SUPPORTING 8

୨୧ ‣ CHAPTER TEN

NOBODY
WREN WELLS

➛ I WANT TO DIE. Aside from the fact that the entire table now knows that my 2 year old sister thinks i'm her mother, the proximity to the boy who consumes my thoughts also makes me want to jump out of the nearest window.

"Wren?" Riley says, grabbing me from my thoughts.
"Yea?" I turn my head to her, and she looks weary
"Mam's calling." She motions to my pocket, where my phone is vibrate and i didn't even notice.

"Oh right," i rise to leave the room.
"You could just answer it here, we don't mind." Edel smiles.
Clearing my throat, i sit back down and answer.
"Where are you right now!" Mams voice echoes through the phone, and i hold back a wince.

"Hi mam, we're at a friends house for dinner, like i told you this morning." I say, supressing the urge to scream.
"When are you coming home?" She asks, her voice breathy.
"I'm not sure, you know how slow i eat."
"We'll pick you up, ya da and i." I freeze.

"It's okay, i'm planning on going food shopping today, it would be a waste of time."
"I'll do it." Mam bites out. She doesn't know the kids food preferences, they won't eat.
"Okay." i force out, "I'll text you when we're ready."
"No you won't, i'll pick you up when i please. Send me the adress elouise."

She hangs up before i can reply. And i begrudgingly send her the Kavanaghs adress, mentally apoligising to them for the shitstorm coming their way.
"Mam's picking up." I croack out, my sisters going rigid beside me. I muster the courage to raise my head to smile and the family infront of me. They don't smile back.

"Is everything okay?" Joey asks me, i nod.
"Everything's grand." Was my curt reply.
"And da too?" Riley's quiet as she murmers her question.
"Yeah, they're food shopping now."
"Oh okay, that's great!" Taylor says, and we all share fake smiles, speaking volumes through our eyes.

The two girls beside me are terrified, last night was the worst it had been for ages. I took the most of it, but in the end, he managed to get ahold of Taylor. Riley was in the corner of the bedroom, holding onto the babies and soothing them as she cried her eyes out. Babies taking care of babies. I wouldn't admit it aloud, but i'm terrified. The poker face i put on for my sisters doesn't eliminate the trembles of my legs, or the way i flinch at any risen hand.

They broke me.
Therese Wells and Garry Wells have broken their daughter.
"You could put your food in a container and save it for later, if you want?" John sr. suggests and i nod.
"That would be great." i smile. I don't miss the unshed tears pooling Edel Kavanaghs eyes as she stares at me.

"Are you okay?" i ask, concern filling my voice.
"You are so strong." She mumbles, her eyes never leaving mine once. She knows. She flipping knows Wren. Run. RUN.
"For taking her food home?" Taylor jokes, and i laugh.
"Birdie, if something is happening, you can tell us." Tadgh whispers in my ear.

"I'm okay, stud." i whisper, not meeting his eye because i know deep down that the minute i do, i will cry.
"Stay here for the night." He suggests. This time i do meet his eyes, shaking my head. Then it hits me.
"Take the kids." I say aloud, heads turning to me.
"What?" Riley asks.

"You guys stay here for the night, the twins love it here, i'll go home and explain it to Ma and Da, they'll understand." I say, eyes locked on Taylors, pleading with her to agree.
"I'll come home with you," Tay says, "You'll be lonely at home and I'll help with cleaning from Mylos tantrum last night."

"What am i? Chopped liver?" Riley jokes.
"I'll be happy to take the kids for a night." Edel shrugs, "They are just the sweetest. And ofcourse you can stay, Riley love, anytime you want."
We continue to eat dinner, a healthy conversation flowing. Yet my food and Taylor's is in a containor infront of us as we anticipate a knock on the door.

And although it is expected, when loud thuds reverberate the house, all three of us flinch.
"I'll get it." Edel rushes to the door, where the sharp voice of our venom-laced mother is immediately within earshot.
"Hello." Mam quips, she doesn't even sound polite.
"Hello," Edel has equal spite laced in her voice, "Come on in." And with that, mam enters the dining space.

Mam has the same hair as us, except it has a faded bleach to it. She looks tired, just as a grieving woman would. Except the grieving should've ended 3 years ago.
"Elouise." She nods at me, and without another word, i rise from my seat. I don't bother arguing with Mam anymore.

"Which one is your friend." It isn't a question.
"Shannon. The brunette with blue eyes."
"Who are the boys."
"Her siblings."
"Why were your siblings invited."
"Because this family is nice."
"Taylor knows better then to mooch off others."

"She isn't." i bite out.
"Don't argue with me Elouise."
I clear my throat, not daring to look back at the table.
"Ri, Layla and Mylo are spending the night." Tay blurts.
"No they aren't, you have to clean the mess."
"I'm doing it." i bark, eyes darting to my mother.

She stays silent for a beat, eyes fighting an unspoken war of emotions, before sighing.
"Meet me in the car." She huffs out, bumping shoulders with Edel as she leaves the room.
"I'm so sorry." i immediately begin. "She's grieving, her mind isn't the clearest at the moment."

"Stop fucking defending her El!" Tay loudly says, grabbing our containers, "Arthur died 7 years ago, she needs to give up the pity act for fucks sake. You feel too much for a woman who gived you so much shit."
Taylor walks out, and i can't seem to breath.
"Call me if you need anything." i manage to get out, giving my very obviously terrified sister a kiss on the forehead. "Bye." i smile at the table.

"Wren," Tadgh rises from his seat, "are you okay?"
"I'm grand." My cheeks hurt from the smile i pull.
"No you're not," He whispers, and my eyes meet Taylors, who is waiting hesitantly at the door as Edel whispers something to her.

His warm hand touches my arm and i crumble, a singular tear falls from my cheek and a millisecond later i'm wiping it away. "I'm okay." I croak. Lies.
"Wren.." He says my name softly, attempting to coax me into an embrace. My walls are being crumbled. A loud honk is heard outside, jolting me away from him.

"Wren" I turn to my younger sister, and she nods towards the door.
"I'll call you." I whisper to the blonde infront of me, his eyes boring holes into my face.
"If you need me to get you, i'll be right there."
"Bye guys." i smile at the table of sympathetic glances.

"You don't have to hide." Shannon says.
"We should go." Taylor says, and i oblige, giving the twins both a kiss on the forehead before heading to the door.
"Sweet girl," Edel says, "Come get me if you need me."
"I will." i nod. I won't.

"COME ON!" Da yells, and me and Taylor hurry our way to the car. With one more encouraging glance to my sister, we climb into the backseat.

Fuck.