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After confronting Warhammer Tom, Otis’ phone started ringing.
“Hey, man. Uh… yeah.”
“Dude, where are you?”
“The bus is in, like, a minute.”
“Yeah, I’m almost there. I promise.”
“Aw. Listen, you better alacazam yourself here now because the bus is here.”
“Fuck! Wait for me. If I don’t get there in time, we will just take the next one.”
The bus just left as Otis arrived.
“I think it’s the first time you’re late for anything, Otis.”
“Yeah, sorry about that. Things happened that delayed me.”
“It’s ok, man. We should still make it in time.”
It wasn’t even five minutes later when Maeve arrived.
“Where’s T…? Hello, Eric!” The girl surprisedly greeted to Otis’ best friend, not expecting him there.
“Hello, Maeve. Are you the things that happened and made Otis be late for like the first time ever? Why I’m not surprised?” Eric said looking at his best friend with a knowing smile.
“You guys look… different.”
“I think the word you were looking for is amazing, thank you very much. And you also look great, not your usual style, but you’re rocking that dress.”
“Ow! Thanks.” She replied somewhat shyly, not expecting the compliment.
“What are you doing here?” Otis asked.
“I was expecting we could talk about… you know what.”
“Don’t mind me, guys.” Eric told them.
“It’s just a private matter.” Otis argued.
“Ok, keep your secrets then. I’m going for a walk.” Eric replied.
Once Eric wasn’t within range anymore.
“So, what did Tom tell you?”
“He sent the photo to Kyle.”
“Kyle? Okay, we go talk to Kyle, then.”
“Maeve in case you haven’t noticed it’s Eric’s birthday. We’re supposed to watch Hedwig and the Angry Inch, not go around chasing Kyle of all people.”
“Please.”
“It’s Eric’s day, so it’s his decision.”
“Ok.”
“Eric!” Maeve called.
“What?” The teenager asked loudly as he turned around.
“I need Otis’ help for something, and I thought we could make a deal.”
“What deal?”
“You lend me Otis until we can solve this thing, and in exchange you can come with us to Aimee’s house and hang out with Aimee and the other Untouchables.”
“Ok, we do that, and you also owe me one.”
“Ok, we have a deal.”
“Great. Do you see this, Otis? Eric’s more reasonable than you.”
“What the actual fuck?” Anwar asked seeing the three people in front of them.
“We need to talk to Kyle.”
“What do you want him for?”
“None of your business.”
“What are you two supposed to be?”
“We’re going to a fancy…”
“Aimee, Cock Biter’s here.”
“What do you want?” The blonde asked to the people at the door. “I love your outfits.” She continued after seeing how Otis and Eric were dressed.
“Thank you.” Otis replied.
“How did it go with Jackson’s parents?”
“Not great. I kind of… fled.” She replied. “Where’s Kyle?” She asked, hoping to change the conversation to a less unpleasant topic.
“Why? Is this a sex thing? Has he got worms or something? Has he given them to me? Am I riddled with worms now?”
“No. We need to talk to him.”
“Okay. Ruby, where's Kyle?”
“Probably having a whitey in the kitchen. He's so disgusting, Aimee. Honestly.”
“You heard.”
“Thanks. Can you do me a favour, Aimes?”
“Sure.”
“Can you keep Eric entertained? I’m not sure how, but I’m sure there’s something you both like.”
“I want to know everything about this outfit.”
“Here you have it, Eric. Have fun the two of you.”
A few hours, a journey to buy orange juice, and a heartfelt confession later, the four teenagers found themselves at Aimee’s house after solving the mystery. For Otis, Maeve, and Eric it would have been time to leave, but nor the weather nor Aimee seemed to agree.
“It's ok, Aimee, I can walk back home.”
“It's raining cats and dogs out there. And I want to hear everything about this outfit of yours, so you stay, and that's it. Same for you, Maeve.”
“Do you think it’s going to take much for the rain to stop?” Eric asked when they all sat on the sofas in the living room; Eric and Aimee on individual sofas opposite each other, with Maeve and Otis sharing the bigger one.
“I don’t know, it seems like it’s going to be raining for a while.” Otis replied.
“I know what we can do while we wait. A mind map!”
“A what?” Eric asked.
“You know, those things in which you make a list of pros and cons about something to help you decide.”
“I still remember the one that Maeve and I did to help her decide if she wanted to be with Jackson.”
“Those abs are all the pros I need to say yes to that question. And don’t even get me started with that third leg of him. OMG!” Eric cheekily replied.
“Is it true, Maeve? You never told me about that thing.” Aimee teased her best friend.
“I’m not going to answer that. Nope. Not at all.”
“I’m going to take that as a yes.” Aimee triumphally replied.
“Can we just do that mind map and change the topic, please?” Maeve asked.
“Sure. Any idea for the mind map?” Aimee asked.
The three other teenagers didn’t seem to have any answer.
“What about the clinic? You know, things you like, things you don’t.”
“That’s so interesting. Otis never talks about it, and I have always been curious.” Eric said.
“Great. Let me get some paper and pen.”
A couple of minutes later Aimee had returned with all the necessary items.
“So, things you like about the clinic.” Aimee asked to Maeve and Otis.
“It’s easy money.” Maeve quickly replied.
“Yeah, although sometimes I wish people didn’t share way too much information.” Otis added.
“Ok, that’s a con. What’s more?”
“It's helping me discover things.” Otis said after thinking for a moment.
“I didn't know you like gossiping, Otis.” Aimee replied with surprise.
“Oh no! Not like that. I meant, it's actually helping me learn things about myself, things I didn't know I had in me. I never expected to be interested in continuing my parents’ path, but now, you know, it’s something I can see myself doing.”
“Good thing you accepted my proposal then.” Maeve teased Otis.
“Yeah, I wasn’t sure I could do it, especially after that disastrous first session, but I’m glad we managed to turn the situation around.”
“Anything else you want to add to the mind map?” Aimee asked.
“Not really.” Otis replied.
“Nope.” Maeve answered.
“I have one.” Eric interjected.
“Tell us.”
“Otis loves hanging out with Maeve.”
“Eric!” Otis admonished his best friend.
“Same with Maeve.”
“Wot?” Maeve asked to her best friend.
“Don’t even try to deny it, Maeve. You’re obviously very comfortable around Otis.”
“Well, we’re friends. It’s normal.” Maeve unconvincingly argued.
“Don’t look at me like that. We know you always keep everyone at arm’s length. But look at the two of you right now. You have the whole sofa for yourselves, yet you’re sitting so close there is almost no space between you. It's like if you forgot that the concept of personal space even exists.
Maeve and Otis looked at the inexistent space between them, and becoming very self-conscious about it, they put some distance between them.
“Anything else?” Aimee asked, ready to expand the mind map.
“I think we’re done.” Maeve quickly replied, wanting to avoid getting any more embarrassed that she was already feeling after what Aimee had just said.
“It was fun, wasn’t it?” Aimee cheerfully asked.
Maeve and Otis shared a half-hearted smile before Aimee decided to move into the next topic.
“So, Otis. You offer advice to people, right?”
“I try, yes.”
“If I asked you for some advice about get some guy interested in me, would you?”
“It’s not a topic I enjoy, but I guess I can hear you out and offer my best advice.” Otis answered, grimacing a bit having to deal with that specific topic in Maeve’s presence.
“Ok, great. Have you met Steve? You know, the guy with big arms that was here before?”
“Sure.”
“I think he’s interesting, and I would like to know what to do.”
“Well, you have had boyfriends in the past, right? What did you do in those occasions?”
“I don’t know, it just happened. I’m not sure of how or why.”
“Ok. Well, then I guess my advice would be for you to put a genuine interest in the things he likes, and then start talking with him about those things, and see what you have in common. And from there, well, you will know what to do if things go right.”
“Oh! That’s what Jackson did with Maeve, right?”
“Yeah, that’s what Jackson did.” Otis replied, trying to act like it didn’t affect him.
“I’m not sure I’m that much into books.” Aimee said, looking disappointed.
“I enjoyed Virginia Woolf’s works. And same for Sylvia Plath. So maybe you enjoy them too. And if books aren’t your thing, maybe music can do the trick. Steve may not like things like Joy Division or Sløtface as Maeve does, but I’m sure he has his own tastes.”
“Wow babes! I didn't know you liked all those things!” Aimee exclaimed with surprise.
“I do, Aimes, I do.”
“It looks like someone has put a genuine interest in what you like.” Aimee said in a nonchalant way yet leaving the real meaning intentionally in the air.
Maeve and Otis shared a look, not knowing what to do, what to say.
“Eric, can you come with me to the kitchen for a moment? I need help with something.”
“Can I help?” Maeve asked.
“Oh, it’s fine, babes. You and Otis can stay here… alone.” She added with all the intention once again.
Aimee and Eric were finally in the kitchen.
“Ok, Eric. I need to ask you something. Does Otis like Maeve?”
“He tries to hide it, but yes.”
“You know, I never thought of Maeve liking Otis, especially not since she’s with Jackson. But I have known her for years, and I don’t think I have seen her be so comfortable around anyone else.”
“Otis would deny it, but this last month, he felt bad for not having Maeve around.”
“Oh! Are you telling me that’s why Maeve seemed a bit off this last month too?”
“It makes sense if they like each other.”
“We need a plan. These two need to have a proper conversation.”
“What do you have in mind.”
“Well…”
Meanwhile, in the living room.
“I’m sorry for Aimee’s behaviour, Otis. She can be a bit intense sometimes.”
“It’s ok. It’s fun to be around her. It’s just surprising that you are friends.”
“Said the guy that has his polar opposite as best friend. Or are you telling me your outfit is your idea?” Maeve asked while raising an eyebrow.
“Ok, you got me there.” Otis recognised before chuckling.
“Also, I’m sorry if I made you uncomfortable before.”
“What?”
“You know, when we were sitting close.”
“Oh! Don’t worry. I didn’t mind.”
“Sorry for making you wait.” Aimee said as he entered the living room with Eric behind her.
“Everything ok?” Maeve asked.
“Everything’s great.” Aimee enthusiastically replied.
“So, Otis, since you and Maeve are friends, have you ever therapised her?”
“We have talked about things, but I wouldn’t call that therapy. More like just two friends talking. And if what I have heard about Jackson is true, I don't think Maeve is having many problems in her sex life.”
“I think you’re right.” Aimee replied.
“Aimes!” Maeve admonished her best friend as she started blushing.
“It’s fine. Nothing to be ashamed of.”
“And why would I want Otis to therapise me?”
“Everyone seems to feel much better after having Otis help them.” Aimee replied.
“I'm fine, but thanks. Plus, I have you to talk about my miseries, you know.”
“You will always have me. But I'm sure there are things you can't even tell me, plus, Otis can help you in ways I never could.”
“Do you think so?” Otis asked to Aimee.
“I do.”
“So, what's your problem, Maeve?” Otis teased Maeve.
“Other than a very annoying best friend, nothing.” Maeve quickly replied making Otis laugh.
“I think running away from your boyfriend’s house isn’t normal.” Aimee said.
“See? Very annoying best friend.” Maeve quickly quipped.
“So, why did you run away then?” Otis asked Maeve.
“No particular reason.” She dismissively replied.
“Why do I feel you’re not telling the truth?”
“Why do you even want to know?”
“It’s more like I want to help you if there’s anything worrying you. You know I care about you.” Otis sincerely replied.
Maeve melted a bit as Aimee and Eric watched the scene with all their interest.
“The truth is that I felt like I didn't belong there, with the perfect family and their perfect Moordale's Golden Boy.”
“It makes sense for you to date the Moordale’s Golden Boy though.”
“Why? He’s popular, good-looking, has a great future ahead, … Me? Not so much.”
“Well, you're Moordale's Golden Girl, it's just that not many have discovered it yet.”
“Wow! That’s… Thanks for that, Otis. It means a lot coming from you.”
Aimee and Eric knowingly looked at each other, almost telepathically telling each other how stupid their best friends were looking at that moment being so blind at the obvious connection between them.
Feeling bad for having a hand in how the Maeve and Jackson relationship happened after seeing how it had turned out for Maeve, Otis decided to be honest with her.
“Maeve.”
“Yes?”
“There’s something I need to tell you.”
“What’s that?”
“Have you ever considered how Jackson learnt all those things about yourself?”
“I was surprised, but never thought much of it.”
“He got the information from me.”
“What does that mean?”
After taking a deep breath, Otis proceeded to explain how everything went down when Jackson asked for his help.
Maeve would be lying if she said she didn’t feel betrayed, but based on Otis’ words, it didn’t seem to be intentional, something in which Eric insisted a lot, so even if hurt, she saw herself able to move past that.
“Otis, I’m very mad at you.”
“I know, I’m sorry.”
“But since you were honest with me, I think I can forgive you.”
“Thank you so much.” He said, barely able to look at her directly in the eyes.
“But you have to do something.”
“Anything.”
“Promise me you will never do that intentionally. That this time it was just a massive misunderstanding and error on your end.”
“I promise.”
“Just don’t do that again, please.”
“I would do my best.”
“I know you will, Muppet.” Sure, she was still mad at Otis, but she would rather give him a second chance than losing his friendship over a single mistake. She didn’t expect people to be perfect, but to be there for her, and Otis had been there for her in the past, and hopefully after that, in the future too.
“I have an idea to help us relax after this. Why don’t we watch Hedwig and the Angry Inch?” Aimee asked.
Eric was quickly on board with the idea. Maeve and Otis were fine with it too seeing their friends so excited for it.
Aimee loved the movie.
“That was amaz..”. She started exclaiming before turning her head to see a really peaceful Maeve who had fallen asleep onto Otis' shoulder, as the blue-eyed boy seemed so flustered, yet couldn't seem to be able to take his eyes off the girl sleeping against him.
Eric and Aimee shared a look.
“Otis?” Aimee asked.
“Yes?”
“You like Maeve, don't you?”
“What? I don't...” He quickly saw the accusing look in Aimee's face. “Ok, yeah, I do.”
“Have you ever told her? I don't think she ever mentioned that to me.”
“Oh no! Never did, never will.”
“Why?”
“Maeve’s not the kind of person that would date me, or even like me.”
“She considers you her friend, and that's something very few people could ever get from Maeve. So, she likes you.”
“As a friend, not more.”
“Why wouldn't she?”
“Come on, Aimee! She's brilliant. She can do much better than me. I mean, she's with a guy like Jackson for a reason.”
“Maeve could perfectly like a guy like you, she's not shallow.”
“I know she isn't.”
“So? Why don't you tell her?”
“At least now, I'm her friend even if we aren't spending time together, I don't think I'm ready to lose that if things go wrong.”
“Otis, she has forgiven you after what happened with Jackson, and trust me, she wouldn’t have done that if you weren’t important for her.”
“I don’t know what I will do if I lose her friendship.”
“And I know what you two could do if you weren’t too stubborn to see the obvious.”
“The obvious?” A confused Otis asked.
“She likes you too.”
“No, she doesn’t. Eric, tell her she’s wrong.” Otis argued.
“Aimee’s right. It’s very obvious you like each other. You know how scary Maeve is from the outside, but she’s just so soft around you. And you? You’re such a bundle of nerves, worrying about whatever is in your head that day. But look at you right now, I don’t think I have ever seen you so relaxed as right now with Maeve leaning against you.”
“She’s happy with Jackson.”
“Seeing you two together today, I don’t think Jackson is the boy making her happy.” Aimee argued.
“That’s… You’re seeing things, Aimee.” Otis said, refusing what Aimee said was much easier than accepting the implications of what she had just said. But a seed had been planted.
It didn’t take much longer for Maeve to wake up, feeling flustered too after realising that she had been sleeping against Otis.
“Sorry.” She sheepishly murmured.
“It’s ok.” Otis gently said.
“Should we go to sleep? It’s getting late.”
“I can ask my mum to pick us up.” Otis replied.
“Don’t be silly. You’re all sleeping here tonight.”
Obviously, Eric and Aimee kept with their machinations, choosing for themselves different rooms, forcing Maeve and Otis to share one.
Not having clothes to sleep, they had to sleep in their underwear, although Aimee had lent Maeve a big t-shirt so she could wear that.
And she must have looked good, because as she emerged from the bathroom and walked towards the bed they were going to share, Otis felt his cheeks on fire.
After writing Jean telling what had happened, Otis put his phone on the nightstand, and turned around to wish Maeve a good night, only to find Maeve had a similar idea.
And there they were. Sharing a bed, with barely any clothes on, after having had their best friends tease them all evening.
Otis didn’t know what to say, and the situation didn’t improve when he realised that they were getting closer, with Maeve’s eyes going back between his eyes and mouth like crazy.
Maeve wasn’t completely aware of what she was doing, she was getting closer to Otis out of instinct.
But before their lips could make contact, Otis panicked.
“I’m a virgin!”
“Wot?”
“I’m a virgin and I thought you should know.”
“Ok, cool. Good night.” She quickly said before turning around, feeling so embarrassed.
Embarrassment that Otis shared as he turned around too.
For what seemed like an eternity, although it was barely 30 minutes, Otis and Maeve stayed quiet, thinking about what happened, not knowing if they should say more or let it go.
“Maeve?” Otis softly asked in case she was sleeping.
“Yeah?” She asked.
“I’m sorry.”
“About?”
“You know, before.”
“Ok.”
“I panicked.”
“Why?”
Deciding to have a proper conversation, and with that seed that had been planted before finally blooming, Otis turned around.
Feeling the movement behind her, Maeve decided to turn around too.
“Hi.” She softly said with smile.
“Hi.” He replied in equal fashion.
“So, why did you panic?”
“I have never done that before. You know, kiss someone.”
“It’s ok.”
“It’s not like I didn’t want it, but it just felt too real, and I couldn't handle it.”
“You wanted it?”
“Yeah.”
“Do you still want it?” She asked with some hesitation, still not completely sure of not getting rejected.
He nodded.
“Just trust me, ok?” She told him as she softly took her cheeks on her hands.
“Ok.”
And Maeve gently guided the kiss, letting Otis find his pace, yet letting herself get the most out of it. Well, she would have loved much more than that kiss, but it felt like a great starting point, and he didn’t want to freak out Otis after he had panicked minutes before.
“You good?” Maeve asked as the kiss ended.
“Yeah. Very real, but the good kind of real.” Otis replied with a goofy smile.
“I would love to keep talking and kissing you, but I think we should go to sleep.”
“Yeah.”
“Do you want to… spoon me?” She asked, surprised that she wanted that.
“I have a small problem.”
“What’s happening?” She asked seriously concerned that she has crossed some boundary.
He raised the duvet covering them, showing her the tent on his pants.
“That’s not a small problem.” Maeve teased him.
“Maeve…” Otis groaned.
“You’re too easy for a sex therapist, Muppet.” She said before smiling at him.
“I think it would just be uncomfortable for both of us.”
“Then turn around.”
“What for?”
“Just do it.”
He did as he had been told before Maeve spooned him.
“I don’t think that’s going to help with my… problem.” Otis said as he felt Maeve’s body pressed against his.
“Tough luck.”
“Is this how it’s going to be with you?”
“I’m just being nice and letting you off the hook tonight. It’s going to be much worse starting tomorrow.” She teased him.
“I can’t wait for it.” Otis said, deciding to go along with her.
“Dickhead.” She murmured with a huge smile on her face before they finally fell asleep.