𝐋𝐈𝐍𝐃𝐒𝐄𝐘
For the past five years, I've managed to avoid him. I've managed to forget about him and move on from him. Mostly. Alex Lancaster and I have history, but nothing will ever change between us.
At least until he shows up at my dad's work...
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I stand in the kitchen after Gianna has made dinner. Everyone already has their own plate, sitting at the table. They all have their own seats, even Melody.
Gianna works on making her plate and I stand beside her, feeling out of place. "That incident earlier, with Amelia and Jane..."
"Happens a lot more often than you'd think." She laughs heartily. "Those two have been arguing since they were in diapers."
"Oh. So it's normal for them?"
"Yes. One minute they'll be fighting, the next they'll be loving up on each other." She smiles. I nod slowly.
I feel out of place, especially when everyone is laughing, catching up, enjoying themselves. And I'm stuck alone.
I'm glad Alex is happy, I am. But Amelia won't look at me, Jane has been on her phone every time I'm in the room, and James is so little, all he talks about are cars and trucks.
"How are you doing, dear?" Gianna asks, and I hesitate for a split second.
"I'm okay." I lie, smiling thinly. I'm not fine. I'm anything but fine.
I appreciate her trying to include me. Both her and Sebastian. But I feel like I don't belong here. Like I'm intruding.
"I'm glad you and Alex are together. He seemed the happiest whenever you two hung out." She smiles downward, shoveling food on her plate as she talks. "He talked about you all the time. You were actually the first thing Alex asked for when he woke up." I was? I thought he moved on from me. "He seems happy with you. I'm glad."
I smile unsurely. "I'm glad he's happy."
"Please, help yourself to a plate." I nod, and she gathers her plate in her hand as a familiar knot forms in my throat.
"Uhm," I call, trying to not show that my voice is shaking, and she pauses, turning to me. "Where's your bathroom?"
She points to the doorway to my left. "Through there. The door should be open." I nod, following her directions. I find the bathroom easily and lock myself inside, walking to the mirror.
I was a fool to think I could come here. I should've told Alex no.
I find myself sitting on the toilet lid, my head in my hands. I wonder if Alex would even notice if I left. Or how long it'd take him to realize I left.
But I can't. I promised him I'd go, plus I got my shopping spree, so I can't really go back on my word. I hate feeling like this. Feeling like I don't belong here and feeling like an absolute idiot. Usually, I wouldn't care, but this is Alex's family.
And now that we're actually dating, they're part of my family, I guess. But it hurts to know that his siblings don't like me. I just hope they don't judge me based on rumors.
My leg bounces as I run my hands through my hair. I want to go home.
Except I don't have a home because mine is six feet under ground.
