This song will hit you in the feels (lol):

Carson

When we went out on Saturday, I was surprised that Melody ordered a salad, and ate it all. I didn't say anything but was glad that she had some nourishment in her body. While being around her all the time I didn't always see it, she had been losing a bit of weight, despite her already being thin.

With exam approaching and schoolwork piling up, I noticed Melody getting more stressed and in her head. She had been eating less, and I couldn't understand why. I also didn't want to bring it up and make her uncomfortable, so I tried to lead her to the food without forcing it on her. I knew the bullying and rumours were wearing on her too, but I wasn't quite sure how to help without adding fuel to the fire. I also always seemed to be somewhere else whenever Rose reared her head. But I figured the best thing I could do was be there for Melody.

After the arcade, we went to Melody's house and decided to watch Project Runway in her room. She was quiet, content to curl up next to me and lay her head across my lap. I ran my fingers through her soft brown hair, feeling my heart pound as I looked down at her.

She was so unguarded in this moment. There wasn't a carefully put together expression on her face, or well-thought out response being prepared in her mind. She was just calm and reacting slightly, every so often to her favourite show.

And she was beautiful. So, very beautiful.

I leaned down and kissed her on the cheek.

"What's that for?" she asked, smiling up at me.

"Nothing. I just lo-like kissing you," I said. She smiled at me and turned back to the computer, while I freaked out internally.

Did I almost just say what I think I just almost said?

I looked down at Melody, brown hair spilt all around her. Green eyes with hints of blue in them, shaped like perfect almonds. Her nose curving up and back down to meet the skin that became the cupid's bow.

Of course, what I almost said almost slipped out of my mouth. It was true.

Melody Reese had blown into my life like a graceful tornado and swept me off my feet in the process. She was everything I wanted and more and there was no going back. And I was more than okay with that.

***

The days lead into the last few days of January and exam season was close to finishing up. I had spent Friday after school with Melody, studying in her room. We were listening to an indie playlist on her computer as we worked. She was engrossed in an art project, wearing a pair of overalls that were covered in colours as she painted on the easel Ms. Foster let her borrow. She looked so cute and focused, and I had to keep reminding myself to concentrate on my English notes for the upcoming exam.

As I finished up my notes, I turned to Melody whose art piece was coming along nicely. It was grey and black around the edges with an angry explosive red in the middle. It was very abstract, and although I didn't have the slightest clue what it meant, I could feel a lot of emotion behind it. Earlier she took a glass bottle in a plastic bucket out onto her balcony and carefully broke it with a hammer. Now she was gluing pieces of it to the canvas.

"Looks awesome so far, Mellie," I said, closing my book.

"I'm glad you like it... Good thing art is the only class I have that's full-year," Melody said without looking up. I slipped my books into my bag.

"That's true. I'm glad bio isn't," I laughed. "But I have to head out soon."

"Right, you're meeting up with Harvey?" she asked, putting the bucket of broken glass down and then glancing at me.

"Yeah, we're going to get a bite and then some of the guys are going to see that new action movie that came out," I explained. Melody's face slipped into a frown immediately.

"What theatre?" she asked quietly. Her eyes flickered towards the snowy street just outside her window.

"The one down on Railroad Avenue," I said. "Why?"

"Don't take Sound View," Melody said, avoiding my question.

"Why? It's faste–"

"It's too dangerous," Melody said, turning to face me. I could feel her anxiety as if it radiated off her skin and her eyes were filled to the brim with tears. I sat frozen for a moment, wondering what brought on the sudden emotions. "Don't – don't go. Don't–"

Cut off by a body shaking sob, Melody collapsed into my arms as I shot out of my chair to meet her halfway. She quivered in my arms with every breath. It felt more panicky like when she fainted in the school hallway, but it was unbearable. As if whatever was on her mind was the end of the world. I sat us down on the bed and pulled Melody into my lap, so that she was curled into a ball as I stroked her hair and her back.

"You're okay. Everything's okay," I murmured every so often. Over and over until her rapid breathing slowed and her crying subsided. "I don't have to go. I can stay here," I said softly. She rested her head on my shoulder and kissed her forehead, hoping that it would take away even one percent of her pain. She stayed like that, for a few moments before taking a deep, shaky breath.

"You don't have to," Melody said in a tiny voice. "It's stupid. It's just a road. A simple, harmless road. Except it wasn't. Not for her. Not when it was icy. Not when–" Melody took a ragged breath. "You can go... you just have to come back." Her voice broke on the word 'back' and I could feel a fresh set of tears on my shoulder. Like the glass in her art project, she was broken. Her mother's car accident was a wound that hadn't heal properly.

"I'll come back Mellie. I will always come back," I said, holding her tightly. Melody wrapped her slender arms around my waist and closed her eyes.

***

A half an hour later and a few soft songs later, Melody was calmer and managed to unclench her tiny fists from my shirt. Her cheeks were flushed, and I knew she felt sheepish about her display of raw, unchecked emotions. She went to the bathroom and freshened up so that when she came back, no one would be able to tell that she had been bawling her eyes out just a short time ago.

She sat cross-legged on her bed and played with her fingers.

"When does your movie start?" Melody asked, without looking up at me.

"It's in thirty minutes, but I don't have to go," I insisted. She shook her head.

"No, you should go. I'm okay, really. I'm sorry," she said. I moved closer to her and lifted her chin up so that she would look at me.

"You never have to apologize to me for having feelings. Not for being excited, not for crying. I am here for you through all of it," I said. Her green eyes were wide and still teary, but she smiled slightly.

"Go to your movie," Melody said taking my hand from her chin and holding it in her hands as she got off the bed. "Just take an alternative route. And text me when you're there."

"Okay, and I'll call you when I get home," I smiled.

"Do you pinky promise?" she asked with small smile on her lips, showing her little dimple on her left cheek. I held up my pinkie finger and wrapped it around hers.

"Pinky promise," I replied before kissing her softly, above that cute dimple.

______

Author's Note: YAY! Another chapter out and it's a long one! I hope you listened to the song and read at the same time because I feel like they worked so well together. Also yay for Carson's POV! I hope you guys liked this chapter... I feel like we're finally digging out some parts of Melody that  we don't always see!

Also... Carson LO-LIKES Melody? ;)

Anyways, let me know what you think of this chapter! And what you think might happen next!

Special shoutouts this chapter go to Gwendolynst, dollarrl, MiaBaby123, happiestam, izzy966, and Taken_by_Sadness for voting and/or commenting! And of course, thank you to each and everyone of you for doing the same!