Lonely People

Stand By Me

It was difficult to decide which half of me would take over when dealing with my emotions. I was split in half; one part angry at Dad for not loving Mum and the other telling me to be happy for him. Never once did he say he didn't love Mum, in fact, he said he was destroyed after she died. Angela could help him, she could give him a light in his dark and a smile through his tears. It was selfish to be angry at him, but I had yet to learn how to control my emotions.

Paul was the same, but he knew which side was the better one. After a few days of being upset and trying to figure out how he truly felt, he came to the conclusion that he would be happy for Dad. Once he figured his mind out, he set to convince me as well.

"It's not all bad, Lia," Paul shrugged, "It's getting better all the time, you know? Maybe Angela will help Da. He's never been the same since Mum died, she could help him."

I frowned, "I know, I know, you've said that at least nine different times."

"Eight and a half, you interrupted him that one time," Molly commented.

I shot her a glare, "Not helping."

Molly shrugged. Jane shook her head, "It doesn't matter, what matters is that your Dad is happy. You should be happy for him."

"I know, I guess I am, in a way."

Paul simply shook his head. He rested an arm on Jane's shoulders. They sat across from us in the train with Jane claiming the window seat. Seeing as how we were allowed to bring dates, we brought our significant others, though everybody thought I had brought Molly as a friend. Only Paul, Molly, and I knew differently. Really, that's all that mattered. So long as we knew, nobody else's opinions mattered. 

"Just remember to smile," Molly said.

"I'll try."

Paul glanced at me before looking at Jane and rolling his eyes. Jane giggled and leaned into his side. His smile grew wider and more genuine than ever before; she was his sun and he was her world.

Never had I seen Paul look at anyone like he looked at Jane. He had thousands of girlfriends, some that lasted a long time, but never did he smile like he did with Jane. The looks he gave her when she wasn't looking were like those in paintings of two lovers. His eyes were filled with a joy no one could quite understand. I came close, I could see, in his eyes, the same feelings I had whenever I looked at Molly. It was the feeling of finally finding something you had been looking for all your life, something that fulfills you. It was finding the final missing piece to a puzzle you had been working on for years. It was finally finding someone who felt like home. Deep down, a part of me wondered if Dad had found that as well. 

"Let's go get a cuppa, shall we?" Paul asked Jane.

Jane smiled, "I'd love to."

"Care to join us?"

Paul and Jane both looked at Molly and me. Simultaneously, we both shook our heads having seen our chance to be alone together. Paul understood, and a sly grin crossed his lips, "Alright, we'll see you lasses in a bit. Don't go getting into trouble, you know?"

He winked at me, causing me to chuckle. Molly went bright red. Luckily, Jane didn't realize as she allowed Paul to lead her out. They shut the door, leaving Molly and me in complete solitude. Even the door was blacked out, the glass having black plastic over it to ensure privacy. The two of us were as alone as we ever would be.

"You know, this is a good thing," Molly gripped my hand and smiled.

I sighed, "I know- I just- Mum's been gone eight years, you would think I would get over it. Da sure seems to have."