The morning light filtered through the kitchen window as Lois stood by the coffee maker, her mind swirling with thoughts of Naomi's earlier confrontation. She knew she had to make changes, especially with Meg. Taking a deep breath, she poured herself a cup of coffee and walked to the living room where Peter and the boys were already bickering over the TV remote.
"Hey, guys!" Lois called out, trying to inject a cheerful tone into her voice. "Can we have a family meeting?"
Peter looked up, confused but intrigued. "Sure, what's up?"
"Um, I wanted to talk about Meg," Lois began, feeling the weight of her words. "I know I haven't been the best mother to her. I've been so wrapped up in my own issues that I haven't given her the love and attention she deserves."
The room fell silent, the boys looking at each other, unsure of how to respond. Finally, Chris piped up, "Uh, okay?"
Lois continued, her heart racing. "I'm sorry for the times I brushed her off or didn't listen. Meg has always needed me, and I've failed her. I want to do better. I want to be there for her."
Peter raised an eyebrow. "Are you okay, Lois? You're acting... different."
"I'm fine," Lois replied, a hint of defensiveness creeping into her voice. "I just want to make amends. I want to apologize to Meg, too."
---
Meanwhile, Meg sat on the edge of her bed, her heart pounding. She could hear the muffled voices of her family downstairs, but they felt worlds away. Why was her mother suddenly trying to be nice? Part of her was skeptical.
When Lois finally knocked and entered, a rehearsed smile plastered on her face, Meg felt her stomach twist. "Meg, can we talk?"
"Sure," Meg replied, her tone flat.
Lois sat down next to her, visibly nervous. "I just wanted to say I'm really sorry for everything. I know I haven't been there for you the way a mother should be. I didn't realize how much my behavior hurt you."
Meg forced herself to meet her mother's gaze but felt the lump forming in her throat. "Right... okay."
Lois continued, her voice shaky. "I know it might feel fake to you, but I really want to change. I love you, and I want to support you."
"Okay," Meg said, trying to sound agreeable but failing to hide her skepticism. "I accept your apology, but—" she hesitated, unsure how to articulate her feelings. "I don't know if I believe you."
Lois's heart sank, but she pressed on. "I promise I'll do better, Meg. I want to be there for you—really."
"I... I don't know if that's enough," Meg whispered, a mix of hurt and confusion flooding her.
Lois nodded, her eyes shimmering with unshed tears. "I understand. Just know that I'm trying."
---
Later that evening, Meg met up with Riley at the park, their usual hangout spot. The sun was setting, casting a warm glow over everything, but Meg felt anything but warm inside. As they walked, Meg found herself retreating into her thoughts, her insecurities gnawing at her.
"Meg, you okay?" Riley asked, noticing the shift in her demeanor.
"Yeah, I'm fine," Meg snapped, not meaning to sound harsh but feeling overwhelmed.
Riley frowned. "You don't seem fine. You can talk to me, you know."
Meg felt a rush of frustration boiling over. "Why do you want to hang out with me?! Did Connie Dico put you up to this just to embarrass me? To actually make me feel like ONE goddamn person in this town cares about me? Everyone hates me. Everyone abuses me. I'm ugly! Why can't you see that?!"
The words burst from her, and for a moment, she felt liberated but also horrified. She watched as Riley's expression shifted from concern to disbelief, hurt flashing across her face.
"Meg, I'm not trying to embarrass you! I like hanging out with you because you're... you," Riley replied, her voice soft but steady.
Meg shook her head, tears brimming in her eyes. "You don't get it! I'm just some loser in this town. I don't know why you even bother."
"Because you're more than that," Riley insisted, stepping closer. "You're smart, talented, and you deserve to be happy. You have to believe that!"
"I don't know how!" Meg cried, her composure cracking. "Every time I try to be something, I just end up feeling worse. I'm scared of getting hurt again. I don't want to let you in and find out it was all a lie."
Riley reached out, gently taking Meg's hands in hers. "I won't hurt you, I promise. Just give me a chance to show you that you matter to me. You're not alone in this."
Breathing heavily, Meg felt her defenses slowly crumbling. The sincerity in Riley's eyes was undeniable, and for the first time, she realized that maybe she wasn't as invisible as she thought. "I just... I don't want to be hurt again," she whispered.
"I know," Riley said softly, squeezing Meg's hands. "But I'm not like the others. I care about you, Meg. Please believe that."
---
As Meg stared into Riley's eyes, the world around them faded, leaving just the two of them standing at the brink of something new. Maybe this time, things could be different.
YOU ARE READING
Target of Affection
Fanfiction"Target of Affection" is about the cut scene or whatever you went to call it with Lois Griffin, and that target employee who got marked by target but her name for the story will be "Naomi"
