Authors Note: Hello, everybody. It's me again with yet another Waterloo Road fanfiction. This one is about Melissa, who is a very complicated character to say the least. I personally don't think she's purposely melicious. Well, not most of the time anyway. She's just troubled and misunderstood. I wanted to portray her in a different light with this fic. I hope you enjoy it! Please tell me what you think.


Candlesticks and Whiskey Bottles

Chapter 1

"It's me or her."

Your heart beats furiously against your ribcage at an unhealthy pace. You keep your eyes fixed firmly on the ground below. You're far too ashamed to show your face so you let your golden locks drape over it, acting as a shield. No one dares to speak; the sound of unsteady breathing fills what would be an intense silence. This is the moment none of you wanted to happen yet simultaneously did. It's time for the truth to out.

Daringly, you bring up your gaze to catch your sister's, instantly regretting it. Her eyes are brimming with tears, a stunned expression adorns the features of her face. She's speechless. And it's all your fault. Guilt is an understatement as to what you feel towards her right now. She doesn't deserve this - not after everything she's ever done for you - and the same goes for Eddie. No one does deserves to feel this ashamed for something that isn't necessarily true. Not Rachel, not Eddie, not Phil.

Phillip. Your son. You had almost forgot about how he had got tangled up in your complicated web of lies. They spiralled out of control way before you could do anything to stop them. Phillip was just there... being Phillip. None of this is his fault, but it's too late to put things right now. He's probably going to resent you for the rest of your life.

You drop your hands from where they rest on the lapels of your fiancé's jacket, and turn to face your sister properly, flashing her your most convincing pleading eyes. I'm sorry. I'm sorry. I'm sorry. But it's too late for apologies. You can see the hurt seeping from her face, and though she tries to hold back the tears, you know they're going to spill at any given second. That's why she does what you both do best; she runs.

You watch as Rachel makes a quick head for the exit, her size five heels clicking against the cold laminate flooring of the corridors outside the classroom as she leaves. Out of sight, out of mind? If only it were that simple.

Clearing his throat to catch your attention, Eddie waits impatiently behind you. He taps his foot against the carpet in frustration; he creases his brow up tight to make sure you know how much damage you've just caused. You've opened a can of worms that'll never be able to be put back in. Neither Eddie nor your sister want to admit their feelings for one another. But they couldn't be more obvious about it even if they tried.

"Now look what you've done!" Eddie growls, backing away from you to pace the classroom, throwing his arms up in the air in a exasperated fashion. "Your own sister! Aren't you gonna go after her!?"

"Aren't you!?"

It's a quick slip of poison off your tongue. You don't mean anything by it but you couldn't resist. If they're so 'fond' of each other then why shouldn't he go after her?

"You are impossible!" he yells. "I don't think your in a position to question me after what I've just found out about you!"

It's surprises you that he hasn't got smoke surging from the top of his head. He looks so angry; his face is turning a darker shade of red with each pace he takes.

He suddenly stops in his tracks, turning on his heel to face you again. A glare passes between you. You're so uncertain as to what he's going to do next. You know you've overstepped the mark, you just don't know how far.

"You really want me to choose between you?" he asks again disbelievingly. All you can do is give a timid nod. "Well, you know what Melissa!?"

"What!?" you exclaim restlessly. The suspense is killing you. Answer already.

"It was always her!"

A stab to the chest.

A hit to the face.

A knock to your ego.

The sentence lingers within the four walls, mocking you. You feel sick. No, sicker than sick. You thought you were just being paranoid. You thought it was all in your head. You were wrong. The reality of everything has finally dawned on you; your whole relationship is a lie.

"Since when?" you whisper cowardly.

Eddie just stands there. Hands in pockets; back hunched. He drops his head down to fix his eyes to the floor. Who's feeling guilty now?

"Since when!?" you repeat, much more forcefully this time. It's almost a scream - a scream of desperation.

Stunned, Eddie looks back up. Your eyes sting with tears and before you know it, you're crying. The man you call your fiancé just stands there, watching, as tears trickle down your face regretfully. It wasn't suppose to be like this. It wasn't supposed to be like this, at all.

"I've... I've always..." He's stuck for words. His voice falters. At least hurting you brings him some form of sorrow. "It was always Rachel, Mel... always has been, always will be..."

You gasp for air. It feels as though someone's sat on your chest, suppressing your ability to breathe. "Then... then, what was I?"

He closes his eyes for a second and sighs deeply through his nose. A long pause is given before he decides on what to say next.

"I'm sorry," he whispers. "I am so sorry."

"Save it!" you scoff, bringing your hand up to wipe away your tears. You know better than to show him your weakness, so, shaking, you discard the diamond engagement ring from your finger and offer it back to him from off the palm of your hand. "Take it..."

Cautiously, Eddie crosses the room to approach you. You hold your breath as he takes the ring from you, tossing it into his jacket pocket as if it - and you - meant nothing to him at all.

"Thank you."

You nod bravely, acknowledging his gratefulness as he turns on his heel again, only to leave the room for real this time. You don't even have to think twice as to where he's going. He's going to see Rachel to explain himself. You were a mistake - it's obvious now. It was always her. It rings in your ears like an alarm clock. Your own sister. You've been played for a fool; again.

You're left with nothing. No family, no friends, no fiancé, no job. You're left with no other option but to leave. You have to leave Rachel, leave Phillip, leave Eddie, and Rochdale behind - for good. It'd be better for everyone that way. Yourself included. So, wounded by the outcome of your stupid, four-worded ultimatum, you reach down into your jean pocket to draw out your phone. Hesitantly, with a shaking hand, you dial the number of the one person you know will never let you down.

"Alex?"