D E S I D E R A T A [ g.d ] ON HOLD

07

Chapter 07! To be honest I am not happy with this one (just like Matty in this gif). It feels as if there isn't much of excitement but I am trying to make everything be realistic as possible so I hope you will still enjoy it :) But, but, but, I can tell you that it will get better by the next chapter ;)

Big hugs to Jolene and Mae because they are so supportive, it's crazy! You're the best!

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"So, he did it again?" Marcia asked from the kitchen, walking to her five years old son Tim and giving him his bottle of juice. She walked back, leaving Tim to play games on Nellie's phone as he sat in the armchair that was placed in the corner of the room. "When?"

Nellie stared at the steam of hot coffee twirling from the cup; the smell of it trickling her nose. She was seated in the middle of the comfortable blue sofa, surrounded with colourful cushions and patchwork throws. One of the many talents that Marcia had was without a doubt home decorating and Nellie always wished she had it too. Clive's and her home was just bunch of black and brown furniture without a soul, without any picture or anything that will make it less cold.

Marcia was now carrying a cup of coffee for herself as she walked to the living room to join her best friend. They haven't had chance to talk in a while, part because Marcia was working and part because Clive didn't really like when Nellie spent time with her. Marcia didn't understand why Clive was hostile to whoever was a friend with Nellie but there was a lot more that was wrong with Clive.

"When we got back from Des Moines," Nellie sighed, rubbing at her shoulder. "Well, he started insulting me as soon as we started the ride back home. He kept telling me that I embarrassed him on the party in front of his family but I really don't even remember talking to them in the first place."

"I am sorry, hun." Marcia crossed her skinny legs and leaned into sofa and looked in the distance through the open balcony doors.

Nellie just took a sip of her coffee, burning the roof of her mouth a bit as she did so. Marcia kept talking something about what happened at work but Nellie didn't hear it. And even if she wanted to focus she couldn't.

She wasn't able to do that ever since that night.

She had seen him again and she just stood there, stunned and surprised, thousand different emotions running through her body. They just stared at each other, reading from each other's faces and even as if seemed like an eternity it was just a few seconds before he disappeared. It troubled her and she couldn't calm her nerves. Seeing someone after a one night stand wasn't supposed to feel like it felt that night in Seattle and yet for her it did.

You are married, for fuck sake Nellie – she thought.

"Hmm, what did you say?" Marcia asked and Nellie looked up from her cup, realising she had been thinking out loud.

"Nothing!" She quickly retorted, taking another sip of the coffee and avoiding Marcia's inquisitive gaze upon her.

"Nellie," Marcia sighed, putting the cup on the low coffee table, "I know something troubles you and I feel it's not only Clive." Nellie still didn't look at Marcia but instead she focused on the Tim and his striped socks, bringing the cup to her lips. "Are you pregnant?"

Nellie's eyes widened, almost spitting out the coffee as she faced her friend with a mortified look. "NO!" she replied, louder than she wanted to. "No, of course not." Her voice was more hushed now as she fidgeted with her fingers.

Marcia ran a hand through her hair, unsure on how to ask Nellie the question she wanted to. She decided to be direct and not beat around the bush. "Do you even have...—" Marcia looked at Tim before slightly tilting her head on the side, "—...you know," she wiggled her eyebrows a bit, hoping that Nellie will catch it.