“don’t tell me they sent you out here to check on me?” mirren laughs, fingers twitching to reach for their vape. her parents held dinners like this all the time; inviting people they called ‘friends’ over purely for everyone to gloat and boast about their achievements. they were sick of it, had been for a long time, but tonight had been the last straw and had resulted in them walking out of the house. 

“in my opinion? you have to change your name and move out of the city to get away from all this. want a new passport? i know a guy.” then, as if she hasn’t just admitted to having some shady connections, she dips her clean finger into the batter she’s currently working on and holds it out towards them. “does this need more orange flavor?” 

“it looks like you need some help there... do you?” mirren really didn’t have the time to stop to help out someone else but she knew she’d only regret it later if she didn’t at least stop to ask. they were the kind of person to stay up late at night considering the events of the day and this would play over in their mind if they didn’t at least check in. “ —i really don’t mind.”

“i got these for you.” though now that they’re standing there with a bouquet of flowers in hand mirren can’t say what compelled them to pick them up. she thought that they looked pretty and they smelled good too... so perhaps she’d picked them up for herself. it felt a little silly buying flowers without a purpose though. so now, here they were offering them out with a sheepish smile.

events like these were a little out of mirren’s comfort zone which was likely something to do with the fact they weren’t the norm for her. it didn’t help when her girlfriend wandered off in whatever direction and left her alone to observe the room. it was fine, really. she didn’t need kinzie to stand beside her and hold her hand all night but there was part of her that wasn’t too thrilled about being left to her own devices either. not when she hardly knew anyone here. thankfully a familiar face soon came into view and she found herself greeting carden with a smile. “having fun?” 

in fact, that's a total lie. she's going to kill her, and then she's going to kill him. it's just like cameron, is the thing, so mirren really shouldn't be surprised. she is, though, beyond surprised that he has the audacity to stumble home drunk ( on a tuesday, for christ sake )  after supposedly just going for coffee with his sister, it's barely even 6pm. ‘ where the fuck have you been ?  and please, please spare me the bullshit, cam. ’  she doesn’t even bother with a greeting, her gaze totally narrowed on his slightly slumped form. it’s then she notices the tears in his eyes, which immediately have her springing into action. she practically lunges up from her place on the couch to get to him as quickly as she can, utterly confused by the sight. ‘ what happened ? ’