MELODY
....

I'm slumped on my bed, scrolling through TikTok when Jess's name pops up on my screen with an incoming FaceTime.

I stare at it for a second, debating whether I'm in the mood for one of her epic gossip sessions, but curiosity wins out. Everytime I talk to her, she fills me in on things that are happening back home.

She means well I know but I hate it, it makes me even more homesick.

I swipe to answer and prop my phone against a pillow.

"Look who finally decided to call," I tease as her face comes into view.

She's in her room, as usual, with her LED lights glowing pink and purple in the background. Her hair is in a messy bun, and she's wearing one of those oversized hoodies that make her look like she's auditioning for a cozy rom-com.

"You're so dramatic," she says, rolling her eyes. "You're the one who never picks up. What's your excuse this time?"

"I'm recovering from a near-death experience," I deadpan. "Rain. Traffic. Stephanie."

Jess's brows shoot up. "Stephanie? As in Physio Barbie Stephanie?"

I shrug, leaning back against the headboard. "She had to take me for my review because someone bailed."

"Wow, tragic. Anyway," Jess says, clearly uninterested in my survival story, or maybe she got the memo that Stephanie is nothing but someone who is supposed to fix me.

"I have so much tea, you don't even understand. Where do you want me to start? School drama or basketball drama?"

"School first," I say, settling in. "Ease me into the chaos."

Jess launches into a detailed rundown of everything I've missed since we last spoke.

So, Mrs. Hartman walked out of fifth period last week because nobody did the reading, and Bryce McAllister decided to throw a party while his parents were out of town, only for it to get shut down by the cops within an hour.

There's more tea in between but at some point, I zone on. Wishing I was there watching all this stuff happening but I'm here instead, alone.

"And get this," Jess says, leaning closer to the camera like she's about to drop a bombshell. "Lila hooked up with Kendra at the party."

"No way," I say, sitting up straighter. "I thought she was still dating Connor?"

"She was," Jess says, smirking. "Not anymore, apparently."

"Messy," I say, shaking my head. "What about basketball? How's the team? Do you guys miss me?"

Jess groans. "A disaster. Coach is on this whole 'tough love' thing, and everyone's miserable. Kelly sprained her ankle during practice, so now we're down a starter for the next game, and Nina's been acting like she's the team captain since you left even though nobody asked her to be."

"Sounds fun," I say, though I don't mean it. It's saddening to see what it's all gotten to. If I was there, none of this would be happening.

"It's not," Jess says,"But enough about that. How's your leg? Are you still hobbling around like an old lady?"

"Pretty much," I say, lifting my injured leg slightly for dramatic effect. "The doctor said it's healing slower than it should, which means I'm stuck like this for a while. Stephanie practically argued with him about it."

Jess raises an eyebrow. "She argued with your doctor?"

"Yeah," I say, shrugging. "It was... weirdly."

Jess is quiet for a second, her expression unreadable. Then she says, "That's... surprising. I didn't think you two got along."

"We don't," I say quickly. Too quickly she flinches like she's next to me. "I mean, not really. She's just... around and I'm stuck home all day so..."

Jess doesn't press further, instead, she changes the subject. "So, Marco asked me on a date."

And just like that, the air shifts. My chest tightens, and I force myself to keep my expression neutral.

"Oh?" I say, pretending to focus on adjusting my blanket. "What'd he say?"

Jess hesitates, which is how I know this is still hard for her....and me too.

"He wants to hang out," she says finally. "Like, since you're cool with it or whatever."

Goodness, I thought I was.

My life is just turning into a story because do you know how disgusting that 'dating my best friends brother's trope is? Yeah that's Jess and that's my freaking life now.

"That's... good, right?" I say, trying to sound supportive even though my stomach twists.

Jess shrugs, fiddling with the string of her hoodie. "I don't know. It's weird, you know."

I nod, because of course I know. Marcos is like a piece of me, and Jess, even more so. Then getting together just feels like they're ditching me to be with each other.

I told her I was fine with it and I was, mostly. But every now and then, moments like this remind me that the whole situation sucks for me.

It would probably be worse if I was there. I'd be like the third-wheel.

"You should go," I say, forcing a smile. "Marco probably had something insane planned out."

Jess laughs. "You think so?"

"Yeah," I say. "He goes all out for people he cares about."

Jess chuckles again, a blush attacking her face. "Nice."

We sit in silence for a moment, the sound of her fidgeting with her hoodie string filling the space.

It's not awkward, but it's not as easy as it used to be either. I don't know if it's just me or she feels it too but, she's been distant.

This is not the first time we have been apart but it feels different.

"So," I say, changing the subject before the tension can settle in, "what else is new? Any other tea I should know about?"

Jess perks up immediately, launching into a story about how Ava tried to start a rumor about Brooke and ended up getting caught in her own lie.

I let her ramble, nodding and laughing in all the right places, but my mind keeps wondering if we will ever be that close again.

Has she found new friends? Is she having fun without me?

I want to ask but I don't want to come off as clingy and jealous, so when she finally cuts the call, I text Marco.

I hope you have a wonderful place picked out for Jess you fuckin traitor. If you're going to steal my best friend, make it worth the trouble.

Marco replies a second later.

Can't believe you're jealous Balls. Get your own girlfriend! 😂

Maybe I will.

Good luck finding one when you can't even get out of the house! Limpyhead.

Where does he can these horrible nicknames?