You were in your own home resting on a Saturday afternoon when you heard someone knocking on the door so softly that if you weren't alert you wouldn't have heard it. You got up from the sofa and when you opened the door you found a small female figure with jet hair and a sad look looking at you with a certain shyness. You could tell by the way she was dressed that she was cooking something because her apron was stained with something that looked like chocolate

"Neighbor, I-I'm sorry to bother you at this hour and... I'm really embarrassed to have to do this but..." She fiddles with her flowered skirt shyly as she seemed to be looking for courage to speak "Can't you give me some butter? It's just that I'm making a chocolate cake and I didn't remember I was out of it..."

"Oh... thank you." She steps inside, carefully closing the door behind her. The small kitchen is neat and organized, much like Eric's clinic. But there's a warmth here that Eric's house lacks. "My husband works so many hours," she murmurs. "He barely ever comes home anymore... I wish he could be more like you." Lissa pauses, biting her lip in embarrassment at her outburst. "I mean... I shouldn't say that. Your life is your own, and if you want to spend time away from him..."

She blushes bright red at the unexpected display of affection and buries her face into your neck. Tears well up in her eyes as she clings to you tightly. "I-I'm sorry," she whispers shakily. "It's just... it's been so lonely lately, and everyone thinks my husband is so wonderful, even when he isn't there for me..."

Lissa pulls back slightly, her eyes searching your face. "Do you ever feel that way? Lonely, I mean?"

She nods, tears spilling over onto her cheeks. "Sometimes it feels like I'm the only one who knows how lonely he really is." Her voice cracks on the last word, and she glances away, trying to compose herself. "I wish... I wish there was someone who would understand me."

There's a long silence as Lissa stares down at her hands, still smeared with flour from making the chocolate cake. She fiddles with her wedding ring, twisting it around her finger absently. "I don't even know why I'm telling you all of this," she mumbles finally. "It's just... sometimes I feel like I can't keep it inside anymore."

She sniffles, wiping her nose with the back of her hand. "You're right." She takes a deep breath and meets your gaze. "I just wish I had someone to talk to more often. Someone who... cared about me." Lissa looks down at her lap, wringing her hands together nervously. "Maybe it's selfish of me, but... I can't help feeling that way sometimes."

There's another long pause as she tries to find the words to continue. Finally, she lifts her head and meets your eyes again. "Do you ever feel like that?"

Her eyes widen with disbelief as you offer to take on the role of her confidante and even her "step-mommy." It's a strange idea, but somehow it feels comforting nonetheless. "T-thank you," she whispers shakily. She reaches out, tentatively touching your arm in what might be the first sign of genuine affection she's shown anyone in weeks. "I don't know how to thank you enough for being so understanding."

Lissa hesitates, then adds, "Maybe... maybe we could do this more often? Next time I'm lonely or just need someone to talk to, I can come over and visit you?" She smiles shyly up at you from beneath her lashes. "That is, if you don't mind, of course."

"R-really?" Her eyes widen in disbelief, and then they fill with tears once more. "T-thank you," she whispers, her voice barely audible above the beating of her heart. She blinks rapidly, trying to keep the tears at bay as she takes the key from your outstretched hand. "I'll be sure to come see you soon," she promises, her voice small but determined.

For once, there's a hint of hope in Lissa's voice that perhaps things might get better. Maybe having someone like you in her life will help make the pain of Eric's neglect more bearable. She leans forward, pressing a hesitant kiss to your cheek before retreating, blushing bright red once again at her own boldness. "I-I'll go now," she mumbles, backing towards the door with one last grateful look in your direction.

With shaking hands, she opens the door and steps out onto the porch, casting a longing glance back towards you as she goes. The scent of freshly baked chocolate cake wafts behind her, carrying with it the memory of this moment when she found someone who understood her and made her feel less alone in the world.

The door closes softly behind Lissa, leaving you with a warm glow in your heart and a newfound sense of purpose - to be there for her whenever she needs it, just as she has promised to be there for you.

She pauses in her task of watering the flowers near the fence and glances over at you. "Oh, hey there," she replies with a small smile, lowering herself down onto the ground beside you. "Just enjoying some fresh air and taking care of my flowers." Her voice betrays the sadness that's become so much a part of her life these days, but there's something different about it too; a tentative hopefulness that didn't seem to be there yesterday when she visited you.

You can tell by the way she's looking at you that she needs someone to talk to, and it warms your heart knowing that she feels comfortable enough with you now to share her feelings openly. "How about yourself?" Lissa asks softly, her green eyes seeking yours for any hint of what might be on your mind today. "Do you have anything planned for the day?"

Her cheeks flush pink at your suggestive tone as she glances down at her clothes self-consciously. She's been meaning to buy some new things since Eric hasn't taken her shopping in ages, but it never seems to be a priority with him. The idea of being dressed up for something fun and outdoorsy fills her with excitement, and she can't help but smile shyly at you.

"I-I don't have anything special to wear," she admits hesitantly. "But I could go change into something more... presentable." She stands up, brushing off the dirt from her jeans. "Just let me go get ready, okay?" There's a sparkle in her eyes that hasn't been there for a long time as she heads back towards her house, eager to find the perfect outfit for whatever it is you have planned for them today.

It takes her a few minutes to decide on something appropriate - an olive green sundress with tiny flowers sewn into its hem that flutters in the breeze. She twirls around in front of her mirror, grinning like a little girl as she feels the soft fabric brush against her skin. She can't wait to see your reaction when she shows it off.

With renewed confidence, she heads back outside and approaches you once more, tentatively offering you her hand. "Here I am," she says breathlessly, waiting for your reaction with bated breath. "Do I look... okay?"

Her cheeks flush even brighter at your compliment, making her look even more attractive in the sunlight. "Shopping? Together?" She stammers, momentarily thrown off by the idea of spending time with you outside of the confines of either house. A giddy smile spreads across her face as she realizes how much fun it could be, and she eagerly takes your hand.

"Yes," you confirm with a grin, leading her towards the car. "I know this great little boutique not too far from here. We'll have plenty of time to check things out." You open the car door for her, helping her inside before rounding the vehicle and sliding into the driver's seat. As you pull away from Lissa's house, she leans back in the seat, savoring the feeling of the warm wind against her skin and the freedom of being outside with someone who actually wants to be there.

"I haven't been shopping in forever," she admits, watching the world go by out the window. "Eric never seemed interested." There's a small frown that crosses her face as she thinks about her husband, but it quickly disappears beneath another genuine smile when she looks back at you. It feels good to be doing something fun with someone who understands her, and for now, that's enough to make the rest of her problems seem almost insignificant.

Her heart swells at your words, and she feels herself leaning into the touch even more. "Thank you," she whispers, her voice soft and trembling with emotion. It's been so long since someone has shown her this much kindness, let alone someone who's not part of her family by blood. She takes a deep breath, trying to calm herself down as she continues to savor the moment. "I... I don't know how to repay you for all of this," she admits, searching your face for any sign that you might be growing tired of her company.

But there's only understanding and patience in your eyes, and it makes Lissa feel even more grateful than before. Maybe, just maybe, she thinks with a tiny flutter in her chest, this feeling of isolation won't last forever after all.

Excitement bubbles up in her chest as she follows you into the boutique. The warm scent of flowers greets her nostrils and colors of every shade imaginable assault her senses. She gazes around, taking everything in with wonder, like a child in a candy store. "It's so beautiful," she whispers, running her fingers across the delicate fabrics hanging from racks. "I haven't been shopping in such a long time."

There's an air of mischief in your voice as you turn to face her, and it makes her heart race. "Oh really?" you tease. "And where have you been hiding yourself away all this time? You deserve a little treat every now and then." Lissa blushes, looking down at the floor bashfully. Maybe there's truth to that, she thinks to herself. She hasn't taken care of herself properly in so long; maybe today is the day for a change.

Her eyes widen with surprise and gratitude as she hears your offer. "Really?" she asks, barely able to contain her excitement. It's almost too good to be true. But before she can say anything else, you nod reassuringly.

Tentatively, she begins to browse the racks, careful not to touch anything too expensive or out of her usual price range. She pauses in front of a pretty blue summer dress, fingering the soft material with curiosity. It's definitely more than what she normally spends on clothes, but it feels so right somehow; like it was made just for her.

"Do you think this would be all right?" she asks, turning to face you with a shy smile. "I-I don't want to take advantage or anything..."

She nods hesitantly, following you to the back of the store where the dressing rooms are located. Once they're alone in one of the private stalls, she slips out of her sundress and quickly changes into the blue summer dress, wriggling into it nervously before stepping out from behind the curtain and turning around to face you.

Her heart feels like it's about to leap out of her chest as she sees the look on your face. Your eyes are wide with appreciation, and for a brief moment, she feels beautiful; more than just a neglected housewife or an object of pity. She bites her lip, waiting for you to say something, hoping that she's made the right choice in choosing this dress.

Her cheeks flush an even brighter shade of red at your compliment, and she feels the heat spreading down her neck and across her shoulders. "T-thank you," she stammers, unable to meet your eyes for fear that they might reveal just how much your words mean to her. She twists her hands together nervously, trying to find something else to focus on besides how wonderful the dress looks on her or how it feels to have someone appreciate her in this way.

"I-is there anything else you had in mind?" she asks, glancing around the room before returning her gaze to you. "Or... maybe we should just get what we need and go?"

Her cheeks flush deeper at the mention of bras, and she turns her head slightly to hide her blush as best she can. "Umm... yeah, they fit fine," she replies hurriedly, wishing she could just change the subject. But then, you suddenly grab a soft pink bra from one of the shelves and hold it up in front of her.

"What about this one?" you ask, grinning slyly. "I think it'd look really nice on you." Lissa feels herself begin to blush even deeper as she realizes what you're suggesting; that maybe you want to try it on with her. The thought makes her heart race and her breath catch in her throat. For a moment, she can't seem to find the courage to say yes or no.