I've had the second half of this chapter in my head since before I even started this story, so I'm glad I got to finally integrate it into the storyline :)

The cafeteria there was like any other – loud, and full of aromas, only some of which were linked to actual food. Sean was over the moon because his older brother just told him their parents had bought a new Xbox and he couldn't stop talking about going home the following week. Artie nodded, remembering fondly playing video games with Tina a couple weeks ago. She did it more for him, he knew, but he loved her smug grin when he let her win a game of Halo.

As he glanced around the cafeteria, he saw Grace manoeuvring through the tables on her crutches. Behind her was a helper holding Grace's tray. When she looked up, he waved a little and she changed direction towards them, smiling.

She plopped herself on a chair next to Artie, and thanked her helper.

"That's something the chair is good for," Artie grinned, pointing at the tray, "You can carry all your own stuff."

Grace pulled a face, "I haven't been in a chair since I was 10. Personal challenge."

Artie chuckled, and then realised that Sean was still sitting opposite him.

"Sean, this is Grace. She's in my group therapy. Grace, Sean. My neighbour."

Grace gave him a small wave and Sean attempted the cool guy nod, which nearly sent Artie into a fit of laughter.

"So, you into video games or are you a gleek freak like he is?" Sean asked.

Grace looked at Artie, who looked at Sean both confused and annoyed.

"Well, I am a lead in my glee club," she offered.

Sean grinned, "I've just noticed that to make an impression on this guy, you gotta have either one of those things. Some lucky people have both," he winked at Artie who immediately thought of Tina and blushed.

"Sometimes I play Sims?" Grace said, and both Sean and Artie failed miserably at holding back their laughter.

Tina was watching a hilarious YouTube video about cats when her mom knocked on the door.

"Hey honey," she poked her in, "I ran out of hand cream, do you have any extra?"

Tina turned her head and nodded, "Uh-huh, first drawer by the bed."

Her mom, saying something about going out for a family dinner next week, made her way across the room and Tina paid little attention to her.

It wasn't until she heard the drawer open that she remembered and she turned around quickly, her eyes wide, "Wait, Mom, I can-"

Her mom already had one hand inside the drawer and she was practically frozen into position. Tina herself was unable to move or speak; instead she just shut her eyes tightly, hoping this wasn't actually happening. In five second she'd wake up to find that she'd fallen asleep at her desk.

Her mom slowly pulled a box, which Tina knew was right beside the hand cream, out of the drawer, "Tina, is there anything we need to talk about?"

Tina made a face; this is exactly what she had wanted to avoid, "No?"

"Tina." Her mom's voice was surprisingly calm, but she was holding the box like it was infested with roaches. She moved a couple steps and sat herself on Tina's bed, gesturing for her daughter to come over and do the same.

Tina sighed and obliged, there was no use fighting it, maybe she could make this as painless as possible.

"May I ask why you have a box of condoms in your bedside drawer?" her mom asked, before looking away and Tina was pretty certain she was trying to remember when was the last time she and Artie had been alone in the house. "Have you and Artie-"

"No! No." She answered quickly and maybe a little too loudly. "We haven't done anything yet, mom. See, look, it's not even open." She pointed to the clear taped across the top of the box. She swore her mom let out a breath of relief.

"Are you planning to?" her voice faltered and Tina didn't know what to say. Honestly, didn't the presence of the box answer that question?

After being silent too long, she thought she better say something, "Um, even...tually." Then automatically grimaced, because she had just admitted to her mother that she was planning on having sex. Oh God.

Her mother turned to her slightly, placing her hand on Tina's knee. Tina knew what this meant, they'd be having a Talk. She suppressed a groan. "Tina, you're young. You're not even 16 yet."

"I'll be 16 in a month." Tina corrected.

Her mom seemed to ignore this, "I know you like Artie, sweetie and he's a lovely boy. But there's always time. If he's talking-"

"He hasn't mentioned it, mom. He's not pressuring me or anything." Tina shook her head reassuringly, placing her hand on top of her mom's.

"I just don't want you to think it's something you have to do."

"I know, mom."

"This sort of stuff can hurt. Not just physically, but emotionally too. Feelings can-"

"I know-." Tina interrupted and her mom pursed her lips so she felt bad. She leant forward and rested her head on her shoulder, "I'll be okay, mom."

Her mother stroked her hair for a moment, before turning and pressing a kiss into it. "I love you, Tina."

"I love you too."

She got up, and Tina followed her as she got halfway across the room, then turning around, she placed the box carefully on top of Tina's chest of drawers before turning to her daughter, "Be careful, okay?"

Tina nodded, but she wasn't sure whether she was talking about her body or her heart.