The Third Dixon [The walking dead]

Chapter nine

The next day settled into the house gently, like Alexandria itself was trying to lull them into believing this was normal.

Measi sat curled on the couch with her knees pulled to her chest, a book balanced against them, the worn pages soft beneath her fingers. She hadn't realized how much she'd missed things like this—quiet, paper, words that didn't scream about survival. Nathan sat close on the other end of the couch, shoulder pressed to hers, his presence steady and familiar. Comfortable silence. The kind that didn't demand anything.

She was halfway through a paragraph when movement caught her eye.

Glenn walked in with a grin that immediately set off alarms.

Before she could even react, fabric smacked her square in the face.

She yelped, dropping the book. "What the hell—?"

She peeled the fabric off her head and stared at it. A dress. Soft. Clean. Entirely not her.

"What's this?" she asked flatly.

Glenn leaned against the doorway, arms crossed, clearly enjoying himself. "It's called a dress. Women sometimes wear it—"

"I know what a dress is," she snapped, glaring at him. "I meant why are you throwing it at my face?"

"'Cause you're wearing it tonight," he said easily. "There's a party in our honor. You're coming."

Her eyes widened. "Absolutely not."

But Glenn was already turning away, heading for the kitchen. "Wear it!"

She scoffed, flung the dress to the far end of the couch, and picked her book back up like the matter was settled.

Nathan glanced at her, lips twitching. "You're totally wearing it."

She shot him a look. "Betrayal looks good on you."

A few hours later, somehow—against her will, against her better judgment—Measi stood in front of a full-length mirror.

The dress fit her in a way that felt unfamiliar. Strange. Like she was borrowing someone else's skin. She barely recognized the girl staring back at her.

Maggie leaned against the doorway, watching quietly.

"You look nice," Maggie said softly.

Measi scoffed and turned away from the mirror, suddenly uncomfortable. "Don't get used to it."

Maggie smiled a little. "Never thought I'd see you this way."

Measi hesitated.

"I gave that dress to Glenn to give to you," Maggie added.

That made Measi pause.

"It was Beth's," Maggie said gently.

The words landed heavy.

Maggie swallowed, then went on, her voice steady despite the shine in her eyes. "I know she'd want you to have it. And she was right." She smiled, warm and sincere. "It looks beautiful on you."

Measi felt her throat tighten. She stepped forward without thinking and wrapped her arms around Maggie, holding on just a little longer than usual.

"This way," Maggie murmured, voice muffled, "it feels like she's still here."

Maggie hugged her back, just as tight.

The Monroe house was already buzzing when Measi walked in with Glenn and Maggie, music and laughter spilling out into the street. She tried to stick close to them, using their shoulders as shields, but it was useless. Eyes turned. Conversations paused.