DPOV (after Rose left)

"She seems like a nice girl," Mama said. I looked at her, her eyes were glittering, like she knew something. I gave a slight nod. "I hope she treats you right."

"She does," I mumbled. Roza is my first girlfriend, and she treats me wonderfully. I could still see that mysterious glitter in Mama's eyes, and it was making me nervous. A feeling in the pit of my stomach told me she knew something, but I couldn't figure out what.

"Do you love her?" Mama asked. I nodded without hesitation. "Does she love you?" I nodded again. After a minute of silence Mama blurted out a question I hadn't been expecting. "Have the two of you had sex?"

I stared at her wide-eyed. If, at that moment, I had been drinking something, I either would've choked on the drink or spat it everywhere.

"U-um. . . .I-I. . . ." I stammered. Mama looked at me, her face stern. I felt my face heat.

"It's okay, son," Mama said. She shot a warm smile at me. "It's natural, human nature." I swallowed, still blushing. "Don't get all embarrassed, Dimka. As long as she makes you happy - and as long as the two of you use protection - I'm happy." My heart stopped.

Shit! I thought. Roza and I were, I suppose, "so caught up in the moment" we forgot to use condoms or anything. Was Roza on the pill? I don't know. She never mentioned it.

"Right." My mouth was dry, my throat tightened. What if Roza got pregnant? We were too young to be taking care of a child. Children having children? Oh God. "I-I'm going to go take a shower." I hurriedly went upstairs, I grabbed my pajamas and practically slammed the bathroom door behind me. I locked it and turned the shower on, I didn't get in, I just stood by the shower, watching steam fill the room. How could I be so stupid? If I got Roza pregnant, I'd never forgive myself.

Mama would be infuriated, I thought sadly. She always says I'm the responsible one. Sonya and Karolina were the reckless ones. Karolina had Paul when she was nineteen. I undressed and got in the shower, letting the hot water hit me to help my nerves.

~Secret admirers~

After standing in the shower until the water ran cold, I finally went to bed. I love Roza with all my heart, and the thought of making a family with her sounded great. But there's so many thoughts that go through my head. Would Roza and I last past high school? What if Roza got pregnant, and she didn't love me anymore? What if she didn't love the baby? Would she have an abortion?

Just stop thinking about it, I thought sadly. It'll just make you feel like shit tomorrow.

I sighed, and went to sleep.