Before I could share my theory about the Bermuda Triangle, Lana's mother walked into the room with a friendly smile on her face.

"Hi, Mrs Armstrong." I greeted, wondering if she would enjoy my theories more than her daughter.

"Hello, Ella sweetheart." The woman's voice was filled with energy as she spoke "How are you?"

"I'm good." I answered back, crossing my arms over myself as I sat up from her sofa.

"How did it go with school today?" Mrs Armstrong turned to her daughter with curiosity flowing through her words "Did you get closer to that boy you like?"

Lana's cheeks turned crimson when she mumbled "Yes, Mom. I did."

"I heard his friend was starting too." The older woman set her sights on me with a grin as she continued her interrogation "What is he like?"

I bit down my instant response to the question which would use very colourful language.

Shrugging, I shared with her “Well...he growls and grumbles a lot."

"Growls?" Mrs Armstrong repeated, appearing confused "Like an animal?"

"No." I answered, not mentioning the huskiness and the dark appeal of it "More like a broken vacuum."

Mrs Armstrong laughed before she sauntered through to the kitchen and came back through with a bundle of washing. She then left to go upstairs.

Just as she left, the front door opened, and Mr Armstrong made his way into the house with a few bags of groceries.

Lana ran over to give him a quick hug and to help him carry the bags.

A pain went straight to my chest as I watched the two of them.

Every single time I set foot in her house; it was like a hit to the gut. The emotions that I was trying to keep down resurfaced when I saw them all laughing and spending time together.

A family eating together and sharing stories about their day was something so simple yet it was all I wanted. The Armstrong household was a painful reminder of what I did not have. What I wanted but could not ever have.

It was not like Lana, or her parents ever made me feel unwelcome. It was the opposite. They considered me family and always welcomed my visits with open arms.

I had mixed feelings about spending time at their house. I enjoyed their company but then I had to eventually go home to my own empty house, and it only made me miss what I once had more.

"Hello, Mr Armstrong." I greeted as I walked over to take a bag from him.

The round man gave me a small hug before placing a bag in my hand "How are you, Ella? Are you staying for dinner?"

"It is macaroni night." I told him with a grin "Nothing could keep me away."

We took the shopping to the kitchen and started to unpack it as Mrs Armstrong appeared at the doorway with a small smile.

"I have already made a start on the dinner." She informed while making her way over to the oven to make sure the cheese was melting properly "It will be ready in about twenty minutes."