"Mae," Trent said.

"I know," Mae groaned. "I know. I fucked up. I dropped the football and it exploded. I'm sorry." She sighed heavily as they walked back across the yard. "How pissed are you?" she asked quietly as they crossed the fence boundary into their own yard.

"I'm not really pissed," he said, "more just...worried, and confused. I mean, I get it: you have little filter, and I'm used to that by now. Or I thought I was. This felt...different. Normally you know topics that are nuclear launch codes and topics that are just awkward."

"I know! Ugh...shit, hold on," she muttered as her phone buzzed. She pulled it from her pocket and studied it. "Oh. Uh. Lori and her mom want to come over? Lori's got a rough cut of the movie and she wants us to watch it together."

Trent checked his own phone. It wasn't that late, the sun just now setting, and it was a Friday night, so she didn't have school tomorrow. "Yeah, okay," he said, "tell her it's fine. But we need to do a little damage control."

"I know. Fuck," she muttered as she texted.

"Mae...don't get me wrong. I feel like you did something kind of nuts, but the results, at least, were good. Your mom and...mostly your dad accept that you're in a bisexual, open relationship and you will probably end up marrying a woman eight years older than you. That's good. We got really lucky there. It's less the outcome and the conversation itself that concerns me, and more the fact that you thought to bring it up at all."

"I know, I just...I dunno, it made sense? Maybe? I'm not sure," she admitted. "I guess...I wanted it out there, maybe. I was kinda pissed…" She sighed, then groaned.

"Okay, okay. Do we agree that we're not gonna tell Bea about her dad?" Trent asked.

Mae was silent for a moment, then slowly nodded. "Yeah...that's his business. It would just weird Bea out if she knew he was potentially over at my place each night. And she would either be paranoid he was spying on her, or sad that he was so lonely. So...yeah, we agree. Although I don't like it."

"I know. It's not normally the call I'd make...shit," he muttered. "I guess we all found out things we wish we hadn't. Come on, let's go do some damage control."

"Okay." She took his hand suddenly. "Wait."

"What?"

"You're really not mad?"

"I'm not mad, Mae. I'm...irritated, a little, but mostly worried."

"Okay...I'm sorry."

"It's okay, Mae."

They walked back inside. Trent saw Ann in the living room, but not Bea. "House meeting!" he called.

"Coming!" Bea called back.

"What's up?" Ann asked.

"...it's complicated," he replied.

Bea came down the stairs, then stopped when she saw them. "Oh God, what happened at dinner?" she asked.

"Let's have a seat," Trent said.

"Great," she whispered.

They all sat down in the living room. He opened his mouth, then stopped as something occurred to him. "Also, real quick, before we begin: Lori and her mom are coming over. Her movie's mostly done, she wants to show us. Is that cool?" he asked, getting up and moving over to the window.

"Yeah," both Bea and Ann said.

"Sweet. We should air this place out a little, and hide the weed," he said.

"Oh...yeah, good point," Bea murmured, getting up and grabbing the pipe and a baggie from the table. She ran it upstairs while he opened up another window, then they sat back down in the living room.

"Okay, right to it," he said, "Mae's parents know about our relationship. All of it. That Bea and I are dating, and that she and Ann and I are also dating."

"Mae…" Bea groaned.

"I'm sorry!" Mae cried.

"...how did this come up, exactly?" Ann asked.

"I wanted to just...I wanted to know how my parents would feel if I married a girl," Mae mumbled.

"Which naturally led to some questions. Thing is...her mom already knew. She's pretty sharp. She said she's known Ann was involved since Longest Night, though she was a little surprised about Bea," Trent said.

"How'd your dad react?" Ann asked.

Mae laughed a little. "Uh...he wasn't sure how to react."

"How do they feel about it?" Bea asked after a moment.

"Good," Mae said.

"Yeah, Mae played with nuclear launch codes and thankfully they didn't launch. We got real lucky there. They're totally cool with it. Hell, her mom's excited for two weddings."

"Oh...yeah, lucked out there," Bea murmured. "But Mae, like...why did you think this was a good idea?"

"I don't know!" she moaned. "I just-I wasn't thinking. I know. I fucked up. I'm sorry!"

Bea seemed a little taken aback, shooting a nervous glance at Trent. "It's okay, Mae...are you all right?" she asked.

"Yes! Why do you guys keep asking that? I-" She paused, looked around. "Am I all right? Is something wrong with me?"

"I'm not sure, you just seem a little off," Trent replied. "We have to remember, you're on two new medications related to mood…"

"Is that a thing?" Mae asked. "Can it make me make stupid choices? Jeez."

"The problem with medications is that they can have unpredictable results, so we really just should be cautious," Ann said.

"Okay. Well...I'll try. But, uh, we should probably get the place ready. A real, like, adult is coming over," Mae said.

"Fair point," Trent replied. "Let's clean up."

Twenty minutes later, Lori and her mother arrived. Well, stepmother, but from all they'd discussed, she had basically become her mother.

Trent had always been a little nervous about this meeting. He always felt slightly awkward about hanging out with a high schooler, a younger one at that, even on just a friendly basis. But he was worried about her mom accusing them of corrupting her somehow, or maybe just getting paranoid about their intentions.

Given how shit the world was nowadays, it wasn't even an unreasonable paranoia.

They came in and there were introductions. Her stepmother was a tall, thin cat with dark fur somewhere around forty or so. She introduced herself as Lucy. She seemed kind, but also a little manic. Finally, after introductions and some simple chitchat had passed, she cleared her throat.

"Trent, Bea, I was hoping to talk with you two outside for a moment," she said.

"Mom…" Lori murmured uncomfortably.

"It's important, Lori," she said.

Lori sighed softly. "Okay."

"Sure," Trent said.

He was a little confused as to why she didn't want to speak with him and Mae, but he and Bea followed her out front. They walked out to the driveway and, in the glow of the streetlights, she surprised them by lighting up a cigarette.

"Please don't mention this to Lori," she murmured.

"All right," Bea replied.

"I'm trying to quit, but it's been stressful this week. It's not BS what they say about more money, more problems...which feels like a humble-brag." She sighed. "I wanted to say thank you, for taking care of my daughter."

"Oh...you're welcome," Trent said.

She laughed. "Yeah, I bet you two were paranoid I was going to become a raging mom marking her territory. But the truth is, Lori is a very sharp girl. Honestly, she's a lot smarter than I was at fifteen. Not just book smarts, but emotional intelligence, too. But she's still fifteen. And given all the people around Possum Springs who are...less than trustworthy...good lord all this cult business-" She sighed. "My point is, I'm very grateful that she's gotten involved with people who are mature and watch out for her. She told me about what you told her, Bea, about parties. That she shouldn't even be bothering with them for a few years, but also the smart stuff: don't ever go alone, watch her drink. That's really watching out for her."

Bea rubbed her arm a little awkwardly. "My mom taught me to watch out for myself."

"If I recall...you're mother, um...passed, right?"

Bea nodded. "Yes. Two years ago. Cancer."

"I'm so sorry."

"Thanks. It's...I've mourned and grieved. I'm still dealing with it, but...I'm okay. Mostly."

"I'm glad. It's never easy, losing people...but I also watched some of the behind-the-scenes footage, and it's obvious you all are a good group. You four and some of the others involved. I...must admit, I was a little worried when she mentioned that Mae Borowski would be hanging around and starring in her movie, as a psychopathic killer, no less…"

"Mae's a good person," Trent said, almost reflexively.

"I believe that, I just...her history...but you're right. Mae's been good to Lori, and good for her. And so, I just wanted to thank you, again, for watching out for Lori. She's the world to me and her father."

"You're welcome. She's great. We like helping her make the movie," Bea said, and Trent nodded.

"That's good. Um...there was one other thing. I was...a little confused. As to the nature of your, um, relationships. I had gathered that Mae and Trent are dating, but then I thought perhaps I was wrong, and that you two were dating...I apologize, if it's none of my business, I was just a little confused…"

"Mae and I are dating," Trent said. "Bea and I are…"

"Good friends," Bea said. "Best friends. And roommates."

"Yes," he agreed.

She looked a little dubious about that, but just nodded. "Okay then. I just thought...well, it doesn't matter."

"It's the kiss, right?" Bea asked. "We were just acting. And come on, you wouldn't take the opportunity to kiss a cute boy?"

Lucy laughed awkwardly. "Well...not anymore. But when I was your age? Yes, I suppose that's true." That seemed to set her at ease, at least, and Trent relaxed, glad that they could throw at least some people off their trail if they felt like it. Bea might not give a shit anymore about keeping it secret, but...it still wasn't everyone's business.

"I was curious…" Trent said.

"Yeah?" Lucy replied.

"You aren't at all concerned about the, uh, subject matter of the movie?"

"Oh," she laughed easily, "oh lord no. As a raving fangirl of Friday the 13th, Alien, and Event Horizon, I'd be a massive hypocrite if I had a problem with Lori making a horror film. No, I'm...keeping tabs on her mental health. I'm not like a lot of other people who worry over this stuff. It's just make believe, just what she's into. And I'm glad that she's so into it, and she's so good at it already! She has a real eye for camera shots, and an appreciation of slow, atmospheric shots as well. I love it and I'm so proud of her. So many people don't know what they want to do or have passion, and she does! On both accounts! I want to support this."

"You're a really good mom," Bea said.

Lucy smiled awkwardly, puffed on her cigarette a few times. "I...try to be. I was so worried, when I started dating her dad. You know how it is...or, well, I guess you don't, being twenty-somethings. It's scary, dating someone who has kids and then becoming a part of their life. But Lori and I get on very well. And she calls me mom…" She let out a little laugh, then reached up and brushed at her eyes. "Sorry, I get emotional...I don't have children of my own, I figured I'd never want them, but I fell in love with Lori's father and decided I should at least try and...it's going much, much better than I expected. It's still terrifying, but I have to admit, it's so much better knowing there are people like you out there, in her life, watching out for her."

"We'll definitely watch out for her if we can," Trent said. "I know Mae will hardcore."

"And we let her know that our place is safe for her. If she finds herself in a situation where she's in danger or worried and for whatever reason can't go home or we're closer, she has our numbers, and we will absolutely come get her and bring her here and keep her safe."

"I can't tell you how much I appreciate that...thank you. Truly. From the bottom of my heart," Lucy said.

"You're welcome...also, you should meet Mae's mother. I think you two would get along really well, she reads the most gruesome books, and I get the feeling she's in the market for mom friends," Trent said.

"I'll definitely look into that, thanks," Lucy replied. "Now, uh, we should get back inside before Lori gets it in her head that I'm putting the brass tacks to you or something."

They headed back inside, and he saw Lori searching their faces, probably for clues to how it had gone. But they were all easy smiles, so she relaxed.

"Everything okay?" Ann asked.

"Oh yeah, just chatting about some stuff, we're cool," Trent replied.

"Sweet! Now let's see it! I wanna see it!" Mae said, bouncing on the couch.

"Mae...Lori is more mature than you," Bea groaned.

"Don't care!" Mae replied.

"Clearly," Trent said, laughing. He got his laptop hooked up to the TV via HDMI cable and then held out his hand. Lori placed a jumpdrive in it.

"So, it's mostly finished," she said as he plugged it in and got everything set up. "Still need to make some tweaks and edits, needs more sound balancing, and I'm not sure about some of the tracks I've laid in for music. So, like, if you have any opinions at all, please tell me. Like for real, don't hold back or worry about my feelings, I want to know if you see or hear anything wrong, or have suggestions. I wanna make it good."

"We'll tell you if we see anything," Bea promised.

"Okay, it's set, just hit space," Trent said, sitting down on the couch with Bea, Ann, and Mae. Lucy was in one of the chairs.

Lori stood in front of them all, looking nervous. "I, uh, wanted to say thank you, to all of you. I literally couldn't have done this without you guys, but also, like, for supporting me. Not just being in the movie, but also being really cool...so, um, thanks. You're all super awesome. Okay, uh, here we go." She hit the space bar and sat down next to her mom.

Trent focused on the screen. This had been a really big deal for Lori, but for them as well, and clearly for Mae. And, as one creative type to another, he wanted to show her respect and take her seriously.

As they started watching, it quickly became obvious to him that Lori had a real eye for cinematography. And editing. And pacing. He'd seen hints and flashes of this when they'd been watching the scenes she'd filmed on location, but now that he was watching it cut together made it a lot clearer how much raw talent she had.

He had to admit, it was a little weird when he saw his scene come up early on when he was making out with Bea. Although from the way she discreetly ran her hand beneath the bottom of his leg and the couch, it really occurred to him just how much she had changed since they'd first met. Except, after hearing that secret of hers, he realized that she hadn't changed so much as leaned into an aspect of herself she'd been suppressing for probably her whole life, or at least since she had hit puberty. It was hard not to react, but it was dark and he kept it off his face at least.

Gasmask lasted about an hour and at the end faded to black.

The words: Dedicated to Mae Borowski, for being my friend when I really needed one. faded in, then back out.

"And, uh, that's it," Lori said.

"That was, like, really good," Ann replied as she got up and turned back on the lights. They'd turned them off a few minutes in, figuring it'd set a good atmosphere for a horror movie.

"Yeah! That was so cool! And thank you for the dedication!" Mae said, jumping up.

"You're welcome. Like...sorry I didn't put anyone else in there, it just seemed, you know, right, to do it that way," Lori murmured.

"It's okay, Lori. It's your movie, and you can dedicate it to whoever you want," Bea said. "And that was really good."

"What do you think, Trent?" Lucy asked after a moment when he didn't speak up. He realized everyone was looking at him now. He'd been staring at the screen, lost in thought.

He looked at Lori. "I don't want to inflate your ego, but that was very good, Lori. Like...surprisingly good. Is that music-"

"It's all non-copyrighted stuff," she said. "Is it really that good?"

"Yes. I mean, it's simple, but well-made. It's crafted. I'd say you still have a lot of ground to cover, if you're looking to do this as a professional, but you are head and shoulders above, I imagine, everyone else in your age bracket. You have a fantastic grasp of cinematography, editing, scoring, direction, lighting, pacing...to be blunt, if I hadn't personally been involved with so much of this, I would be a little suspicious and wonder if you hadn't gotten help from someone with a lot of traditional knowledge in filmmaking. And I'm not just trying to stroke your ego or spare your feelings, I mean this all genuinely."

"That's what I've been telling her," Lucy murmured.

Lori was looking at the floor, pursing her lips, awkward and uncomfortable. "I'm not sure what to say," she murmured.

"It's okay, you don't have to say anything. I guess...what I'm saying is, if you want to try to make a go of this professionally, like...you have a huge head-start on a lot of other people. Given the resources available online, honestly, I think you could begin building your own little corner of the internet with this stuff. You could film shorts or short films or episodes or whatever makes sense to you. I mean, I can't guarantee success, no one can really, but this is a fantastic first effort."

"Are you sure?" she asked finally. "It's pretty basic, I feel. It has so little depth, compared to other stuff I want to make, or stuff I see…"

"Like I said: simple yet well-made. It's important to recognize the value in that. I mean, there are a lot of movies that have basic or simple plots, but they are well-crafted and satisfying to experience." He hesitated briefly, searching for words. She looked back up at him. "There's so much discussion around what makes stuff good. Stories, books, movies, video games, what gives it that spark. That watchability, readability, playability. There's a lot of different answers, but I think one of the core things is...for lack of a better term, flow. Does whatever it is start strong? Does it keep you engaged, moving along? Does it flow? And your work flows. That was an engaging movie. I think there were some parts that could be trimmed, I've got a list of notes I wrote down," he said, tapping the notepad he'd grabbed early on, "but seriously, that this was what you produced is really impressive. And I don't want to try and pressure you into thinking you need to do this as a career or even as a serious hobby, but if that is what you want, I'm saying that I think you have a good shot of making a good go of it," he explained.

"He's right," Bea said.

"Yeah, Lori. This is, like, the coolest thing I've been involved in! That was amazing! I thought I'd look dorky but you actually made me look scary!" Mae said.

Lori laughed awkwardly. "Honestly you did a lot of that yourself, Mae. You're actually a great actress. I was surprised. You, like, get it. I never had to really explain anything to you, you just got it. You just knew what made sense." She stood up suddenly and pulled the jumpdrive out of the laptop, pocketing it. "Thanks for watching and saying all that stuff, I, uh...I'm feeling a little overwhelmed and I kinda want to go home…"

"Totally understandable," Bea said. "Thank you for showing it to us, Lori."

"You're welcome," she said as her mom got up as well. "Oh, uh, one more thing. Mae, would you, like, make a poster image for it? Like a drawing? I've seen some of your drawings and they're really cool."

"Yeah! I'd love to! I've done a few drawings already-I'll put something together and send it to you over chattrbox," Mae replied.

"Okay, thanks. Uh, you have an awesome house, and this was fun, and thanks again."

Lucy laughed softly. "Let's go, Lori."

"Okay."

"Thank you for having us," she said as they grabbed their coats.

"Glad to, it was really fun," Ann replied.

They said their goodbyes, and then Lori and Lucy were gone.

"Well, that was interesting," Bea murmured. "But also, like, wow. Seriously, that was a lot better than I thought it was going to be. I mean, I didn't think it'd be shit, but like...that was legit."

"Yeah," Trent said. "I meant what I said."

"I wonder if she can get into film school," Ann said. "Although I guess it's a little early to be thinking about that."

"I dunno, if you've got a good grasp of what you want, I don't know if it's too early," Bea said, then she frowned. "Of course, I may be projecting here."

A moment of silence passed.

"So, uh...now what?" Mae asked.

"We could watch a movie?" Ann suggested.

"I'm down," Bea said.

They started to get settled and figure out what they were going to watch.