The Round Table, TRT: Friends
From The Round Table.
Friends:
Louise finds herself grinning insanely at the end of every “session” with her test subjects. She does not even like to think of them that way anymore, figuring that they have told so much between them in this time that it is simply easier to call each other ‘friend’ than to say anything else. Their banter makes her impatient for every meeting, almost three times a week now.
She keeps her hands tapping lightly on her lap, something to keep her busy and not flitting about like some drunken butterfly, landing too heavy on shoulders and arms. But that does not stop her eyes from glancing around at the little knot of youths there. They, that is, Nix and Sin, have brought the two girls in their lives to this meeting, probably trying to make Nisha feel more comfortable with them. Despite everything they have been through about Nix’s situation, they have all promised to keep most of what was said confidential.
Nix is grateful that they do keep quiet about most of what he has said to them. It is one thing for Shay to know in principle that he is not solely in love with her. It is quite another to know that both friends and strangers are privy to details of her private life. Despite what he’s done to her, how he has treated her, he does love her and never wants her to be hurt. He is eternally grateful, and everyone knows it.
It nearly feels like a couples’ session to Alex, and he yearns for Luke. Though they still talk whenever they can on the phone and instant messengers, there is something lacking for him when he sees the camaraderie and the easy conversations between the others. Shaylee is laughing at something with Sin and Aspasia, glowing and genuinely happy. Nisha is even quietly on the fringes of their little knot of a group, a friend to tie him into their conversation. But he feels adrift without Luke to be an ease of company, a friend among new friends.
Sin’s hand keeps finding its way to wrap with Pacie’s as they talk with the others. Just a press of fingers, a twining that sneaks up on him. He does not understand why he keeps reaching for her hand, except that sometimes he hears her laugh too sharply, sometimes sees her smile too brittle. It happens only twice, so brief it was barely noticed, and he can feel a raw clench around his heart. He has to reach for her then, reassure her that she is still safe and with him. He has to reassure himself that she is okay with being here. He hates that he asked her to come if it is making her upset, but he is not sorry that she is taking part in this piece of his life. He is proud that she could come among his friends and try.
Louise feels a little joy bubble up inside her, a giggle that has her covering her mouth and stepping back from her little group. She cannot help but think that she has something right with who she has here. How glad she is that she chose KSA for her study.
“Louise?” Nix calls to her after a moment. “We were thinking about some clubbage tonight. A little dancing, a little drinking. A little relaxing. Think you want to come, honey?”
Friends:
Louise finds herself grinning insanely at the end of every “session” with her test subjects. She does not even like to think of them that way anymore, figuring that they have told so much between them in this time that it is simply easier to call each other ‘friend’ than to say anything else. Their banter makes her impatient for every meeting, almost three times a week now.
She keeps her hands tapping lightly on her lap, something to keep her busy and not flitting about like some drunken butterfly, landing too heavy on shoulders and arms. But that does not stop her eyes from glancing around at the little knot of youths there. They, that is, Nix and Sin, have brought the two girls in their lives to this meeting, probably trying to make Nisha feel more comfortable with them. Despite everything they have been through about Nix’s situation, they have all promised to keep most of what was said confidential.
Nix is grateful that they do keep quiet about most of what he has said to them. It is one thing for Shay to know in principle that he is not solely in love with her. It is quite another to know that both friends and strangers are privy to details of her private life. Despite what he’s done to her, how he has treated her, he does love her and never wants her to be hurt. He is eternally grateful, and everyone knows it.
It nearly feels like a couples’ session to Alex, and he yearns for Luke. Though they still talk whenever they can on the phone and instant messengers, there is something lacking for him when he sees the camaraderie and the easy conversations between the others. Shaylee is laughing at something with Sin and Aspasia, glowing and genuinely happy. Nisha is even quietly on the fringes of their little knot of a group, a friend to tie him into their conversation. But he feels adrift without Luke to be an ease of company, a friend among new friends.
Sin’s hand keeps finding its way to wrap with Pacie’s as they talk with the others. Just a press of fingers, a twining that sneaks up on him. He does not understand why he keeps reaching for her hand, except that sometimes he hears her laugh too sharply, sometimes sees her smile too brittle. It happens only twice, so brief it was barely noticed, and he can feel a raw clench around his heart. He has to reach for her then, reassure her that she is still safe and with him. He has to reassure himself that she is okay with being here. He hates that he asked her to come if it is making her upset, but he is not sorry that she is taking part in this piece of his life. He is proud that she could come among his friends and try.
Louise feels a little joy bubble up inside her, a giggle that has her covering her mouth and stepping back from her little group. She cannot help but think that she has something right with who she has here. How glad she is that she chose KSA for her study.
“Louise?” Nix calls to her after a moment. “We were thinking about some clubbage tonight. A little dancing, a little drinking. A little relaxing. Think you want to come, honey?”