Melody

Hey guys, I know you're still mad at me...

But I'd really like to meet before school tomorrow.

I want to explain everything.

Melody Reese; 6:14pm

Yeah, fine.

Alani Reynolds; 8:58pm

What time?

Emma Murphy; 9:01pm

Is 8 okay?

Also, can you tell Cora and Noah?

I don't have their numbers.

Melody Reese; 9:04pm

Okay.

Emma Murphy; 9:07pm

***

Wearing jeans and a forest green sweater, my winter boots and jacket provided mediocre protection against the chilling winds of Connecticut. My body trembled both from the cold and with anxiety, as I got into the school. I checked my phone, the clock reading 8:06 a.m. The hallways were empty when I got there, having left by myself. The only other person would be the occasional teacher passing through. It made sense, considering school didn't start for another half an hour. I paced by Alani's locker, listening to the heels of my boots click against the floor. My eyes shifted, tracing the lines of the hall as kids trickled in slowly.

As people began passing by me, their eyes seemed to bore holes into my body, as if it were a portal to my personal life. Maybe they thought that if they looked hard enough, they'd find the answers that they believed they deserved.

I almost rolled my eyes at someone. The only people that deserved an explanation were my friends. Friends who weren't here at the moment...

What if they didn't show? What if they hated me? I didn't come here to make friends but losing them was worse than not having any in the first place.

"Hey."

I turned around to see Alani, Emma, Cora and Noah there, their expressions varying degrees of unreadable. I smiled weakly.

"Thank you, guys for coming," I started. "Um, I-I know you're all mad, and wondering why I didn't say anything... and I'm sorry that I didn't. I know this doesn't excuse it, but the reason I didn't say anything was because this has happened before. Everyone knew I modelled and the pressure, and bullying was so much. I mean even now; everyone is thinking I sleep with my uncle when Gavin's my agent! He's like an uncle, but not my blood. I-I know I wasn't honest about that either – I'm sorry, but I – it was nice having friends for a change... not being the girl who was trying to-to be her mother."

There was a pause before anyone spoke.

"Thank you." It was Emma. "I know you don't have to tell us everything but being blindsided was really weird...so thanks for explaining. Just know that this doesn't change anything."

"Same here girl... I think it's safe to say we overreacted," Alani added.

"Yeah, we're the ones who should be sorry," Cora grinned, shocking everyone there. I swallowed my surprise and gave her a smile.

"It's okay," I replied, tucking a brown lock behind my ear. There was another pause.

"Besides, that's freaking cool! You're a model!" Noah grinned, making Alani and Emma launch into excited chatter.

Trying to be... I thought, despite smiling along with my group of friends.

***

I walked towards the gym, my heart jumping in my chest and feeling stuck in my throat. My first school event. I didn't know what to expect. I was hoping to sit back and watch Carson play in peace, but I was scared that it wouldn't happen the way I wanted to.

The crowd of people filing into the gym almost made me turn around, but the thought of Carson looking up at me amongst the sea of people made me keep going. I sat at the top of the bleachers, hoping that everyone would be focused on the game and not the unpopular brunette hiding in the back.

I saw the cheerleaders, blue and yellow uniforms, with matching pom-poms and hair bows. They kicked their legs up in the air, waved their arms and screamed excited cheers as the crowd continued to file into the gym.

As everyone got settled, a voice came over the speakers. "Goooood afternoooon Alcott High! Let's welcome the Lynch Wood Lions!" Faint cheers were heard around the gym, for our rival team as they came out onto the court. "Now let's welcome our very own Alcott Aces!" Cheers and applause erupted around the gym as the team, led by their captain, Carson, got onto the court.

He looked up at the bleachers and grinned as he caught my eye, making me smile in return. Carson and his team began warming up, but I noticed Rose, glaring at me from her spotlight position on the floor. It was for a moment, but my breath halted in my lungs as our eyes locked. She then did a back handspring breaking the terrifying connection.

Soon, the game began, and the cheerleaders moved to the sides, still cheering their ponytails off. The guys started running back and forth, tossing the ball to each other hoping to put it in the basket. I watched, trying to keep up with the foreign sport. I took cues from the crowd, clapping when we scored and quietly booing when the other team did. I did manage a couple enthusiastic "woo-hoos!" when Carson scored some baskets.

The game passed quickly and before I knew it, I was waiting outside of the gym for Carson. I stood there, leaning against the wall, watching as the hallway slowly emptied. Rose came through the gym doors, wearing a tracksuit that matched her cheer uniform and a pair of winter boots.

"Hey," she started, a sly smile playing on her lips. I raised an eyebrow, but said nothing, knowing that there was always more. "I've never seen you at game..."

"Well, this is my first, so..." I mumbled.

"What did you beg to come?" Rose smirked.

"No, because unlike you, Carson actually wants me around," I said. Rose's eyes narrowed and she leaned towards me.

"Watch yourself Toilet Girl," she snapped.

"What? We're back to that? I don't understand why you don't just leave me alone... we can go our separate ways." My voice came out softer than I wanted it to.

"You're on my turf, remember? You can't think that you could just walk in and disrupt everything and get away with it with the bat of your eyelashes."

"Isn't it exhausting? Being this petty all the time?" I asked, but she could see my resolve fading.

"Oh, Melody. You haven't seen petty yet..." Rose sneered before walking off. I stared after her, wondering what could be coming next.

Carson came out of the change rooms and smiled as he saw me, then began walking towards me. I stepped towards him, meeting in the middle of the hallway.

"You played amazing!" I grinned.

"Thank you! Did you see my three-pointer?" Carson asked wrapping his arm around my waist.

"Is that the one from far away?" I asked.

"Oh, you've been doing your homework! You graduated from 'slam dunk thingies'." Carson laughed. I shoved his chest with my hand but laughed along with him as we walked to his car, pushing Rose out of my mind.

___________________

Author's Note: wow I've been M.I.A! Sorry for that... school is so busy. However, I hope this being a fairly long chapter makes up for it! Thank you soo for 1000 votes and 23K+ reads! You are all so awesome. Special shout out to strangeturtlebookie for all your votes and comments! You rock!

Yay the gang is back together again! What do you think about it? How cute are Melody and Carson? And what do you think of Rose's comments at the end of this chapter? Could she have something else planned, or are her threats empty? Comment your thoughts, I'm excited to hear them!