Author's Note: Happy Holidays! I would say Merry Christmas but someone might get offended. This is just my own little version of the aftermath of Sally leaving for university. A little Dally and a little Dasey. I was inspired by Eisley's song I Could Be There for You.
Disclaimer: I don't own anything. Nothing. Not one bit.
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I could be there for him. Really, I could. If only he let me.
I'm a good shoulder to cry on. I'm good at comfort.
But he refuses – says he doesn't need a shoulder – and just shuts his bedroom door loudly. He blasts the rawest, loudest music he can find and plays it over and over and over…
I get why he does it but sometimes it is just too goddamn loud.
But he's upset and irrational and just plain old mad.
Sally left for university two weeks ago and he says he's fine. He's not fine.
Night after night, I keep my ear to the wall and listen as he stomps (or sulks) around his room. I bang my head lightly against it and whisper, "I will be there for you." I'm determined to help him feel better. He has to get better. Be normal (well, not really 'normal'), self-centered, evil, smirking Derek.
The world just doesn't… right… without him like that.
So the next day when I see him in the living room, staring at the T.V. screen, I sit silently beside him. I attempt to coax him into a conversation but he doesn't budge so I give up for now. But I don't notice him looking at me until I try to grab the remote from his grasp. "What?" I ask, "What are you staring at?"
"Nothing," he utters and hands me the remote.
"Okay, then," I switch the channel and there's a few moments of silence.
"I miss Sally," he tells me, "But I don't want to. I don't know what to do."
"I know." I turn to him; checking his reaction, "It hurts now but it will get better eventually. I can promise you that." I touch his hand gently but when I start to pull it back, he only grasps it tighter, holding on for dear life. I stare at our intertwined hands and make a mental note of it.
I look up and stare at him but he just turns back to the screen. He's not frowning anymore but he's not exactly smiling either. He's definitely not smirking. He just has somewhat of a relaxed face.
We continue to watch T.V. like that.
And I think we both enjoyed it.