Ariel

Ryder glares at me. "This needs to stop today. Tell the twins's dad, he needs to know."

"It will kill my mum," I say, wrapping my hands around my waist.

"It nearly killed Tilly and Tobias," Ryder hisses. "You can't cover for her anymore. She's not only putting her life in danger but your brother and sisters' lives too."

"It was one accident. If she'd hidden them better-"

"Do you hear yourself, El? You're covering for her which is allowing her to continue on like this. They didn't eat them all this time but what about the next time? What if your mum takes too much and goes on one of her manic episodes again? Or takes something to help her sleep and ends up sleeping through the twins waking up, again. Have you already forgotten the time when they couldn't wake her so they tried to cook pancakes because your mum loves them? They nearly burnt the apartment down."

"I stopped them-"

"But you're not always there. You can't be." Ryder places his hands on either side of my face and rests his forehead against mine. "I know this is going to separate the family you have but that doesn't stop them being family. You can still see the twins, your mum will still see them and most importantly they'll be safe. And you've always got me. I'm always here for you."

Large droplets roll down my cheek, and I wrap my arms around Ryder. He hugs me back and lowers his head, resting his mouth next to my ear. "You always said you didn't want anyone to live how you did so you need to stop this before something bad happens. Your mum needs help."

I nod and Ryder's arms tighten around me.

"Show me the video now, Kayla," Taylor shouts. 

I step back from Ryder and my eyes flick towards Taylor and Kayla sitting on a row of plastic chairs. I guess Taylor has been told about the video.

"Taylor needs you, there's loads of fucked up shit online about her. Heads up, she apparently fucked two guys."

Ryder's brow furrows but he doesn't seem surprised.

"You knew?" I ask.

"Ariel," a voice says from behind me. It's the twins' dad.

Ryder kisses me on the forehead. "Call me if you need me."

"Thanks." I turn to the twins' dad who is wearing a suit. I thought he was on his way to the airport for a last-minute holiday with his fiance. Who wears a fucking suit on holiday? He does, Mr Boring. This is what the twins will turn into when they live with him. Poor Tilly and Tobias.

"Boyfriend?" The twins's dad fiance asks while glancing hopefully at Ryder who is currently talking to Kayla and Taylor.

"No. Girlfriend," I say, pointing to Kayla. "FYI, she's really good at eating me out so my lesbian phase will probably last a little longer. I wouldn't want to miss out on good oral," I say sarcastically.

Ever since, I heard the fiance tell the twins' dad I was probably going through 'a lesbian phase' which I would 'grow out of' once I 'stop feeling the need to rebel against the system', I can't stand the sight of her.

"Ariel, that's not appropriate," The twins' dad says stiffly.

"Nor is asking me, when I'm openly into girls, if my best friend is my boyfriend when my brother and sister, you're children, are currently being looked at by doctors and being spoken to by social workers," I spit. 

I angle my body towards the twins' dad and ignore the fiance who pisses me off more than people who start a Wattpad story and don't finish it. "What took you so long?"

"We were at the airport and had already gone through security. It took a while to get back out," he says

"We're meant to be going away for a few days, just the two of us," the girlfriend adds.

"That's not happening. You'll be lucky to get one free day with just the two of you for the next fourteen years." I exhale slowly and feel a hand slip into mine. 

Kayla stands next to me and as much as her embarrassment of displaying any hint of our relationship in public upsets me, I can't fault her behaviour today. She came as soon as I called because Ryder wasn't answering his phone and she's been here by my side. And that's what really matters. Anyone can be affectionate and put on a show in public, but when it comes down to the difficult times a lot of people choke and mess up. Kayla hasn't.

"Ariel, what is going? Where are Tilly and Tobias?" The twins's dad asks.

"I'll take you to them but first I need to tell you something. It's about mum." I hold onto Kayla's hand and she smiles at me.

I've only known Kayla for a few weeks but I know she's empathetic, kind and understanding which means I trust her knowing all about my mess of a life.

***

Kayla allows me to rest my head on her shoulder and takes my hand in hers. I exhale slowly. Tonight has been a long night; it's only the start. The next weeks, months and possibly years are going to be tough. 

"What happens now?" Kayla asks.

She wasn't allowed to be in the talk I had with the social worker, or the doctors, or the police. Fuck, this evening has been a shit show.

"Mum's going to a rehab facility and Tilly and Tobias are going with their dad once they get the all-clear."

"And you?"

"I'm eighteen so I can stay at our apartment. I'll have to get a job to pay for the bills though. I don't know how I'm going to afford that," I sigh.

"Can't you stay with the twins's dad too?"

"He offered but I can't stand his girlfriend."

Kayla smiles. "She told me earlier, me and you are 'very pretty for lesbians'."

"I'm pretty sure she was last in line when God was handing out brain cells," I say flatly.

Kayla chuckles.

"You're not uncomfortable with all this in public, are you?" I ask lifting our intertwined hands.

"I get a bit conscious when someone looks, but I like touching you, Ariel, I enjoy being like this," Kayla says softly.

"Thanks for being here."

"Thanks for trusting me," Kayla smiles.

I want to kiss her but I feel like that would be pushing her too far too soon. Even I'm aware, people may be accepting of gay people but often they stare when you kiss in public, and more than one will make a comment. Our society still has its hang-ups and problems, I think we always will. However, people can overcome them. Now, I just have to hope my mum can overcome hers.