Listen to this song late on in the chapter.... or now... or forever. Have fun tearing up at the chorus HAHA

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Melody

After school Carson and I sat in the car, letting it warm up. I stared out at the snow, struggling to stick to the asphalt and sidewalk. There was soft music playing on the radio, but I wasn't really hearing it. I was content with sitting here suspended in time; neither coming, nor going.

"Ready to go?"

"Hmm?" I blinked and met Carson's graze. He gave me a soft smile.

"Want to come over?" He asked. I smiled and nodded. It would be a good escape from my house though I'd probably get in trouble for coming back late. Carson slowly pulled out of the parking lot and headed to a house that felt more like home than mine.

It was a quiet drive, as I was lost in thought, wondering what my school day would be like tomorrow. I knew it was futile to think about it because the reality was that I didn't know. Rose could figure out another way to ruin my day. My friends could want to meet with me, or they might not want to. They were probably sick of all the drama surrounding me. I was too. What I did know was one thing.

"I have math homework for tomorrow," I mumbled quietly.

"Okay, I have a desk in my room. You can do it there if you like," Carson said gently. I noticed him watching me, stealing glances every so often. Slightly, I turned away, looking out the window once again.

"Sounds good."

We turned a corner, now on Carson's road. He drove into his driveway slowly, before putting the car into park. He turned the car off and didn't move for a moment.

"So, my mom is going to be super excited to see you... don't give in. We'll go straight upstairs," Carson laughed, making me smile. He opened his car door and I did the same, bringing my backpack with me as I stepped out of the car.

When we got inside, the smell of fresh cookies wafted toward the front door, pushing away the icy air that tried to enter the foyer. The sound of water running from the tap stopped the moment Carson shut the door behind us.

"Cars, is that you?" His mom called.

"Yeah! And Melody!" Carson replied.

Fast-paced footsteps padded along the floor until they brought forth Harper White, in her caramel-haired glory. She wore a pair of jeans and a purple long-sleeved shirt. A smile bright on her face, she hugged us both one by one.

"Hello my son! Melody! How was your day?" She asked.

"Good," Carson said, while I said, "Fine."

"Great, well, come in! I have warm cookies and fresh fruit in the kitchen," Harper grinned, ushering us inside, as we kicked off our shoes and pulled off our jackets.

"Can we take some to my room? We have homework," Carson asked. His mother gave him a look that seemed knowing.

"Sure, don't mind me," Harper said with a cheeky smile. "I'll bring something up in a little."

"Thank you," both Carson and I said heading up the stairs.

"Door open Carson," his mom said in a singsong voice.

"Yes, Mom," Carson sighed climbing the steps, a blush creeping across his face. I smiled a little at that and accidentally missed a step. Stumbling forward, I managed to catch myself, a hand stretching out to the banister. Carson spun around to face me.

"I'm okay," I said quickly. "I tripped."

"Here, walk in front of me," he said. I did, now self-conscious of the way I looked walking up the stairs. There weren't any at our school, so I didn't think too much about it. But having him behind me, made me worry about the way my thighs jiggled with every step. Or if my knees wobbled, feeling last night's workout.

I stopped at the top of the stairs waiting for Carson. His hand softly touched the small of my back, as he stood next to me and began guiding me toward his room.

"So, that's Connor's room in there, Chloe's–"

"Chloe?" I repeated.

"My older sister," Carson grinned.

"You have a sister?"

"Yeah! She's off at college. You'll meet her at around Christmas," Carson said. "And here's my room." He pushed open a door revealing his room.

The first thing I noticed, almost stole the wind from my lungs; a massive window, overlooking the forest next to his house. It was similar to the one down in the living room, but its focus was the top half of the trees, peppered with snowflakes that wanted to make a home in the pines. I tore my eyes away from the view, knowing they'd find their way back, to observe the rest of his room. He had a grey lounge chair, big enough for two, sloping beneath the scenic view.

I smiled taking in the little details and looked to Carson. "You might have to drag me away from that window."

"My sister was ready to fight for it, but she wanted the big closet and couldn't have both," Carson chuckled.

"Those are two very difficult choices," I smirked.

There was a basketball net hung from his closet door with a few posters of players on the move. The walls that wrapped around the room were dark blue and lead to another window, looking out onto the street, to the park. In front of the window was a wooden desk. His bed sat in the centre of the wall opposite the desk. Grey sheets and a blue blanket, it looked like the perfect place for him to rest his head.

Carson stepped into the room, but I lingered near the door, watching, unsure of myself. Carson tossed his bag onto his bed before walking over to his dresser and flipped open a black box revealing a record player. He turned it on, and the soft strum of guitar poured out of the speakers.

"Um, I heard it once on the radio... Gregory Alan Isakov. I thought of you." I smiled watching Carson fidget with the slightest embarrassment. "I bought one of his albums in case you ever came over." He held up a jacket for the record, with the illustrations for the album. "I know you're not picky but –"

"It's perfect," I replied genuinely. My heart rate picked up seeing the smile Carson's lips curved into. I walked over to him and took the record jacket out of his hands, to look at it. This Empty Northern Hemisphere was written at the top of it, in the purple night sky that lead to a man standing in the trees. I checked what song we were listening to, as a deeper sounding string instrument seemed to strike a chord in me. "Dandelion Wine... it's pretty," I whispered, placing the jacket on the dresser.

"It is, isn't it?" He took my hand, as I stood there, captivated by the music.

As the song ended, a knock on the door made us look to see Carson's mother in the doorway with a tray of snacks. She grinned at us, as I tried to let go of Carson's hand stealthily.

"I come bearing gifts," she said placing the cookies and fruit on the desk. "Melody, are you staying for dinner?"

"I-I have to get home tonight, but thank you," I replied with a smile, hoping it looked genuine, rather than nervous.

"Sure, hon. You're always welcome!" Harper smiled. "I'll leave you two to your homework." With that, she disappeared from the room. Carson moved over to the food, while I decided to sit on the couch by the window. I folded my legs underneath me and pulled out my math textbook and notebook.

***

"Okay, if I look at anymore math, I'm going to scream," I said after almost an hour of doing homework. The album we were listening to had ended a little while ago and I was tired.

"I can say the same for business... but I've got one more question and Mr. Morgan always checks," Carson replied bitterly, making me laugh in response. I put my math away and picked up a strawberry to munch on while gazing around his room. My eyes landed on his posters, as Carson got up and walked over to me.

"When's your next basketball game?" I asked as he sat down. He smiled curiously at me.

"Tomorrow after school... why?" He asked, searching my face. I looked down feeling self-conscious.

"Would it be alright...if I came?" I mumbled. "You know, if you even want me there... around you." Carson's hand found my chin and lifted my gaze to meet his. His eyes were bright, his lips spread into a gentle smile. It seemed to hold back excitement.

"I always want you around me."

"I always want to be around you," I murmured, shyly.

"I'm glad," Carson whispered, pressing his lips to mine.

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Author's Note: First of all, 20 000+ reads on Paper Thin!!! What have I done to deserve this!? You're all so amazing and I'm so grateful for your reads, support, comments and votes! Thank you from the bottom of my heart!  Special shoutout to freeimagination274 for your wonderful comments and all the votes! :)

Tell me what you think of this chapter!? Are you jealous of Carson's big window? (I am!) How do you think the basketball game will go? And Melody's friends still haven't said anything... what do you think will happen?