If you want to read part 1 of Melissa’s story, click here.
It took longer than Melissa had expected to shake Gavin’s company. He was courteously persistent in making sure she wasn’t alone and having a good time. Eventually another partier needed him who he couldn’t foist off till later. Something about someone about to break someone, or something. Whichever the case, Melissa took that tiny opportunity to make herself invisible once again.
After a good half hour of dodging and hiding Melissa was ready to leave. Looking around, she couldn’t find Devin. In fact, she hadn’t seen him in a while. She searched the main floor for him but was not about to venture upstairs and go interrupting who knew what. With a shrug she headed toward the front door. Walking home alone was better than staying.
Luck was on her side as she spotted a girl that she was pretty sure lived down the hall from her. Mustering up all of her social bravado, Melissa approached the tall blonde.
“Hi. Melanie, right?” Melissa stumbled a little.
The girl nodded. “That’s right. You live near me, right? I see you all the time.”
“Yes!” Melissa nearly cried. “Are you headed home?”
Melanie nodded. “Yeah, a group of us are going. You want to come?”
Melissa took one more careful glance around the room. “Is that alright? My ride disappeared.”
In minutes she was out the door and surrounded by several giggly girls throwing their names at her as if she was going to remember any of them.
“Melissa!”
She turned at the sound of her name, however it wasn’t Devin that was running after her. “Gavin?” The entire group of girls stopped to look. At the sight of Gavin they began to preen and toss their hair. Melissa shrunk into herself as he came closer.
Thankfully one of the girls stepped forward to meet him. “Where are you going? Don’t you have a party to host?”
“Eh. They won’t notice.” He shrugged, tossing his charisma into his full watt smile. He pinned Melissa once again, looking around the girls between the two of them. “Besides, you were leaving.”
Another one of the girls stepped up. “That is so sweet of you to come give out personal goodbyes. Your party was killer.”
“Thank you.” Gavin nodded to several of the girls. “I am pleased you liked it. I’ll have to throw another one.”
Rachel or something that started with an R, grabbed his arm. “Oh would you? It is so hard to find good parties to come to.”
Gavin grounded Melissa to the gravelly sidewalk with a smile. “I’ll throw an even bigger, better party next weekend. On one condition.”
Melanie nudged Melissa when she didn’t say anything. “What condition would that be?”
“Melissa agreeing to go on a date with me.”
“Me?” Melissa blurted with a laugh.
Rachel pouted. “Why are all the good guys taken?”
Melanie snatched at Rachel’s arm. “Don’t be silly. Let’s give these two a little space to talk.”
“Oh, go ahead.” Gavin motioned down the street. “If I can manage it, I’m going to convince Melissa to let me walk her home.”
“You’ll manage it.”
Melissa couldn’t see who had spoken. However, the entire group walked off giggling and laughing. Only Melanie glanced back and shot Melissa a quick wink.
Gavin’s smile grew slightly serious as he looked over at the departing group. “If you truly would feel more comfortable we can stay in sight of the group.”
“And have them glancing back every two seconds to catch a glimpse of you? No.”
He laughed. “Well then, in that case, if you trust me not to murder you or anything creepy, crazy, or whatnot I have a better way home.”
“You don’t know where I live.” Melissa folded her arms tight. She was doing better now that she was out of the house. There was much more air as well as plenty of space to breathe it in.
He tilted his head, watching the girls go. “If you were walking with Melanie, you probably live near her. Which means that you are either at the same dorm or close. I’ll get you that far and if you don’t feel comfortable telling me any more specifics, I will say goodbye at the corner. Deal?”
With a nod Melissa moved to follow where the girls had gone. Gavin stopped her by offering his arm. Once she took it he led her off in the opposite direction.
Melissa let out a tight bark of a laugh. “See, now I’m not so convinced about the whole serial killer thing.”
He stopped so quickly that Melissa stumbled. She looked back to find him frozen in shock. He tried to turn her back around. “I’m sorry. I didn’t think.”
“Maybe if you told me where you wanted to go.”
“I was just going to take the scenic route. I guess I was being selfish, trying to get as much time as I could get with you, maybe convince you that I was worth saying yes to.”
Melissa smiled but didn’t move even though he tugged back toward the direct way home. “Saying yes to what exactly.”
“A date.” Though his smile was a bit sheepish it still packed a punch.
She nodded and found that she was still nodding a minute later.
Gavin chuckled. “I haven’t asked yet but I’m starting to feel like I can take that nod as a yes?”
Immediately she stopped nodding and blushed. “You’d have to ask first.”
“I vote that we take that walk first. That way I have a fighting chance.” He tapped her hand that was still loosely on his arm. “How about you choose our route home?”
Melissa gave a short little nod.
As they began to walk Gavin spoke as he looked back over at his house. “So, you never did tell me who convinced you to come to my party. They must be someone pretty important to get you there.”
Melissa tried to pull out her hand but he squeezed a little. Not enough to stop her, just enough to let her know that he didn’t want her to let go. She took a breath. “Just a friend from home who promised my mom that he would make sure I didn’t stay tucked away in my room.”
“He?”
She had his full attention now. “Yes. He.”
“Romantic interest there? Do I have competition?”
With a laugh she shook her head. “Devin is not interested in me. He’s known me way too long for that.”
“Devin? Devin Deja?” Gavin’s instant scowl shot nervous tingles up Melissa’s spine.
“You know him?”
His scowl didn’t fade. “Yes. You could say that. However, I do not want to get distracted talking about that twit.”
Click here to read Part 3 of Melissa’s story!
