Friendship

Her hand holds me
Pressing her palm
Against the small of my back
Her fingers weave
Through my curls
And her breathing is soft
Controlled, even
A comfort to me

I can tell that she loves me
As a friend, not a lover
But that’s the best kind of love
She doesn’t have to say it
But I know that she’s telling me
“Everything will be okay.”

He kneels on my other side
Not touching, but still
I feel loved by both of them
Something still says
“I care, we care.”

Then footsteps and laughter comes
From the stairs and down the hall
Towards me, towards us
And then they stop
Giggling, and punch him in the arm
No sign of even acknowledging me
Despite all the tears and whimpering noises
That seem to be coming from me
Then they walk on, leaving us behind
And something in them is screaming
“I don’t give a shit about how you feel.”