins. "Maybe." She looks down at Otis' crotch. "Looks like it's working."

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"So," Jean says at the dinner table that night. "You have a few hickeys."

"Mum," Otis gasps.

"Well, either that or Abby's been choking you, which would bring up an important conversation about abuse and consent," Jean goes on.

"They're hickeys," Otis says. "Can we stop talking about this?"

"...Fine," Jean says. "But we're having guests for dinner tomorrow, and while they may not bring them up, I thought you should know that the markings are noticeable if you feel uncomfortable being seen that way, and that I can help you cover them up without you doing something ridiculous like wearing a polo neck."

"What guests," Otis asks. "Are you having clients over again? Because if you are..."

"No," says Jean. "Jakob and Ola."