Mercury

14°C

I, August Pennington, have never been in a situation as awkward as this before in my life. Currently standing in the middle of two tigresses gritting their teeth and growling at each other, I’m here researching on my phone regarding what pregnant women can’t eat or do.

Today started off with me getting ready to meet Mila at the park beside the school early in the morning. We arranged this date for two purposes: one, to get Mila to forget about Justin for a little while; and two, to get Mila to feel better. We’d travel from the park to somewhere negligibly far away from home. The last thing I need is for Mila to bump into something or someone that will remind her of Justin.

But (cue dramatic sigh), things don’t always go smoothly for me.

Kayla and Johanna came running to me just when I was about to head out, Kayla with a frantic expression and Johanna with unhappiness written all over her face.

“Wh-What..?” I asked, getting a little nervous at the sight of both of them.

“August, I need to get out of that hellhole. I’ve been rotting in there for days,” Kayla grabbed my hands, “… please?”

Before I could respond, Johanna butted in, “You have a baby inside of you, Kayla. You have to take care of yourself!”

“Mum, I’m a teenager! I need fresh air. I can’t just stay in there for forever! I’ll take care of myself well, I promise!”

“That’s what you said long ago before you headed to the pub and got yourself knocked up.”

“B-But I’m different now!”

“I don’t think so.”

They continued squabbling and I started to question the purpose of them bringing the fight over to the front porch of my house. They could very well do it back at theirs. I’m stunned as they took turns to grab my arms to emphasize their point.

… What exactly is my significance in this quarrel?

“August!” Kayla suddenly exclaimed, “help me convince her!”

“I, uh, I-” I stammered, and Johanna snapped her head to look at me. “Come on August, you’re mature enough to know that she should be staying home and taking care of her body.”

I firstly removed my arms from their deadly grasp, and then proceeded to suggest, “Maybe the both of you can go out together! This way you can take care of Kayla and Kayla gets her fresh air too!”

“I refuse,” Johanna said and crossed her arms, and my mouth fell open in helplessness, “She’ll drag me to the pub.”

Although the whole situation was pretty weird and comical, I was somehow relieved that they’ve regained their energy and become so lively.

“Why don’t…” Kayla started to speak in a way that somehow made me widen my eyes in horror, “I go out with August?”

Her eyes lit up in excitement, and I’m not sure if I imagined it or not, but I heard someone running in the streets yelling, “Eureka!” Kayla took my hands in hers again, and faced Johanna with pleading eyes.

“That’ll be okay, right Mom?” Kayla asked.

Johanna frowned and considered the proposal, before nodding and saying, “That works.”

Aaaaaand that is how I end up in the situation I’m in right now. I look back and forth between Mila and Kayla, and I am really at a loss. I clear my throat.

“I-I think basically, you can’t eat unhealthy or fried food. I’m not sure, but let’s just be extra careful and avoid those stuff,” I say to Kayla.