Melody

“Dad, you can’t.”

“I will and I expect to not hear another word about the matter.”

Her silence was supposed to be deafening but he didn’t notice.

“Melody. Your mother and I have discussed this. Be ready to leave in 10 minutes.”

Mel stormed out of the room. For yet another summer, her parents were exiling her to their best friend’s house in the country, with the one person she hated most…Marco. Were her summers never to be her own?

True, Marco and her had been friends when they were younger but four years ago he had suddenly changed, making her life miserable every chance he could.

Sitting in her room, her mother had sent a maid to pack her things. Mel knew it was pointless to object to what was packed. Her mother tended to be very specific in what was to be packed and it had proven to be useless to try and pack anything else. So, in went all the cute flirty sundresses her mother had recently bought her.

“Melody.” Her mother’s voice came from outside her door.

“Yes, Mother.”

“It’s time to go. Gather your things.”

Mel walked to the car without looking at either of her parents.

“See you in a few months, my dear.” Her mother called from the door, not bothering to hug her.

After driving for several hours, she pulled up to the MacCallister estate and Mel groaned. She hesitated, refixing her hair though. It’s not like anyone would be expecting it to be any specific way. The MacCallister’s didn’t know her father’s strict rules. The car pulled to a stop and Mel ran her fingers through her hair. It was staying down.

“Miss Melody.  Mrs. Carmichael informed me that you were expected. You can go right on in. I will bring your things up.”

“Thank you Simon.” Mel got out of the car and headed up the stairs. She knocked once then entered. She had been there too many times, lived there for too many summers to stand on ceremony.

If only they didn’t have a son, then her summers would be so much more uncomplicated and enjoyable. She headed straight to her usual room. On the way she came across Mrs MacCallister.

“Mel! You made it! I didn’t even hear the door.” Mrs. MacCallister pulled her in for a breath-snatching hug. “My dear, I have missed having you around. Each year that you go home for the winter I find myself only missing you more.

“It’s good to be here. Am I in my same room?” Mel couldn’t keep the smile from her face.

“Yes. And Marco is around here somewhere. Be sure to find him and say hello. He has been looking forward to your arrival almost as much as I have.”

Making her way back out into the familiar hall Mel made her way to her room, ready to flop onto her bed and not move. But instead she found Marco laying on top of her bed waiting for her.

As soon as he saw her, his smile widened. It was lethal and he knew it. “Well, if it isn’t Melody Carmichael.”

“Get out of my room, Marco.”

He didn’t move off the bed, settling deeper into the pillows spread out underneath him. “Aww and what would my mother say? She is expecting me to be ecstatic over your arrival and spending hours in your room catching up and being all gossipy.”

“Somehow I seriously doubt that. Your mother is well aware we don’t get along.”

“And each year she somehow thinks we are going to change and become besties.”

Mel glared his way. “It isn’t that far-fetched, genius. We used to be rather good friends as I recall. That is, until you randomly decided to hate me for no reason.”

“Well, I’ve changed my mind.” He patted the open space on the bed next to him.

“About what? About hating me or about spending hours in here pretending to be catching up?” Mel folded her arms and moved no closer to the bed than she was before.

He propped himself up on his shoulders. “I declare a truce.”

“Why?” Her eyes narrowed and his smile deepened.

“Would you believe that I find you pretty and I want to kiss you?”

“No. Try again.”

He sat up further. “How about I’m tired of making you miserable and have decided to give you a break this summer out of the generosity of my heart?”

She laughed. “You’re funny.”

“Fine. My mother has started introducing me to possible alternatives.” He fell back onto the bed. It was his tone that caught her curiosity.

“Alternatives to what?” She moved closer.

“You.” His eyes stayed closed.

She stopped moving abruptly. “What do you mean? Your parents have started looking for new summer house guests?”

“House guests? He peeked an eye open to look at her, his face drowning in incredulousness. “No. You don’t know why you’re here?”

“So my parents can be rid of me for the summer. I’ve known that since I was 4 and they dropped me off on your doorstep without even saying goodbye.” She edged onto the bed, still keeping her distance. His good looks had always been a problem for her to get past. Her breathing always shortened and her thoughts scattered, even when he was being mean.

“It may have started out that way.” He admitted. “However, I was eavesdropping on our parents a few years ago and discovered the real reason.”

His pause made her whack his arm good and hard. “And?”

“They expect us to fall in love and get married.”

Her eyes narrowed. “How many years ago?”

He looked at her then but didn’t answer.

“Don’t make me ask again.” She growled.

Oddly enough he smiled in response to her irritation. In seconds, she went from sitting on the opposite side of the bed to being caught lying fully underneath him, his weight pressing her down into the bed.

“Get off me!”

He looked her straight in the eye. “It was four years ago.”

His quiet confession halted her attempts to maim him for life. “It wasn’t something I did?”

“I don’t hate you El. I hated feeling pushed into liking you.”

“You don’t have to like me like that, Marco. I just miss my friend.” Mel focused on the far corner of the room as tears threatened.

“I know now that I don’t have to, but I do.”

“Do what?”

“Like you.” He flashed her a half smile and rolled off her. He shrugged a little as he strode quickly to the door. “Don’t hate me.”

It wasn’t until after he had left that it occurred to her that she should have said something back. 

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