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If I could begin to be
Half of what you think of me
Dirk laid on the soft grass, eyes closed as the wind gently rustled his hair. He breathed out a contented sigh as he tuned in to his friends' soft laughter. The sun gently warmed his skin.
His friends had dragged him out for a picnic in a nearby park. He was still wary about going outside and being around other people, so many other people, after so many years of being alone in the middle of the ocean. It was still overwhelming, but, it was nice.
He didn't quite understand why the others want him around. He never did, probably never would, but they liked him. It was odd, but he liked being liked.
I could do about anything
I could even learn how to love
He turned his attention back to his friends, Jake and Roxy bickering about some show they were watching. His heart grew warm as his chest bubbled with laughter. Roxy playfully swatted his arm, and he and Jane shared a look of amusement at their friends' antics.
Being around his friends made him feel like a sun burnt brightly inside him, his lips involuntarily stretching into a gentle smile as he basked in their presence.
When I see the way you act
Wondering when I'm coming back
I could do about anything
I could even learn how to love like you
He sat back up and joined in the conversation, lightly teasing Roxy who huffed dramatically, arms crossed as she faked outrage at his "betrayal". Soon enough, she burst into laughter, the others quickly following suit. Dirk felt the corners of his mouth stretch despite himself, as he starts laughing too.
He feels... happy.
I always thought I might be bad
Now I'm sure that it's true
'Cause I think you're so good
And I'm nothing like you
He felt like he didn't deserve this. He'd seen snippets terrible things he was capable of through jagged splinters of his souls, his heart aching as he saw himself hurt his dear friends. They tell him that he isn't those Dirks, but he has trouble believing that.
If he had the potential to be a bad person, then he was one, right?
For a moment, he finds himself consumed by these dark thoughts, splinters painfully trying to dig into his heart.
Look at you go
I just adore you
A hand on his shoulder breaks him out of his self loathing tangent. Jane asks him if he's okay, as the other too look at him with concern. Roxy fingers are softly brushing against his. Jake shuffles closer, offering him a drink of water.
He reassures them, and the tightness in his chest holds up as they smile at him.
I wish that I knew
What makes you think I'm so special
The conversation picked back up, the four friends reminiscing about fond memories of their time together. Jane pulls another container out of the cooler, offering them some fresh cookies.
Something in Dirk's heart swells as he takes a bite. The cookie is good, of course, but that's not what it's about - to have someone that cares for you enough to make you food, good food, just to make you happy - it makes you feel all fuzzy inside.
If I could begin to do
Something that does right by you
A while later, Roxy pulls him up to his feet, dragging he and their friends to an empty playground. He thinks this is rather silly, but he joins her on the play structure anyway.
For a moment, the four of them let themselves be kids, just playing around and laughing together.
I would do about anything
I would even learn how to love
They play for maybe an hour, Jake making up some sort of fantastic quest that they get lost in, making their way through the slightly too small play structures.
In the end, they lie down on the ground together, thoroughly tired out but happy.
Dirk sighs, his cheeks hurting from smiling.
"I love you guys", he says softly.
When I see the way you look
Shaken by how long it took
"Aw, we love you too man! You guys are the best", chirped Roxy. She rolls over and hugs his side, the other two soon following her lead.
Jake piped up "Aw, gee, I love you all too, chaps". Jane laughs warmly. "Me too", she simply adds. The four teens relax into the group hug.
I could do about anything
I could even learn how to love like you
A tear rolls down Dirk's freckled cheek, then another, and another. He's not sure why he's crying, really. He holds on to his friends tightly. He wishes he never had to let go. He doesn't know how he got so lucky to have such great friends, but he's really, really happy to have them.
Love like you
A part of him thinks that maybe, if he has such great people who love him, maybe he's not that bad of a person. Maybe he's worth it.
Love me like you