Circles - Post Malone

Sixty Two

"Edward, thank you but I don't even like tea. You have made me five cups already."

"Well I am sorry, if I am being honest I just don't know what to do."

"Maybe give the poor girl some space. You are smothering her," William says walking in and sitting on the couch with Dahlia and Edward. William had collected Dahlia from the alley and brought her straight to his studio where Edward had been waiting with pots of hot tea. They were two of the kindest people Dahlia knew regardless of William's temper, besides Dahlia thinks the temper is just a facade anyway.

"It's ok. I know you mean well," Dahlia says and then sniffles into her tissue as she feels a new wave of tears. "I should get home. I am sure you guys want to head off too," Dahlia says standing from the couch. Edward stands too, he looks very stressed and Dahlia feels a bit guilty putting him through so much. Looks like he is on the brink of tears too. "Wait, Dahlia...we know about Austin," Edward blurts out. "No. We suspect, Edward, and we don't get involved in other people's relationships - remember?" William jumps in. "Well I am sorry but I can't just stand here and say nothing!" Edward raises his voice at William. Dahlia waits for William to blow his top at Edward, his short fuse can't take much.

But he does not, rather, his face goes soft and he smiles fondly at him. "Edward, you have a kind heart. It's one of the things I love most about you. I adore you. But, darling - this is not your place, nor is it mine," William says. Edward sighs and nods his head, "you are right," he turns to Dahlia, "he is right. You just look in so much pain - I want to fix it," he says. Dahlia does not know what to say. Why do William and  Edward care so much for her? But she is not going to question it, she has lost so much today already. She will take their kindness.

"Sit down Edward and make me another cup of tea. I will tell you what's going on...maybe you can't fix it but it would be nice to lay my story on the table in a place I know I am not judged," Dahlia says. Edward sits down so quickly he almost gives both Dahlia and William whiplash. Dahlia settles down next to him and takes her locket out of her shirt and opens it, showing it to Edward. "This is my mother," she says. Edward gasps a little and smiles, "she was lovely, such kind eyes," he says. Dahlia looks at the picture and nods. Yes, her mother was lovely and then she talks. She tells them about her mother, about her grandmother, her father, and even about old lady Lucy. She tells them about the first time she ever saw Austin and about how he made her feel every time he kissed her. She tells them about how very, very much in love with him she is but that Aust does not love her...he loves Gina. He now hates her and never wants to see her again.

Edward cries, quietly, through her story. Dahlia is not annoyed because she knows Edward's heart is soft and sweet and his tears are not pity but genuine. Once she is done she half expects them to jump up and come up with a game plan - force her to do something. But they don't, they are quiet and sit in thought just processing what she has said. eventually, Edward turns to William, "William?" he says as if William has all the answers. William leans forward, resting his elbows on his knees. "We never had children...because I hated them, Dirty little shits with sticky hands. But if I had known I could have had someone like you I would have seriously considered it. Your father is a fucking idiot. I hope he dies in prison and you were right to not forgive him. I hate him -"

"That's enough love," Edward stops him. Dahlia lets out a little laugh. She loves that William genuinely hates her father as much as she does - maybe even a little more. "Right, sorry. I am getting sidetracked," William says. "What William is trying to say is that we have only known you for a short time but we adore you and we want to support you in any way we can. Austin-"

"Is not a conversation we are going to have with you. What is going on is between you and him-"

"But, William-"

"No. Edward, we have spoken about this and you promised. Now don't go back on what you said."

"Ok," Dahlia says standing up, her locket still open in her hand. "You two need to stop talking in riddles. What are you on about?" she asks. William sigh and gives Edward a pointed look then stands and moves so he is in front of Dahlia. "Sometimes the biggest barrier to seeing something is ourselves. We are our own worst enemy...we can hurt ourselves more than anyone else - and we often don't realize it until it's too late. Edward and I, the twins, Gina, Harry, and even Austin are heavily invested in you. You have made us all want to have you in our lives. So no matter what happens in your future please know that we will be cheering you on, we will be right behind you. We love you."

"Yes. We love you," Edward echoes. Dahlia's head feels like it going to explode they say that so easily - I love you. Like it's free to dish out. "Thank you," she whispers. She closes her locket and puts it back in her shirt where it is safe then puts on her coat. "I...love you too," she says. Edward giggles a little. "That looks like it was painful to say," he says. Dahlia smiles, "not painful. Just weird. I need to go...I have some things to sort out," she says and turns to walk to the door but stops and looks back when William calls her name.

"I think it may be wise to ask yourself with all the love you have around you why there is still no picture in the other half of your locket..."