Running On Empty

Chapter 19~FRICA~

Song: Just a Friend     Artist: Jamie Grace

Jaylin's eyes sparked the next morning when he saw Silya walking up the driveway of their house. She looked to the ground, walking hesitantly to the door. Her hand was shanking as she reached for the door.

Why was she struggling? She should just knock on the door already!

"She's annoying," I mumbled under my breath, "She needs to just do what she wants to do."

Jaylin didn't hear me, instead, he ran to the other side of the room. His crutches banged on the grounds as he sped out of the room.

I sighed and sat down to sip my tea. I had made the right choice to let Jaylin go. All I needed to figure out was how to make the atmosphere between the two of them lovey-dovey. I wasn't going to marry someone that didn't feel the same way about me. No matter how much I disliked it, it wouldn't be right to do that.

Ah! Come on, Frica! I shook my head once I felt a frustration build up inside me. These feelings of bitterness were not going to get me anywhere.

I closed the door of the room, giving Jaylin a chance to talk to Silya. Their voices echoed in the hallway a little. Silya wasn't saying much and Jaylin was mainly the one doing all the talking. It was like their personalities had completely flipped.

I wondered if this was the way people acted when they were in love with someone else. Was she feeling nervous? Did it make her heart pound against her chest? Did Silya look at Jaylin in awe?

I hoped that she did.

I hoped that she treasured his presence, his kindness and most of all, his smile.

This was the first time I had ever wished for someone else's happiness with someone they loved.

It was a good feeling, but there was still a big part of me that felt very...sluggish.

There was a light knock on the door and Madeline came in, bringing another try of tea. She gazed at me cautiously. I did my best to pull off a smile.

"It's okay, I gave up on Jaylin." I didn't meet her gaze. Instead, I rubbed my fingertips around the rim of the tea cup. I didn't expect Madeline to feel sad for me. I didn't want her to. In the start of it all, I could tell that she had been cheering for Jaylin and Silya.

I heard her setting down the try of a new cup of tea set down on the coffee table. Suddenly, I felt her arms pull me in a warm embrace.

"You're wrong," I said pushing her away, "I don't want your pity."

She placed her hands on her lap, looking down at her lap. "No, I think the Young Master would do this if he saw you like this. He is a kind person, so I know he would do this for sure."

"Don't lie, I know how pleased you felt when I told you. You were supporting them." I took a sip of the tea on the new tray that was brought in.

Sweet.

"You are wrong, Miss. Brown. The Young Master values you as a friend. For that, I am grateful for you because he is able to experience what it like to have a friend. I have never seen him act so happy. It's all thanks to you and Miss. Emerson."

Cut the crap, old lady.

"No, I really mean what I say." She looked at me with a small smile.

"Why did you hug me? I'm not your daughter. Don't treat me like a kid either."

"I want to see everyone that my Young Master meets to become happy. Excuse me for stepping out of line with my job, but I also feel that giving hugs is something that you can do when you see someone down." She reached over and grabbed the tea cup I was drinking from earlier.