If you haven't already read chapter 1, I strongly recommend you do so before reading this chapter.
Again, this story is based on characters and relationships I created in a couple of visual novels. If you'd like to find out more about them, feel free to contact me.
CHAPTER 2
The week after the first meeting seemed to fly by. The rain finally stopped the following day. The sun came out and the whole world seemed to come back to life. Eve saw it as a sort of parallel. The world was almost reborn, washed clean from the rain, just like she and the members of the DLG were now free of the emotional ties that bound them. The sun shone down on them, embracing them in its welcoming warmth.
In the days leading up to today, Eve's family functioned as it normally did. Each girl was able to spend plenty of quality time with their father, each daughter dutifully sharing him with the others. Becky, as always, seemed to be more than accommodating in this regard, only requiring his "talents" a couple of times throughout the week. Their father always seemed able to give them enough attention to keep them happy and content. It's one of the reasons they love him so much.
Eve was also able to spend time improving upon the DLG club. With Daye and Kaylee now available to help, things went much easier. Together they were able to come up with several new aspects of the club. It occurred to Eve the other day that they were building a sort of handbook for the members. She smiled to herself, thinking, "Amy is gonna love this. It's just like Scouts."
Daye and Kaylee eventually did write their letters. Kaylee, with her heart permanently attached to her sleeve, offered hers to Eve to read. She obliged. It was very sweet, talking about how a childhood crush developed into a much deeper, adult infatuation, which then became the love that she feels for him today. Eve felt a pang in her heart because they had just found out that Kaylee was their father's daughter about six months ago. How many years had gone by for her with no Daddy at home? Poor thing.
Daye was not as open with her letter at all. "No. Not gonna happen. I don't do gooshy stuff, and you know it." This is how Daye responded after Eve asked if she could read her letter. Eve knew her sister well enough to know, that while Daye didn't "do the gooshy stuff", there was probably a lot of gooshiness in that letter. Dayton loved her Daddy, and that was not up for debate.
She hadn't heard much from the other girls. She received a couple of texts, one from Lily and another from Shelby.
Lily just wanted to let Eve know that her Daddy was going to be moving in with Lily and Kim after reading her letter, and that she hoped that Eve, Daye, and Kaylee wouldn't have too much trouble finding jobs to support themselves in his absence.
Meanwhile, Shelby sent Eve a message thanking her for starting the DLG and for inviting her to become a member. She expressed her gratitude for the new perspective Eve had given her, helping her see that her feelings were not something to be ashamed of, and that she eagerly anticipated the upcoming meeting. She would be there, letter in hand, ready to share her deepest feelings about her father and earn her two charms.
Now, the day had come. It was Tuesday, and the second meeting of the DLG was just a few minutes away. Eve, Daye, and Kaylee seemed to buzz with anticipation all afternoon, pacing the house, cleaning, trying to distract themselves however they could, waiting for the time to arrive.
Their father was out with Becky again. "Taco Tuesdays" at Shooterz, as usual, followed by a movie and other activities at Becky's house. Eve laughed internally, "Old people," she thought, "always so predictable." The fact that she only thinks of her Daddy as "old" when he hangs out with Becky is completely lost on her. Eve does find it interesting that Becky would want to keep the sexual side of their relationship so separate. Eve wonders why this is, but dismisses it as Becky being Becky.
At 6:45, they start to get more antsy.
"What do you say we order pizza for tonight?" Daye asks excitedly.
"Sure, pizza's always good," Eve agrees.
"Can we pleeeeeease have pineapple on one of them?" Kaylee begs.
Daye makes a nauseous expression, "Ugh! Barf! Fine, but keep that abomination across the room from me."
Eve interrupts tapping on her phone, "How many pizzas? Two? Three?"
Daye fakes a dubious look, "Yeah, I guess make it two real pizzas and whatever that thing is that Kay wants." Kaylee looks at Daye, clearly annoyed by Daye's comments, but Daye breaks into a big grin. "Just kiddin', kiddo." And they both giggle.
While Eve orders the pizzas, Kaylee and Daye head downstairs. They have transformed the basement into a cozy little nook. Strings of Christmas lights twinkle and blink, casting a warm glow throughout the studio/gym. Some ambient, soothing music plays softly from the speakers. The room has gone from a place of exertion and toil to a place of calm and relaxation. Eve hopes this atmosphere helps nurture a more open and free conversation within the club.
They fidget and nitpick at different decorations. Eve erases and rewrites a few things on the mirror. Finally, the doorbell rings.
"I got it!" Kaylee cries and bolts up the stairs.
From downstairs, they hear Chelsea and Shelby come in. "Hey girl! I've been sho exshited all week! I can't wait to show you and Evie my letter. Shelby wrote one too! She didn't want to at firsht, but then she deshided to write one anyway. She hashn't let me read it, though. I hope she changesh her mind. How have you been? Have you written a letter? You already have the quill charm, sho I guesh you wrote him shomething shpecial a long time ago. I wash jusht telling Shelby, I love your Daddy sho much, I jusht wanna-"
"CHELSEA!!" Shelby yells. "Jesus, we're hardly inside the house. Put a lid on it, sis."
"Shorry," Chelsea says guiltily, "I know I talk too much. I can't help it."
"Naw, I'm sorry. I shouldn't yell." Shelby puts a loving arm around her sister and walks her to the stairs.
When Chelsea sees the room, she stops in her tracks, eyes wide and mouth open in surprised glee at the decorations.
"Oh my heavensh!" She whispers. "Thish ish sho pretty..." Amazingly, she is speechless. She walks around gently touching the light strings and admiring herself in the mirror.
"'Sup, bitches!!" Lily calls as she strides into the basement. With the four-inch platform shoes she's wearing, she may only come to five feet tall, but her attitude gives her at least another foot.
"What happened in here?" Lily asks, "it looks like a Christmas tree exploded...I like it!"
Daye looks at her and says with a look of satisfaction on her face, "Me and Kay did it. I think it turned out pretty nice."
"Sho nishe." Chelsea echoes.
They all take their seats. Eve stands at the podium, with Daye and Kaylee seated in a chair on either side of her. She looks at her phone. It's two minutes after seven.
"Where's Amy?" she asks.
Everyone looks around the room, shrugging.
The doorbell rings.
"I'll get it!" Kaylee shouts again, springing from her chair and racing up the stairs.
They hear a muffled conversation and then slow footsteps back down.
Kaylee comes in carrying three pizza boxes.
"Um..." Kaylee says with a concerned look on her face, "I saw Amy's mom drop her off."
"Oh, okay, good," Eve replies.
"She's got someone with her."
Daye, out of patience, stands up, "She what??"
Just then, the sounds of two sets of footsteps can be heard coming down the stairs.
"He-ey!" Amy's voice calls from the stairwell.
"What the fuck..?" Daye says under her breath.
Amy and another girl walk in. This new girl looks vaguely familiar to Daye and Kaylee.
"Hey, everyone, this is Mila. She wants to join," Amy says with a big smile.
"Who the hell-" Daye starts, and Eve holds up a hand, silencing her.
"Hi, Mila. Welcome. I'm Eve." Eve says warmly and extends a hand.
Mila takes Eve's hand and shakes it quickly and nervously. "Hey," Mila says quietly.
