Melody

When I got home that night, there was a van in my driveway with Delilah's Decor written across in in light purple cursive. I groaned already knowing what chaos I would the moment my feet stepped across the threshold. The autumn themed wreath on the door left a grimace on my face that only deepened when I entered the house.

"Ugh, that's not straight... straighter... Jesus! Does anyone know what straight looks like around here?" Margot snapped. I watched as two ladies and a man hustled around the room trying to please the she-devil barking orders.

There was already a large cornucopia taking centre stage on the table on top of a silver serving dish. Around it was a large wreath with autumn coloured leaves, which were also scattered across the white tablecloth. The chairs too, now had white sheets on top of them, looking like they were for a wedding rather than a gluttonous holiday.

I tried to get to the stairs without her noticing me, but Margot turned around the second I closed the front door.

"Where the hell have you been?" she asked.

"My Macy's catalogue shoot," I said. It was mostly true. I got Gavin to drop me off at Carson's instead of here. Still, I felt a pang of sadness knowing that she didn't remember something so important to me.

"Right... well I hope you found something decent to wear for Thanksgiving dinner. My family comes Thursday morning and I'd like not to be embarrassed by you."

"Of course," I said quietly. "I'll show you my options tomorrow after school."

"Yes... and remember how to behave yourself. Demure and proper."

"Of course," I repeated. She turned her back to me barking orders once again at the decorators who I bet would never step foot in here again. I retreated to my room feeling stressed about the rest of the week. I flopped down onto my bed glaring into my closet. I didn't want to dress up for Margot and her stupid family.

There was Salty Stephen, who was her brother and was as pretentious as ever. He made sure that everyone pronounced his name, "Stef-ahn", as if the second letter 'e' was too common for his taste. He would complain about everything from silverware to the decorations, to the out of place hair on someone's head. At the same time, he'd humble-brag about his son who could never make the holidays because he was so busy being a "bloody criminal lawyer". He always brought his wife, Rita, who never seemed to say much.

Then there was Margot's sister Adalyn who gave the most back-handed compliments, like she was in a position to make judgements. She showed up every year with either a new boyfriend or a man she was planning on divorcing in a couple of months.

Her daughter, Alyssa, was no walk in the park either. She was more of a trudge through the mud. Slow, and beyond uncomfortable. Her and Mia were the same age and it was twice the gossip, the dirty looks, and the conversations that left me on my own.

Still, on Thursday afternoon I was in a dark brown, suede dress and little heels to match; all Margot-approved. My shoes clicked against the stairs as I stepped down them to see Margot's family gathered at door in all their blonde-haired glory. The only non-blondes were Rita, and Adalyn's date. I pasted on a smile and completed descending from the staircase into a series of side-hugs and air kisses.

"Wow, you're so tall and you can still wear heels," Adalyn commented as I hugged her. "They're not designer, are they?"

"Um, I believe they are," I replied.

"Really," Adalyn breathed with amazement. Her way of saying my heels did not look as designer as she'd have chosen.

"Michael Kors, I think," I said quietly.

"Oh, this is my boyfriend James," Adalyn said grabbing James from the conversation with Stephen. He was tall with dark brown hair, and an angular face.

"Margot, are we going to stand here with this draft or go inside?" Salty Stephen asked glancing around the house.

"Of course, come in," Margot said, her voice sickly sweet.

While the adults were walking into the house, I lingered at the door, noticing Mia and Alyssa already chattering away on the couch like the best of friends. That was to be expected of course, they were cousins that lived near enough to see each other whenever they wanted. Though Mia moving into this house made the distance a little bigger, they at least saw each other on the holidays if they were busy during the year.

An extra pair of footsteps made me look towards the adults who were now greeting my father. He was wearing a nice, brown sweater, and slacks, making me believe he was going to stay with us for a while. I smiled and headed over to them, hoping to get a few words in with my dad. Before I could even pass the stairs, his phone rang, letting him excuse himself from his in-laws and wife.

"He's like my son, always on the phone." Stephen said, his wife Rita who was clinging on to his arm, smiled. "It's not his fault I guess... being a bloody criminal lawyer and all."

"They overwork kids these days... My Alyssa's schedule is crazy with her pre-med courses. I'm lucky to see her on holidays!" Adalyn replied.

"Yes, Mia is always doing homework it's almost impossible to get a word out of her edgewise," Margot added, making her the adults chuckle. It was a lie, because I rarely saw Mia pick up a book.

Lingering at the stairs, I decided to sneak upstairs and grab my phone. It was like looking at a family that I did not belong to. The only reason it mattered for me to be there was for the appearance that Margot's life was perfect.

I sat on my bed and looked my phone, smiling as I saw a message from Carson appear on the screen.

Happy Thanksgiving, Mellie.

Are you able to sneak away for a couple of minutes?

Carson White; 3:11pm

Happy Thanksgiving to you too!

I'd love to, but I'm scared Margot will bite my head off.

Melody Reese; 3:15pm

lmao

Just say you need fresh air.

Carson White; 3:16pm

Okay...

What are you planning?

Melody Reese; 3:17pm

Just come outside when I text you?

Please?

Carson White; 3:18pm

I'll think about it...

Kidding. I'll see you soon.

Melody Reese; 3:19pm

"See? I told you all she does is hang out in her room..." Mia's voice echoed from outside my room.

"That's such a loser-ish thing to do," Alyssa responded, as if 'loser-ish' really was a word.

"Plus, she's smiling at her phone like an idiot."

"Maybe she has a boyfriend?"

"Yeah right! A boyfriend? She barely has any friends. She's watching cat videos."

"I can hear you!" I called from my bed. My door swung open and Mia and Alyssa walked inside without invitation.

"So, do you? Have a boyfriend?" Alyssa asked. Mia rolled her eyes as if the possibility was absurd.

"I actually do."

"What's his name?" Alyssa asked.

"Carson White," I smiled, knowing that she'd know who it was.

"That's a lie," Mia said, her eyes narrowing.

"No, it's not. He's on his way over here right now," I replied. For once, I wanted to rub it in her face a little, that good things could happen to me too.

"No, he isn't. Why would Carson White be into you?" Mia asked.

"Who is he? Is he yummy?" Alyssa asked.

"Yeah, like the hottest guy at Alcott... which is why it doesn't make sense that he's into her."

"IDK! Maybe there's a personality thing going on... And she's not totally ugly."

Ah yes, the backhanded compliment gene lived on in the daughter.

"I guess that makes sense... but he was dating Rose."

"Oh, the super pretty cheerleader?"

"Yeah."

"OMG."

"Right?"

"Are you both done?!" I snapped.

"Oops," Alyssa said, looking slightly guilty.

My phone buzzed and I glance out the window to see Carson's car pulled up to the curb.

"Well damn," Mia mumbled to herself.

"This I gotta see," Alyssa added.

______________________

Author's Note: hello, I'm alive... sorry for being M.I.A! The summer actually got quite busy! But I hope you liked this chapter, and I will hopefully have another one for you soon! Let me know what you think in the comments and thank you for all your reads and votes! :)

Ps. What a loong title for this chapter lmao