As Love Goes On

Beginnings (1)

Another day, in the real world is like a week in the big world. The study of time still remains anonymous in terms of the whole story. But everyone in the Doll World knew that the times are different. Life was now calming, everyone began to accept themselves for who they were and learnt that everyone was born to be different. This even applied to the minds so great, yet the hearts that were so little.

The blonde, pale doll sat down, dripping in sweat after doing another job that is a part of his punishment. Lou, as you can imagine, had a very dark and nasty story. Life for him was always misunderstood, but he also had a chance to take it on better terms - he sadly never took that chance. He thought that he could make other people look at him as better than them, than looks were the most important thing to worry about, then he could be happy and accepted. But now, here he is, mopping the floor of the Gauntlet, where he was ruined and found out to be the opposite of perfect, and the reality of being fake.

Lou sighed as he put down his mop and sat down on a stool. He took a look at his reflection and scowled. No, he didn't look down right dreadful after being put in the washer. He managed to style his hair back and somehow wasn't teared up from all the pressure in the washing machine. He still looked as handsome as ever, he just ended being very fragile. He was no longer in his suit, but a janitor suit. He looked at himself in disgust and splashed the water with his finger tips, groaning in frustration. Hands on his face, sliding them down only to reveal a distressed, yet calm Lou.

"I deserve it anyway... After all I've done and trying to get everyone to fit in? The only person who needed to fit in was me. And I didn't let them see that because I was so caught up in being perfect... Better than them... And even was selfish enough to destroy the one thing I couldn't have..." He spoke to himself quietly..

"I've lost all hope" he sang as he sat down.

"Ruined my dreams..." he stood up.

"Thought with brutal murder, and tearing up the seams" He looked around, finding no one there for him. He sighed and looked down continuing,

"Of dolls that had the freedom" he fell to his seat and slumped.

"To be with their own youth" he slowed down, shaking his head with disappointment.

"Now life is U.G.L.Y...."

"And thats the ugly..."

"truth." he finally spoke.

Lou then continued to sit for a little while, asking himself 'Why did I do it?' 'Could there be a second chance?'. But while he was in his own thoughts, he didn't notice a certain girl walking up to him.

"...Lou?" Lou looked up and turned his head to see Mandy. She had her signature awkward pose, but yet it brought up a kind aura, and a very comforting one too. Something about Mandy interested Lou.

She may not have been ideally perfect, but she certainly wasn't ugly or out of place. Lou always felt comfortable around her, even when he was at his narcissistic stage. He always felt guilt overtime he remember crushing he glasses and making her feel worthless. He eyes went wide as he finally responded.

"Mandy..." He didn't feel completely angry, it was more remorse. But he couldn't let his guard down. "So what. Did you come here to gloat?" He asks with a glare. Mandy only looks shocked, yet sympathetic.

"Lou... I only wanted to come and check on you." Mandy said. Softly as if she raised her voice above a certain level, then she'd break something.

This received a dark and breathy chuckle from Lou who only shook his head and snarled, "Why? After all I had done to you? You wanna check on someone like me? Don't you have better things to do? Like, I don't know, look after your kid? Because honestly I see there being no point in-" Lou was interrupted by a frustrated sigh. This surprised him, seeing as he was expecting Mandy to go shy on him and fluster.

"Why can't you just understand that some people actually care about you! Even if they don't, they understand you! And you have no right to assume what my life is with my child!. She probably doesn't even know where I am considering she doesn't even pay attention to me anymore..."

Mandy lowered her voice. She always felt that sometimes, she needed to find the right kid for her. And she did, but time always passed so soon for a doll that to them a week would be like a day! And Mandy felt love for only a week, until the child started to grow up and ignore Mandy. Lou didn't know how she felt in this particular situation, but he certainly understood what it was like to not find the right person, and any person for a while. He too also wished that if he felt love, it wouldn't just go on for a week, but for the rest of his life.

"Mandy, I-" Lou tried to walk closer to her but she only backed away. Not because she was scared or angry at Lou, but she needed a minute to compose herself. She took a deep breathe and tried again.

"Lou, I understand that you feel like there is only hatred for other dolls that get to have an experience that you don't. But you know that there is so much more to life that being loved by a child. You can always find love somewhere else." Mandy blushed a little, but Lou was too deep in thought to realise. He turned around, his back facing Mandy.

"Lou?..." Mandy asked as she took a step closer. Five seconds later after a momentary silence, he sharply turns his head of his shoulder with a saddened look. "But what if I can't..." he whispers.

"What? Lou wai-" "I said... WHAT IF I CAN'T!" Lou turned around, tears in his eyes, and shouted at Mandy. She didn't falter, she kept her ground and spoke up. "You won't know if you don't try!" Lou stopped for a minute and looked at Mandy's eyes closely, he could see the respect and empathy in her eyes. He could get lost in them for years. He shook his head and stepped back, leaving his hand under his chin to ponder with a investigative look.

'After all I've been through, could this be my chance to see a better light?'

He looked back up at Mandy, her softened cheeks and fire-like eyes. Lou didn't know why but ever since he met Mandy, he always felt like he could try anything. And as of now, he is willing to give his journey a new starting point. He then gave a determined smile, which brought a fire in Mandy's heart- alerting that hope was arising.

"Let's do this".