Shameless, Reckless Love (GirlxGirl)

Part 3: Chapter 11

"Hey." Mitchell says to Lib as she bustles into the pub in her throw-over hoodie.

It was the after party of Ricki and Sebastian's wedding at the local pub, The Alibi Room. Everyone was having a loud, rowdy time together with the cheap food, 50% off beer, and the indie folk radio station blasting. There were rows of people, drunk dancing or falling while laughing. The ruckus was just about sickening for Mitchell.

But the rowdiness was the very least of Mitchell's concerns at this party.

"Hey." Lib says back to him. She looks around, taking in the musty scent of testosterone, and then puke from the pub bathrooms down the hall. She wished the idea of this party was never even thought of. "I got your text." She continues. "Where is she?"

Mitchell then sadly points across to the brewer's counter table. Sitting in one of the high stools is Eden. She's hunched over the counter with her arms sprawled out to the sides. There are about 7 tall empty glasses around her, all with the same foam excess on the inside of the glass. She was so still. Her hair looked a bit matted in the front. She must've been in that position for a good ½ an hour.

Lib shakes her head miserably and passes through the drunken couples to get toward her sister. Mitchell follows right behind her.

"She's been like that for hours now." Mitchell informs Lib as they walk. "I can't even get one clear word out of her. Do you really think you could help her get home?" Mitchell worriedly asks.

"I know I can." Lib promises. Finally, they approach Eden. She smelled of despair. Lib taps Eden quickly on the arm and on the shoulder. She definitely wasn't asleep since her eyes were open, but she clearly seemed detached.

After a couple of more taps on her shoulder, Lib lowers her head toward Eden's ear.

"Hey, Ede. It's me, kiddo." Lib softly calls. Eden blinks after this. It takes her a moment, but she soon begins to lift her body up even though it was difficult to do so. It was like a cinderblock had been placed on top of her spine.

She looks around like she's been snatched up and taken to place she can't recognize. Then her eyes finally land on Lib.

"Lib?" Eden's scratchy voice asks. "What're you do here?"

Her words were slurred and she had dark circles around her eyes. Lib didn't want to look at her sister like this. It reminded her way too much of their mother.

"I was just about to ask you the same thing." Lib responds. Eden's eyebrows raise and her eyes look shaky. She swings her feet around and lets them dangle just an inch above the floor. Eden looks at Lib again but her attitude changes. She starts staring at Lib as if they've all been standing there for hours rather than a few short seconds.

"Oh, Lib!" Eden says, gathering up some hidden liveliness. "Wanna know something crazy, Lib?" Eden sways in her seat a bit. Lib is more concentrated on making sure Eden won't fall out of the chair rather than answering Eden's question. "Ricki got married. To a man!" Eden giggles uncontrollably, but Lib can tell it's one of those laughs people make when they're trying hard not to show someone their depressed. Lib's face starts to look nervous.

"Eden..." Lib starts. "I told you not to come here. Remember that?" Lib reminds her.

"Is she gonna be alright?" Mitchell asks off to the side. But before Lib can even make some reply, Eden twists too hard in her chair and she stumbles off of it. Luckily, Mitchell and Lib are quick enough to not let her hit the ground too hard. Lib does more of the lifting and puts Eden's arm around her own shoulder.