You Really Got A Hold On Me

Single Pigeon

I nudged Paul when I saw George. He turned around and in doing so attracted the Abby's attention who followed suit.

"George" she breathed. She stood up as George made his way over to us. 

"Alright?" Paul greeted him.

"Hi George" I said. George smiled at us then his eyes fell back on Abby where they had been previously transfixed. 

"Hey" he breathed, looking at her. Abby's small smile grew larger as she stepped towards him and flung her arms around his neck. His hands came in around her waist as he hugged her back. George was facing me and I beamed at him, happy to see him embracing Abby. 

When they broke apart George stepped closer to my bed and pulled up a seat. There were now three people seated at my bedside - I certainly felt popular today. 

"Michelle I've been so worried about you" he said. 

"Don't worry I'll be out of here soon." I told him about my broken arm and about the crash and all that sort of stuff. 

He too, like Paul, apologised for my situation but I reassured him that I would be okay.

Then George asked Abby if he could have a private moment with her outside and she agreed so the pair got up to leave. 

I gave Abby encouraging looks as she looked back at me before leaving the room.

"I reckon I know what they'll be talking about" Paul said, raising his perfectly sculpted eyebrows. 

"I think so too" I chuckled. "I didn't even know he would be coming round here today."

"Me either" Paul admitted.

"I guess we'll just have to see what happens."

"Wonder where John is" Paul thought aloud.

I guessed that he felt like he would be intruding on us, seeing as George had clearly admitted to liking his ex-girlfriend, and Paul and I were of course a couple. Maybe he just needs some time to adjust.

Paul and I played hangman for a bit after Abby and George left the room but I grew tired of it soon.

"Paul I'm bored now" I said, putting down my pencil after about our fifteenth round.

"I know something that will take away that boredom" he said, cheekiness in his voice. And he leaned out of his chair, placing two hands on the bed, his eyes not straying from mine until his face was nearer to mine, and then he slowly closed them before turning his head to the right and locking lips with mine. He would occasionally pull away to look in my eyes before turning his head again and resuming kissing. It was more than a simple gentle kiss as Paul began to intensify it - apparently not caring who saw us. I felt one of his hands come up to my cheek and he guided my face with it.

Kissing Paul always seemed to transport me to a different place, like I was here, my body was, but the rest of me was somewhere else. Where, I didn't have the faintest idea, but I only say this because it was an extraordinarily unique feeling. Perhaps it was because of said feeling that I didn't realise that Abby and George had returned until Abby cleared her throat and I opened my eyes suddenly. She was standing with her hands on her hips, smiling. 

* * * 

When Abby, Paul and George left in late afternoon I had almost forgot about being stuck in hospital, about having a broken arm, about everything. I had been surrounded by my favourite people and it was hard to be gloomy with them around.

I was thrilled for Abby because she told me about her conversation with George. She said he told her he loved her and he always had from afar. That he couldn't help it. And Abby admitted her feelings. From what I gathered the two were now dating but they agreed to take it easy should John be around - not to rub it in his face and all that. George's face was glowing like a sunbeam when I saw him next to Abby. He kept looking at her when she didn't notice. It looked like pride. Not a selfish pride but like he was proud to be beside her, proud to call her his girl. He no longer looked at her with yearning but almost with admiration, and he smiled to himself as he did so. Abby caught him once or twice but George turned to face the other way and pretending he wasn't looking. It was almost a look of fascination.