Page 65 of Pixie Problems

"You're not going to tell me why I'm going to the nurse?" I huffed.

"Because I'm here!" Aspen realized. "So, birth control?"

"This is my decision," Liam told her. "And Bracken's. As her parents, we think it's better to be safe than sorry."

"Because she kissed Keir," Aspen bragged for me. "Yep, good idea, Liam. If she's already on it, then - " She quickly shut her mouth.

Which made Liam laugh. "I'm not that sort of father, Aspen. I know how your people are. In case you forgot, I met one when I was around your age. Both of you."

"So, I get to cut my detention class to see the nurse?" I asked. "How'd you swing it? And does this mean I'm getting the whole exam thing?" I made a face to show what I thought of that.

"This is a fae nurse," Liam assured me. "There will be a checkup, but since I had no need of birth control, I'm not quite sure what it entails. If it's anything like the STI protection, it'll be easy."

"Condoms?" I asked.

Which made Aspen lean in and fake-whisper, "Magic."

"Wait, what?"

Aspen and Liam both nodded, but it was Dad who replied, "Rain, when we have access to magic - which works better than condoms and is a lot less likely to break or have side effects like hormones - why wouldn't we use it?"

"So I'm getting a magical exam?" I asked, making sure I was keeping up.

"You are," he assured me. "And birth control is not permission to sleep with anyone you want. There are other risks to consider besides pregnancy and diseases." He looked over at Aspen, making it clear this was for both of us. "Having sex with someone is a vulnerable thing, and not all partners will respect that. You girls need to make sure you're ready, respect whether or not the other person is, and do your best to listen and check their boundaries. Consent is vital, both for you and them."

"I know," I groaned, having gotten the lecture in almost all of my foster homes.

"But," Liam went on, "I'm here to listen, not to judge. You both are old enough to make your own decisions. All I'm saying is that if you're worried - about anything - I am here to help you work through it. And if someonehurts you in any way?" He pointed to his chest. "This is a judgment-free zone, ok?"

"Yeah?" I asked.

"Promise," Liam said. "I know growing up is hard. Dating is harder. Doing both while trying to figure out your sexuality and limits? This is not something either of you need to do on your own. So talk to me. About boys, about girls, or even about boys your girl is flirting with. Can you both agree to at least keep that in mind?"

"Yes!" I hurried to say.

And beside me, Aspen was nodding. "Yeah, I can agree to that." But she looked over at me and smiled. "I'm pretty sure you got the best dads in the entire school, Rain."

Those words were enough to make Liam puff up just a bit, but she was right. He was pretty amazing for a dad. I still had to remind myself this was real. He was mine, and this sure felt like a fairytale - or maybe even afaerietale.

Chapter Nineteen

RAIN

The next day was a repeat of the last. Ms. Rhodes worked me to exhaustion in first period, so I was drooping in second. This time, however, Aspen gave me a couple of Pixie Styx. They were enough to keep me going until lunch, when I loaded up on the carbs. Fruits, sugars, pasta, and a little piece of cherry pie to top it off.

I also went out of my way to make a big deal about my sword to both Tag and Bracken. Tag, however, agreed with me on my zez being a moron about it. She said it with a smile and in her own fake-grumpy way. Bracken just asked if he was still in trouble for it. When I realized how many faelings were in my class? I decided he had a point, so no. I both appreciated what he'd done and was embarrassed he'd done it forme.

But once my Defensive and Offensive classes were over, Bracken pulled me aside. "Liam said he has another appointment for you today."

"No class?" Keir asked, coming to join us.

"Not today," Bracken said. "Tomorrow, she will."

"I have to see the nurse," I explained.

Keir quickly looked at Bracken. "Do I want to know?"

"Nope," he said, "you do not."