You're Always You

Chapter Forty

Lydia Petrov

David was such a liar.

It was pretty easy for Lydia to tell when people were upset. Given, Richard was a bit more... obvious about it, but the other dancers at the club weren't. They had to force themselves to be happy - which was how Lydia learned to pick it up really well.

Lydia merely peered her head out from the kitchen to watch David secretly before returning to the kitchen. It took a bit of digging, but eventually Lydia was able to find a tea bag. Whenever she was little, Lydia's mother always made her a cup of tea to feel better.

...

Lydia used to hate tea, and intentionally avoided drinking it, but... well, her mother wasn't wrong. Having a warm, comforting drink was nice when someone was sad.

It was why Lydia quickly prepared a cup of tea sometime after dinner and stepped out into the living room. She gave David a slight smile before handing him the cup. "I used to drink tea when I was sad." Lydia told David while offering him the cup. "...Don't know if you like tea, but since it's in your house I figured I would take a shot." She informed him, adding. "And... you don't have to talk about it if you don't want to. I understand."

"...Thanks," David mumbled, picking up the cup of tea.

Smiling, Lydia nodded her head. "My tea sometimes tastes a bit different." Lydia pointed out, gesturing to it. "I usually try to make mine sweeter by throwing in a dash of sugar and some honey. I hope it's not too sweet for you."

"I know."

...

"You know?" Lydia questioned, blinking her eyes. "...Did I make you some in high school?" Lydia couldn't really... ever imagine a time she did, but... who knows.

High school was a long time ago.

David cleared his throat, holding the cup in his hands. "...Uh... yeah, sure."

"So..." Lydia adjusted herself on the couch. She turned her body to face him, resting her cheek against the back of the couch. David was obviously unhappy about something, and Lydia was nervous it was her invading his home. Lydia herself didn't want to think about Richie at the moment. Therefore, she did what she could to change subjects. "...Tell me about yourself, David?" Lydia questioned, adding, "...Or do you go by Dave now? I guess I never asked."

"Doesn't matter." David shook his head. "David, Dave, Davie..." The man hummed and gave a slight shrug.

"Davie," Lydia hummed. "I like the sound of that," She commented, nudging him with her foot. "Tell me about yourself." She repeated.

"...I don't think I can."

...

Lydia blew out a breath, angling her body away from him to face forward. "Sorry," She said with a hum. "...Was just... trying to get your mind off of whatever is bothering you. I can leave you alone for a bit, if you want?"

"That is what's bothering me, Lydia." David said, leaning forward to set the tea down. "Everything I know feels like a lie. But if I told you anything about that, you wouldn't believe me, so..."

...

Lydia was very confused. It didn't make sense. What was bothering him - her being here? Trying to distract him? Asking him questions? "...Everything feels like a lie." Lydia repeated softly.

"Yeah, something like that..."

Frowning, Lydia rubbed her elbow. Her eyes glossed over the slight bruise on her arm and shook her head softly. "...Well," She murmured. "...Why don't you tell me what's true, then? Is that a safe thing to ask about, or...?"

Or should I leave to the bedroom?

"Your favorite breakfast is French toast and bacon."

...

Lydia smiled softly and gave a slight laugh. She nodded her head slowly. "Yeah, it is." She said with a smile. "With orange juice. Don't forget the orange juice."

"I know." David hummed, his eyes glancing down. Still... sad.

"...Anything... else you wanted to talk about?" Lydia questioned, leaning forward somewhat. Since David had been so comforting to her, Lydia decided to try to be in return. She picked up her hand and placed it against his arm, rubbing softly.

"Wanting to talk about something, and being able to... are not the same thing."

Sigh.

This was hard.

"...Okay." Lydia nodded her head slowly. "...Would it be easier if I just... go hide in the bedroom for a bit? Let you be by yourself?"

"No, you don't..." David sighed, rubbing at his face. "It's fine. My problems have nothing to do with you, Lydia."

Lydia frowned in concern and nodded her head. Given how talking was going so far, she decided that perhaps... talking wasn't the best approach anymore. Instead, Lydia stood up and made her way into the kitchen. She found a single packet of popcorn and began to pop that in preparation of a movie. Lydia only ever ate popcorn when she watched a movie and she figured that a movie was a good distraction for both of them.

By the time she was walking out from the kitchen, David already had the television on. Lydia laughed softly. "You watch movies when you have popcorn, too?" She questioned while sitting down next to him. Lydia set the popcorn bowl down onto the table. "Did you have something in mind you wanted to watch?"

"Nah, this was your idea."

Lydia nodded her head. She reached for some popcorn and snagged the remote from him, leaning back against the couch. "Can't go wrong with the Sound of Music." Lydia informed him. "One of my favorites - and a classic. Songs are beautiful, too." Lydia hummed with a smile.

"...I know."

Snorting, Lydia looked over at him and elbowed him softly. "Did you just... follow me around in high school, Davie? I didn't think your crush was so serious."

In response, David merely hummed and let his eyes shift towards the television. Lydia fiddled with the remote for a bit, trying to figure out how the television worked, before loading up the movie.

Though, when the movie did start, her attention was less on David and more on the film. Lydia mindlessly reached for the popcorn multiple times and hummed along with the songs as they came across the screen.

Lydia had a smile come onto her face at the teenage son, of course, considering the fact he reminded her so much of herself with the passion for acting.

By the end of the movie, Lydia leaned forward to turn it off. She glanced over at David, who didn't seem much better than before the movie, and squeezed his knee softly. "...I'll let you finish the popcorn." She told him. "I'm going to get ready for bed. You just... let me know if you want to talk about anything, okay?"

David simply nodded his head and Lydia decided to dismiss herself, a bit frustrated and sad that he was sad.

* * * * * *

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XOXO Alice