Sorry for the delay with this chapter-- rather than take even longer, I decided to just break up a really long chapter into a couple instead. So I decided to incorporate Yael's gender identity storyline into the plot later (in a couple of chapters) since it was Lola who helped them realize their identity. For this chapter I'm using she/her ONLY because the storyline hasn't happened here yet. I will use they/them once I introduce the nonbinary storyline.

Show Biz

Lola and Yael had been talking in the girls' room for over an hour now, bolting the door shut so no one else could barge in. Lola told her everything-- her and Miles' complicated relationship, the pregnancy, her and Frankie's fight, the play. Lola was surprised at how good of a listener Yael was. She'd always thought Yael was a little judgmental and stuck up, but she didn't bat an eye or make any snarky comments the whole time Lola vented to her. She just listened. And that was exactly what Lola needed.

"I can't do the play tonight," Lola sighed, slumped against the wall. "There's just no way I can face all those people."

Yael nodded. "Okay, but think about it," she said. "The reason everyone's gossiping is because they think the pregnancy is something to be ashamed of. Like you should just go into hiding for nine months or something." She paused. "But what if instead of hiding, you just... owned it?"

Lola looked at Yael in confusion. "What do you mean?"

Yael sighed. "By quitting the play, you're letting everyone else win," she said. "You know, agreeing that you have something to be ashamed of."

Lola sat up, realizing what Yael was saying. "But if I go on with the show like their comments don't bother me," Lola said, "then that takes all their power away."

"Exactly," Yael said, squeezing Lola's hand. "You can do this," she reassured her, smiling.

Lola smiled back, then started to laugh. "Is this gonna interfere with my fashion vlog?"

Yael shook her head. "If Hunter ever tries to fire you again, I'll kick his ass." They both laughed.

Lola hugged Yael. "Thanks," she said, wiping her eyes. "I really mean it."

Yael smiled. "Break a leg tonight, Lo."

Miles sat in the auditorium like a kid waiting to hear his punishment. After the news of Lola's pregnancy broke this morning, Grace and Jonah called an emergency play meeting that afternoon.

He'd really done it this time, he thought to himself. The high had worn off by now and he realized what he'd done-- showing up at school on drugs, blabbing to Winston... he was lucky if Lola would ever even speak to him again. God, he hated himself sometimes.

"Well, the news is all over school," Grace said as she walked in with Jonah. "Great timing, Hollingsworth. You couldn't have filled us in on Lola's situation before opening night?"

"Lola didn't want anyone to know," Miles grumbled. So much for that.

She hasn't responded to any of my texts," Jonah said. "What are we going to do if she bails on the play?"

"Find an equally cute understudy?"

Miles turned around in shock as Lola walked in. "I-- I didn't think you'd show up," he said.

Lola sat down in the circle, putting her feet up on the edge of Miles' chair. "Yeah, well," she shrugged. "I kind of got a pep talk from someone... besides, the show must go on, right?"

Grace and Jonah looked at each other. "Okay then," Grace said, getting up. "See you all tonight for dress rehearsal."

Jonah followed her out the door. "7 pm sharp," he added.

Lola and Miles were left alone in the auditorium. "Lola," Miles said quietly. "I'm really sorry. I didn't mean for everyone to find out."

Lola sighed. "Guess it was bound to come out eventually."

Miles looked at her. "So... we're okay, me and you?"

Lola bit her lip. "Depends," she said. "Are you on drugs again?"

"No," Miles said. "No, I swear. It was a one time slip. It won't happen again." He pulled out the old bottle of pills. "See?" he said, opening the empty container. "I flushed them all."

Lola was quiet for a minute, then nodded. "Okay then," she said, her voice serious. "But Miles, if you ever take drugs around our kid--"

"I won't!" Miles interrupted. "Lola, I would never."

Lola eyed him sternly. "I mean it," she said.

Miles sighed. "Lola, I swear to you, I will never ever do anything to put our kid in danger. Okay? That baby is like--" he paused. "It's like... the most important thing in my life."

Lola squeezed his hand. "You'll be a good dad, Miles," she said softly.

He looked at her, savoring the feeling of her hand in his. "You really believe that?"

Lola smiled. "I know it," she said. She patted his hand and then let go of it. "You're a good guy, Miles." She reached down to grab her bag, but Miles handed it to her, helping her put it on. He didn't want her carrying too much weight.

"I'll see you tonight," Lola said, straightening out her back. Her bump had grown a tiny bit over the last week, Miles had noticed. She still didn't quite look visibly pregnant, but there was a change in her.

Miles sighed as he watched her leave. He loved her more and more each day... but he would never deserve her.