Not again. Not this again.

How many times did she have to do this over and over again?

Elizabeth releases a mumbled sigh, as her hands reach to grip the doorknob. This is the 7th - she knows she shouldn't be counting, but someday if the number gets overboard enough...People may just finally realize that this is not working. It hasn't been for the longest time. She tightens her hold on the doorknob, hoping that all the energy she's holding onto releases itself somehow, then she turns it.

The door clicks and she sneaks herself through the gap, making her way into the room - it was..different. Unlike the previous six, filled with 'inspirational' quotes, way too much color and always stacks of feedback forms, and the clipboards. She especially hated the clipboards. It almost feels like they were all there to grade her, to seem professional and get it over with.

This one though..She felt as though she was walking into a living room. It was well-lit, homely and cozy, and not one clipboard in sight, just couches and comfy pillows.

And a game station.

God, this was a sight for a sore eyes.

"Hi, Elizabeth?"

The voice knocked her right out of her thoughts, and she draws her attention to the man seated on the couch. He had the warmest eyes she'd ever seen, that's for sure. His brown hazel eyes radiated tenderness and his shirt hugged his body, highlighting the undeniable biceps underneath. You'd think this would make this easier for her...but truth be told - this may be the most challenging one yet. The rest was easy to hate. This one... she may have to try just a little harder.

"Yeah," A mumble escapes. "That's me." Elizabeth smiles, offering her hand and he takes it. His hand were big, wrapping her petite hand in his and they fit. "I'm Henry, Henry McCord."

"I'm aware. Nice to meet you, Dr McCor-" before she finishes her sentence, he cuts her off. "Henry. Henry's fine." He smiles, passing a warm cup of hot chocolate into her hands. "Here, homemade." Glancing down at the cup, she could tell he was a detailed man, if not thoughtful - judging by the tissue he wrapped the cup with, to keep her hands from getting burned by the beverage.

And the marshmallows.

Definitely not enough.

"Thank you," Boldly, she asked, "Hey, do you mind if I have the bag of marshmallows with this?"

Her question caught him by surprise, and he lets out a hearty chuckle. "Help yourself, Elizabeth."

"Help yourself, Elizabeth."
Henry says and looks into her eyes as she holds the giant packet of mini marshmallows, as though they were her whole life. Marshmallows brought her so much joy, she was definitely a food girl. A stunning one, in fact. Her eyes were like marble - blue, complex. But so loving and striking that you can't help but think she held the ocean under there. Her eyes told him so much - the depth that was in her, and he swears he can see the exhaustion, from crying, or contact and it breaks him a little.

"Thanks," She says and immediately falls back onto the couch, suddenly comfortable and settled when food enters the picture. "Go on then, do your thing."

This provoked a questioning head tilt from Henry. "What exactly is my thing?"

"Well, ask me questions, I answer, you sympathize, tell me everything is going to get better, I pretend I believe you, then "See ya next week!'"

Wow.

Elizabeth straightens her back and sits upright, ready to take on the bullets of questions Henry had to offer. Deep down, she knew - though she's done this a thousand times, looking like she's braving through it..It hurts. It hurts the same it did last week, when someone asks her how she is. It hurts the same when she heard the news that her parents were gone for good. It hurts, and she doesn't think that it will ever, ever go away.

But as she readies herself to respond "I'm fine.",

Henry looks her directly in her eyes..and says, "Well, do you wanna join me for a game of Mario Kart? 'Cause, that's what I wanted to ask, Elizabeth." He grins at her, and she melts.

"That sounds perfect, Henry." Her eyes light up.

"Good, prepare to go down. I won't let you off easy. Girl, boy, baby, granny...A game's a game."

Elizabeth laughs, and Henry swears to himself to remember the sound of the joy it carried.

"A game's a game,"

"Here we go!"

Here we go.

That's when Elizabeth knew...

She'll definitely be back again.

And this time, she can't wait.