Melody

The bell rang and my heart dropped instantly remembering who would be walking in through that door any minute. Harvey, Alani and Noah began gathering their things. Carson looked at me for a moment, making me drop my head in an attempt not to let him see the worry on my face.

"Is he still in this class?" he asked Ms. Foster. My friends paused, waiting for her response. Ms. Foster looked like she wanted to say something, but she took a deep breath.

"For now," was all she said. I tried not to let my shoulders sag in response, but they did. Carson laced his fingers through mine and gave my hand a gentle squeeze.

"Text me if you need anything, okay? I mean it," Carson said. I nodded without meeting his eyes. He stood up and grabbed his backpack. "At least tell me he won't be at the same table."

"That I can assure you," Ms. Foster said, a small smile on her face. It wasn't necessarily a happy smile, but it seemed like she was a little proud of the way Carson was sticking up for me.

"Good," he said. He gave me a meaningful look before leaving. I could feel my leg bouncing, but I couldn't seem to make it stop. My heart rate seemed to triple the minute Diesel walked into the room, but I couldn't move from my spot.

Through my hair, I watched as Ms. Foster motioned for him to come over to her. Once he did, she spoke to him so quietly, no one but the two of them could hear. He then walked across the room from me and sat at a table in the front half of the classroom. Ms. Foster could keep an eye on him, but he was no longer close to me.

"They couldn't be at the same table? God, she's so dramatic," Veronica said loudly to one of her friends as she sat down. Her friend laughed and I felt my cheeks heat in response.

"Okay class... we're having a silent work period today," Ms. Foster said. The word 'silent' sounded aimed at Veronica. "We have your Ancient Egypt unit test coming up soon, so there is a lot to cover. I'm going to give you readings and worksheets, and then we'll take it up at the end of class. I don't want to hear a peep until then."

I'd never seen strict Ms. Foster before, but I was quite grateful for her in this moment. No talking meant no gossiping and I needed that desperately.

***

The end of the day could not come fast enough. I was itching to be outside the walls of Alcott but didn't want to be in my home either. When I got into Carson's car, I let out a sigh as I sat down, feeling exhaustion set in after being on an anxiety high all day.

"My house?" Carson asked with a small smile on his lips.

"If that's okay... I know I spend a lot of time there," I mumbled, running a hand through my hair nervously.

"I wouldn't have it any other way," Carson said, making me smile a little.

"Okay," I replied. Carson wrapped his fingers between mine before he pulled out of the school parking lot and we quietly drove to his house.

***

Listening to Bon Iver on vinyl, Carson and I laid side by side on his bed. I hadn't really said much since coming to his house, but he seemed as content as I was to lay in the quiet. Our hands were interlaced together and for a little while I felt calm.

"If you had to work with any designer, who would it be?" Carson asked out of the blue. I turned my head to face him and gave him a small smile.

"That's an impossible question. There's so many," I said.

"Top three?" Carson insisted.

"Hmm..." I started, happy for the piece of normalcy we'd fallen into. "Okay. Givenchy, Versace, and Dolce & Gabbana... wait actually Vera Wang too!" Carson laughed, sending warmth through my bones. "What's your favourite season?

"Probably summer. It just has the best vibes," Carson said. I let go of his hand and began tracing the lines on his open palm.

"Yeah, that's fair," I agreed, though fall fashion was usually better than summer style any day.

"What's your favourite animal?" Carson asked.

"I don't know why, but I have a secret love for giraffes," I mumbled. Carson laughed at that, which made me laugh too. "I can't help it. They're so cute and tall and awkward."

"They are really cute," he said with a wide grin.

"Okay, least favourite holiday," I inquired.

"New Years, if I'm honest."

"What?" I gasped, rolling onto my side and propping myself up to look at him. Carson laughed. "It doesn't make everything feel brand new to you?"

"Time is a construct," he replied cheekily, with a grin. I wrinkled my nose in response. "Melody, what's that?" My hair had fallen off my face, and Carson's gaze was suddenly at my cheek. I froze. "On your cheek." He sat up and looked at me.

"Nothing," I said looking away from him.

"Melody." Carson emphasized each syllable of my name.

"I-I bumped into a wall," I said quickly. He reached for my face slowly, and I couldn't seem to move away.

"I don't believe that," Carson said, tucking my hair behind my ear. I brought my gaze up from his duvet and stared into his eyes.

"I don't know what you want me to say," I whispered. It was so low that it was barely audible.

"The truth," Carson said softly.

"You can't tell anyone..." I started. Carson's shoulders dropped slightly.

"I friggin' knew it," he muttered.

"It – it was my fault anyways," I said slowly before the words began tumbling out of my mouth. "I got way too mouthy and she was drunk, and I knew I was pushing it, but she just makes me so upset especially since–" I cut my sentence short when it registered what I was about to say.

"Especially since what?" Carson pressed.

"Nothing. Just don't say anything to anyone okay?" I said firmly. Carson sighed and nodded. I stared at him, reading his face as if I had some magical lie detector in my brain.

"Okay," Carson insisted. "It wasn't your fault," he added.

"It was," I replied stubbornly. We sat there in silence for a minute before he held out his arms for me. I slid into them, easily. The way autumn collapsed into winter.

"It was not." He held me tightly, and I rested my head on his shoulder as a silent tear travelled down my cheek.

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Author's Note: It's been a minute!! But here's a new chapter for you! I hope you liked it! Curious to know what you think is next! Comment below!