Unrequited Love

MaMa Mía

Jackson and I made our way to the small Italian restaurant that he said has the best lasagna in the world. His words not mine.

Our hands were still interlocked, comfortably.

The last person I held hands with like this was Jin and that was a long time ago. The thought of me not spending a lot of time with my friends made me sad, but at least I had a new friend.

The ringing of a bell pulled me out of my thoughts. I looked up to see an authentic Italian restaurant theme. A couple red, green and white flags hung from the counter and the name Papa Italian in dark green plastered in print in front of the counter.

An older woman looked up to see who walked in and her face lit up ten times brighter when she saw Jackson.

"Jackson! Ah so nice to you again. And I see you brought a friend with you." She said, winking at the last part of me being a friend.

"Miss Bianchi. That's exactly what she is."

"Sure." Rolling her eyes playfully, she walks out from behind the counter and she pulls Jackson in for a hug. "And who might you be young lady?"

"Oh. I'm (Y/N)."

"Nice to meet you darling. I'm Miss Bianchi and welcome to Papas. Goodness you are gorgeous! And thank the heavens Jackson brought in a girl who will eat something more than salad."

Blushing, I look down in embarrassment. Maybe I shouldn't eat.

"Yeah. Miss B I told her all about that delicious lasagna. I think we'll have to orders of that."

"Of course kids, have a sit down anywhere you'd like and I'll be back with some drinks."

Without another word the small older woman disappears to the back, into the kitchen I presume.

"Sorry about her. She just gets excited."

"Oh no that's fine."

I nervously played with my fingers as silence enveloped the two of us. What was I nervous about?

Maybe the fact that Jackson made it so easy for me to let go, feel free and forget about the bad that happens?

Or maybe the fact that this sweet old lady thought I was Jackson's girlfriend?

Or maybe I am just over thinking the thoughts in my head.

Or maybe I'm stressing over stress that's stresses me out before it can stress me out-

"(Y/N)!" Jackson called, softly grabbing my hands. "Are you okay? You seem a little inside your head at the moment."

"S-sorry. Just thinking."

"Am I the reason. Dammit... maybe I should have taken you somewhere else."

"No, Jackson. Listen... it's just that I've had the time of my life today, thanks to you."

"So what's the problem?"

"You make it seem so easy to be free, to be yourself. And I want that too. That freedom, that friendship and carefree attitude. But the thing that makes it sad for myself is that my friends of years and I mean years haven't paid me enough attention to even know what is going on with me and it took you, a stranger-"

"And now best friend."

"And now best friend, just a day to see my suffering and wanting to change it and make me happy. And all in just a day."

"Well I can't give you answers on your friends behavior, but I can give you answers to that happiness you want."

"And what might that be?"