Just a short chapter-- a long, eventful one is coming up next. Would you guys prefer I work Yael's gender identity storyline into the plot or just have them already identify as nonbinary with they/them pronouns? I don't want to misgender them!

Stage Fright

The next day, Miles walked into school smiling and laughing. The sun seemed brighter, the birds were singing louder, and the air felt fresher. All thanks to his old friend, he thought as he shoved the bottle of pills into his backpack.

Winston greeted him in the hall with a slug. "'Sup, dude?" he said. "Ready for the big night?" They hadn't talked much lately-- Winston had been too busy with student council. The last thing Winston had heard was Miles' breakup with Tristan. He had yet to tell him anything about Lola and the baby.

Miles just smiled. "What's tonight?" he said.

"Uh, your play," Winston said. "You know, the one you've been working on all semester."

Miles laughed. "Oh, Chewy," he giggled. "Who cares about that?" He put his arm around him. "Come on, what's the real agenda for tonight? Party at my place? Bust into my dad's liquor cabinet? Hook up with some university hotties?"

Winston pushed him off. "What's with you, man?" he said, scowling. "You're acting weird."

Miles shook his head, still laughing. "You people are so boring. Have a little fun for a change."

Winston groaned, realizing what was really going on here. "You're high at school?" he whispered, gritting his teeth. "What the hell, Miles!"

Miles shrugged playfully. "Why not?" he mused. "Everything's gone to shit. Might as well have fun while I still can." He tapped his watch. "Time's ticking, Chewy."

Winston stared at him, confused. "What do you mean?"

"You know," Miles laughed. "Only six more months til my life's over." He shrugged. "Gotta enjoy my freedom while I can."

Now Winston was really concerned. "Miles, what are you talking about? What's in six months?"

"You know," Miles teased, as if he and Winston were sharing some kind of silly joke. "Maybe I'll be just like my dad. It'll be so much fun, getting to yell at the kid and tell him how disappointed I am." He laughed. "That's what dad's do, right?"

"What?" Winston said.

"Oh for God's sakes, Chewy!" Miles said, agitated all of a sudden. "The baby! Me and Lola!"

Winston stared at Miles, shocked. "You got Lola pregnant?" he shouted without thinking.

As soon as Winston said it, a billion heads turned around. Girls whispered to each other. Friends flocked off into groups, giggling and gasping and going, "oh my god!"

"Shh," Miles whispered, apparently unaware of all the people staring at the two of them. "It's a secret!"

Just then, Lola sprinted past them, sobbing. She covered her face, pushing through the staring crowd. She ran into the girls' room and slammed the door behind her, blubbering like a baby.

Somebody started to open one of the stall doors. Lola groaned, turning away. She'd thought she was alone.

"Lola," a voice said gently. "What's wrong?"

Without a second thought, Lola hugged Yael, sobbing. The two of them had never been particularly close, but in that moment, she just really needed a friend.

"Hey, it's okay," Yael said, a little surprised but still trying to sound reassuring. "Do you wanna talk about it?"

Lola wiped her eyes and laughed softly. "How much time do you have?"