Danny and Lacey sat directly across from his parents. Hands clasped in front of them like they were kids about to get in trouble for breaking a vase.

"So when did this start?" Karen opened up the conversation. She was happy her son was with Lacey but surprised that Lacey wanted to be with him. She seemed so responsible and smart and her son was so much like his father. She was nervous for Lacey and preferred that he was with a careless girl like Sasha.

"Umm. We have liked each other for a few months but we just started dating about a week-ish ago?" Danny offered. Lacey was staring down at her hands.

"And you're already having sex like that?!" Karen exclaimed and Lacey buried her face in her hands in embarrassment.

"Karen, they're kids," Vikram added.

"Exactly! They are like siblings, I never saw this coming!"

"No, mother we are not like siblings," Danny retorted and Lacey groaned again.

"I should go this is really awkward and I'm so sorry for coming over without permission and I am just so embarrassed you saw me… like that and I know you're so angry, I should go," Lacey said all too fast for anyone at the table to hear her. She wanted out of that situation as soon as possible.

"Lacey, it's fine. I, uh, didn't really see anything it all happened so fast," Vikram assured her, even though he saw, and heard a lot.

"Father that's disgusting, why would you barge in like that?!" Danny yelled.

"I didn't know if someone was hurt! We got home from the store and heard strange noises. I have the right to go into any room in my house! I pay the bills in this place!" Vikram shouted back. Danny rubbed his forehead, he felt a headache starting.

"Lacey, honey," Karen began, earning a groan from both men, " Were you guys at least being safe? You're a smart girl I've known you since you were a child. You guys have been using condoms or birth control right?"

Danny and Lacey looked at each other, planning their lie, and realizing their stupidity.

"Yes of course! I'm on the pill and we, uh, use condoms," she lied. Remembering they forgot to get plan B after their weekend of sex.

"Okay good. I still think we should go to the clinic this week—maybe they can do some tests," Karen said and Danny stared open mouth at his mother.

"Mother what are you saying? That I gave my girlfriend an STD? I would never do that to Lacey."

"Danny's a smart kid he knows how to get tested, Karen," Vikram assured his wife. She turned to him with blazing eyes.

"Oh, so you took our son who had different girls over here all summer to the clinic just like you do? Did you guys piss in a cup side-by-side?!"

Vikram and Danny groaned and Lacey just looked at Karen.

"Karen, please don't worry everything is completely fine. We are safe and healthy. I'm not pregnant, I promise," Lacey said.

"Oh Lacey, I love you so much and I wished for the longest time that he could end up with you but you guys have to be careful! One of Vikram's… flings… had an abortion, I don't want you to go through that. And I know how men are not wanting to use condoms. Honestly, have you guys been safe?" Vikram tensed up and stared at his wife, who was thankfully too hysteric to notice.

Danny nodded vigorously, but Lacey hesitated, it was hard for her to lie to his mother's face. Karen saw the hesitation and shot up out of her seat.

"Okay, let's go to CVS right now we are getting some Plan B, even if you are on the pill it's always better to be safe than sorry. You guys aren't trying to get pregnant right? This isn't some pregnancy pact high school thing?" Karen blurted.

"No, not at all we were just being idiots once or twice it won't happen again."

Vikram sighed, "Danny, all I ever taught you was to wear a fucking condom. If you ever learned anything from me it would be to wrap up."

"That's the best thing your father can teach you, Danny!" Karen screamed.

"I should go, I can pick up Plan B on my own. It's totally fine. Danny, I'll text you," Lacey said and practically ran out their front door. Karen following her asking more questions.

Danny and his father looked at each other before Danny stood up to go to his room.

"Danny, please be smart in this. She's a beautiful girl but don't fuck your life up for a moment of pleasure," Vikram begged. Danny had his back toward his father.

"She's all I need."

MASTERSON HOUSE

Lacey pulled up to Jo's house. She was still completely disheveled after the most awkward conversation with Danny and his mom. She was too scared to go into CVS knowing that people from school were working. She needed a friend to help.

I'm outside, I need your help.

She waited a few minutes for Jo's reply but soon saw her friend emerge from her house. With Rico right behind her.

"Lord give me strength," Lacey whispered to herself and placed her forehead on her wheel as her friends jumped in her car.

Rico felt weird being there like he was intruding. He could see Lacey was in anguish and wondered if Danny did something to hurt her already. He was pissed that they were together after he told Danny about his feelings for Lacey. Jo was helpful in cheering him up, and he knew Lacey and Danny were interested in each other far before his crush began. But it sucked to see her and know that she too only wanted the cool bad boy.

"What did Danny do?" Jo immediately asked. Rico sat up in his seat glad that his friend was thinking the same thing he was.

"Jo, I'm the idiot here, okay?" Lacey said and glanced at Rico in the backseat. He started to turn red, feeling more out of place in the car with him, "I'm sorry, Rico, but could Jo and I have a moment to talk alone? It's really personal."

She gave him a small smile and the boy nodded and got out of the car. He went over to sit on Jo's porch as he waited for the go-ahead to come back. He wanted to know what they were talking about.

Jo was worried. Lacey will never show up unannounced so she knew it must be important. She could tell her friend was stressed out and looked like a mess. She smelled kind of weird too. Jo couldn't put her finger on what it was.

"What happened?" Jo asked.

"I need you to buy me Plan B," Lacey said quietly. She tightened her hands on her wheel and avoided eye-contact with Jo.

"WHAT?" Jo asked. Wondering if she heard her friend correctly and wondering why her, very smart, friend would have unprotected sex and require Plan B.

"Jo! Things just happen okay I kept forgetting to say something and we were just so preoccupied—," Lacey went into defense mode, upset that she even had to ask her friend. She realized she could have gone to someone else but no one had discretion quite like Jo. Regina would probably tell everyone Lacey was pregnant.

"Wait wait wait. This happened multiple times? Lacey, how could you be so dumb. We've practically had condoms thrown at us our entire lives. Our parents are not afraid to talk about that shit," Jo began. She had so much more to say but could tell her friend was embarrassed and anxious.

"I know. I'm going to make an appointment and get birth control this week, I just cannot go into that CVS and buy the Plan B myself. Whitney works there and she would probably tell everyone."

"What if she tells everyone I was the one having unprotected sex?" jo exclaimed.

"No offense but no one would care. Everyone's already acting so weird because Danny and I are dating I just really do not need the extra attention right now," Lacey pleaded. She turned to her friend and gave her best puppy-dog eyes.

"Okay, fine," Jo rolled down the window in the front seat, "Rico! We will be right back!"

Rico didn't have time to answer as Lacey sped her car down to the nearest CVS.

DESAI HOUSE

"Danny, can we talk?" Vikram Desai asked, standing in the doorway to Danny's room. His son was sitting at his computer with his headphones on trying to distract himself from the discomfort of the situation earlier.

"Not in the mood," Danny answered plainly. Vikram sighed and leaned against the doorframe.

"Danny. Take off your headphones and listen to me," Vikram demanded, his arms crossed.

Danny fought it but he truly was afraid of his father. He hated everything about him, especially the way he treated his mother and the women around him. He knew he was just like his father. Their birthdays were only a few days apart and they looked completely alike. But Danny did not want to be like his father. He wanted to separate himself from that man as much as he could.

He removed his headphones and swiveled his chair to face his father. Vikram didn't want Danny to be like him. He wanted his son to be smarter and kinder, and he knew his wife was doing a great job raising Danny due to Vikram's job-related absences. He loved his son and didn't want him to go down the same dark road that he did.

"I wanted to talk to you about this for a while, but I never found the right timing," Vikram began. Taking a while to finish his sentence. Danny stared at him blankly.

"I don't want you to be like me, Danny."

Danny scoffed, "Don't worry father. I don't plan on sleeping with all of my secretaries," he retorted smartly. Vikram's eyes darkened.

"Danny, I know how you spent your summer once you came back from Arizona. I don't know what's been going on with you but there have been too many girls over here at random times at night. And now you're getting involved with one of your closest friends? Do you want to fuck up that relationship?

I know I haven't been the best role model, but take it from me— you do not want to get involved with a friend," Vikram ended.

"Who did you get pregnant?" Danny suddenly asked remembering what his mom said just a few hours ago to him and Lacey.

Vikram laughed a bit and straightened up his stance, "You wouldn't believe me if I told you. Just be smart, maybe get a vasectomy."

Danny laughed at that and his father closed his door and left. Danny knew he wasn't going to mess up things with Lacey. He has in the past, but he's different now. He's ready now.

He thought back to July, a few days after Lacey's party.

It was a rainy Tuesday night in Green Grove, and Regina Crane was throwing a sleepover party with twenty of her closest friends. Lacey, Sarita, Archie, Phoebe, Whitney, Scott, Cole, and Danny were in attendance, along with more of the popular clique of Green Grove.

Danny didn't consider himself popular but a few of his teammates invited him to come with them. Regina apparently demanded that he was in attendance. He felt out of place even though one of his closest friends was in the room with him.

He watched her most of the night. She was dressed in small pajamas and a full face of makeup. Taking selfies and drinking with all of the other attendees. Danny didn't want to drink that night, but he wasn't going to pass up a chance to smoke with Cole and Scott. He sat with the group in a circle, the girls gravitating to one side as the guys had their own side. Lacey was across the room from him, and he wondered if she did it on purpose.

They haven't spoken in days and Danny didn't know if he should initiate anything. He felt guilty leaving her in her room after they had sex for the first time. The sex was amazing, even better than what he imagined. She was perfect and he was lucky enough to be with her in that form.

He had a few regrets. He wished he stayed with her after they were interrupted and talked about their experience. But he was immature and embarrassed to be caught with his dick in his best friend. He didn't know what to do other than run.

Lacey stood up and walked to the kitchen. Danny followed quickly and no one seemed to notice as he met her in the kitchen. She opened the fridge pulling out some of the liquor before she noticed Danny in the room with her.

"Want some?" She offered, barely meeting his eyes. Danny was surprised she acknowledged him.

"Some of what?' He asked dumbly. Lacey laughed a bit and read the front of the bottle. He realized she was asking if he wanted a drink.

"It says gin," Lacey said matter of factly and poured a few shots into her solo cup.

"I'm okay," he said and she shrugged. She put the gin back in the fridge and made her way to pour some cranberry juice in her cup. She avoided Danny's eyes and he realized he had to say something else so he wasn't just staring at her, "Um, how are you?"

He stuffed his hands in the pockets of his sweatpants and nervously shuffled his feet.

"I'm fine. Drunk," Lacey replied, still not bothering to look up.

"Lacey, I think we should talk about what happened. You know, on your birthday?"

"I don't want to talk about that. In fact, I barely remember it," she lied. She didn't want to look at him because she knew it would make her sad. She quickly chugged the drink she just poured and shivered at the taste. It was awful.

"I'm sorry I left so quickly."

"It's cool," she lied again, finally looking back at Danny, "Please, can we not talk about it ever again?"

Danny was able to look in her eyes and saw her silently plead with him.

"Okay, sure. I'm sorry I brought it up," he said awkwardly. Lacey smiled and walked past him out of the kitchen.

"Time for Spin the Bottle, bitches!" Regina announced with an empty bottle of wine in her hand. Everyone got situated in a circle as Danny and Lacey made their way back toward the group.

"Who wants to start? Arch?" She passed the bottle to Archie who eagerly received it.

"Let's see who the lucky lady will be," Archie sneered and placed the bottle on the hardwood floor.

"Gross," Sarita said quietly, but Danny was able to hear her and he let out a chuckle. She glared at him and he shut up.

Archie spun the bottle and Danny prayed it wouldn't land on Lacey. He couldn't bear to see her kissing one of his teammates. Danny would drink that entire bottle of gin before he let himself see Lacey and another guy.

The bottle landed on Regina, who happily placed a sloppy kiss on Archie. The kiss seemed to go on forever, so Whitney took the bottle to spin instead.

"Go get a room you guys," she said nonchalantly and spun the same bottle, "If it lands on a boy I'm not doing it."

The guys in the room cheered, even Archie pulling away to watch the bottle until it landed on Danny. He was relieved, she already said she wouldn't kiss a guy and he wasn't going to push her. Danny saw Lacey tense when it landed on him and he wanted to send her a signal that he wasn't going to do it.

"Welp, I guess you'll have to spin again," Danny said and earned some laughs around the circle.

'You don't want to kiss me?" Whitney challenged. She was slightly offended and Danny felt his face begin to heat up.

"Would this be your first kiss, Desai?" she teased and the whole circle tried to goad him into kissing her. He laughed a bit, trying to keep it light-hearted.

"You said you wouldn't kiss a boy so I'm just abiding by your wishes," Danny replied with a smirk without thinking. He realized he could seem like he was flirting with her and the rest of the circle seemed to think so too.

"It's definitely not his first kiss," Sarita said loudly and Lacey shot her a glare.

"Yeah, if I remember correctly Danny has done a lot more than kiss someone. And now he's afraid of a little peck?" Regina prodded. Lacey pinched her friend and moved her glare to the blonde.

Danny tried to meet her eyes but she was too busy trying to chastise her problematic friends.

"I guess if I have to kiss any boy I would want it to be you. The hair is kind of a turn on," Whitney flirted and Scott nudged Danny's shoulder trying to convince him to go for it. The guys in the group thought Danny was being ridiculous passing up a chance to kiss Whitney and he didn't know what to do in this situation.

Lacey finally looked at Danny from across the circle but he couldn't read her expression.

"Come on Danny. I don't bite," Whitney said as she crawled in front of him. He was trapped but knew he didn't want to kiss her, but he also didn't want to cause any more trouble for Lacey. But would kissing Whitney cause even more friction in their rocky relationship?

Danny leaned forward and kissed Whitney as the teenagers whooped and hollered. He wanted to keep it quick but she put her hand on the back of his neck, tilting her face further into the kiss. It wasn't an awful kiss, but Danny saw how Lacey was looking at him before she got up and hurried to the bathroom.

He quickly pulled away and ran a hand through his hair, receiving encouraging shoulder punches from the boys around him.

"Not bad, Desai," Whitney winked and wiped off the corner of her mouth. He actually was a great kisser, if she ever wanted to experiment with a guy she knew who she would go to.

Regina locked eyes with Danny and smiled devilishly while Sarita stared daggers at him, burning a hole in the side of his face. He quickly picked up the bong next to him and took a large hit as the game continued around him. Lacey didn't come back in the room for over ten minutes.

CVS PARKING LOT

Lacey waited in the car for Jo, not wanting to even show her face in the store. She was thankful her friend would help her out and knew she would owe her for this task.

She felt dumb for having so much sex with Danny and not doing anything to protect them from unwanted pregnancy. They were being stupid but part of her didn't care. She wasn't thinking of the consequences when she was with him. He made her feel like the world stopped when they were together and like she was the only other person in the world. She really loved that feeling but realized how naïve she was being.

The sex was just so fantastic. She liked feeling that close and intimate with him because it made things ten times better and more organic. Her mother hated birth control but Lacey knew she wouldn't be able to control herself with Danny. Birth control was the only option. If they were going to keep up the way that they have been they needed further protection. When Danny looked at her she melted and when he touched her she would feel fireworks. He was daring, curious, and sexy. She wanted to drive back over to the Desai house for round two, knowing how counterproductive it would be for him to release inside her again after she takes Plan B again.

She hoped she wouldn't have to get an abortion. There was no way she could hide that from her mom because she knew how much of a toll it was on the body. Lacey knew there were pills for it but even those could leave you bedridden for a few days.

Lacey jumped when the passenger door opened and Jo jumped in the car. She placed the box on Lacey's lap and huffed.

"That Whitney girl is way too nosy. Tyler was in their developing photos I had to be so fast so he didn't see me and ask more questions."

"Jo, you are lifesaver! Thank you so much I owe you everything," Lacey rushed. She pulled out her water bottle and quickly swallowed the pills feeling a wave of relief. Jo watched her closely.

"Am I ever going to hang out with you guys now? Or should I start dating Rico once he gets over you?" Jo joked.

"Rico likes me?" Lacey asked. She truly never noticed if the guy liked her, she barely paid attention to him. "I thought he liked you? He follows you around like a puppy."

"Nope. And I'm glad he doesn't, I don't think I could deal with it," Jo replied.

"I know this was a big ask and I haven't told you everything when it comes to Danny, but —"

"It's cool," Jo interrupted, "Danny told me a little bit about what was going on between you guys. I don't even know if I want to get further involved in this relationship."

Lacey was surprised and kind of hurt hearing that.

"Why would you say that?"

Jo looked at her the same way, "You guys are completely immature! You're dramatic and volatile."

"We just had some hiccups along the way but we are doing better now," Lacey defended her relationship, confused as to why Jo was acting this way, "He's been my best friend for years I feel like this is normal progression for some couples."

"Yeah well he's been my friend for years too," Jo said curtly, going red realizing how what she said could be construed, "I mean…"

"Do you like Danny?" Lacey asked slowly, now completely facing her friend. Jo didn't meet her eyes and Lacey put it all together, "Wow. I'm s—"

"Stop it. There's nothing to apologize for because I don't like Danny anymore. I'm happy for you guys I just think you need to slow down at least. Don't ruin your friendship for sex."

"It's not just sex, Jo," Lacey wanted to break it down for her friend.

Jo seemed to wince at that and Lacey felt herself growing angry. She put her keys in the ignition and drove them to Jo's house. They were in complete silence and said nothing as Jo got out of the car and jogged to her front door.

Jo felt awkward finally admitting the crush she had on Danny because she had so much time to say something. She was with him all the time, especially after things got weird between him and Lacey. She never even realized that the whole time he was in love with her, silently in pain. She felt an upsetting thought arise where she wanted to be the one taking the morning after pill and having sex with Danny. But she knew she couldn't and she buried that thought and went into her home.