Meet the Howlters

Secrets

YEAR: 2040

[Delilah's POV]

"Hey," Winston whispered. "What are you doing up here?" he asked as he joined me on the roof.
"Couldn't sleep,"
"Mind if I join you?"
"You're already up here," I shrugged. "You see that," I pointed to the stars. "That's O'Ryan's Belt," I smiled.
"Did Stefi teach you that?"
"Yeah," I giggled. "So are you excited?"
"About what?"
"We graduate in two days stupid," I chuckled as I laid down on the roof. "Is Stef coming to visit?"
"Yeah, I think so," he mumbled.
"What's wrong? You don't seem excited,"
"What do you mean? I love seeing her,"
"I don't believe you. What's wrong?"
"Nothing! Now just drop it!"
"Damn, okay," I said. "When does Stef graduate?"
"Next month,"
"Why so late?"
"I don't know...guess what's just how Americans do it,"
"Weird," I mumbled.

We continued to stare up at the stars for another few minutes before Winston sat up and brought his knees to his chest.

"Are you sure you're okay?"
"No..."
"What's wrong?" He didn't respond. "Come on...you know you can tell me anything,"
"Stefi's pregnant..."
"What?" I gasped as I sat up.
"She told me last night..."
"You know I love you, so I'm gonna apologize in advance for the way I'm phrasing this but, how fucking stupid can you be? Didn't you wear a-"
"Yes! I did!"
"Then what the fuck happened?"
"I don't know! It must've broke!"
"How the fuck do you not notice it break!"
"I don't know! Stop yelling at me!"
"I'm sorry..." I sighed. "When did she find out?"
"She told me a few days ago,"
"Did she take a test or something?"
"No, she's just late,"
"How late?"
"Like three months late,"
"It took her three months to tell you!" I yelled.
"She's going to the doctor tomorrow..."
"For what?"
"I don't know...probably an ultrasound,"
"Dear god, how far along is she?"
"I don't know. When was the last time she was here?"
"Four months ago,"
"Fuck me..."
"Is she getting rid of it?"
"Why would she do that?"
"I don't know, Winston. Maybe because you're both seventeen! Oh, and because you're halfway across the fucking world!"
"Hey!" dad yelled from his bedroom window. "Both of you, get off the roof and go to bed!"
"But dad-"
"No buts!" bear yelled. "Go to bed!"

***

"Are you excited?" I smiled as I straightened my hair.
"I guess. Excuse me," he said as he grabbed his contacts.
"Are you nervous about seeing Stef?"
"Yeah..."
"Well, try and put that in the back of your mind until we graduate,"
"I'll try," he sighed.
"Kids! Come on! We want pictures!" Dad yelled.
"We're coming!" Winston replied. "Come on Dil,"
"Hold on,"
"Give me the straightener," he sighed.
"Here," I mumbled. He took it from my hands and started to straighten the pieces I wasn't able to reach.
"You look really pretty,"
"Thanks," I mumbled.
"I like your nails,"
"Thanks..." I smiled as I looked at them. "Zoe and I got them done yesterday after school,"
"Did you guys talk about your girl crushes," he teased.
"Shhh," I giggled. "Dad and bear might hear you,"
"I'll take that as a yes then," he smiled.
"Yes,"
"I still can't believe you haven't told them," he mumbled.
"You were the one who told me to tell people when I'm ready...I just haven't been ready..."
"Who have you told?"
"Well...there's you, Tyler-"
"Uncle or friend?"
"Friend,"
"Okay, go on,"
"Zoe, obviously, and Joe,"
"And Joe still likes you, despite the fact you might leave him for Hadley?" he joked.
"And Stefanie still likes you, despite the fact you knocked her up?"
"I can literally burn you right now,"
"Do it," I dared.
"Fuck you," he chuckled.
"And Joe and I aren't even together, we're just friends. You know that,"
"Mhmm," he smirked.
"Mhmm what?" I laughed.
"Just friends my ass,"
"Go fuck yourself," I chuckled.
"Kids!"
"We're coming!" We yelled.
"Come on, you look great," he said as he unplugged the straightener.
"We're gonna be late y'know," I smirked.
"Oh well, no time for pictures I guess,"
"Oh no," I sarcastically said. "What a shame."

***

The family arrived at the school about thirty minutes before the ceremony started; Winston and I were able to get our caps and gowns with time to spare. Everyone in the school was called up to the stage, one by one to receive their diplomas. After the series of annoyed applauds, it was time to announce the valedictorian.

"And the valedictorian for the class of 2040 is Winston Howlter,"
"Oh my god," I cheered as I hugged him. "Congrats Winnie,"
"Thank you Dil," he whispered. He cracked a smile and headed on stage to accept his award.

As he made his speech, the entire family, and Stefanie, were either recording or taking pictures. His speech wasn't too long, considering that he was never one for public speaking; he basically just accepted his award and sat down. After the ceremony, families started to crowd around the parking lot and just had a picture fest.

"Congratulations Winnie!" Stefanie cheered as she hugged him. "I'm so proud of you!"
"Thanks Stefi," he kissed her cheek.
"I'll be right back, I have to go to the bathroom," she said. "Winnie, can you show me where it is?"
"Yeah, come on,"
"Winston,"
"Yeah dad?"
"Have you seen your sister?"
"I think she's still inside with her friends,"
"Well, make sure she comes back with you,"
"Yes dad," he rolled his eyes. "Come on," he said as he showed her inside.
"Thanks darling,"
"No problem,"
"Hey," I called.
"There you are," he said. "Where have you been?"
"The toilet," I chuckled. "What are you doing in here?"
"Stef had to go I guess,"
"Probably throwing up,"
"Lower your voice,"
"Sorry," I whispered. "Can I ask you something?"
"Yeah, of course,"
"What are you got a do?"
"What do you mean?"
"I mean, what are you gonna do about Stef and the kid?"
"Probably go to California,"
"And leave me?" I cried.
"Dil-"
"Don't Dil me! You swore to me, when I had cancer, that you will never leave my side until we graduate college!"
"Well I'm sorry Delilah, my responsibilities are going to be needed elsewhere!"
"So you're just gonna throw away your life here? You're gonna throw away your scholarship, your friends, your family!" I screamed. "And...a sister who nearly died the last time we were separated..."
"Well Dil, you're gonna have to fucking get over it cause I'm not always going to be right next to you when you need me..."
"But you have been my entire life! Do you expect me to just accept the change like that?" I snapped.
"Yeah...I do..."
"You can go," I coughed. "Can go..." I lost my breath. "Go..."
"Come here," he sighed. I pushed him away and started to frown as I got my inhaler out of my purse. I gave myself my three hits and finally caught my breath.
"What's with all the yelling?" Stefanie asked.
"Nothing," I lied. "You okay?"
"Yeah, why wouldn't I be?"
"Cause Winnie told me what happened..."
"You told her!"
"I'm sorry! She's my sister! We tell each other everything!"
"That was personal Winston," she cried.
"I haven't told anyone if that helps," I whispered.
"It doesn't..."
"Okay...since a bug secret was told about you...it's only fair that I tell you a secret about me..."
"Dil, you don't need to do that," she mumbled.
"Well, I feel obligated to, so deal with it,"
"Dil, with it," Winston joked.
"I would be so fucking embarrassed if you were my dad," I laughed. "Well, might as well start training now, huh," I giggled.
"Yeah, about that," she pursed her lips. "Dil, if you don't mind, I was gonna tell Winnie in private..."
"Oh yeah, I'll leave...sorry..." I whispered. "Oh, by the way, I'm gay. Toodles,"
"Is she really?" Stefanie chuckled.
"She's bi. Anyway, what did you want to tell me?"
"So, I went to the doctors yesterday and," she started to cry.
"Wait," he said. "Before you go on, I need to say something,"
"Okay," she wiped a tear away.
"Remember, when we were little, we'd always say to one another, I'm gonna marry you,"
"Yeah," she smiled, "I do remember that,"
"Well, I was just wondering if you wanted to make that little childhood dream into a reality,"
"What are you saying Winston?"
"I'm saying," he whispered as he got down on one knee, "Stefanie Oakley, will you marry me?"