WHY ALWAYS HER? - (TNN - REECE & VARIOUS)

CHAPTER FOUR

"I know I'm not an easy person to like." Mia crossed her arms as she said this, leaning against the sink. Marjorie followed her lead and mimicked her position.

"Is it mean to say you can say that again?" Marjorie replied. Although she meant it (kind of) she smiled as she said it. "You're a tricky one Mia."

Mia smiled back and simply said "I know."

"Why did it upset you so much? What Reece said? Nothing usually seems to get to you, especially coming from Reece." Marjorie just had to ask. She never thought she'd see the red head show so much emotion - let alone cry.

Mia looked down slightly and for a moment Marjorie thought she'd overstepped. But then, the red head flicked her eyes upwards and said "do you know, the one thing that truly terrifies me is that one day Charlotte will wake up and realise she can do so much better than me. One day, she could walk away and find someone with no bitterness, no spite, no baggage. She says I could have anyone I want but she has no idea how special she is - anyone could fall in love with Charlotte. I can't even imagine how many times people have asked what she sees in me. Reece seems to think it's all so easy for me, but it's not. Lots of people have wanted me for how I look, sure. But I don't want that, I want someone to love me, the way Charlotte does and now I have that I'm so terrified to lose it." It felt good to finally articulate her feelings.

Marjorie felt guilty. Because she herself had certainly asked what Charlotte saw in Mia - not recently, but still.

"Mia, it doesn't matter if other people don't know what Charlotte sees in you. What matters is that she does see who you really are, and she loves you. I've never seen Charlotte so happy, so whoever you are to her clearly is perfect for her. You're right that anyone could fall in love with her, she's amazing. And she wants you."

At this, Mia felt her heart flutter. Charlotte really did love her so much, and loving Charlotte was as easy as simply breathing each day. She made Mia want to be a better person and find joy in the world again.

"Thanks Marjorie. Reece is lucky to have you."

Majorie's eyebrows raised in response "you think so? I mean...YOU think that? About me?"

Mia giggled in response "sure...I probably shouldn't say this cos you are my ex boyfriends present girlfriend, but you are hot" she winked playfully as she said this, then smiled wildly when Marjorie let out the silliest little giggle of her own. There was nothing genuinely flirtatious about their exchange, it was just how Mia was. She liked to compliment women, it always made their faces light up.

As the two woman smiled at each other, they both began to relax further. The walls they had both built to protect themselves were falling fast. Mia wondered if she had been missing out all these years, having people to care about really wasn't so bad. Speaking of caring about people, her mind wandered to the seventeen year old apprentice she had despised just a few short months ago. Now, she had managed to find a place in her heart for the young girl - she wanted to protect her, and make sure she didn't become jaded by life. As she pondered their growing friendship, she said out-loud..."God I hope Carly's alright."