Shameless, Reckless Love (GirlxGirl)

Chapter 12 (cont.)

Later in the day.

As the afternoon came along since school had ended, Eden walks alongside Mitchell to her house. She wouldn't stop explaining the morning she had earlier. She didn't think her week could get worse. First, Ricki back in juvie, and now her damn father pops in again.

"I just can't get over how my dad shows up out of nowhere again, and with little to no explanation on why he left in the first place!" Eden goes on. Mitchell sighs, understanding Eden's dilemma by now.

"Is he staying this time?" Mitchell then asks.

"Like hell. He never does." Eden replies, however it's more painful to grasp than she thought it'd be.

"Sounds like a mess." Mitchell says, wrapping his arm around Eden's drooping shoulder.

"Yeah, no shit." Eden says, fully agreeing. She tries shaking the stress out her head, and decides to change the subject completely. "Heard any news from Lib?" Eden asks. Mitchell moves his hands to his pockets.

"Nothing new. She's still staying with Fabian's old flame." Mitchell responds. Eden forces a smile. "Do you think Lib will be okay?" Mitchell then asks.

"Yeah. Fabian said Steph used to sell cars for a living, not teenagers." Eden jokes, but Mitchell quickly nudges her in the arm with his elbow.

"No, Eden, I'm serious." Mitchell warns, and this surprises Eden slightly. "I mean, she's officially dropped out of school. As her friend and sister, what are we gonna do about it?" Eden looks down at the cement, trying to think, even though she knew her mind was entirely blank on suggestions.

"I don't know." Eden answers honestly, but almost too casually. Eden's eyes then lock onto Mitchell's wearisome look. "Are you okay?" Eden asks.

"Yeah." Mitchell plainly answers. "Just concerned." Eden then huffs her hair out of her face.

"Okay, you're right!" Eden admits. "I should be more concerned about Lib too. But hey, I think her staying away from home right now is for the best. I mean, imagine if she came back and saw that Mel was around again. She'd probably do worse than just drop out of school, right?" Eden says, trying to make the situation not as heavy as it was. "She'll come around, Mitch. She always does. Don't worry so much." Eden tells him, and pushes his arm playfully. Mitchell smiles, looking slightly better than he did before.

After a while, something else planted into Eden's mind. But, unfortunately, she could not shake this particular thought out her head no matter what.

"So! Um, how's- how's Ricki doing?" Eden asks suspiciously. Eden silently curses at herself for not being subtle with that question.

"I visited her last week." Mitchell then answers. "She went on and on about some cop that secretly cross dresses, and then she called me a fuckfart at the end of the day." He continues, and Eden laughs. "So I guess she's doing great." Mitchell says, laughing as well. "Why, did you want to visit her?"

Eden then feels uncomfortable again. The two of them arrive right at Eden's front porch now.

"I don't know. Probably not." Eden finally responds. "Ricki seemed pissed at me for... for something last time we spoke." Eden answers, and Mitchell makes a confused look.

"What happened?" Mitchell asks as Eden opens the door. But Eden cannot answer even if she wanted to since she was distracted by Mel in the kitchen with batter all over his face and clothes. The house was a bit jumbled, but Mel could make any place look disorganized just by his presence. Cora and Declan were making a bunch of noise upstairs, and Faye was just slouching over the kitchen counter.