Marshall, You're Not Alone (GxG)

Chapter 11

How to describe a sense of belonging you've never experienced before in your lifetime. Something overlooked and taken for granted, a daily thing that no one cares to pay attention to.

A family dinner.

Sitting at the dining table, watching daughter happily chat and laugh with her family. This entire situation made me feel like I was placed in a movie scene, watching from the side, admiring and wishing to be a part of something, anything at all, but this time it wasn't the case.

This time I wasn't sitting in front of an old TV wishing to simply cross through the screen. I was here, a part of it, yet it felt even more surreal.

I didn't belong.

"Not to your liking?" someone's voice snapped me back to reality.

Unsurely raising my gaze I saw Vanessa observing me with concern, while her daughter and Alexis were having some sort of intense debate.

I needed to get a hold of myself. "No, it's amazing," I commented while looking at the food in front of me, not remembering the last time, if ever having such a feast on my plate.

Her deep hum rang in my ears. "I sure hope so. I wouldn't be able to invite you again if you didn't like my fiancés cooking."

Smiling at her words, you could see it in the way she looked at teacher - Love. It was endearing, Alexis was a good person, she deserved it.

"And I do want you to come over again," she added making my stomach clench at the unexpected comment.

"You do...?" I blurted out in disbelief.

Her confident and almost playful smile was something Amira had to learn from her.

"Yes, so don't look so gloomy. This doesn't have to be the last time. Enjoy yourself." Her words meant more than she could have imagined, it was the reassurance I wanted - No. I needed.

Sucking in some air and letting it out slowly I took a bite of the food and melted into the seat. This was unbelievably delicious, and I had to fight with the urge to take the plate and eat it alone in the kitchen.

It wasn't often when I felt it, probably only when I ate something truly delicious, an urge to do it without anyone around, knowing no one was going to steal it like they always did at the child care places.

"It's delicious!" Amira exclaimed. "Thank you, Alexis."

"N-n-no problem." A gentle smile appeared on teachers' lips before she continued, "So, do you g-girls have any classes t-together?"

Amira sent me a weird glance before answering, "Nope."

"We met through Chris," I explained further.

"But you two know each other," Amira implied narrowing her eyes as those danced between me and Alexis.

"Um... yeah."

"Work-related," Alexis cut it short.

Amira hummed clearly not satisfied with that answer. "How come you invited her?"

"Mira!" Vanessa scolded looking upset with her daughter's question.

"What..." she grumbled. "Alexis never allowed me to hang out with kids at her work, so it is a bit odd that she suddenly changed her mind."

Indeed was, curious myself I looked at teacher in hope of an answer.

"For starters, Marshall isn't exactly Alexis' patient," Vanessa began, but Alexis stopped her.

"She's v-v-very special to me," she confessed.

"Why?" I seethed, growing irritated. "You always say that, but you never tell me why..."