Running Low

Lucky

      Hi, I'm Ace. Today I met someone I'll never forget. I met her.
      Of course, I've known her for years now. But today, today was different. Today I met her for real. Sure, we've talked before, had a million arguments that turned into a million jokes and exchanged a million insults. And compliments, but I doubt she'd let me mention them, so forget that I did.
      Today, it felt like none of that mattered.
      Today, I saw something behind those eyes I should have noticed a long time ago. I saw a small, shattered soul staring back at me. I saw pain. I saw a girl who'd lost her place.
      Some may call me stupid, she's not the type of girl to invite people into her personal space, but I walked over to her, and before she could utter a single word, I put my arms around her, crossing on her back.
      I could feel the shock shoot through her bones in an instant. I simply whispered, "I'm sorry." For what, you ask? It's not your fault, Ace. Why apologise?
      I apologised for not being able to bring her family closer to her, for not being able to hold her up when she started falling, for not noticing earlier.
      I apologised for being blind to her pain.
      But in that hug, I promised her, though I couldn't help her from falling, I'd help her get back on her feet.
      Eventually, she relaxed into my arms and put her own around me. It only takes one moment, and that was it.
      Tears on my shoulder, heart on my sleeve, I was hers then.
      Maybe I'll get lucky and I can be hers again tomorrow.