| Lonely |
| Ryan sat alone in her apartment, staring out at the dreary weather. She sighed and pressed her hand against the cool glass. A silent tear ran down her cheek as she stood and placed her empty glass in the sink. “Ry? What are you doing awake, girl?” Nikki asked, stumbling into the kitchen and pulling out a chair at the table. “Its four in the morning.” “Yeah, I know. I’m just… lonely.” She plopped down beside Nikki and placed her chin in her hands. “You have ME around and you’re lonely?” Nikki gasped, “You wound me, Ryan.” The younger girl managed a laugh before she glanced at the book in front of Nikki’s chair. “Hey Nik? What’s that?” Nikki shrugged and rolled her eyes, “Its not much, really.” She groaned at the expression on Ryan’s face. “I’m serious, Ry. Its really nothing.” “Nikki DeLoach, you have never, not EVER in your entire life, lied to me.” She smacked her on the back of the head, “Don’t start now.” Nikki’s expression dropped as she stared at the book in her hands. “You know, Ryan… you aren’t the only girl around here that gets really lonely.” “What does that have to do with that book?” “This photo album holds so many memories for me. Its seems like every moment in my life that brought me joy is captured in here.” She smiled. “I can flip through these pages and everything comes back to me.” Ryan smiled and stared eagerly at her friend, “Like what kinds of things?” “Well… my first birthday, first kiss, first date, first car.” She patted Ryan’s arm, “The good times are all in here. But so are the bad times.” “Why put the bad times into such a perfect book?” “Because of what you just said. Without those bad times, that book is perfect. And my life’s not. So therefore, that book wouldn’t be me.” “I understand that. Still… what does any of this have to do with you being lonely? You have so many people that love you!” “So do you. Ever stop to think like that?” She nodded when Ryan’s eyes widened, “That’s what I thought. Look… no matter how full my life may be, or will get; there are so many things I’m lonely for.” “Dare I ask… what?” “A normal life with my family, some privacy, a relationship that’s not media-dissected, and, God help me, you.” Ryan rolled her eyes and smiled, “You really get lonely for little old me?” “God have mercy on my soul.” Ryan threw a handful of sugar at her, “You’re such a smartass.” “Girl… don’t I know it. But you get lonely for me too… don’t ya?” She nudged Ryan’s side with her elbow. “Like you… among other things.” “THAT is why I got you this.” Nikki reached under her chair and pulled a blank photo album from it. “For when you get lonely. Happy birthday Ryan.” |