Aereopagitica: Wednesday [11/8]

[lovelylana.livejournal.com]

The store's open, but Lana's feeling pretty apathetic about everything.

Comments

[sogothcally.livejournal.com]

Cally wandered in, post Religions class.

"Hey Lana," she said with a smile.

[lovelylana.livejournal.com]

"Hey, Cally," Lana replied. "How's it going?"

[sogothcally.livejournal.com]

"Goin' good," Cally said. "You psyched about the trip this weekend?"

[lovelylana.livejournal.com]

"I guess," Lana said unenthusiastically.

[sogothcally.livejournal.com]

Cally raised an eyebrow. "Somethin' wrong with Vegas?"

[lovelylana.livejournal.com]

Lana shook her head. "No. I'm sure it's fine."

She sighed. "Sorry. It's just hard to get excited about anything right now, you know?"

[sogothcally.livejournal.com]

Cally bit her lip. "How come?"

[lovelylana.livejournal.com]

Lana ducked her head. "Jim's gone. His dad called him home."

She found herself fighting tears again. "He says he'll be back in a few weeks maybe, but I'm afraid he won't. This is exactly what happened with Shep."

[sogothcally.livejournal.com]

"Oh, frak," Cally said. She stepped closer. "You need a hug. A big, big hug. C'mere." She opened up her arms.

[lovelylana.livejournal.com]

Lana went into Cally's arms and hugged her back tightly. "Thanks, Cally," she whispered. "It's good to have friends around."

[sogothcally.livejournal.com]

"He'll come back," Cally said. "Of course he will."

[lovelylana.livejournal.com]

"I've stopped believing in that sort of thing, Cally," Lana said. "I've never had anyone come back to me. Not even once. And it hurts too much to hope and hope and then..."

She shook her head. "I can't do it. Right now I just... want to feel numb. Just forget everything for a while."

[sogothcally.livejournal.com]

"Hey now, that's not fair to Jim. Or you," Cally said. "I know what it's like, you know. People takin' off. Some of us didn't even get the courtesy of a goodbye."

[lovelylana.livejournal.com]

"It's not about Jim. He wouldn't have left if he wasn't forced to. It's his dad. Who already told Jim he had to break up with me once."

Lana shook her head. "And yeah, I know you know what it's like. And I've had the leaving without even a goodbye too. It's just... after Whitney was killed and then Shep left with no warning... I wasn't going to do this again. I didn't want to get involved. And then there was Jim." She sighed. "It doesn't matter."

[sogothcally.livejournal.com]

"It does too matter," Cally said. "It always matters." She went to hug Lana again.

[lovelylana.livejournal.com]

"Thanks, Cally," Lana said, hugging her again. "I'm sorry. I know I'm just a big screwed up mess right now."

[sogothcally.livejournal.com]

"It'll be okay," Cally said. "We just need to distract you so you won't even have time to feel sorry for yourself. That's a good plan, yes?"

[lovelylana.livejournal.com]

"Sounds like a plan. Yay, Vegas." There still wasn't much enthusiasm in her voice, but at least she'd managed a smile this time.

[sogothcally.livejournal.com]

"And if it comes down to it, well, Phoebe and I will just get you really drunk and we can all make out," Cally said with a laugh.

[lovelylana.livejournal.com]

Lana looked a little surprised by that and almost laughed. "Um... well... I don't know about that."

[sogothcally.livejournal.com]

Cally grinned. "Well, I wasn't completely serious," she admitted. "But we'll come up with something more plausible. I promise."

[lovelylana.livejournal.com]

Lana shook her head. "Now I'm frightened," she said with a little smile. "But also a little intrigued as to what you guys might come up with."

[sogothcally.livejournal.com]

"Don't worry. It'll be... tame. Honest."

[lovelylana.livejournal.com]

Lana looked at her skeptically. "Right." But she managed another smile. "Thanks, Cally. I do feel a little better. And this Las Vegas trip may end up being kind of fun after ll."

[sogothcally.livejournal.com]

"It better be," Cally said. "But... you gonna be okay for now? Cause I should probably get going."

[lovelylana.livejournal.com]

Lana nodded. "I'll be okay. Just have to finish out my shift and then I have class. Thanks again though. And I'll see you Friday if not before, right?"

[sogothcally.livejournal.com]

"Right," Cally said. "One more hug for the road?"

[lovelylana.livejournal.com]

Lana smiled and hugged her again. "You're a good friend, Cally. I'm glad you stopped by."

[sogothcally.livejournal.com]

"Me too," Cally said. "Take care, okay?" She turned to leave.

[lovelylana.livejournal.com]

"I will," Lana said and smiled as she watched her friend go.