Carson

Since English class today, I couldn't take my mind off of Melody. While that was the norm since she arrived at this school, it wasn't in a good way today. She looked pale, distracted, and her body shook slightly, which concerned me. I wondered if she wasn't sweltering in a long sleeve shirt and jeans on such a hot day. I didn't want to make her uncomfortable by commenting, but I kept sneaking glances at her throughout class.

I was visibly distracted in gym, almost getting hit with a ball, while we were playing soccer, so our teacher told me to grab water. Gladly I took the chance to leave class because I wanted to go check on Melody. I knew she had art, so I headed that way, and was surprised when I saw Melody standing outside Ms. Foster's classroom in the art hall.

I walked over to her and asked "Hey, what are you doing out here?"

"We're spray-painting in class and the fumes were too much," Melody replied. Her skin looked sheet-white and glistened slightly with sweat.

"Maybe you should sit. You look pale," I told her. I wasn't sure if I should go get her some water or take her to the nurse's office. I watched as Melody opened her mouth to speak but slumped over and began falling to the right.

"Melody!" I yelled in surprise, shifting forward as her eyes fluttered closed, and catching her just before she hit the ground.

I sat down and let her lie across my lap, supporting her head in my arms. My heart was racing a mile a minute, and again, I was at a loss for what to do.

"Melody, hey, wake up! Melody? Mellie?" I whispered, fanning her face.

"Class, I'll be back in a bit, don't get crazy!" I heard Ms. Foster call as she stepped through the door and closed it almost fully behind her. She audibly gasped at the sight of Melody lying in my arms. I'd never spoken to Ms. Foster before, but I had a feeling that she was fond of Melody. I was too.

"She fainted when I was talking to her," I explained as I continued to fan Melody's face. In that moment, Melody's eyes opened, and confusion was written across her face as she looked up at me.

"What...?" She trailed off and began sitting up. I shook my head and motioned for her to stop.

"No, don't move yet," I said quickly. She obliged and relaxed in my arms. I liked having her here, though I wished it wasn't in these circumstances.

"I'm going to get her bag and another student to come out here," Ms. Foster asked me.

"Emma," Melody breathed out quietly. Her faced looked panicked and her chest seemed to rise and fall rapidly. Ms. Foster nodded and ran into the classroom and closed the door behind her and I focused my attention to Melody, who I believed was having a panic attack.

Melody's body shook tremendously, and she seemed to struggle to get air into her lungs. I let her sit up a little more but didn't let her out of my arms.

"Hey, hey it's okay," I whispered, brushing the hair out of her face with one hand. Her skin was clammy. "Breathe with me."

There were tears in her eyes, but she blinked them back furiously, as if she refused to cry whatsoever. She breathed in slowly, trying to match mine and she was calming down as Ms. Foster came back outside with Emma, who closed the door behind her. Her body slumped slightly as she relaxed.

"I'll be back with the nurse," Emma said as she hurried down the hallway.

"Thank you love," Ms. Foster called in response. She knelt down and put Melody's bag on the floor as well. "Melody, honey, can you sit up? The wall might cool you down more."

"Okay," Melody replied in a small voice.

Her eyes were wide, but at least her breathing was slower. I helped her up, holding her small arms. She leaned against the wall and glanced at Ms. Foster and I, looking foggy. I could tell she was disoriented, I wanted to make her feel better, less panicked, comfortable, safe. I reached into her bag and pulled out her water bottle.

"Drink," I said softly. Melody's hand trembled as she took the bottle from me. She drank the water rapidly, showing how dehydrated she was.

"Melody, did you eat breakfast?" Ms. Foster asked suddenly.

I watched as Melody's eyes widened and her lips parted slightly, sucking in a sharp breath. She looked vulnerable as she glanced between Ms. Foster and I. Her eyebrows knit together and she put the bottle back to her mouth and nodded once, not meeting anyone's eyes. There was a long pause as Melody fidgeted with her water bottle.

"Yes," she finally whispered. I knew it was a lie, but her discomfort was radiating off of her in waves, so I didn't challenge it.

"Did you eat lunch?" I asked, hoping the answer would be different than what I usually saw.

"No," Ms. Foster answered for her. My shoulders slumped slightly with disappointment. "Can I get you a granola bar from the cafeteria?"

"There's an apple in my bag," Melody mumbled as she glared at the floor.

I reached into it and pulled out a green apple, then handed it to her wordlessly. She took it from me and eyed it. Before either of us could press the topic further, Emma and Nurse Walker came running down the hallway with a wheelchair. I watched as Melody's cheeks flushed with embarrassment.

"No, I – I can't go in that!" Melody's voice trembled as she spoke. "Please, I don't want any attention on me."

Ms. Foster stood up and walked over to Ms. Walker, I guessed to see what she could do.

"Melody did you run last night?" I asked, remembering that her legs were shaking. She nodded slightly. "Then I know you over did it, and your legs can't hold you right now."

Her green eyes clouded over with sadness and defeat.

"You're right," she murmured, breaking eye contact with me. Ms. Foster, Ms. Walker, and Emma came over with the wheelchair.

"Okay love, I'm sorry but you have to sit here," Ms. Walker told Melody. Melody nodded. "Can you stand?" Ms. Walker asked.

"I'll carry her," I chimed in. While I wasn't going to say that she spent her night exercising until she could barely walk, I didn't want her to move in case it put her in danger again.

Ms. Walker nodded as I easily scooped Melody up in my arms. She was light as a feather, which made me wonder what she was thinking when she skipped meals and ran until she couldn't stand. I placed her in the wheelchair, though I didn't miss the fact that her small hands were gripping my shirt until I put her down.

"I'm going to go back to class; feel better honey," Ms. Foster said to Melody.

"Yeah Mel, feel better," Emma added with a smile. Melody smiled at them, but it didn't meet her eyes.

"Are you going back to class as well?" Ms. Walker asked. I shook my head and stared at her as if she'd suggested I attempt a triple backflip.

"No, I'm staying with Melody," I stated.

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Author's Note: Well, well, well! Carson's "staying with Melody"! Even though there was a bit of drama, I quite liked this chapter! It was fun to write and super cute! What do you think?! Let me know in the comments! And if you liked it, hit that little star and vote! ;)