Melody

Thursday passed uneventfully, with me laying low during lunch. Though I did have my group of friends back. I just didn't think it was the wisest thing to test the waters in the cafeteria so soon after a threat from Rose. On Friday, I skipped school for an early go-see. The art director, booking editor and a stylist were. I was directed to slip into a garment in a change room and come back out. In the tiny room, there was a dramatic dress and a pair of heels waiting for me to put them on. My fingers picked up the black material and I found my way into it, before slipping on silver heels. I smiled as my eyes traced the dress' angular hip and deep, geometric take on the sweetheart neckline.

I walked out of the change room and the casting began, as I began to do my runway walk and hoped that I was what these people were looking for.

***

I came right home just in time for a family dinner. Not having the time to change, I settled for my casual dark blue, skinny jeans and a tight, grey, long sleeve, hoping that my slightly curled hair would suffice for the less than stellar event. I slid into my usual spot and kept my head down, as Margot continued talking to Mia and my father about the annual book club Christmas party she was having.

"We're keeping it at that gorgeous banquet hall uptown, because it holds the taller Christmas tree by the windows. However, I haven't quite figured out what the colour scheme should be yet..." Margot mused. She looked at me as Leslie put a serving of food down in front of me. "Melody, maybe you can bring that boy you had over that day."

"What boy?" My father asked as my head snapped up to meet Margot's eyes. Her face was composed and friendly, but dark humour replaced her irises and danced around her pupils.

"Um... from school. Part of the group of friends I mentioned on Thanksgiving," I mumbled. Mia snorted at my vague sentence but shrugged when my father looked at her.

"Alright... well, yes. Invite him to the Christmas party then. Margot will add him to the seating chart," my dad said, there was a slight smile on his face, but he tried to compose it. I nodded and gave him a small smile.

"Okay, darling," Margot cooed, making me finally look down at my plate, just to avoid watching her thin fingers wrap around my father's hand. Grilled chicken, mashed potatoes and Caesar salad. I stabbed the leafy green with my fork. I still hated seeing her touch him. He didn't belong to her. He was my dad, and my mother's husband. I pushed the fork into my mouth, biting the lettuce slowly.

"So, I totally got a B+ on my project for one of my classes..." Mia said after clearing her throat and flipping her hair dramatically. Her blonde locks almost hit me in the face.

"Wow, amazing!" Margot grinned.

"Awesome job," my dad added. I stared down at my meal, my ears burning with the sounds of praise for someone else.

"Yeah, it was about like, disadvantaged people or whatever, so I like, had this idea to give clothes to poor people. My prof said the idea was already done – like 'good will bins' or something... but I still did the work anyways. Plus, I was thinking like designer clothes so that poor people can look pretty too, right?" Mia said. I raised an eyebrow but said nothing as I ate another piece of lettuce.

"That's so smart Mia, I'm proud of you," Margot said. Mia grinned, before taking a bite of her chicken.

"So, um..." I started, looking at my dad. "I had my go-see tod–" Before I finished my sentence the ringing of my father's office phone went off. He gave us all an apologetic smile before getting up.

Once he left the dining room, Margot's eyes hardened. "Next time, change before dinner."

***

I walked into school with Carson, on Monday morning and did not anticipate the silence that would settle over the student body when they saw me. The numerous eyes on me felt white hot and I glared around the space. The hallway parted and Rose and the twins stepped towards Carson and I. I folded my arms across my chest and stared the blondes down as they stopped in front of us.

"What's the scandal now? Haven't you had enough?" Carson asked angrily. "Why can't you just leave Melody alone? She hasn't done anything to you."

"Ooh, angry Carson... hot," Rose winked, making my nose wrinkle in disgust automatically. She turned to me with a wicked grin. "The word on the street is that guy wasn't your uncle... he's your agent. That's how you get jobs."

"You can relax though, it wasn't Rose who told this juicy bit of information," Summer explained.

"Apparently you didn't deny sleeping with him," Rose added.

"I didn't think I needed to! Of course, I didn't!" I shouted. My voice sounded small amongst the wall of whispers that surrounded us.

"Anyone who believes that rumour is an idiot," Carson said flatly. He could have easily been more pissed that I was.

"But here's the thing... I didn't come across this info myself; someone brought it to me. Someone close to you. One of your so-called friends," Rose said. "So, it must be true, right? Stop hiding out at lunch and see who the newest member at our table is."

"O-one of my friends?" I blinked.

"See that? The look of terror settling into her eyes. She knows it's all going to blow up in her face, and I don't have to do anything," Rose grinned. I swallowed hard and glared at her.

"Screw you Rose," I said.

The warning bell rang, and the hallway began clearing, but I stood my ground and waited for Rose to retreat.

"Once again, saved by the bell," Rose smirked, turning around.

"You're right. Carson is hot when he's angry," Serena said as they walked away.

"Shut up Serena," Summer and Rose said harshly.

I let out the breath I didn't know I was holding once they got out of earshot. Carson wrapped his arm around my shoulders and pulled me in for a hug.

"I'm so sorry she's like that to you," Carson whispered placing a kiss on my forehead. I quickly blinked back my anger-fuelled tears and pasted on a smile.

"It's not your fault... besides at least I can say there's never a boring moment at Alcott High," I said. Carson released me from the hug but took my hand in his as we walked to English class, leaving me to silently dread lunchtime.

***

I stepped into cafeteria by myself and glanced around the room. No one really noticed me come in, as people were still up and buying food. I found Alani's purple hair and made my way over to the otherwise empty table. She seemed surprised that I was at her table, let alone in the cafeteria. I sat down calmly across the table and looked at her.

"Who told Rose that Gavin isn't my uncle?" I asked quietly.

"It wasn't me," Alani said.

"Then who?" I asked.

Noah slid into a sear next to Alani before she could answer.

"Is this about the what everyone is talking about now?" Noah asked. "It wasn't me. I got here during second period this morning and heard about it." He looked at Alani. "Did you say anything?"

"No! Of course not. I would never. Especially since Melody's had my back with Rose."

"Guys, what the hell is going on?" Emma asked sitting down next to me.

"You didn't say anything either?" Alani sighed. "I guess we all know who the snake in the garden is."

"Cora," Emma and I said, staring at the cafeteria doors. Alani and Noah turned around to see her walking into the room with Rose and her group of friends. I frowned at her as she made eye contact with me.

"Snake in the garden is right," Noah said.

"I guess she's always wanted a place in the popular crowd and found her way in," Alani muttered.

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Author's Note: Yaay! A new chapter! Isn't Cora a snaaaaaakeee? Hahaha I'm sure you all called it though ;) Let me know what you think of this chapter! I have one exam left and then hopefully a new chapter will be up soon! 

Thank you all for 28K reads! This is super awesome and I'm so grateful! :) Special shout out to: emmie_clarne and treadlightlychild for all your votes and comments!

P.S. I'm glad I got to named this chapter Scandal because that show is soo dang good! What shows do you guys like?

P.P.S. This is the dress that Melody wears in her go-see!