Thanks you Unicorn232003, Brittany Bauer, Ash-210, AvaM467, and a guest for the sweet reviews. Special thanks to Brittany Bauer for the idea which I used at the end of this chapter :) Happy Furth of July! **** ( attempt at fireworks)
Chapter 8
Melody
I almost don't go. I almost pretend to be sick and then avoid Jack for as long as I can. Almost.
The dream flashes in my head as I walk to the library. I told dad not to drive me. I thought the cold air would refresh me, but the dream won't go away. I see the shadows, I hear the screams. I close my eyes and beg it to get out of my head. I remember the shadows taking over the guy. I remember shouting his name. I want to turn around as the name repeats in my head: Jack.
Why? Why is it so hard for us to keep apart? Even Lisa pushes us together. And she normally supports me on these things. And why am I still walking? I need to turn around. But, I also need to get this project done. Okay, I settle with a quick in and out.
I need to keep my distance too. We got really close yesterday. Sure, we had a great time. A really great time. My heart flutters and I scold it mentally. See, I tell myself, this is why you need to distance yourself.
I arrive at the library. When I walk inside the cold air disappears and is replaced by a warm, cozy temperature. Almost like yesterday with the hot chocolate and sitting next to Jack . . . no stop it! Bad, Melody. I take off my big coat and find Jack. His hoodie and brown hair is easy to spot. Jack sits in a chair at one of the empty tables by the window. He watches the snow fall.
I walk over to him. Jack sees me and smiles. My stupid heart skips a beat. I put on a friendly smile. I sit at the table, making sure I sit in the chair across from him, not next to him. I take off my backpack and pull out our printed research. Jack sets the trifold on the table.
"Ok. Let's get this over with." I say setting the scissors and glue on the table. Jack raises one eye brow.
"You okay?" He asks.
"Yeah." I say quickly.
"You don't sound okay. What's wrong?" Jack places a hand on mine and I ignore the chills that snake their way up my arm. I pull my hand away.
"I, uh, didn't sleep well last night." He gives me confused expression. Then, a flash of fear and anger comes across his face. It's gone as soon as it came. I ignore it.
"Do you want to talk about it?" He asks.
I shake my head. He would think I was crazy like my dad. Plus, that's just weird telling a guy you were dreaming about him. Although it was a nightmare. But, that sounds just as bad. "I just want to get this done."
Jack doesn't ask any more questions. We work in silence, only talking when necessary. Jack seems lost in thought, which thankfully makes it easier for me to be closed off.
We finish and I put the supplies in my bag. I fit the trifold into my bag as well. I say a small goodbye and walk away. I'm hoping he will let me leave. I walk outside and then I hear him following me. I head left.
"Melody, wait." Jack says. I keep walking. "Melody we need to talk." Jack is right behind me.
"I don't want to talk about it, Jack. Just leave me alone." I feel a hand on my shoulder and I turn around. I look into his soft brown eyes and I see genuine concern.
"I'm not going to leave you alone. I think you want to talk about it." Jack says.
I sigh. "You wouldn't understand." He laughs slightly.
"Try me. Besides, I'm your friend. You can tell me."
"I never asked you to be my friend!" I blurt out. Jack is taken aback. "I never asked you to be in my life! I never asked you to just jump in and take my-" I stop myself before I say heart.
Jack sighs. "And I never asked to move here." He says calmly. "Your point?" He places one hand in his jacket pocket. "We never ask for things in life, they just come. Its fate. What matters is how we deal with it. But, if you want me gone then fine, I'm gone." He throws his hands up and walks away.
I watch him leave. As my heart rips in half I tell myself that this is for his own safety. But what he said about fate isn't helping. What if he is caught in it anyway? I guess all I can do is try and hope for the best.
Jack
"Pitch? You think so?"
"I know so. What else could it be? He is the king of nightmares." I say.
I sit down next to Tooth and Sandy. "So what do you think we should do, Jack?" Tooth asks, her feathers slightly ruffled. I shake my head.
"I don't know." I say. "All I know is she is having bad dreams, and she has been for a while. That's why Sandy didn't recognize her. He hasn't been in charge of her dreams since, what, last year?" Sandy nods. He symbols a caution sign. "Right. We have to play it safe. Any wrong move here could end up bad. I guess we need to figure out how to get me back on a friend basis with her before Pitch makes his move."
"Should we tell her about the guardians yet?" Tooth asks.
"No. I need to wait for the right moment. Besides, she seems confused and upset enough right now. Since it's getting closer to Christmas I'm thinking the topic of Santa will come up and I can lightly question her belief." I say.
"Ok, but you better act fast. Try and find something in common and use it to edge your way in." I get an idea.
"The auditions, of course! That works great!" I say.
"Jack, a little word of advice, as well." Tooth says. "If this is what she is going through, what she needs is someone to support her and be there for her. No matter how much she pushes you away, don't give up on her."
"I'll remember that. Thanks Tooth." I reply.
Sandy signals that they need to go get the info to North and that I need to go research some more.
"Sandy's right," Tooth says. "We need to head back. See you tomorrow, Jack, and good luck."
"North is the one that needs luck. He's up to his ears in things to do before Christmas." I say with a laugh.
I head back to the cabin. For the fifth time this week I flashback to my childhood home. I imagine my sister running ahead of me wanting to get warmed up. I picture myself chasing her. She laughs when I catch her. I lift her into the air and then give her a piggyback ride all the way home.
The memory fades and I sigh. I savor the moment as I walk up to the cabin. Then, I head inside and get to work researching childhood heroes and fairytales, trying to figure out who or what Melody is. Bunny should be relieved that she is most definitely not a ground hog or leprechaun. I just can't shake the feeling that she's different. That Melody will be something we've never seen before.
