Melody

I woke up early on Saturday morning, threw on some workout clothes, and headed down to the basement. I smiled when the treadmill greeted me and once my feet touched the machine, I didn't stop moving until I couldn't handle it. I switched from the treadmill to the stair climber and even did some sit ups. Once I was done those it was back to the treadmill until I couldn't see straight.

I stepped off the exercise apparatus and let my shaking feet guide me to the stairs. When up on the main floor, I stopped at my father's office. Peeking through the glass window next to the door, I could see that he was hunched over his desk, typing away at the desktop computer. It was crazy that all he did was that.

I knew I shouldn't bother him, but I had the urge to going and talk to him. To know that my dad was still there. I raised my hand to knock on the door.

"What do you think you're doing?" It was Margot. Every day I got more and more irritated by the sound of her voice. She stood at the end of the hall her arms folded across her silicone-filled chest.

"I want to go talk to my dad," I mumbled.

"He's busy. You also wouldn't want to go in there looking like a wet dog," she sneered. I glared down at the floor and walked away. Stupid Margot. She doesn't own anything here, what is her issue?

***

I took a long bath after my confrontation with Margot and put on a comfortable pair of pajamas to hang out in until it was time to get ready. I decided to do homework in the meantime, trying to catch up on math and history. Hours later, I completed my math and was halfway done my history homework, so I began curling my hair.

After my hair was done, I did my makeup, keeping it light but let silver and pink be the color scheme. I then slipped on the white v-line dress that cut off above mid-thigh. It had an interesting texture to it, which made it seem almost cloud like. I put on a silver choker and my wings, and then I hid my costume underneath a huge long jacket, so that Carson couldn't see it until we got to the party.

When he pulled up outside, I smiled from my window and picked up my wand and sparkly heels with wings on them. I raced down the stairs and dashed out of the front door. Once on the porch, I put on my shoes and walked to the car.

I opened the car door and got in. "Hi."

"I was going to ring," Carson said with a smile.

"Yeah, that's okay, I didn't want to deal with Margot again," I said with a shrug.

Carson nodded, sensing my discomfort. "So, am I going to see your costume?"

"When will I get to see yours?"

"At the party," Carson grinned, starting up the car.

"That's when you'll see mine too," I laughed, pulling on my seatbelt. Carson drove off, the purr of the engine echoing in the night. I fiddled with the radio, seeing what was on. Settling on a pop song, made Carson look at me in surprise.

"No indie tonight?" he asked, a hint of a grin pulled on the corners of his lips.

"I told you I wasn't –"

"Picky," Carson finished, making me giggle.

We were quiet, the familiar four beat song filling the car. I looked into the growing darkness of the evening, feeling worried about the party. I'd never been to one of these. I wondered if Rose was right. Maybe people like me couldn't just crossover into the popular kids' party life. Maybe my outfit was going to be stupid, and everyone was going to show up in something better. Or maybe scary outfits, and I looked too soft. I knew bunny ears were in, so maybe everyone would wear something like that...

Carson's hand was suddenly on mine. I didn't realize we were stopped at a red light, and he was looking at me.

"You go to these all the time, right? How are they?" I asked, rearranging my facial features to hide my anxiety.

"Yeah, they're really uneventful... a bunch of drunk teenagers dancing to loud music. Sometimes people do dumb things like skinny dip – if there's a pool – but that's it. You'll be okay," Carson said. We moved off from the red light and turned a wide corner.

"Okay," I said, deciding to believe him.

***

Carson and I walked into the party; hands interlaced. The bass could be heard from outside of the house but was triple the volume inside the foyer. There was a very bored and irritated looking butler at the door, taking jackets from teens, who didn't seem to notice him. Carson took off his jacket to reveal scrubs. In the pocket of his scrubs, were dental instruments.

"You're a dentist!" I grinned, bouncing in my winged heels.

"See, I planned the couple costume hoping that we'd be a couple," Carson winked.

"Smooth," I laughed, pulling my wand out of my pocket. I handed it to Carson while the butler helped me get my jacket off. "Thank you," I said to him. He nodded, but there was a look of surprise on his face, as if not one teenager thanked him when walking through these doors.

The look on Carson's face was one I wish I had a camera for. His brown eyes were wide, like it was his birthday and he was staring at the cake. His mouth was parted slightly, but the corners curved up into a smile. He looked like he was genuinely happy, shocked by something wonderful. I almost glanced behind me to see if a famous basketball player was standing behind me.

"Melody – wow. Y-you look – wow," Carson fumbled. My heart fluttered in my chest, like it was reaching for him.

"Really?" I asked, looking down at my sparkly shoes. Carson grabbed my hand, making me look at him.

"You look stunning," he said. I smiled at him. "Now, let's go enjoy our night." He placed a kiss on my cheek and then led the way.

***

The room was filled with superheroes, cartoon characters, careers, and scantily dressed animals. I was thankful for the girls wearing dresses, because they reassured me that I didn't have to go put on a leotard and fishnets. Everyone seemed to have a red cup in their hands. These seemed to be five groups of people within the large room.

There were the ones standing around talking. How they heard each other over the loud music, I would never know. Yet, they seemed to be deep conversations. The second group was the loud group of people playing drinking games by the table. There were cups on the table, and they were throwing Ping-Pong balls as they screamed excitedly. The third group was a handful of people that were hugging the snack bowls. I watched as they shoved chips into their mouths. Boredom seemed to ooze from their pores. The fourth were the dancers. A very loosely defined term, as it was more of a moving collage of people jumping around and fist pumping. Of course, there was the ever-so-typical twerkers and grinding couples. That leads to the most disturbing group. The couples scattered around various pieces of expensive furniture with their lips latched to each other's, as if they were fish on hooks. Their roaming hands crossed them all well over that PG-13 line and was almost at X-rated.

I shuddered and looked down at the floor. It was the safest spot. I was shocked that everyone was so okay with their private moments made public. But I assumed everyone was drunk, or on their way there... and no one would really remember tomorrow anyway. But I would.

"Carson! Melody. You guys came!" Harvey's voice sounded muffled by the music. From the white and black, striped shirt and the whistle, I could see that he was dressed up as a referee.

"We did," Carson grinned. They did one of their 'bro' fist bumps, and Harvey smiled at me.

"Are you guys drinking tonight?" Harvey asked. I shook my head. Those were empty, and unneeded calories.

"No, I drove," Carson stated. Harvey sighed.

"Well, still come play beer pong with me! I'll drink for you," Harvey insisted. Carson smile and looked at me. I gave him a nod.

"Come watch us," Carson said wrapping his hand around my waist.

"Are you sure the two basketball players are even allowed to be on a team?" I teased, making both of them laugh.

"We're not, but let's not say anything. The football players get pretty pissed off," Harvey said.

"Yeah, too bad they're already drunk and won't know what's going on," Carson laughed. Harvey chuckled and clapped his buddy on the back. We made our way over to the table with all the red cups and screaming people. Of course, we had to pass through the group of dancers that were next to the table.

I stepped to the side and let Harvey and Carson make their way to the end of the table to play whatever this beer pong game was. The dancer that wasn't looking where they were going occasionally bumped me, but it wasn't bad.

That was until Rose made her way over to me.

The sixth group of people. An exclusive trio. Rose flanked by her evil twin minions. I sighed looking at their outfits. Black body suits and various animal ears with accompanying makeup. Rose was a dog, Serena was a deer, and Summer was a bunny.

"Oh, you actually had the guts to show up... dressed like what? Cinderella's before picture? I don't know why you came," Rose sneered.

"I'm the tooth fairy, and Carson is a dentist," I told her, letting the idea of a couple costume sink in. Rose's eyes narrowed at me.

"Well, you missed the mark. Why did you even come? No one wants you here," Rose said. "You're not pretty, or popular..." That struck a nerve, but I didn't let it show.

"You know, you didn't have to dress up like a bitch Halloween. You could have come in sweats and we would have known you were one," I replied, dryly.

"Um. She's a Snapchat filter? Like, we all are!" Serena cut in.

"Shut up," Summer snapped at her sister. Rose rolled her eyes and stepped closer to me.

"Well, you're here now... so enjoy it while you can," she smirked. She flipped her curled blonde locks and waited for a reaction.

So, I smiled. "I will."

"And I don't mean just the party. I mean this lifestyle. Popularity. Carson is going to get bored of forcing you to do these awesome things, and you'll be all alone like on your first day." Rose narrowed her eyes and walked away, leaving me staring after her.

***

Carson came over to me after his game of beer pong was over and smiled. He put his arm around me and kissed my forehead, making many of the girls around us give us pointed looks. I could feel heat rising in my cheeks, but I chose to ignore them and smiled at the affection.

"Come dance with me," Carson whispered in my ear.

And I did.

For once, I let myself let loose, and enjoy the music playing around me. I let Carson's hand on my waist guide me, and I got lost in our little piece of bliss amongst a crowd of crazy teenagers.

____________________

Author's Note: Sorry for taking 19237 years to post this chapter! School is horrible, but I'm almost done! I hope this chapter was okay! I ended up changing the way it ended LOL! But I vote and comment what you think! :D

ps. this is Melody's costume!