Chapter 17 Eden
Eden
We totally got busted for skiving class. Worth it. Thankfully I’m killing English, so Mrs Parker wasn’t too hard on me. Sloane wasn’t so lucky. Her algebra teacher, Mr Roper, handed out an extra piece of homework, much to my girlfriend’s dismay. I’ve offered to help her do it.
We both agreed it was worth it, though. I mean, we did…
stuff. Really hot and scary as fuck stuff.
My heart was in my throat the entire time.
I wasn’t expecting it. The only thing I had on my mind when I arrived at school was bragging about my jogging accomplishment.
But then Sloane looked at me like I was her breakfast. I was powerless to resist.
As soon as she hitched her leg around my hip, I lost control of myself.
My hips took on a life of their own, and from the result, I’d say that was a good thing.
Listening to Sloane’s breathing become ragged and her chest heave nearly undid me.
I felt myself careening to the edge, but managed to hold myself back.
My goal was to make it great for her. I didn’t want to be the partner who couldn’t get my girlfriend to finish because I was too busy getting my own happy ending.
The conversation afterwards is still floating around my grey matter. Not the bit where we awkwardly asked each other if we were okay and enjoyed it. It was, and we did.
No, the conversation about college is the one I’m still stuck on. Sloane was right, though. We did need to get everything out in the open. Learning about her college choices over dinner with my parents wasn’t great.
But we talked, and now we’re on the same page. No matter where we end up next Autumn, we’re going to give long distance a try. I can’t lie, the thought makes me nervous. Will we have been together long enough to weather the distance? It’s going to take some time to process the idea, I guess.
We made it through the rest of the day without getting in any more shit with faculty. Now I’m waiting patiently for her to come over so we can get her extra homework out of the way and then maybe…you know, explore a little more.
Before that, though, I need to find Jenna. Sloane’s cryptic advice left me curious. I suspected Sloane was a sapphic witch. Now I know for sure it’s true. To get through to Jenna is a damn miracle, especially coming out the other side unscathed.
Her door is closed as usual. Every atom in my body wants me to turn my arse around and leave, but I don’t. I’m worried about her, so I’ll take one for the Sawyer team and enter the dragon’s lair.
The knock goes unanswered. So does the second and third. Committing to the cause, I pound on the door continuously until Jenna rips it open with a scowl worthy of the most heinous Disney villain.
“What?”
She genuinely scares me.
“Can I come in?”
I can’t believe I’m voluntarily asking to enter her room. The only positive is Sloane’s approximate arrival is in less than half an hour. She’ll rescue me. I hope.
Jenna doesn’t answer, she just turns and storms into her room, leaving the door open.
Taking an experimental step inside, I sigh in relief when I’m not incinerated by Jenna’s fire and brimstone. In fact, she looks kind of nervous. What the bloody hell did she say to Sloane?
“Can I sit?”
With a terse flick of her head she acknowledges my presence.
Sitting, I take a deep breath. God, this is awful.
Where is my cute li’l sis? God, I remember the days when we did everything together.
I couldn’t wait to be a big sister when Mum told me she was pregnant.
From the second Jenna arrived home from the hospital I adored her.
Growing up she followed me everywhere, and I loved it.
I never thought of her as annoying. We would have epic film marathons, sneaking out of bed after lights out and watching movies Mum and Dad wouldn’t approve of. It was great.
Then puberty hit and Jenna all but disappeared. Well, the Jenna I knew. She stopped talking to me. There were no more film nights or laughing together. It really fucking sucked. So if this is my chance to get a little bit of that life back, I’m gonna take it.
“Okay, I’ll get straight to the point. Sloane suggested we should talk.”
“What did she say?” Jenna shoots. Her voice is full of venom, but I can see it’s rooted with worry.
“Nothing, just that you might need your big sister. Which I’m sorta hoping is true.
I miss you, Jenna. I know you don’t want to talk to me, or anyone for that matter, and this is probably akin to torture.
But just to let you know, I’m here if you want to talk.
I don’t even need to say anything, I can just listen. ”
She does the signature Sawyer neck scratch. I think she might actually speak to me.
“Sloane’s nice.”
Okay. I mean, yeah, she’s right. I doubt my amazing girlfriend is the topic she’s been struggling with.
“She is.”
“I…I want to join the cheer squad.”
Not what I thought she was going to say at all! Why wouldn’t she tell me that?
“Okay. Um, is there a reason you can’t?”
It makes sense why she would find it easy to talk to Sloane now. I’m just upset Jenna didn’t feel she could come to me.
Jenna huffs out a frustrated breath. “Are you, Mum, and Dad going to make fun of me if I do?”
“Whoa, why the hell would we?”
Jenna slams her hands down on the bed. “Why wouldn’t you? Cheerleading is preppy. Not edgy or cool like painting or listening to weird bands.”
I’m not following her train of thought whatsoever.
“Jenna. My girlfriend is a cheerleader. The captain, for God’s sake. Why would I, in any universe, have a problem with you following that path? What do art and weird bands have to do with anything?”
And then the worst thing happens. Jenna bursts into tears.
Full sobs, which are nothing like the rage tears we usually get.
She’s really upset. Risking actual bodily harm, I leave the chair and perch next to her.
She shifts away at first, but doesn’t resist when I pull her to my chest. Several snotty minutes later, Jenna finally calms down enough to talk.
“Hey, talk to me, Jen.”
Tangling her hands in the sleeves of her hoodie, she darts her eyes from her lap to me. “I just don’t feel like I fit in.”
“With who?”
“You!” she shouts, making me jump. “In this family!”
“Jenna,” I breathe out, completely shocked. I had no idea she was feeling this way.
“It’s true. I’m nothing like any of you. You’re impossible to follow, Eden.”
“Jen, you shouldn’t be trying to follow me. You’re amazing as you are.”
She scoffs. “Tell that to Mum and Dad. You’re the easy kid. I’m the difficult one according to them.”
“Jen, to be fair, it’s not easy with you.”
“Yeah, okay, so I’m moody.”
“And some,” I snark.
“Were you never a teenager?” she demands.
“I still am, but I don’t recall being so angry all the time.”
Throwing her hands in the air, she jumps off the bed and starts pacing. “Yeah, I’m angry. I don’t feel comfortable in my own home, Eden. Everything I say is reduced to my stupid hormones. Sometimes I have problems that I’d like to talk to someone about. I’d like to be taken seriously.”
I’m speechless. I really had no clue she was feeling this way.
“Jenna,” I begin softly. “I’m sorry. Really.
I just assumed you were angry at the world because you’re fourteen, but that’s no excuse.
I should’ve tried harder to check in. I want you to talk to me about anything.
I promise you, no one in this house will mock you for wanting to do something different.
If cheer is what you want to do, I’m behind you one thousand percent.
Sloane will be happy to help, I’m sure.”
“Yeah, she already offered.”
“Good. So, what can I do to help? Do you want me to talk to Mum and Dad?”
She stops pacing and faces me. For the first time in ages, Jenna is looking at me like I’m her big sister again and not the bane of her existence. “Would you?”
“Sure. Whatever you need, Jen.”
Another neck scratch? “Thank you.”
“And hey! Now I know you’re all into athletics and shit, you can help me!”
The eye roll is somewhat comforting. My pissy sister is still there. “I’m not getting up early.”
“Fair. I hate it. How about doing something else with me?”
Jenna picks up her Nintendo Switch and hands it to me. “Sloane asked me to lend you this.”
What is it with people changing the subject so randomly?
“Okay?”
A scoff. “Don’t be dim, E. You can play games that help with exercise. Sloane thought you’d find it more fun than just gym. She even suggested we could play together.”
Huh. That…actually sounds pretty cool.
“Bullshit, that was out!”
Jenna snickers behind me. “No, it wasn’t. You missed the ball completely, Eden.”
“I meant to because it was going out!”
“Not according to the ref.”
“Rigged. The game’s rigged. Or you’re standing closer to the telly, and my controller signal is getting blocked.”
Jenna falls about laughing as I pout. We’ve only been playing Switch tennis for ten minutes and I’m already pissed. I swing the bloody virtual racket, and my dumbass avatar misses the massive yellow ball every time. Jenna has won three games already.
As soon as she handed over the game console, I asked her to set it up in my room. Obviously, then we had to test it. Much to my chagrin, I’m crap at virtual sports as much as real ones.
“E, you have to time it. Not just flail around and hope you hit the ball.”
She’s enjoying my humiliation far too much, and I’m okay with it.
I can’t remember the last time we spent time together like this.
Jenna looks like she’s having genuine fun.
I still feel guilty for not knowing there was more going on with her moods than just being a shitty teen.
I’ll talk to Mum and Dad later this evening.
Looking back, I can remember the times Jenna stalked off to her room when me, Mum and Dad got onto a topic she clearly had no input on. Actually, I think we’ve done that a lot. Assuming Jenna would be as interested as us, not paying attention to her as an individual. That stops now.
My door pushes open and Sloane leans against the frame. “Hi.”
“Hey, babe. Just one second. I gotta kick Jenna’s arse at tennis.”
Five minutes later I’m ready to launch the fucking console through the window, but at least I hit a ball in this game.
“I think we know which Sawyer inherited the athletic genes in the family,” Sloane says, grinning. She walks up to Jenna and gives her a high-five. I can’t grumble too much because I get a delicious kiss.
“I hear this was your genius idea,” I say, nodding to the TV.
“Actually it was Bryce, believe it or not.”
“Bryce? Why would he suggest it?”
Sloane smiles at me like I’m clearly missing something and she finds my ignorance adorable.
“Because you have quite the following, Eden. Half the school wants to see you finish the 5k.”
I scoff. “More like fall on my arse.”
Jenna takes the controller from me and hands it to Sloane. “No, Sloane’s right. You’re the talk of Holcroft. Loads of people hope you do it.”
“That’s just weird. There have to be a million other things more interesting than this.”
Sloane shrugs. “I think it’s nice.”
“Mmm.” I don’t know what to say. Firstly, I didn’t realise my beef with Mr Ass Hat was so well known. I’m kinda proud, to be honest. Secondly, I knew Holcroft was a decent enough high school, but even I’m surprised how little shit I’ve gotten, and now the apparent support.
“Sloane, do you wanna play Just Dance?” Jenna asks, her fingers pulling at her sleeve again.
I should be irritated that my little sister is eating into my time with Sloane, but I’m the opposite. I love they’ve hit it off so easily. Plus, after several games of tennis, I’m actually sweaty and could do with a sit down. Maybe Pia’s right, and I am an old lady at seventeen.
“Hell yeah. Let’s do this,” Sloane replies with genuine enthusiasm. She dumps her bag by my desk and takes her place next to Jenna.
After a few minutes of scrolling through songs I’ve never heard of Jenna selects one with excitement. Sloane gives her an approving nod.
What I witness over the next four minutes is mind-boggling. I never knew Jenna could dance like that. She’s so confident and clearly in her element. Sloane is just as good, but her dancing elicits other feelings that I’ll tell her about when we’re alone.
“Fucking hell,” I blurt when the song comes to an end. Both of them are panting hard. Jenna has a shy smile on her face and Sloane is beaming at us both.
“You smashed it,” Sloane says to Jenna.
“That was awesome! Jenna, you absolutely have to try out for the squad,” I say. Sloane is nodding along. Jenna goes a little redder.
“Eden’s right. You’d be a great addition. Let me introduce you to the junior captain.”
Jenna looks from Sloane to me. Taking her sweaty hand, I look into her eyes. “Go for it!”
“O-okay then. Thanks, Sloane.”
“No problem. Now, as much as I want to dance the evening away, algebra calls.”
Jenna laughs as Sloane groans and thumps her head to my shoulder in defeat. She really hates math.
“I’ll leave this set up, E. Maybe we could play again soon.”
“Hell yeah we can. I’ll need you to teach me how to use it. What other games are on there?”
“Not many, but I’ll have a look at the store and see which ones would be good to buy. Mum and Dad won’t mind if it’s for something productive like getting fit.”
Pulling Jenna to me, I grin at her surprised squeak. I don’t care. I want a hug. After a moment’s pause, she snakes one arm around my waist and hugs me for just a second before pulling back.
“That was really nice to watch,” Sloane says when Jenna has gone.
Now I can finally give her the attention I want. My lips go straight to her neck, because after this morning, I now know how delicate and intoxicating her skin is in that area. She mewls with delight as I plant soft kisses from her shoulder to just under her ear.
“Eden, baby. I…Jesus.”
“Do you want me to stop?” I whisper as my lips brush her skin again.
“No. But yes.”
Smiling, I give her one last kiss and pull back. “Algebra.”
Scrunching her nose like she’s smelled something bad, Sloane steps back from me and hauls her bag to the bed. “Yeah. Stupid algebra.”