Parallel Universe: Spin-Off - What If "Prom"

I know I know. Where's the chapter your @!?!@?

And I understand you, but please give it a chance? You might like it, I wrote it with affection. 

The next chapter is almost ready. Just need to edit some parts.

Hey guys, here I am again. Your favorite author. Well, you must be wondering: "Spin-Off? What do you mean?" And the answer to that, young padawan, you shall have.

Well, I have some ideas in mind, moments of anguish that I had during the series, some moments when I got angry and created in my mind a scenario where things would be different.

During the week, at random moments, I will post some Spin-Offs that didn't inspire me enough to write a whole book but are good enough for a OneShot with a happy ending.

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Season 1, Episode 7. (MOTIS)

What if Otis hadn't helped Jackson? What if, with that, Jackson had nothing to get in the way of Otis and Maeve's conversation?; Otis has some balls; Maeve knows what she wants.

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Otis wasn't too keen on attending the dance, but he had disappointed his best friend once. He wanted to make it up to him somehow. So Otis happily agreed when Eric asked him.

The blue-eyed boy had already said several times how much he hated this kind of event, the last time he'd said it to Maeve.

But for his friend, who loves this kind of event. He came.

'Sometimes I find myself thinking, how can we be friends when we're so different from each other?' Otis walks beside Eric, a little lost in thought, but still happy to be with his best friend.

But that all changed when he saw Maeve, his heart sank and his mind went blank. Seeing Maeve in that stunning dress and impeccable hair stirred Otis. And... seeing her with Jackson, holding hands. It hurt him.

It hurt. Seeing her with Jackson, when it could have been him...

But his friend was more important than his dying feelings for Maeve. He couldn't abandon Eric, not again. He put on a determined face and kept walking, planning to avoid meeting Maeve as much as possible.

Unfortunately, things don't always go according to plan.

"Otis. You came." Maeve's excited and surprised voice rang in Otis' ears.

To him, she seemed happy to be coming to the dance with Jackson. A fact that hurt him even more when he realized it.

Otis turned to look at Maeve and saw the couple coming towards them, Jackson a little scowling but proud in an arrogant, half-drunk sort of way.

'With or without your help Milburn. I still did it!'

"Hi, Maeve, Jackson. I came with Eric, as a chaperone. And you, didn't you say you hated these events?" Otis didn't want to, but his mouth was quicker than his mind, and the next thing he knew, he was talking to Maeve.

She smiled when she heard Otis.

'He remembered. He's one of the few who listens to me! Unlike some people!' Maeve looks at a half-drunk Jackson. But then she looks at Otis again, and can't help comparing the two, to no one's surprise. She preferred her Muppet.

"Decide to give it a chance, maybe I'll be surprised." Maeve gave Otis some excuse, hiding the real reason.

Otis, on the other hand, wasn't as attentive as he usually is. That's why he doesn't notice her shallow lie and takes it for granted.

'She's changed... for him.'

*Sigh*

'Love is just a coincidence, just a stroke of luck. Which didn't happen to me.' Otis closes his eyes as he feels emotion fill his mind.

Maeve is his first crush. Rare are the cases where first love somehow works out.

"Well, I'll see you around. Otis." Jackson interrupts them while pulling a surprised Maeve. She can't resist him and follows him.

'Great, imagining that they're going out to have sex is all I need right now, thanks a lot brain.'

A dejected Otis, already regretting having come, walks towards the center of the ball, looking for Eric who had distanced himself at some point during his conversation with Maeve.

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(Otis)

Things were getting fun, Ruby and I had been exchanging glances throughout the party.

Maybe helping her will allow me to lose my virginity finally? hehe, a man can't help but dream, can he?

But things took a different turn when a boy called Liam climbed the moon decoration about 5 meters off the ground. My advice didn't work as well as I'd hoped. 

I wasn't feeling so well at the time of the council because of Maeve, so I let my feelings influence me at the time.

But even though I'm enjoying talking to people and advising them more and more, it's not right. It's not ethical.

My mother always warned me about the responsibilities that a therapist, psychologist, or psychiatrist has. The dangers of the wrong advice, the wrong remark. Any small mistake can cost the patient their recovery or even their life.

I should revisit that, but later. After I've sorted out the shit I've done myself. I need to stop Liam from throwing himself to his death, at most broken bones.

Maybe, only if he falls in a specific way... Shit, I'm letting my concentration get out of hand. Focus, Otis.

Liam's situation is similar to mine, I need to use my frustrations and experiences to resonate with him. I can't let him get hurt because of me.

Well, come on.

.

.

.

A few minutes later, Liam is carried out of the dance by paramedics.Fortunately, I managed to prevent the worst.

At the cost of my pain, but it was worth it. Some emotional wounds opened up again and memories I'd rather forget... but I had to take responsibility for the trouble I'd made myself.

I was right, using my pain to sympathize with Liam was the right move. Although I admit it was distressing, as I said, some memories, opportunities, and misunderstandings that I'd rather forget were awakened.

As I think about my pathetic situation, I'm taken aback by Maeve's warm gaze.

No... no. I must be misreading her, she's with Jackson. Why would she look that way at Sexkid when she has Golden Boy? Yes, I'm wrong.

I decide that the best action to take at the moment is to leave, I need to go out and cool off.

*Sigh*

Although I know it's not her fault that she doesn't feel the same way I do. It's still hard to look at her face and not feel that twinge of pain in my chest.

I walk slowly to the outside of the dance, where I catch a glimpse of a smiling couple running towards one of the many empty classrooms.

Yes, it's hard being single.

Maybe if I'd kissed her on the bridge... Maybe we'd be one of those couples having sex today.

I don't mean that she's easy or anything, argh shit. That sounded wrong. Why is it always like this with me when it comes to Maeve?

My thoughts are interrupted by a hand on my shoulder, I look over my shoulder for the answer as to who it is, and I see the reason for my pain: Maeve.

Before I can ask her what she's doing here when she's supposed to be with Jackson. She starts talking.

"That was quite a scene. You did very well."

Maeve says, smiling at me. I feel my heart

squeeze as I witness her smile so closely.

"I didn't do well at all. He could have been seriously hurt, and to begin with, I started the problem. So it's up to me to sort it out. It's the least anyone should do." I say nonchalantly.

"Yes, but you calmed him down. That settles it. You couldn't have imagined he'd react like that." Maeve reassured him.

I hesitate, thinking about what I could say right now. And after a few seconds, I decided to bite the bullet and speak.

"Otis?" Maeve asks me in response to my silence.

"Maeve, I think... I think it's best that... We, break up." I start to speak confidently, but as I speak, I lose energy as Maeve looks at me.

"What do you mean?" A confused-looking Maeve asks. I can see a certain sadness in her tone.

"I mean, this whole thing between us," I sigh, knowing that this conversation was long overdue. "I've liked you for a long time. That moment on the bridge meant a lot to me, I couldn't react well at the time and I just panicked. But before I could talk to you, you were gone. And now you've come with Jackson to the dance and pretended nothing happened."

"Otis..." Maeve is speechless, looking surprised by my confession.

"I can't just be your friend anymore, Maeve. It's too hard." I continued with a heavy heart. "Maybe we should go our separate ways."

I finished speaking and looked at Maeve for a reaction or response, but what I saw was Maeve struggling to find the words. But before she can organize herself, Jackson appears, with an angry expression and is just as drunk as before. Maybe even more so.

"Stay away from her, Milburn!" Jackson stammered.

"Shut up, Jackson!" Maeve retorted, her emotions now visibly conflicted.

Seeing the imminent conflict in front of me, I do what I've been doing best lately. I run away.

Before I could get very far, I heard Maeve's somewhat desperate voice.

"Otis, please don't go!" And I find myself increasing my stride. Almost running.

"Maeve!" I hear a faint, almost unheard wail.

"Stay away from me, Jackson!" Maeve shouts, and I hear her footsteps behind me.

Although I've been exercising regularly for a few days now, it doesn't change a life of sedentariness, well, apart from the bike. I quickly find myself out of breath and Maeve catches up with me. But we're already outside the school.

"Otis..." Maeve starts, but I stop her.

"Maeve, look... you don't have to satisfy me, okay? I know you have no feelings for me and I can't blame you for that. Because in the end, love is luck, isn't it?" I start rambling without looking at Maeve's face.

"And I understand you were choosing Jackson, he's perfect, isn't he? So please don't explain yourself... I don't want your pity or anything. I can handle it."

"Just, I can't deal with it right now! Seeing you two together... it still hurts. Because I still love you, very much. I just need some time alone, and then we can be friends." 

As soon as I'd finished saying everything in my heart. I finally look at Maeve. And what I hear is completely beyond my wildest imaginings.

"Otis, I want you to know that what I'm going to do now is because I want to do it because I feel I have to. " Maeve says, looking into my eyes with a determination I've never seen before.

"What..." I try to ask, but Maeve's lips are on mine before I know it. 

It wasn't a simple, chaste kiss, it was like a storm, a hurricane as if she wanted to show everything she felt in this kiss. And... I don't think there's any way I can get that sign wrong.

"What does this mean?" I ask cautiously, still afraid to believe that this is happening.

"It means that I love you too, Otis," Maeve tells me softly, her voice making my heart conceal itself. "And I want to make things right between us."

I can't resist her confirmation, and I lean in to steal a kiss, this time. The kiss is full of tenderness and affection, making me lose all anxiety in my heart. 

Maeve had been the reason for all my distress, and she was also the solution. Holding her in my arms feels like a dream I hope never to wake up from.

As soon as I part from her, I brush my forehead against hers and feel peace. Real peace when I feel her warmth.

I slowly pull away and find myself looking into her eyes, which are simply perfect.

"We can't stay here all night." Maeve interrupts the pleasant silence, but her voice is even better to hear.

"Why not? We can go to my place if you want?" I take a chance, I don't want to seem hasty but I don't want to waste another minute hesitating. In the end, I see Maeve smiling at me mischievously.

"You're in a hurry, aren't you? There's time for everything, Otis. First I have to finish with Jackson and make sure he gets home alive." Maeve, as always, is trying to help everyone.

"And... you still owe me a dance," Maeve says with her trademark smile. 

As we walk away, I hold her hand and look into her face with an expression that I'm sure is too silly. Reserved especially for her.

"All right. Let's dance." Suddenly, I found myself willing to embrace the moment, ready to see where this renewed connection could take us.

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