Shannon continued!

The next installment of Shannon's story!

I've said it before but bears repeating. I love writing this story. It's really fun! I think I'm starting to hit a stride with this one.


With no school to go to sleeping in was almost mandatory. The cold floor was such contrast to her warm bed that Shannon spent most mornings under the covers simply to avoid cold feet. Eddie had gone back home to his family and so the guest room was empty.

Shannon felt a little comfort in knowing that the house was mostly hers. Meredith and her would lounge around all day baking and chatting about what celebrity was in the news. The days had become lazy but fun. If only it could last longer than two weeks, Shannon thought.

On Christmas Eve the Bakers were all gathering for their usual Christmas Party. The family had grown a lot in the past years. Uncle Arthur's new child, Xavier was still just a toddler. Cousin Richard had just gotten married the previous year. Cousin Derek brought his girlfriend and her children. As was the custom they all piled into the smallest house, Fredrick and Meredith's.

Packed wall-to-wall with Bakers, the house was filled with noise and the heat of summer nights. Shannon had found a nice corner to quietly settle down in. She and Eddie sat on a set of chairs talking while Eddie played with his little brother.

"So hows your vacation going?" Eddie asked not letting his eyes off of Xavier who was sitting on the floor entranced by his own feet.

"It's paradise! I almost wish school wouldn't start again!"

"I never thought I'd see you be an advocate for truancy." Eddie laughed.

"I don't advocate truancy. I just don't like things that have no point."

Xavier stood up and looked at Eddie.

"Where's mom?"

"I think she's in the kitchen. Go find her." Eddie jerked his head in the direction of the kitchen. Xavier turned and fumbled his way through the crowd towards the kitchen.

"I can't believe how much Xavier has grown already." Shannon smiled at the toddler's awkward movements.

"He's always getting into mischief, you have to keep an eye on him."

The two sat silently enjoying the moment. Then Eddie's expression turned serious and he turned to Shannon. "What's going on with you and Amanda? Why are you two fighting?"

Shannon's expression immediately turned sour. She leaned back in her chair and crossed her arms. "We're not fighting."

"Then why are you ignoring her?"

"I didn't ignore her, she ignored me." Shannon countered.

"How?"

"All she ever does is spend time with her new friends! It's like she doesn't have time for her real friends anymore!"

"Her real friends? The one who didn't even say bye to her before Christmas break?"

"She hasn't walked home with us all year! She spends one day walking home with us and suddenly you're on her side? She's ignoring you too, you know!"

Eddie looked away.

They sat in awkward silence until Derek walked over, drink in his hand.

"Hey, Little Shannon! How's it going?" Derek bent over and gave Shannon and hug,

"I'm good. Hows being a role model?" Shannon joked.

"Oh, I'm totally not cut out to be a parent. The other day little Mac was playing in the park. He hurt himself trying to ride those bouncy thingies. You know, the ones that are ugly shaped animals on giant springs? Anyway. He was standing on one and fell off, hit his head. Little dude was crying for hours! I couldn't help but laugh!" Derek chuckled and took a sip of his drink. "I tell ya, if Elise hadn't a been there the kid would still be crying. I'm like, the WORST parent ever!" He paused a moment. "Well, not parent, but you get the picture." He sipped his drink while Eddie and Shannon laughed at the story. "So, Shannon. You have a boyfriend yet?"

Shannon tried to hide he blushing face by laughing. "NO! I'm too young still."

"What!? Come on! Cute girl like you I bet all the guys are banging down the doors! Even little Eddie here has a girlfriend."

Shannon looked over at Eddie in shock. He hadn't mentioned any girls, ever.

"That's gotta be a lie."

"I wouldn't put it past the little weasel. Bet he made her up."

Eddie stood up. "I should go find Xavier and make sure he's not getting into trouble." Eddie wedged his way past Derek and disappeared into the crowd.

"Just like that he runs off. He's totally a liar." Derek laughed. "I should go find little Mac. Make sure he's not getting himself hurt." Derek walked off spilling his drink as he went.

Shannon knew Eddie, and she knew whenever he lied he defended his lie to the death. He was stubborn that way. She just couldn't believe that Eddie would hide something like having a girlfriend from her.