Unpredictable Connection

28. A Little Less Lonely

Irin's POV:

Weekend again.
But this... this feels like the most unwanted weekend ever.

Char is sitting on the couch, eyes on the TV — but not really watching.
And Becky's beside her with her laptop resting on her lap, long gone into sleep mode, and she hasn't even noticed.

I sighed.
I seriously have no idea what I'm supposed to do anymore. I get why Becky's sad — Freen is probably with that girl right now. But Char? What's with her? This look on her face... I've never seen it before. Like she's holding something in so tightly, trying not to break, but already breaking on the inside.

Jeez... what happened to my two girls?

I walked over and plopped down on the couch.
"Guys..." I said casually.

No response. Not even a blink.

I rolled my eyes and huffed, louder this time:
"You fools."

Both of them flinched and finally turned to look at me, brows furrowed in confusion.
Good. At least they heard me.

I got up and sat right on the tea table in front of them so I could face them directly.
"Sit up. In front of me."

They exchanged a quick glance, unsure, but they complied — just like I knew they would.

I reached out and held their hands, squeezing them gently.
"Listen... I don't know exactly what you two are going through. But watching you both sit here like ghosts? It's tearing me apart."

I looked at Becky. Then Char. My chest felt tight.

"We weren't like this. We used to laugh over stupid memes, fight over fries, sing horribly off-tune in the kitchen. What happened to that? Since when did we start hiding from each other?"

They looked down. Silent.

I softened my tone.

"Look... I get it. We all have our own problems. And maybe it feels easier to carry it alone, but it doesn't help. Bottling it up only makes the weight heavier."

They still looked unsure.

So I smiled and gently patted their shoulders.
"Just try, okay? Share it. Trust me, it'll feel better. Maybe hearing each other out will make it easier to bear... and a little less lonely."

Because I know them.
I know how much they overthink when they're quiet.
I'm not trying to force anything. But I just... I can't stand seeing them like this.
They're my family. And I need them to smile again.

I saw Becky look up, her voice barely a whisper, "I... I can't, Irin..."
Her eyes shimmered with tears.

I shifted from the tea table and moved beside her, wrapping my arm around her shoulder.
"It hurts, Rin..." she whispered again.

I held her close, heart clenching.
But just then, Char took a deep breath and spoke — the same words... but different.

"It hurts."

Becky paused, her sadness flickering into confusion. "Huh?"

Char nodded slowly, her tears flowing freely. I hadn't seen her cry like this in months — maybe not ever. I moved again, settling beside Char now. She was sitting between Becky and me, like a broken puzzle piece still figuring out where she belonged.

"Char?" Becky's voice was soft, careful.

I rubbed Char's back gently, "What hurts?"

Char sniffled and murmured, "Knowing I'll get hurt again..."