Tick.
Tick
tick.
The clock was slower than molasses. Melissa wanted to go. When the bell rang she would be free. She would be leaving with the gang on a Spring Break trip. Her bags were packed and waiting in the Mystery Machine.
The seventeen-year-old girl was anxious. She wanted to get out of the bleak, boring school building and into the nice warm sunshine. Currently, Melissa busied herself with an art assignment that needed completion. Scratch art was never Melissa's forte and she grew frustrated with each passing moment. She needed to get good grades or Jenny wouldn't let her go on this trip. Jenny wouldn't let her. Melissa dropped the pen she had been using to make the scratch art when she was poked in the back with a pencil.
"What is it Shaggy? I'm busy here,"
"Like, I was going to say maybe you should try something easier,"
"Horses are easy for me,"
"When it comes to a pencil and paper,"
"True,"
So, she started again and finished with five minutes to spare. She shot like a bullet to the art classroom where she proudly handed in her work and crossed her fingers as the teacher looked it over.
"Good job, Melissa,"
SHE PASSED.
WITH AN A.
Happily, Melissa raced back to class as the bell finally rang. Hastily, Melissa grabbed her bag and hauled herself to the Mystery Machine before hopping in beside Shaggy and Scooby. They were headed to Florida to visit Velma's uncle Benton Quest. Soon, the van was headed to the airport and the Blake's personal jet. As much as Melissa wished Dick could come but he was spending the week studying with the Justice League. She was proud of him of course but she would miss him.
During the car ride to the airport, Melissa called to check in on her sisters. Soon, she was video chatting with Harley.
"Dr. Leland says I'm doing good Lissa. The other day I was allowed to watch a movie with Ivy, just the two of us. And then I was allowed chocolate ice cream with dinner. Dr. Leland brought me a picture of you and your dogs,"
"That's great Harley,"
"You will take pictures for me won't you Melissa?"
"Yes, Harley. Plenty of nice pictures of the beach to brighten up your room,"
"Yipee,"
"Hey, we're here I've got to go okay?"
"Okay, see ya,"
"Bye Harl,"
Stepping onto the posh jet, Melissa took her usual seat next to the window and watched as the jet left the ground. Once they were free to move around. Melissa stood and grabbed the video camera from her bag. Dick had lent it to her saying "Make me jealous Firecracker. I want to see what I missed,". For now, Melissa was happy to re-watch the videos that were stored on the SD card.
…...
"Get that thing out of my face Bird Boy," Melissa warned while swatting the air.
"Not going to happen," Dick's voice responded as he struggled to set the camera on a stand.
Melissa was on the floor next to the Christmas tree still dressed in an oversized tee shirt and reindeer printed leggings. In her lap was a bright red gift bag which she was visibly trying to restrain herself from opening. After setting up the camera, Dick joined Melissa by the tree dressed in his own festive Christmas clothes.
"Why do you gotta record everything?" Melissa questioned.
"He just wants to capture the memories," Jenny laughed from her place on the couch.
"Okay, Firecracker open your present," Dick urged.
Melissa threw out the much-colored paper that hid her gift from prying eyes to reveal a new set of paint brushes. The video continued showing Melissa, Jenny and, Dick opening their gifts and eating pancakes around the tree before the gang arrived with a bag full of presents.
…...
"Put the camera away," Melissa demanded briefly turning from her easel to scold her boyfriend.
"No, I'm not going to do that," Dick responded as he zoomed in on what Melissa was painting.
"Seriously, you're bothering me," Melissa snapped.
"I may be but one day you'll be a famous artist and people will pay a fortune to view this video,"
"Ha, it's not like you need the money besides, I'll be famous when the Joker is sane,"
"Ouch,"
"You know it's true,"
"Stop selling yourself short,"
"I'm simply being realistic,"
"Your idea of realistic is not very real,"
"Sure it is," Melissa said turning to face her boyfriend.
"Come on, let the camera see your work,"
"Fine,"
The camera zoomed in on Melissa's work. A half-painted flower garden with willow trees in the background. It was a beautiful picture in Dick's opinion.
"When you finish that I want it for my room," Dick announced.
"Okay,"
...
"Melissa open the door,"
"No,"
"Why not?"
"Because you have that camera,"
"Please?"
"No,"
Dick set the camera down started to bang on the door. Melissa in response, turned on her music to drown out Dick.
"She's not a camera person," Dick told the camera before shutting it off.
…...
Melissa shut off the camera and placed it back in its case she had a long, long plane ride ahead of her.