Melody

       The rest of the time went by quickly, as now everyone was getting tired and it was all strictly homework. Everyone's focus was on the assignment, and not on me and I was relieved. We didn't discuss the fact that I didn't eat anything and got up in the middle of their dinner. They focused on the written part while I quickly cut out the finished drawings. Then we were done.

Jeff was picked up by his dad, and of course offered to drive Lily home, although she insisted her mom could pick her up. Once they left, it was just Carson and I standing in the foyer by the front door. His big brown eyes bore into mine as we stood there silently. I could feel nerves twisting in my stomach, so I broke eye contact.

"Well, um, I should be going now," I said quickly as I picked up my backpack from off the floor.

"Are you walking?" Carson asked. When I nodded his facial features slipped into a frown. "But it's getting dark out."

"I'll be fine," I responded. Carson sighed.

"Please give me some peace of mind Mel. I want to know that you're home safe!" Carson said. There was a hint of urgency to his voice as much as he played it off sounding cool. It took me a moment to even process that he'd called me 'Mel'. A nickname. One that I actually liked. I tried not to react as I responded to him.

"I'll be fine," I repeated with a small smile, and then I added, "you'll see me tomorrow."

"You're going to make me wait twelve hours to know you didn't get snatched in the dark?" Carson asked. His lips curved up into a partially teasing smile. "Let me drive you!"

It made my heart flutter that he seemed to care so much. But once he got to know me he'd stop caring. Everyone else did, and I didn't want him to stop caring too. It was better to keep him at a distance, so it wouldn't happen.

"You really don't have to."

"I don't have to, but I want to," Carson insisted. I smiled as he said that. Carson White really knew how to win a girl over.

***

We were quiet, but as we drove I watched him out of the corner of my eye. I knew that even as he kept his face still, he was thinking. I wondered what he was thinking about, and I hoped it had nothing to do with today. I knew that I'd have nowhere to escape to if he asked me anything personal, and I think he knew it too. But he stayed quiet. So, I was able relax.

***

The next day in English class, we handed in our collage. Mr. Garcia was very impressed with the drawings so far and he mentioned how excited he was to look at them more. I was glad that my art didn't let the group down and breathed a sigh of relief when he said it.

I could still hear the whispers of different stories explaining the bruise on my face and I was dreading the rest of the day, as I knew Ms. Foster was gone again today, and I wouldn't be able to spend my lunch there. I didn't want to sit with Alani and her friends because I wasn't sure how welcome I was. I didn't know whether or not Alani actually wanted me there or if she just was trying to repay me for standing up for her, and with Emma, I wasn't sure if she pitied me for being the new girl. I wasn't too sure about Noah, and Cora didn't seem to like me.

However, when lunch finally did roll around, Alani called me over right away when she saw me. I smiled and walked over to them, moving past the popular table without making eye contact with anyone there. I knew Carson was sitting there, but I didn't look at him either.

I when I got to the table, Emma and Alani's faces brightened, while Cora's fell slightly before she covered it up. "Hey guys!" I smiled. I tried to be as genuinely enthusiastic as possible.

"Hey Melody!" The varying levels of enthusiasm stuck out, but I ignored it and sat down. I pulled my sketchbook out and continued my doodle from yesterday. I discretely breathed through my mouth to avoid smelling their delicious food as they ate and conversed. I didn't try to join the conversation, and they didn't try to invite me in. It was a simple survival tactic: safety in numbers.

***

Art class was silent today, as one of the vice principals decided to be the substitute, since the last supply teacher let everything get out of hand. While it was great to get the peace in this class, I missed Ms. Foster, and couldn't wait until she was there tomorrow to go back to my regular routine.

In art, Emma sat beside me rather than two seats over. We were working on a texture assignment and she asked for another idea of what to draw. Other than that, we didn't speak. I wasn't sure what to make of the interaction, so I focused on my work, and went to math class when art was over.

***

After school, I was at my locker when Carson walked up to me. He smiled and leaned against the lockers next to mine.

"Hey," he started.

"Hi," I smiled. "Mr. Garcia seemed to like our project! So, the hard work from last night paid off!" I babbled. There was something about the way he approached me that told me he wasn't here for small talk, so I tried to distract him as much as possible.

"Yeah, hopefully we get an A!" Carson agreed. "So..." He begun but a loud girlish squeal cut him off.

"Carson!" Rose's annoying voice made me cringe, and I watched as she sashayed over to us. I glanced at her strappy pink heels, black and white plaid mini skirt and pink bra – oops, crop top. Either way she looked cute and it made me self-conscious about the outfit I was wearing. I had gone with oversized boyfriend jeans and a baggy shirt, while she looked like she stepped off of a runway. Rose glared at me for a moment, before smiling at Carson. I turned back to my locker as she started going on about a party happening this weekend. I quickly grabbed the last book I needed and closed the locker before turning around.

I hated feeling inferior to Rose. I wasn't competing with her, but it still felt like I was losing.

***

I woke up early the next day and pulled on a white, short-sleeved cropped shirt, then an A-line, black mini dress over it. I paired it with a pair of little white sneakers, to make it less dressy. I left my wavy dark hair down and put some make up on – especially trying to cover up my bruise. I yanked on a long necklace and a choker and headed downstairs.

"Melody, I made you a chicken salad for lunch!" Leslie called from the kitchen. I sighed and put a smile on my face as I went to get it from the kitchen.

"Thank you, Leslie," I said taking it from her.

"Have a good day honey," she grinned, before going back to her work. I put the food in my backpack and headed out the front door.

My walk to school was quiet, and I began to wonder if I had gotten the gig I auditioned for. I really hoped so and imagined myself getting all dolled up in makeup and the client's clothes and having fun posing in front of the camera. My good thoughts were erased when I stepped foot onto the property of Alcott High. I felt my entire demeanour change as I walked into the hallway.

It was such a difference from the fake confidence I exuded on my first day; to the way I tried to be inconspicuous now. I went from somewhat hopeful and happy to uncomfortable and quiet. It was better than my old school, but it still wasn't the freedom I had hoped for.

***

At lunch I walked over to the art room in excitement knowing that Ms. Foster would be back. I could eat my lunch in the safety and comfort of the art room. I walked to the door and looked inside, only to be disappointed. It was not Ms. Foster, but another substitute sat at her desk. My heart sank in my chest and I made my way to the cafeteria.

I sat with Alani and her friends and pulled out my chicken salad. My heart beat uncontrollably and unpleasantly in my chest as I placed it down on the table. I hated eating in front of people, and while I had to at dinners at home, I tried to avoid it if possible. Everyone at the table was quiet and watched as I opened the container and pulled out my fork. I decided on not making eye contact with anyone. I think Emma noticed my discomfort and started a conversation with everyone.

"Yeah, my dog has this weird thing about toasters. Every time the toast pops up he starts barking and runs away!" Cora continued. I mixed in the dressing and took a bite of my salad. It was really good, but I was taking slow, and calculated bites.

"Oh my gosh, who does he think he his? Paul Anka from Gilmore Girls?" Noah laughed, making the rest of the table chuckle along. I have never seen that show and I was far too anxious about my lunch to be making jokes.

"My cat likes to be tucked in under the covers during thunderstorms!" Alani added. The group cooed at how cute that was while I took another bite.

I glanced up and noticed Cora watching me through her dark eyes and my face heated. I swallowed uneasily and broke eye contact by looking around the cafeteria. I noticed Carson was sitting at the popular table and we made eye contact. He grinned at me making me give him a tiny smile back. Rose noticed his smiled and turned around to give me a dirty look. I raised my eyebrows and looked away. The pettiness was unreal.

"Whoa, whoa, whoa," Noah said suddenly. I blinked nervously in response. "What just happened there?" Noah asked me.

"I-I have no idea," I mumbled looking down.

"I think, Carson White has the hots for you... and Rose knows it," Emma said. There was a chorus of squeals 'oohs' from my table, and I felt my cheeks heat, but didn't say anything because I didn't think it was true.

"It's true. She was annoyed when Carson defended you to Serena the other day at lunch," Alani added. I tried to keep my face neutral at that but was glad to know he stuck up for me even behind my back. I just knew whatever was going on Rose did not like it at all and hoped I that she didn't have anything else planned in response.

_____________

Author's Note: Yay! Finally another chapter! I knew where I was going, it just took me a little long to figure how I was getting there! But here it is, and I hope you like it lots! Tell me what you think about Carson, and Alani + friends!

Also, here is Rose's outfit:

Melody's black dress & shirt outfit:

Don't forget to vote and Comment (and tell your friends)! :D