Before Me, Him

Chapter 36

     It all connected inside my head. So Polly was indeed searching for something in my bag and found the picture in my wallet, in a really small and secret pocket I had placed. Words cannot begin to describe how angry and pissed off I was, I felt like screaming at her because in the end, who does she think she is to be meddling in other's people's affairs?!

     - Yes. – I answer while clutching my fists. I was so mad.–What happened to you that made you become like that?

     - I was abused. – she says after exhaling some smoke from her cigarette. She hands me the photography. – Who is William to you?

     - My brother. –I glare at her while I place the picture safe in my pajama pocket. Next time I need to be more careful even though I really don't know where else I could place it. – Who...?

     - Alright I lose. – Polly pats my shoulder interrupting my question. She didn't want to reply to me so I guess it was really something that was problematic to her. – Since you won I will do something you want.

     - Then don't mention this picture to anyone. – I look at her as she erased the cigarette. Her head nods. – Polly, when are you going back to Russia?

     - Who knows... - she gives me a hurtful smile and goes inside.

     I see Polly lay down next to Emily and I leave the room. It was late, really late, around two am or something. I let out a sight. Somehow I'm finding myself more attached to Polly, I feel like I relate to her in terms of social distancing. I was never good at having friends or showing my emotions so I only said and interacted enough with people for them to consider me a temporary friend, that is all. Of course, I never considered them my friends, that thought never crossed my mind, even for one second. I guess I still have a lot to learn.

     I go to bed and fall asleep. Soon enough the sun was shining bright and I realized I had fallen asleep. I call Robert and tell him about what had happened which he ends up replying with a kind "It's alright!". I hangout the phone and walk towards the bathroom. I needed a shower to refresh my tired mind from all the confusion from the past weeks.

     Once I'm done I get dressed and go downstairs to see Emily making some toasts with melted butter, blueberry jam, and maple syrup. If they were all with these ingredients I'm pretty sure it would be a wacky combination but thank god they were separate toasts. Sometimes Emily would wander around and do a really weird sandwich combo so someone always needs to be prepared for impact.

     - Good morning. – I say while patting her blonde messy hair.

     - Morning, June! – she gives me a smile. –Have you seen Polly?

     I nod. Supposedly Polly was with Emily the whole night.

     - I'll go search for her alright?

     The gardens were empty and the floor we were on had no signs of her. "Did she went back home already? Without saying anything? That's kind of rude." I think to myself. As I walked to the first floor I start hearing some sobbing coming from Emily's room. I slowly open the door and find Polly crying on top of her bed. "So she was here after all." I let out a sigh of relief. After sitting next to her I place my hand on top of her red hair, patting it softly. I've never seen this side of her. Don't want to sound rude but it is interesting since she never acts like this. Part of me was curious about this unknown Polly.

     - Are you ok?

     Polly doesn't reply. She just sobs softly as more tears start flowing out of her blue eyes. I just sit next to her for some time, petting her head until, finally, after five minutes her crying stops.

     - No, I'm not ok. –she lifts up her head and cleans up the leftover tears with her hands. –What would you do if you had to go to a place you hated?

     - That's a very vague question but I guess I would fight it and try my hardest not to go. – I remove my hand from her head and smile at her.

     - My dad wants me to go back to Russia. I've been delaying it. I don't want to go back. – Polly buries her face in her knees.

     - Have you talked to Dean about it? Can't you ask him to stay? – I question but she just shrugs. Polly had a peculiar personality, but she did have manners. – Talk to him. He is your family, I'm sure you will figure something out.

     Even though Polly is old enough to be independent I never heard anything about her financial situation, I don't know if she works or even if she has enough money to sustain herself. I also know nothing about her family situation so that doesn't help in my advice either. Dean will be able to help her a lot more than I can right now. I'm just making bets in hopes my positivity will cheer her up a little bit.

     - Are you hungry? – Polly nods as she lifts up her head and looks at me with her red eyes. – Emily made some toasts, let's go eat.

     I give her a smile while I get up from the bed. It was so weird seeing Polly like this, being honest and open. I guess people have these sides as well. No matter how hard we try we are a social species, we need help from others otherwise we might go lunatic. As I was opening the door I feel Polly grabbing my wrist and, once I look back I see her grinning with her face extremely close to mine.

     - How about we runaway together? – I shove her hand and open the door.

     - If you are good enough to make those types of jokes then go ahead of me! – I frown as she giggles and walks to the stairs.

     Gosh! Polly was most definitely a Pandora's Box, you never know what is going on inside her head. One thing is certain though, now I know that all of her weird comments are just her mocking me and playing with me so I don't need to take them seriously. At least I was able to be enlightened in some aspects of her.

     I reach downstairs to find Emily and Polly eating and chatting happily. I join them as I feast on some blueberry toasts. I really loved those.

     - How about we go to the beach today? We haven't been there in a while and the weather is really great today! – Emily asks filled with excitement. She truly loves the beach. I like it too but I don't usually go there that often. By yourself, the beach is kind of boring.

     Polly starts smiling straight away and talking three times as loud with her excitement. I just nodded, I'm not that anxious.

     - Alright I'll call them! – Polly runs upstairs to grab her phone. I assume she was going to call the guys. I let out a sigh thinking that another day filled with confusion is about to begin.