2|| You

                                    

                                          
A/N: Here's chapter 2. Enjoy, people.
"And where have you all been?"
Iris fidgeted under Lisa's steely gaze. She glanced at the boys and subtly nodded. It's time. 
"We were reminiscing on old times, Lisa." Iris sighed and fiddled with the cuffs of her hoodie, averting her gaze while injecting sadness into her tone. "It's just... it's really hit me now that I'm never going to see my mother again. While we were talking, we decided to play tag-- just like we used to when we were kids-- and I tripped over and rolled down a hill into some gravel. Brandon got hurt trying to save me." 
"It's true." Brandon leaned all his weight against Damien, clutching his stomach with a free hand as if it had burst. "I am... most grievously ailed right now. Grievous. Horrible. Ouch, ouch." 
The idiot always had horrible acting skills. Iris scowled and glared at him behind Lisa's back. She quickly rearranged her expression into one of sorrow when she turned around. "It's... true." 
"I see." Lisa's brown eyes narrowed and she rounded on her youngest sons. "Oscar, Will? Do you have anything to add?" 
"It's as Iris said, Mum," Will answered, crossing his arms behind his back. "We were just hanging out and stuff." 
"We bought McDonald's as well!" Oscar nearly shoved the brown, paper bag into Lisa's face. "For you and Dad! Speaking of, where is he right now?" 
"Ah." Lisa glanced at Iris then exhaled and stepped back with a sudden drop of her shoulders. "He just got some news and isn't taking it too well. Don't worry, he'll be fine in a few hours, but it might be best if you kids avoid his office for now."
"That won't be difficult," Iris scoffed, unable to stop herself. "I don't want to see him ever again." 
A pained look spread on Lisa's face. "I'm not saying you have to, but I really think it would help if you two just talked--" 
"Already tried that," Iris interrupted, stuffing her fists into her pockets. "Look, I have nothing against you-- you're lovely-- and nothing against your sons, or even much against David's kids. I just... can't do this again. I got over having him as a father years ago, and I'd rather not have to go through the same process again." 
"David's kids," Julian repeated under his breath with a glance at his stepbrothers. He winced, "Ouch." 
Iris ignored the guilt pricking her conscience and excused herself to her room. Lisa continued talking to the boys, but she found she didn't care what they said. Once alone, she pulled out her now cracked phone and called Cole. "Hey, are you two okay?" 
"Oh, I'm perfectly fine." Faint yelling could be heard in his background. "But James' family just found out what he did... his aunt is the most pissed out of all of them. Not looking good." 
Iris chuckled. "Yeah, I can imagine." She paused for a moment, eyes skimming over the furniture: the desk with her school books stacked neatly on the side, the wardrobe which contained a few outfits from her old home, the small bookshelf which mostly held books Will had lent, and finally her own bed with a single, white duvet and fluffed up pillows. Nothing here was really permanent, as if she was a guest, and a sudden longing for her old life swept over her. "Hey, Cole... I'm sorry for dragging you and James into this mess. It wasn't fair of me to use Germany over you and I won't do it again so--" 
"Idiot." Cole scoffed. 
Iris blinked. "Excuse me?"
"I called you an idiot," he repeated, and she could hear the sound of a cupboard being shut followed by the rustling of packets. "And I'm adding moron onto it as well. You think Germany was why we did this?" 
"Well, I--" 
"We did this for you, because you're our friend, Iris." 
"Oh." A sudden knot caught up in her throat and she cleared it away with a cough. "We're... friends." 
"'Course we are. You know too much, after all." A crunch followed his words. "And as your friend, I'm going to give you one piece of advice free of charge: for the love of all things holy, please don't take on everything by yourself. I know you. You've probably shut out Jax and Harry, and you definitely won't take the help of your brothers-- which, I mean, fair enough I can't tell you how to deal with blood-- but Jax and Harry? They're your family. Don't be afraid to ask for help, even from James and I." 
"Thanks, Cole," Iris whispered. "I really appreciate you both. Tell James I said hi... if he survives, that is." 
He laughed. "I will. Take care, and don't be a stranger." 
Iris smiled. "You too." She cut the call and exhaled shakily. 
The emotions from the past few hours had swirled in her, but now they were much calmer. A newfound clarity draped over her. Her grief over her mother coupled with her anger towards the West-Browns had impaired her judgement, as difficult it was to admit it, and she knew she couldn't do this alone. If she wanted to find this Meredith, she would have to use every tool at that disposal. 
Strengthening her resolve, Iris dialled a new number. The first ring had barely started when it went through. "Hey, it's me... I messed up, and I need your help. Could we meet up?" 
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I hope you guys liked it! 
Stay safe and thanks for reading :)