Veiled Affections

Chapter 13

ALL RIGHTS RESERVED

Copyright © 2024 Cassey9

She lounged on the couch, her mind lost in a labyrinth as the faint sound of the television provided a dull backdrop to her thoughts. Running a hand through her hair in frustration, Mitch contemplated on her next move. She wanted to talk to Piper, to address what had happened between them, but feared that she'd once more lose herself to the desires that raged deep within.

"Of f**k! f**k this!"

"What! What's wrong sweetie?"

"Sorry mom," Mitch whispered sheepishly.

"Language, young lady," Mrs. Wilder groggily murmured before reclining further and getting back to her sleep.

"Still watching your movie, I see," Kurt chuckled as he dropped down next to his sister, a bag of Doritos in hand. "It must suck ass if it got Mom to sleep this early in the afternoon."

"Shut up. What do you want?" Mitch retorted with a hint of in her words.

"Nothing."

Mitch chewed on her lower lip, the question eager to burst out but lingering on the tip of her tongue, begging to be asked. "So..."

"What sis?"

"So, you and Piper? What's the deal?" Mitch timidly probed.

"What about us?"

"Are you two together?"

"No," Kurt responded, "Piper made it clear she didn't see me that way."

Her brother's words response her, catching her off guard. "What? When did she say that?" Mitch eagerly questioned.

"A while back," Kurt replied casually.

"Oh?"

"Honestly, I was hoping we'd get together soon. But who knows, sis? Maybe we'll get together in the end. Love has a way of springing up and surprising people," Kurt expectantly rumbled on. "What about you? Any upcoming dates? Love interests?"

"No. I... I enjoy being single, Kurt."

"You're weird."

"Whatever."

"I'm heading back to my room," Kurt muttered, grabbing the bag of chips and making his way out.

"Room? More like a dungeon," Mitch playfully jabbed, watching her brother ascend to his room. Alone with her thoughts once more, Mitch deliberated for a moment before reaching for her phone.

Hesitating for a while, Mitch's fingers hovered over the screen. Finally, she typed, 'Are you busy?' and hit send.

Kurt's words continued to echo in her mind as the familiar weight of guilt settled in her chest. A feeling that Mitch couldn't quite shake off. It was evident that her brother still had feelings for Piper, yet as much Mitch tried unravel her own feelings, only one conclusion came to the surface. She too liked Piper Sutherland.

Piper was a constant presence, both in her thoughts and in her life. She was drawn to her in ways she couldn't fully comprehend, then, there were the kisses they'd shared in a moment of weakness that still left Mitch yearning for more.

'Come over.'

The reply pinged in a few minutes later breaking Mitch's internal debate about the sheer wrongness of her actions. It served as a sudden zap back to reality.

'Now?' Mitch quickly typed down the word.

'Yes, now Wilder. Are you busy?'

'No.'

'Then come over.'

'Under one condition Piper'

'What, Wilder?'

'No kissing'

'Just talking,' Mitch quickly followed up her text.

'Sure'

"Mom?" Mitch softly called out as she gently shook her mother awake.

"What is it, sweetie?"

"I'm heading out," Mitch murmured as her mother sat up.

"Where are you going?"

"To see a friend," Mitch explained, rising from the couch.

"Okay but be back by dinner time."

"Yes and thanks, mom," she whispered and planted a kiss on her mother's cheek before hurrying toward the door. Snatching her car keys, Mitch stepped outside. Anticipation and anxiety warred within her at the thought of seeing Piper once more. Admitting her desire to kiss again made Mitch worry that she might once more succumb to the sweet and addicting temptation.

~~~~~~~~~

Piper's laughter bounced off the walls as she playfully flung her phone onto the bed. An excited squeal escaped her lips as she broke into her happy dance. Mitch was coming over and the thought of it sent Piper's spirits soaring.

"Room first, then shower," Piper whispered, her excitement still crackling through her veins as she gradually settled from the delightful frenzy.

Grabbing her bedsheet and fluffing the pillows, Piper quickly tidied her bed. Moving to the rest of the room, she attacked the mess with precision. Arranging her textbooks back onto shelves, picking up clothes strewn across the floor, and meticulously arranging her desk. Pipers movements were swift and ones filled with excitement.

She yanked the curtains apart, allowing the sunlight to flood the room. For the final step, Piper spritzed a floral-scented air freshener, letting the fragrance waft through the room. The aroma danced in the air, filling every every nook and cranny with a cool, refreshing scent. Piper scanned her room, a grin of satisfaction spreading across her face at the neat and organized space.

~~~~~~~

Mitch shifted uncomfortably by the door, her finger hovering over the doorbell. She mentally went over the words she'd revised over and over to the drive here while awaiting someone to answer.

"Mitch?"

"Oh, Mrs. Sutherland," Mitch stammered, her nerves getting the best of her, "Good afternoon."

"Afternoon, Mitch," Mrs. Sutherland greeted, stepping aside, "Come on in. Here to see Piper, I assume?"

"Yes. We... need to... We need to talk about some school stuff. Ass... assignment," Mitch stumbled over her words, hoping it sounded convincing enough.

"Sure thing. She's in her room," Mrs. Sutherland nodded, gesturing towards the stairs. "Why don't you head up."

"Thank you. It's nice to see you again, Mrs. Sutherland," Mitch whispered, noticing the difference in Piper's mom. Seeing her sober was a welcomed relief, at least Piper wouldn't have to worry about her mom's state.

~~~~~~~~

A rap at the door snapped Piper out of her self-examination in the mirror. Her heart quickened as she dashed towards the door, anticipation fluttering in her chest. "Wilder?" Piper called out as she yanked open her bedroom door with fervor.

"Piper," Mitch whispered in a hesitant voice as Piper pulled her inside the room. She quietly complied, taking a seat on the bed as Piper settled beside her.

"Hey," Piper murmured softly, taking the vacant spot beside Mitch.

"Um, yes, talk," Mitch muttered as her nerves started taking over. She rose from the bed and began to pace as the rehearsed words slipped away.

"I'm listening," Piper murmured, watching Mitch intently.

"We kissed."

"Yes."

"Twice?"

"Well, if we're counting, three times," Piper shrugged, trying to ease the tension that was creeping up her spine.

"Three times? How? When?"

"You kissed me twice, once in the bathroom, then after the game..."

"I kissed you? Well you kissed me back."

"Yeah, Wilder. I won't deny that," Piper said quietly.

"Well, we can't do that again," Mitch said quickly.

"Why not?" Piper questioned pushing up to her feet too.

"You... You and my brother. He likes you, Piper," Mitch admitted softly.

"What? Kurt and I talked," Piper was quick to clarify. "Your brother and I don't have anything going on."

"I know, Piper. But you still could," Mitch softly suggested, though her heart ached.

"What?" Piper turned, her glare fixed on Mitch.

"You should go out with him. Maybe... maybe it would work."

"No," Piper retorted with a dry chuckle, "I won't. Remember what I told you before, never presume you could tell me what to do. Especially when it comes to this and my happiness."

Mitch stood still and completely tongue-tied by Piper's abrupt anger.

"If that's all you wanted to talk about, let me make one thing clear, I don't like your brother," Piper stated with ice in her tone. She strode towards her desk not wanting Mitch to see how affected her words made her. "And honestly, I wished I didn't like you too, Wilder. You can go!"

"Piper..."

"Leave!"

Despite Piper's command, Mitch hesitated by the door, feeling like her heart had shattered into pieces.

"I told you to leave?" Piper coldly said as she moved towards her bed. Maybe a bit of rest would help calm the anger brewing inside her. After a while she turned and found Mitch was still in her room. "Did I stutter?" Piper angrily murmured as she pushed up and out of the bed ready to get rid of her.

"Piper..."

"Leave!"

"No," Mitch countered as she headed towards her and pulled Piper close almost instinctively.

"What... what are you doing?"

"I... I don't know," Mitch whispered, embracing Piper tightly. "I hate it when you're upset."

"You made me upset," Piper murmured against Mitch's chest.

"I'm sorry," Mitch whispered as she planted a kiss on Piper's head. "How about I make it up to you?"

"Yes."

"What do you want? We can go out? Ice cream? Movie? Or..."

"No," Piper said taking a step back. She had the perfect idea forming in her mind. She smiled at Mitch and gently pushed her onto the bed.

Mitch sat up in surprise. "What..." the question died on her lips as Piper straddle her.

"How about we... we make out?" Piper suggested shyly. "I know you said no kissing, but that's what I want and you have to make..."

Mitch couldn't hold back any longer, and with a surge of emotion, she lunged toward Piper, their lips colliding in an intense, passionate kiss. Her hand eagerly found its way to Piper's thigh, drawing her in closer, intensifying the moment between them.

"Oh my god! Piper? Mitch?" Mrs. Sutherland exclaimed in surprise. "What's going on here?"

"Mom! Go away?" Piper mumbled embarrassingly as she pushed from her current position.

"Mrs. Sutherland, I'm sorry," Mitch murmured as she got up to her feet afraid to meet the other woman's gaze. "I'll leave... I'll go home. I'm sorry."

Piper silently watched Mitch hurry out of the room. Not glancing back at her even once.

"Piper?"

"Mom, please, not now. Go... go away."

"I heard loud voices then silence. I had to check if everything was alright, and I didn't expect to find... that."

"Mom... please," Piper murmured, sinking onto her bed.

"Do you have feelings for her?"

"If I answer, will you leave?"

"Maybe."

"Mom!"

"Yes, sweetie! I promise."

"Okay fine," Piper sighed, meeting her mother's gaze. "I really like her. Now go!"

"We need to discuss this."

"Mom!"

"Fine!"

As the door shut, Piper exhaled in relief and buried her head in the mattress, realizing she should've locked the door.