Melody

"Wha-what's he doing here?"

It came out sounding hoarse and quiet. It didn't even sound like me. It sounded foreign. Far away. Frightened.

"Son of a–" Carson growled, taking his hand out of mine and took a stride towards Diesel. I reached out to stop him, but it was moments late as he was already storming over to the group of jocks. He threw Diesel against the lockers, creating a large bang. "Why the hell are you here?"

I glanced around frantically, wondering how to stop this from happening. No one seemed to move, except for the football players, who were ready to jump in on his behalf. Diesel waved them off, despite the fact that Carson had him pinned up against the lockers. All eyes were on them and on me. Waiting for the next move.

"No evidence, no foul," Diesel replied smugly.

"I swear to God–" Carson sneered.

"Besides, not like I got much action," Diesel winked. My blood ran cold and my eyes burned with tears I refused to let fall. Carson pulled back his arm ready to punch him, but suddenly Harvey was there with some guys from the basketball team. They pulled Carson off Diesel before his fist could make a connection to skin.

"Next time, I'll let him give you an eye to match your jaw," Harvey said as his teammates pulled Carson away.

The first bell rang, and the crowd began to disperse. I felt frozen to my spot, eyes locked with Diesel, until his friends ushered him away. As I watched them walk down the hall, I noticed Emma and Alani walking towards me.

"You okay?" Alani asked standing in front of me. I pressed my lips together and nodded, unsure of what would actually come out if I opened my mouth.

"I can't believe that a-hole is back! I thought he'd be expelled!" Emma said. "I'm so sorry Mel." She raised her hand to put on my shoulder but pulled it back when I flinched slightly. My cheeks felt hot, and quickly I began stuttering out an apology. "It's okay, don't worry at all."

"Let's go to class," Alani said. "We'll walk you."

"What about Carson?" I asked quietly.

"Harvey sent a text saying their coach already heard about the almost fight and was chewing them out," Emma replied softly. "I'm sure he'll check in with you soon."

"Okay."

***

I couldn't focus in my first class. It wasn't new for me, considering what has been going on, but I felt particularly like getting up and going for a jog. I wanted to escape in some way from the living nightmare going to school had become. My legs bounced anxiously as I counted down the minutes my first class would be over, earning me a couple of annoyed looks from the girl who sat next to me.

The moment the bell rang, I was up and out of there. But once I was in the hallway, the idea of sitting through a second class didn't seem appealing, so I went to the only place in the school that I knew I could get some peace and quiet.

I locked myself in the custodial closet and left the lights off so no one would think to come inside here. Once the hallway cleared out, I laid on my side and started doing leg raises. It was the easiest thing I could do to release a little bit of the anxiety in my body. After leg raises, I moved to squats and then to sit ups. It wasn't enough to sweat profusely, but it was enough to burn calories. When I finally began feeling lightheaded, I sat down and checked my cellphone.

I'm sorry I didn't get to see you before class.

Coach started in on me about the fight.

I'll see you after first period.

Carson White; 9:23am

I waited but you didn't come to your class.

I had to go into class, but I'm looking out for you.

Carson White; 10:15am

Where are you?

I hope you're okay.

Carson White; 10:28am

Mellie, are you okay?

I'm worried.

Carson White; 10:46am

Hi. I'm okay.

Sorry.

Melody Reese; 10:50am

Good.

Where are you?

Carson White; 10:52am

I hesitated there. How lame would it sound to tell him that I was hiding in a closet? I felt like a five-year-old who heard a bump in the night. Only it was pathetic because I wasn't five.

Melody?

Carson White; 11:00am

I skipped second.

I'm okay.

Melody Reese; 11:01am

I can leave class and come see you.

Just tell me where.

Carson White; 11:04am

It's okay. Don't get in trouble.

I'll see you at lunch.

Melody Reese; 11:09am

I put my phone in my bag and sighed. I'd see him soon and like a loser five-year-old, I didn't want to give up my hiding spot. It was embarrassing enough that Ms. Foster had found me in here once; I didn't need a repeat.

***

As soon as the bell rang, I slipped out of the closet before the hallway got busy. Ms. Foster was sitting at her desk, marking when I got into the art room. Usually I would have sat at my desk, but this time I didn't. I closed the door behind me and dropped my bag by my seat, before walking over to her.

"Why is he back?" I asked. Ms. Foster looked up at me, her eyes filled with many emotions. She hesitated to speak, as I searched her face for the answers.

"Melody..." An administrative-styled excuse was on its way out, but I didn't want to hear it.

"Don't give me the answer they want you to give me," I said. "Why is he back?"

"It wasn't on school property. There isn't enough evidence. It's he-said, she-said," she said softly. I felt my shoulders drop slightly.

"Only the 'he' is the popular football star, and the 'she' is the loser who found herself at the wrong party in the wrong bathroom at the wrong time. And according to everyone, the 'she' has buyer's remorse and is only stirring up drama for attention," I swallowed hard.

"I really fought this Melody, but admin said that the days he was suspended was all they could do. I'm so sorry," she said.

"It's not your fault," I replied, wiping away the tears that had fallen onto my cheeks. Mid-wipe, I tried not to freeze as my bruise stung under my touch. I wondered if my makeup had completely come off and now revealing the mark Margot had left on my cheek. By the look on her face, Ms. Foster hadn't noticed it yet, so I adjusted my hair to let it cover my face more as I went to my seat.

The door opened before I could sit down and in walked Carson, who quickly paced over to me. He took a look at the sad, tired expression on my face and pulled me into a hug.

"Are you okay?" he whispered into my hair. I didn't want to cry anymore so I simply shrugged.

"I should, um, probably work on my anthropology reading... seeing as I skipped that class," I said quietly. Carson released me from his embrace, and I bent down to get my textbook out of my bag. Carson sat next to me and pulled out his lunch as I put my book on the table.

I peered through my curtain of hair as he whipped out a homemade chicken burger, carrot sticks, and dip. I stared back down at my textbook, not the feeling the slightest bit of inclination to eat. Emma, Harvey, Noah, and Alani drifted into the room shortly, luckily before Carson could offer me anything to eat, and while I didn't really want more company, I was grateful for the interruption. Even if it meant having eyes on me while I pretended to do homework.

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Author's Note: Hi everyone! I know it's been a minute, but I hope you like this this chapter. Hopefully I'll have another one up for you soon! The next couple of weeks will be hectic, but I have a few ideas in mind so things are looking good! Take care of yourselves! xo