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ADA
"SOMETHING IS SERIOUSLY WRONG WITH YOU."
Mario wasn't good at hiding his feelings from me.
One good look at him and I could tell something was wrong. Not many people knew this but Mario was like a baby behind closed doors; he needed attention, he needed physical care, and he needed sweet words of affirmation.
I gave all these things to him without reservation because I knew he needed them. I also knew that I was Mario's solace and his entire world-I was beginning to realise more and more why that could be a problem as our lives evolved and moved forward.
"I don't know what you are talking about," My best friend grumbled sulkily, burying his face deeper into the softness of my lower abdomen, "I'm fine."
He didn't sound fine.
He'd knocked on my door first thing in the morning, lay himself across my lap and clung onto me for his dear life. Mario only got this cuddly when he was suffering a wordless misery or helplessness.
"You know you don't have to lie to me," I sighed, running my fingers docilely through his big soft curls, "If there is anybody you can speak to, it's me. Remember that."
"I know," Mario's response to me was low and almost inaudible, his arms squeezing around my waist in acknowledgment, "I know you are always there."
I could practically feel melancholy weighing down on my best friend and Mario hardly ever got depressive spells. I knew Mario suffered a lot in silence because he didn't like talking about his feelings aloud but talking aloud helped. It was what he needed. Keeping in all the bad turmoil was unhealthy.
"Good," I said, leaning back against the head of my bed, "So then talk. I can't stand you like this."
I heard Mario release a low exasperated groan at my insistence. "I said I don't wanna talk." He whined like a toddler, "Please don't make me."
I frowned at him. "Well I can't help you if you don't wanna talk," I reprimanded him, tugging on his hair, "Also my thighs are about to get numb with your fat head on it."
Mario forced out a chuckle against my skin in response to my complaints, pressing his head deeper into the cocoon of my body. "It's your fault that you are so comfortable to lay on," His arms tightened around my waist as if to tell me he wasn't letting go anytime soon, "You're helping just by being here, Addie. Your presence is enough."
