Target of Affection

chapter 7: construction work on the bridges

Lois and Meg stood there, their tears mingling with the heavy silence that followed. For Meg, it was the first time in years she felt seen, yet the pain still lingered, a deep wound that couldn't be healed with a few words.

Lois gently squeezed Meg's hands. "I know this doesn't fix everything... but I want you to know that I'm not going to stop trying."

Meg pulled her hands away slowly, her fingers trembling. "It's going to take more than an apology," she whispered, her voice shaky. "You can't just expect me to... to believe you overnight. I've been hurt too much. I've been hurt *for too long.*"

Lois nodded, swallowing the lump in her throat. "I understand. I've failed you, Meg. But I promise, this time, I'm really trying."

Meg's lip quivered. She wanted to believe her. She wanted to believe her so badly. But the years of neglect and cruelty weren't something that could be erased with one conversation.

Before Lois could respond, the sound of footsteps echoed in the hallway, and Chris peeked his head through the doorway. "Mom, dinner's almost ready. Are you coming?"

Lois looked back at Meg, her expression soft. "I'll be down in a minute." As Chris left, Lois reached out to touch Meg's arm, her fingers lingering gently. "We'll take this one step at a time, okay?"

Meg didn't pull away this time. She gave a faint nod, not trusting her voice to say anything more.

When Lois finally left the room, Meg collapsed back onto her bed, staring at the ceiling, her mind swirling. She didn't know what to believe anymore—Lois had hurt her for so long that trusting her now felt impossible. And yet, there was a tiny part of her that craved what Lois had offered. A relationship. A connection. Love.

But was it real? Was it worth the risk of opening herself up, only to be hurt again?

Her phone buzzed on her nightstand, pulling her out of her thoughts. It was a message from Riley.

**Riley**: Hey, Meg. I'm sorry about earlier. Can we talk?

Meg stared at the message, her heart tightening. She hadn't forgotten how she lashed out at Riley—how she let all her insecurities pour out. Her fingers hovered over the screen, unsure of what to say. Could she let Riley in after everything?

After a long pause, Meg typed a response.

**Meg**: I'm sorry too. I didn't mean what I said.

It wasn't much, but it was a start.

---

Riley sat on the edge of her bed, anxiously staring at her phone. When the message from Meg finally appeared, she breathed a small sigh of relief. She'd been worried all day, running Meg's words through her mind over and over again.

**Riley**: I know. Can we meet up later? I want to make sure you're okay.

Meg's reply came quickly.

**Meg**: Yeah. I'd like that.

Riley smiled faintly, her worry easing just a little. She wanted to make things right with Meg, to show her that she wasn't just another person who would hurt her. Riley was willing to wait as long as it took for Meg to trust her.

---

Later that evening, Meg met Riley at the park, the air cool and quiet as they sat on one of the old wooden benches. For a long time, they didn't say anything, the silence thick between them. Finally, Riley spoke.

"You don't have to explain," Riley said gently, her eyes soft. "I get it. You're going through a lot."

Meg's hands fidgeted in her lap, her throat tight. "It's just... hard to believe people want to be around me."

Riley tilted her head, her voice steady but tender. "I want to be around you, Meg. Not because of anyone else, but because of you."

Meg's heart clenched. She wasn't used to hearing that. "But... why?" Her voice cracked. "Why do you care so much? Why do you even like me?"

Riley leaned in slightly, her voice soft but filled with conviction. "Because you're strong. You're kind. And you don't even realize how amazing you are."

Meg blinked back tears, her chest tightening. She had never thought of herself that way, not even once. "I don't feel amazing."

Riley reached out, placing a hand on Meg's. "You don't have to. But I see it. And I'm not going anywhere."

For the first time in a long while, Meg let herself believe it—just a little bit. She squeezed Riley's hand back, her walls slowly, cautiously lowering.

"Thanks, Riley," Meg whispered, her voice barely audible.

Riley smiled, her grip on Meg's hand tightening just enough to show she meant every word. "I'm always here for you."

As they sat there together, the stars twinkling above them, Meg felt something shift inside her. It wasn't quite peace, but it was the beginning of something—something better.

Maybe, just maybe, she wasn't as alone as she thought.