• 70: Ice, Ice, Baby •

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Melody

We all left the cafeteria together, but had to go to class so we parted, leaving Emma and I to walk to art class. We moved quietly, the hallway buzzing with the sounds of student chatter and lockers opening and closing.

"So, I know this is probably uncomfortable but, are you okay?" Emma asked.

"What do you mean?" I replied, tucking my brown hair behind my ear. I stared ahead, towards the classroom, avoiding her eyes.

"I mean... I don't say anything, but I notice things and I just want you to know that I'm here. For you. If you want to talk or something," Emma said.

"There's nothing to talk about. I'm okay," I replied.

"But your arm."

"I'm an easy bruiser."

"And you fainted a–"

"From the paint fumes," I cut her off then took a deep breath and smiled. "I'm fine, really. But thank you."

She nodded and opened the classroom door. When we entered the classroom, I noticed that Ms. Foster had put up little fairy lights and Christmas garlands around the room. It was nice to see that someone felt holly and jolly.

"Grab an easel! We're going to finish these assignments today!" Ms. Foster said as students entered the room.

Emma and I tossed our bags down and grabbed our easels and paintings before sitting down next to each other. While she didn't bring up our conversation for the rest of class, it played on in my thoughts. I looked calm as we painted, but my mind was racing.

Why would she bring up my fainting? Why did she want to talk about it? Why would she want to talk to me? Why now? Does she think I'm weird? Does she just want more information from me? Is she going to tell her friends?

Class passed by quickly, and I finished my dark painting. When the bell rang, everyone gathered their items and Ms. Foster called me over. Ignoring the curious stares, I walked over to my art teacher.

"Hey Melody," she started. "Did you manage to finish your painting?"

"Yes. I know I missed class yesterday, but I worked hard to finish it," I explained. Ms. Foster smiled and then glanced over my shoulder. I looked behind me and noticed everyone had left the room.

"I have something for you... just a little Christmas present." She reached into her desk and pulled out a thin square package. My eyes widened and my mouth parted slightly, letting out a shocked breath.

"You-you didn't have to," I said quietly.

"It's just something small," she replied. "Open it."

My hands gently tore the festive paper, revealing a print of Van Gogh's Starry Night on the cover of a sketchbook. I smiled, remembering he was her favourite artist. I blinked away my emotions and looked at her.

"Thank you, Ms. Foster; you didn't have to get me anything," I whispered. "I didn't get you a gift."

"I wanted to, and Melody your passion for art and talent is a gift," she said. "Have a Merry Christmas, and please take care of yourself." Her dark brown eyes were warm, and her smile was bright as she spoke.

"Merry Christmas Ms. Foster," I replied softly, before putting the notebook safely in my backpack.

***

After school, Carson and I went straight to my house, to get my clothes. We sat in the car for a moment before I invited him inside with me. I wasn't sure what to expect when it came to Mia inside, but I figured she wouldn't be too horrible if Carson was there.

When we stepped inside, Mia was already setting up party decorations in addition to the Christmas stuff that was already out. There were garlands, poinsettias and strings of lights everywhere, in tasteful, cookie cutter kind of aesthetic. Margot had hired someone to put everything up, including the Christmas tree, effectively sucking the fun out of the setup of the holiday.

Mia was up on a ladder, putting up a banner that read 'Merry Christmas Ya Filthy Animals!' and glanced over when she heard the front door close.

"Looks so nice and festive in here," Carson said to me.

"Margot did it all," I shrugged putting out jackets in the coat closet.

"Hey Carson!" Mia said enthusiastically, ignoring my presence.

"Hi Mia," Carson replied. "Melody's here too by the way."

"I know," she smiled and turned back to her banner. I rolled my eyes and took off my boots.

"Well if you know, don't be rude," he said, taking his shoes off too.

"It's fine," I mumbled, taking his hand and tugging him towards the stairs.

We walked up to my room, and I was thankful that I had left it clean in the quest of finding an outfit this morning. Carson sat on my bed and watched as I moved about, getting my clothes in order.

"Thank you," I said, rifling through my closet.

"It was nothing," Carson replied. "I know you two don't get along, but she could at least be respectful."

"Margot's her mother... she didn't really stand a chance," I shrugged. I grabbed a pair of leggings that had cut outs with mesh fabric, and then a black off the shoulder shirt. "Um... I'll be right back," I said, feeling my cheeks heat.

I stepped into the bathroom and closed the door behind me. I changed into the outfit I picked out and looked into the mirror. I frowned the mirror, hating the way that the shirt seemed to cling to my body, drawing my eyes to the way my stomach stuck out. I sighed and walked back out into my room.

"Ready?" Carson asked, looking up from his phone.

"Nope," I said opening my closet once again. I sifted through the clothes and pulled out a dark grey sweater.

"What's wrong with what you're wearing?" Carson asked, leaning back on the bed. I frowned.

"It's ugly," I replied, marching into the bathroom with the sweater. I traded it with what I was wearing and looked into the mirror for a moment before frowning. It was slightly cropped, which I knew, but I was promptly reminded of how my thighs looked big. I opened the bathroom door and went back to my closet.

"Mel–"

"It's uglier," I grumbled, grabbing three more sweaters. I tried each of them on and let out a frustrated sigh. I looked horrible in each one.

Big here. Large there. Too chubby. Too fat.

I marched back into my room, and by now Carson was just waiting for me, phone by his side. His eyebrows were creased slightly as he watched me.

"That one's gorgeous," Carson said.

"Don't lie," I grimaced, moving towards the closet.

"Hey." Carson stood up and took my hands in his. I stopped walking but couldn't manage to meet his eyes. "Hey," he repeated softly, lifting my chin so I would meet his eyes. I blinked away my tears of frustration and looked at him. "You look amazing in anything. Besides, we're just going skating. Find your warmest and comfiest sweater."

"Okay," I whispered. Carson kissed my nose and let go of me. I turned around and faced my closet once more. I picked out an over-sized, knitted, light pink turtleneck and went into the bathroom.

After changing into the sweater, I stared at myself in the mirror. Still, a frown formed on my face, and I hated what I saw. However, Carson was waiting for me, and wanted to make me have a great evening, despite myself and despite Mia throwing her stupid party.

***

The skating rink was more like a figure eight shaped trail that looped in and around multiple trees. There were snowflake-shaped lights hanging from the trees, decorating where leaves no longer rested. The maples and oaks were wrapped in Christmas lights, that alternated between a warm white and red, making them look like candy canes, while the pines had only white lights resting on them. It made the evening look magical, as the sun tucked itself in for the evening in the horizon.

There was soft music playing over the speakers. The sight of it all made me smile and forget about my crappy day.

"You're going to have to hold my hand, I haven't been skating since I was nine," I said after we laced up our skates. We stepped towards the ice and I could feel my legs wobble slightly, every so often.

"If you wanted to hold my hand, all you had to do was ask," Carson winked, making me laugh.

"That was me giving you an excuse... I guess you're on your own," I said stepping onto the ice. As my blade touched the slippery surface, I slipped backwards. Luckily, I landed in a strong pair of arms.

"Would you look at that! You're falling for me," Carson said. I burst into laughter as he stood me up straight. I turned to face him and pressed my lips to his.

"I guess you could say that," I winked, pulling him onto the ice.



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Author's Note: Surprise! I know I said I probably wouldn't be on time with this upload, but I was on a spree! Haha! I'm still freaking out because we went up to #88 on Teen Fiction! And we've already hit 87,000 reads! I am soooo happy and grateful!

So, what did you think of this chapter!? How do you think Melody's doing? Why do you think Emma's trying to have deep talks with her? Isn't Ms. Foster the bomb dot com? 

Special shoutouts this chapter goes to: Red_Gummy_Bear24BrittneyChestershatta123, and littleme125 for voting! Thank you all! :)

Melody's final outfit decision:

Keep reading, voting and commenting! And have a wonderful weekend!

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