My Poor Lady

Sleeping was hard after what happened. She cried so hard that she was tired, but her thoughts kept her awake. She replayed the words over and over in her brain that it was impossible to sleep, Impossible to even think she could sleep without knowing someone out in the real world would be willing to be there by her side in an instant. Though she wouldn't force them to, she wanted someone to at least care. But here she was, laying bed, furrowed in her covers, in her warm dark pink gown, drying her tears with her pillow in the dark. She tried to sing herself to sleep. She sang herself a song Melina always sang when she was getting ready to go out. Though she didn't feel her voice couldn't hold a candle to hers, she sang, hoping it would help. She didn't sing loud but at the right volume to help lure herself into a much-needed rest. More tears ran down her cheeks as she sang, the lyrics reminding her of the one who broke her heart in the worst way possible. Frustrated, she turned to her other side, wrapping herself in the thick furry blankets even more. Thirsty, restless, and feeling as if her head was heavy, she kicked off the covers and threw herself out of bed. She looked at herself in the circular mirror of the wall; her blond hair was down and already full of tangles. Her blue eyes were shining with tears. She opened the door quietly and started to patter down the halls like a burglar. Melina woke to the sound of footsteps in the hall. She could tell they were footsteps because nothing else in the house besides the floorboards made that gentle squeaking noise she heard every morning when Miss Brianne barreled downstairs every morning, looking for coffee or food. Except they were light, and skittish, not like Brianne at all. She checked and saw the cat laying at the end of her bed, so it certainly wasn't the cat, and if it were a burglar, he came to the wrong house; there's nothing of importance besides a few paintings or some of Johanna's jewelry. "Who could possibly be up this late?" She asked herself alone. The footsteps were gone, and now she could hear the opening and closing of the kitchen cupboards. She quickly got out of bed and wrapped herself in a robe. She ran her fingers through her hair and went out, hopefully, not waking the other grumpy women next door. The water refreshed her. Though still empty-hearted, at least she wasn't dehydrated. She sat on the couch, giving up on sleeping tonight. That was not happening, sadly enough. Maybe if she did fall asleep, she would have nightmares of the one she lost. She didn't want that. Nightmares were already hard enough when they were about her teeth falling out, or running around and keeping paintings from falling down to the ground as they kept becoming crooked. If she ever had one about her, she'd grind herself in her worst state. She started to cry again, feeling pathetic. She took another sip of her water and put it back down, rolling up into a ball, head between her knees. She then heard someone walk down the stairs behind her. She jolted and turned around, and saw a pair of warm, concerned brown eyes looking back at her. "Rogerina, Darling, what are you doing up?" She raced down, thin silk robe flying behind her, and she raced towards her. "Just needed a drink, I woke up bloody Parched." She picked up her glass and drank it again. “Were you crying?” Melina took note of how dark her lashes looked against her blue eyes in the lamplight. “N-no, I’m— I’m just…” She pulled her legs back up over her chest, feeling vulnerable and embarrassed. “Maybe a little.” She signed. “Oh, Dear, Rogerina!” She rushed to her side and put her arms around her, causing Rogerina to cry even more. The look of sorrow put a strain on her heart. “What happened to make you like this?” Rogerina nuzzled her head into Melina’s smooth brown hair and her silk robe that smelt of Roses, hair spray, and fresh laundry. She loved Melina’s smell and soft hair, reminding her of something homey, and comforting. She was glad it was her in such an anxious state than her rather cold mother. “Sweety, What happened?” She put her pink-nailed hand on her cheek and flicked away a tear. Rogerina shook her head slightly. “I can’t…” “Come on, Darling, I won’t tell your mother. I won’t even tell your grandmother.” She gave her a worried smile. “Well…I recently broke up with a Lover.” She whispered. “Oh,” She furrowed her brow. “Why didn’t you tell us about him? Or at least me?” She paused. “Well, because I didn’t think anyone would like h-him.” “What was so wrong about him? How could he ever leave a beautiful teenage girl like you?” She cradled Rgerina’s head. “Well…” She exhaled deeply, unprepared. “He is actually a she, for staters.” She said. It barely came out in words. Melina went silent. “You were dating…A girl?” She let go and looked at her. Rogerina nodded. “I…I think I’m a lesbian.” “Oh.” “She-The girl who I-you know-she told me that we couldn’t be together because everyone would hate us because people hate lesbians.” She tried to blink away tears. She felt as if she were crying for an entire day. “Do…You hate me, Melina?” “Oh No! Of course not, Darling!” She ruffled the top of her head. “You are turning into a grown woman.” She stroked her chin. “You find out new things about yourself every day.” She smiled back. “So it’s fine if I’m…” Melina kissed her forehead and kept a hand on her cheek. The crying young girl smiled back shyly. “Yes. You can’t help it, you don’t choose who you love. No matter what, you are a beautiful, elegant young lady. I love you no matter what Rgerina.” She hugged her lovingly in her strong arms. She felt safe.