Shannon

Ah, I know where I'm going again! Hope you're ready to go for a ride!


"What a lousy start to the year."

Shannon dropped onto Eddie's bed. The first week had been a brutal roller coaster. Classes came started full tilt. She already had an essay due in her English and History classes and a project proposal for business. And the news about Jeremy and Cassie wasn't helping.

"You're being melodramatic." Eddie said bluntly.

Eddie had only gotten to Meredith and Fredrick's that night. He was still unpacking for his semester long stay. He unpacked an old wooly sweater and looked at it questioningly before tossing back in his suitcase.

"Maybe I am, but it still sucks." Shannon rolled over to watch Eddie unpack. "We have an essay due next History class by the way."

"On what?" Eddie asked without looking away from his unpacking.

"Life in the 1900's. It's all the text book. I can lend you mine so you can get it done." Shannon rolled onto her back and stared at the ceiling. "I was really excited to go back to school and now I don't know. When did I become one of those kids who hates school?"

"We all go through that stage at some point."

"When are you going to go through that stage?"

"I'm still waiting for it to happen." Eddie grinned.

After a moment of silence Eddie stopped unpacking and looked at Shannon. "So when were you going to tell me about Jeremy and Cassie?"

Shannon hugged Eddie's pillow rolled over again, her back to Eddie. "What about them."

Eddie sat down beside Shannon. "Amanda told me they were dating now. Is it true?"

"Yeah." Shannon hugged Eddie's pillow tighter.

"Do you want to talk about it?"

"No."

"Ok." Eddie stood up and went back to unpacking. "But if you want to, know I'm here for you."

"How can he go out with her?" Shannon blurted. Eddie stopped backing and listened. "I mean, after all the mean things she's done! Doesn't he remember the rumors she spread about me!?" Shannon buried her face in the pillow and made a silent vow not to cry.

"Well, you don't know the whole story. Maybe Cassie turned over a new leaf?" Eddie offered.

Shannon emerged from the pillow and shot Eddie a death glare.

Eddie rolled his eyes. "As highly unlikely as that is, it's still a possibility. Maybe you should do some digging around. Find out how they started dating and why."

"And how am I supposed to do that?"

"You have his number don't you?"

"Yeah." Shannon pouted.

"You're still friends right?"

"Right. Shannon was starting to see where he was going with this.

"Ask him!" Eddie went back to unpacking. "Just try not to be too obvious about it." Eddie added.

"You make it sound so easy." Shannon sat up on the edge of the bed.

"That's what I'm here for." Eddie smiled and finished unpacking. "Now, if you'd kindly relinquish my pillow."

Shannon handed Eddie the pillow. "I'm glad your back, Eddie."

"Hey, I can't leave my favorite cousin to deal with all this high school drama alone."