As You'd Expect

"You know, the fact that you couldn't leave out the gory details of that story tells me how secretly degenerate you really are." I joke, as Rosie finished her explanation. "I've been in some messed up situations recently, but that might take the cake, you're the problem child now."

"Shut up." Rosie replies simply. "Urgh... She's going to think I'm some ditzy jail bait, like I intentionally tricked her into it or something." She groans, shielding her face to hide her embarrassment.

I want to reassure her... But we're interrupted by Echo's voice. "Hey, are you two gonna take much longer? I was hoping to get lucky tonight." She yells over. Her and Andi are waiting by the school gate, apparently having realised we were having an in-depth conversation... But then when's that ever stopped Echo?

I want to shout back, but when I hear a new sound, it sucks the air from my lungs. A sob. Rosie's Sob. I look back to my sister, to realise this is more than just embarrassment for her... Of course it is, it was her first time... And now she thinks the person hates her. I'm an idiot. I wave over the girls, before pulling Rosie into a hug.

"It's gonna be okay, you're not alone with this, okay? We're gonna get it all sorted out." I tell her. Andi taps me on the shoulder, and I break away from Rosie, letting her lean into her friend's arms. I think she needs more than just me today, and Andi's the best friend she's got. Echo has an expression that's a mixture of confusion and repulsion, but I just give her a look to tell her I'll explain later.

Andi strokes Rosie's hair, gently shushing her cries, she seems almost motherly. "Come on, come to my place." She offers.

"Tell me everything."

*

Everything was certainly told, the drunken fling, the lack of identity, and the revelation of it being Miss Heart. Andi listens with intense focus, and even Echo seems invested enough to hear the story. We'd holed up in Andi's room while Rosie calmed down and laid everything out in the open. I won't lie, it's kind of weird to think that she's sitting on the same bed where me and the others had sex, but then I've got other things on my mind.

"Wow." Andi sighs, absorbing all the information laid out. "First off, next time to get some, tell me, no matter how embarrassing, we're best friends, remember?" She orders with a goofy smile, causing Rosie to chuckle. "Second... Technically... There's nothing wrong with what you did, neither of you knew each other, you're eighteen, she doesn't even teach you, it was just two adults hooking up."

She's not wrong, I imagine Miss Heart's having the same crisis of conscience, maybe she'll come to the same conclusion. "I know, it's just... I feel like she's going to hate me." Rosie admits. "If it all came out, she'd be the one who slept with a student... I'd just get away with it."

Echo snorts at Rosie's thought. "Are you kidding? With Mrs. Cray-Patel in charge? Heart's like her adopted little sister, she'd never let her take fire like that." She clarifies. I really need to ask how Echo knows so much about the teachers at our school sometime... Though, I'm pretty sure the answer comes down to being in trouble so often. "Her first name's Maia, by the way... So you don't have to keep playing the pronoun game."

"Maia..." Rosie repeats. I guess she has just learned the name of the woman who took her virginity, might take a moment to sink in given the circumstances. Suddenly, she seems to snap to her senses. "I'm in the way, aren't I? I should-" She hurries to stand, but is stopped by Andi.

"Nuh-uh. You're staying here tonight, we'll have a sleepover, and we'll talk until you feel better." Andi insists, sitting my sister back down, before looking to me and Echo. "Is... Is that okay?"

"You and your caring soul." Echo tuts. "Yeah, it's alright, we'll leave you to it." She decides for us.

Andi smiles at our girlfriend's understanding. "Thank you." She murmurs, before kissing Echo goodbye and turning to me to do the same. Somehow, every time I kiss Andi it feels like the first time... A shame we don't have the chance to do more tonight.

I follow Echo out of the room, and then out of the house. Before I have a chance to say anything, we both notice the front door of my house open, and Ty exit, followed by Poppy.

"Well, if it isn't Bonnie and Clyde." Echo laughs, startling the couple. "Off for a sunset stroll, huh?" She adds, as we approach them.

"Oh, hi Echo!" Poppy replies with a chipper tone. "Actually... We were just heading to your place, I was just asking Mum if I could stay over tonight." She informs us, her words hitting like a kick from an angry mule.

Echo seems as confounded as me. "Wow... You're forward." She chokes out as Poppy now seems confused at our bewilderment.

"Not like that." Ty intervenes. "Just... To hang out... Meet Mum, you know?"

I think Echo was less appalled when she thought they were going to have sex. "We're coming with you then." She states, not even asking my opinion. "You can't have her around Poppy without me present, I won't have it." I'm almost proud of how protective she is of my sister, I guess Poppy always treated her with kindness... Even when most didn't. I can't let her be alone in this.

"Agreed, besides, someone's gotta make sure you two keep it PG." I grin, making Poppy realise what we were talking about earlier. "Anyway, we've embarrassed me at my parents, it's only fair I meet Echo's." I add, taking her hand. If I didn't know better, I'd have thought I saw appreciation in her eyes.

"That sounds fun!" Poppy chirps. "It's like a band party!" She continues, maybe she thinks if she's upbeat that I won't notice she's holding Ty's hand too. Bless her, she's got a lot to learn.

Though, I suppose I have all night to teach her my moves.