Melody

Dr. Williams soon came back with my father and I could feel my heart pounding in my chest. I watched as he walked over and awkwardly stood between my bedside and the chair beside it.

"So," Dr. Williams began. "I've already told your father about your eating disorder, but I think it'd be beneficial for the two of you to talk about treatment options."

"Uh, yes... treatment." My father cleared his throat. He let out a sigh and pressed his fingers to the bridge of his nose. "Melody, how could this happen?" I shrugged slightly and glared down at my lap. "Why didn't you talk to me?"

I felt my blood boil at that. I looked up at him so quickly and sharply that it made my head hurt. Dr. Williams started to interject but I cut her off.

"Because you left me! You threw yourself into work and buried yourself in Margot in your spare time. You left me to fend for myself. There were times it was like you couldn't even look at me and Margot was so quick to explain that it was because I was a disappointment, or too fat or too ugly. So–"

"It's because you're the spitting image of your mother!" he exclaimed. I felt my eyes widen at that. "Every day you look more like her and it has been painful to be reminded that she's not here." He ran a hand through his blond hair nervously.

"Glad to know I've just been a painful reminder and not just your daughter," I muttered.

"Melbel," my father started, finally making the choice to sit down next to me. My breath caught in my throat at the nickname he hadn't called me since my mother died. "I am so sorry that I abandoned you, especially in such a difficult time. I-I should have been there, but I was I was selfish...I'm going to do everything that I can to make up for that. And that starts with making sure you get better."

"Okay," I whispered. My dad put a hand on mine gently, making fresh tears well up in my eyes.

"So," he started, looking at Dr. Williams. "What are our options?"

***

Carson came back a few moments after my father left with Dr. Williams to fill out paperwork. He gave me a small smile and sat in the chair next to my bed.

"How'd it go?" he asked. I shrugged and let hair fall as a curtain between us.

"Well, she was a shrink," I mumbled. "She, um, diagnosed me with anorexia..."

"That makes sense," Carson said after a moment. "I'm just sorry I didn't put it together." He sighed. "I-I should have pushed you harder to talk to someone, so it didn't get to this point."

"It's not your fault. It's mine...but, um, I'm going to be getting treatment." I didn't look at him as I spoke, as it still hadn't quite sunk in and I still felt quite embarrassed about the whole situation. "I'll be admitted for a month-long in-patient program, and if that goes well then I'll come back to school and continue seeing someone."

"I'm glad," Carson said. "And when you're better, we'll watch all the Project Runway you want." I let out a laugh but found myself crying. Carson was next to me in an instant, his arms around my body.

"You don't have to wait for me. You didn't sign up for all this... I know I'm a lot to deal with," I sobbed.

"Mellie, that's not true. I love you and I'm here for you. So, get admitted. Focus on your health and I'll be here when you get back," Carson said, giving my forehead a kiss.

We were quiet for a while before I spoke again. He stayed in the bed with me, stroking my hair until I was calmer.

"Are our friends or Ms. Foster still here?" I asked.

"No, though Ms. Foster stayed even after our friends left," Carson said. "She really cares about you."

"I guess she does," I mumbled, a small smile on my lips. "When you go back to school, can you tell her thank you for being there for me?" I saw the doctor down the hall approaching the room and rushed to say everything before she came. "And our friends too. And you most of all. I love you."

"Of course," Carson said kissing my forehead once again.

"You ready?" Dr. Williams asked from the door. I looked at Carson, he smiled and nodded, but I didn't miss the sadness in his eyes. It must have mirrored mine as I returned the smile. I turned back to Dr. Williams and nodded.

"Yes. I'm ready."

___________

Author's Note: HAPPY NEW YEAR! I know this is a short chapter but I feel like all that needed to be said was said! Reconciliation and recovery! We STAN. I hope you liked this chapter; it felt hopeful for me!

It's actually crazy how near to the end this book is... I'm not sure how many chapters but it's close! Let me know what you think might happen next.

I don't know when the next chapter will be up but hopefully it won't be too long... I'm starting school again and I also work part time, so my days will be pretty full! 

PS. Melbel makes my heart melt okay bye