You've got this

‘Hey, could you turn the TV off? I need to talk to you.’

‘Of course. Is something wrong?’

‘No, nothing really wrong, but there’s something I have to tell you.’



‘Tate, I’m pregnant.’



‘…Oh.’

‘Yeah. I didn’t expect it, either.’

‘How did this happen?’



‘Well, probably when you ejaculated in me-’

‘No, I mean, your pills? Didn’t you take them properly?’

‘I thought I did, but nothing's ever 100% safe. I didn't deliberately mess anything up. You’re not blaming me, are you?’



‘Sorry. No, of course not. I’m just surprised, that’s all. We’d been careful.’

‘I know. These things happen, though… it didn’t take you long to get me pregnant when we were actually trying.’

‘That’s very true. I’ve always been fertile.’



‘How do you feel? It’s certainly not your first time, and you’re quite old to be becoming a dad again…’

‘Oh, nonsense. It doesn’t matter, as a man. And I’m as fit as ever! It’s not an issue.’

‘So… you don’t mind keeping it?’

‘I can’t say I was expecting another child right now, especially so long after the triplets, but now one exists, I’m not going to object.’

‘That’s how I feel, too… I’d feel too bad to get rid of it.’




‘And it’s not like we can’t manage. Far from it! We’re well-equipped to deal with another child.’

‘Yeah, you’re right. I’m glad you agree.’

‘I don’t think we should tell the kids just yet. You can’t be very far gone, surely?’



‘I don’t think so, no. We’re better keeping it quiet until I’ve seen the doctor and dated it.’

‘Great. I wonder how the kids will feel, anyway.’



‘Surprised, probably… I hope they don’t get jealous.’

‘They might be a bit jealous, but they’re also old enough to feel protective over it. I’m sure they can easily be sold on the idea of being responsible big brothers and sister.’

‘That’ll be nice.’




‘Hey, come in.’

‘Thanks for inviting me over. I really needed to get out. And I really don’t feel like revising.’

‘Good job I finished mine for the day, then.’



‘Hi, honey.’



‘Hi, Maria! Good to see you as always. How you doing?’

‘Not bad at all. What about you? I hear you’ve all been practising a lot.’

‘Oh yeah, we’re doing great. The minute we leave school, I’m gonna start trying to line up gigs for us.’



‘Good luck. Wow, it’s not far off now, is it? I can’t believe where all the time has gone.’



‘You’re not gonna get sentimental, are you, Mum?’

‘But you’re all grown adults now! How can I not get sentimental? My baby’s eighteen now.’



‘Yeah, Logan, let her have a moment. I’m sure I’d be the same if I had a kid turn eighteen.’

‘I can’t imagine you with a kid.’

‘Me neither, but that’s beside the point.’



‘Anyway, we’re going to the mall, if you’d like to come with us.’

‘Oh, sure, but I didn’t bring much money.’

‘That’s okay, Heath. Actually, I want to buy your suit for prom.’



‘What? Oh no, you don’t need to do that.’

‘I want to, honey. I don’t like the idea of you missing out on prom when all of your friends are going.’

‘I’d feel bad about you paying for me, though.’



‘You are a dear family friend to us. Don’t feel bad about accepting anything from me. I’m all too happy to give it.’



‘Yeah, man, let her help out.’

‘Well… thanks, Maria. I don’t know what to say.’



‘You boys just have a good night at your prom. That’s all the payment I need!’



‘In that case, I’ll buy a ticket first thing tomorrow!’



The next day…



‘Hey, do you think it’s worth it for me to try to ask someone out?’

‘’Course I do. You know I think you make a great catch.’



‘But… do you think a straight girl could ever be interested in me?’

‘It depends.’

‘I don’t see how. I’m straight, and I don’t know if I could like dick, even if it were attached to a woman. I’d try, at least, because I wouldn’t want to discount someone of the basis of being trans, but…’



‘It’s hard to answer, ‘cos I like both. I can’t imagine being repulsed by anyone’s genitals. But it’s not like you can’t find other ways to please a woman. Toys exist, don’t they?’

‘And me? Would she want to touch me?’

‘All you can do is ask. Now, I don't mind hearing you out at all, but is there a reason this conversation keeps coming up?’



‘…I don’t wanna risk ruining our friendship.’

‘…You mean Saraya, don’t you?’

‘Yeah. Pretty obvious, right?’



‘Yeah, and you know what else I find obvious?’

‘What?’

‘She likes you too, idiot.’



‘Hey, that’s not obvious at all!’

‘Yeah, you’re a guy, alright.’

‘Now that’s just sexist.’



‘I’m just saying, aren’t we meant to be bad at picking up on signals? Took me a while to realise Lisa was into me — until she wasn’t, since I liked dick — but that’s irrelevant! I think Saraya fancies you.’

‘Damn, I really hope you’re right…’

‘And she knows now about you. So if that had changed anything, she wouldn’t be getting so flustered around you. Hell, she called you good looking!’



‘So have you and I’m pretty sure you’re not out to bang me.’

‘She doesn’t have our bromance, though. And she’s not the type to walk up to you and tell you she wants to sit on your face, is she? I know, I’m not the kind of person you want romantic advice from, but I really think you’d do fine.’



‘I might joke, but you’ve had more experience than me at this point.’

‘Let’s not go wild. It was only making out.’

‘I’d love to get that far. Anyway, do you think I could ask her out at prom?’

‘Why, are you planning on having one of those cliched prom nights where you drag her off to a cheap motel? Fairly sure the Windfall’s been shut down for years…’

‘Um, no, that’s way too much too soon. Anyway, if I were gonna be really cliched, I’d have to knock her up.’



‘Ooof. I bet her dad would be pissed about that. That’s another thing about all this…’

‘I’d be more worried about her sister, honestly. Aria’s nice, but she can be scary.’

‘Yeah, good point. Anyway, sure, try it at prom. It’d be… romantic, at least.’



‘Exactly. But… what if I get shot down? In public? That’d suck.’

‘Hmm… Go somewhere quiet? Then nobody’ll see, and she’s not the kind of person to make a big deal about it.’

‘You’re right.’



‘But you’ve got this. She’d be crazy to turn you down.’

‘Thanks.’