GRAVITY | R. DIAS

• 4 •

September 3, 2023

"So how was your first day of school?" Martha looks away from Dante, her dog, and Laslo playing happily with Dan, to focus on Alex, who's sitting next to her on the grass.

Alex is her best friend, who she got to know through Dan, the gym teacher at the same school Martha teaches and Alex' long-term boyfriend. The two friends always laugh that they would marry each other if Alex wasn't gay.

"Great, except for the mandatory interrogation of my love life," the blonde haired girl answers with a groan.

"Speaking of love life, how is Dele doing?"

Martha sighs. Ever since she started talking to Dele, Alex and Dan had been bothering her about it. They think the Norwegian girl has feelings for the footballer. Maybe they were right in the beginning, but right now not so. When she first met Dele she did feel a certain attraction to the man, he's good looking and funny. Those feelings quickly changed when they shared a kiss and it felt like she was kissing her brother.

Dele luckily admitted that he felt the same way. Ever since they've just been friends and Martha has been supporting him through the rough period he had to experience.

"How many times do I have to tell you? We are not dating Alex," the girl groans. "But he's doing great given the circumstances,"

Alex nods. "That's good. I can't imagine what he all went through," he says while leaning on his elbows. "Something totally different now. How are your sister and that gorgeous man of hers?"

Martha lets out a tiny giggle at hearing Alex' questions. He never hides the fact that he thinks her brother-in-law is good-looking.

Before the blonde haired girl can answer, she feels something wet nudging her arm. With a smile she pets her dog, who snuggles closely into her side.

"Gorgeous man? You guys talking about me?" Dan has decided to join the duo and sits himself down on the grass next to Alex. Their dog Laslo follows promptly and settles down inbetween the couple.

"Of course not babe," Alex grins at his boyfriend. "We're talking about Martin,"

A loud groan slips past Dan's lips upon hearing this. "You're obsessed with him. Am I not enough for you anymore?" He pouts his lips and gives his partner the best puppy eyes he can manage.

Alex throws his arms around Dan. "You'll always be enough for me love," he presses his lips against his boyfriend's cheek.

Martha watches the scene in front of her with a small hint of jealousy. She loves both Dan and Alex dearly, but sometimes she feels quite lonely around them. They've been together for almost 6 years now and Martha really wishes to find something like they have. She has been searching for the past few years to find it, just to get her heart broken every single time.

She has been cheated on, manipulated and ghosted several times. Still she remains hopeful that she'll meet her prince charming one day. Martha is the core definition of what they call a hopeless romantic.