Hey, according to my count, we seem to have two chapters left of this story, so... hey, I'm completing a story that scored runner-up by the end of the month! That's not so bad, huh? Well, here's the next chapter. Anyway, enjoy!
Even with Murphy's Law back the way it was before, it didn't help Milo feel any better. Every day since Tuesday, he couldn't help but glance at Melissa and Bradley just talking with each other and having a laugh. He also couldn't help but feel a little jealous that Melissa was being a little... showy concerning her clothes lately. There were some boys that wolf-whistled when they saw her, but she shown no other interest in any other boy... other than Bradley that is. And that was what upset Milo the most. Even when he was off on another adventure before the first bell for school rang, all he could think about was Melissa and how he should have had a chance with her. He had to admit, though, Melissa did look pretty cute...
Bradley was happy, the happiest he had ever been in his life. Not only had he won Melissa's heart, but he was officially going with her to the Spring Dance Weekend with her. He liked it when Melissa was cuddling with him or whispering sweet things in his ear. He couldn't help but feel... delighted at the thought, and he couldn't help but blush a bit by how Melissa's skirt being noticeably shorter. It felt like a dream come true... but at the same time, he felt... hollow, empty, like things were going his way... too easy. He couldn't help but noticed how Milo was brooding in the past couple of days. Like... he had lost his way in life and that he just... gave up. Of course he noticed Murphy's Law had come back, Bradley could only guess that the wish was reversed. But Melissa stayed with Bradley all the same, not wanting to go on any adventures with Milo, just... want to stay around with him. Bradley was happy... but as the hours and the day of the dance came closer and closer... he couldn't help but feel bad for the jinx. He was now starting to feel like such a... a tool.
As for Melissa herself, she couldn't have been happier with Bradley by her side. Sure, there were times when she felt bad for Milo, wanting to go over there to him and comfort him... but her mind was too infatuated by Bradley to even notice. Deep in her mind, there was still a little resentment for him, but she couldn't figure out why. She did love Bradley... didn't she? She dressed up pretty well just to please him... but was it really to please Bradley... or please someone else? Melissa shook her head. Of course she was pleasing Bradley, she loved him! She paused as she looked down. If she loved Bradley then... why did she feel sad whenever she's with him? It couldn't be because of Milo... right?
Regardless of what was going on, all three of them had deep thoughts in their mind, currently thinking about what was going on...
And sure enough, Friday, the day of the dance, came around as Bradley couldn't help but be more prepared and happy. He had everything in his book bag all prepared, had his tux cleaned out and ready to go. He couldn't wait to dance with the girl he... the nerd stopped as he started to pause, starting to think.
"What is this I'm feeling today?" Bradley asked himself as he grabbed his book bag and went out the door, not helping himself but think about the times he spent with Melissa. He should be feeling happy, but... he wasn't. And for a moment, he couldn't figure out why. Sure enough, as soon as he was near the bus stop, he couldn't help but notice that the usual people were standing away from Milo, save for Zack, who was looking him over, trying to see if he could be cheered up. Normally, the nerd would gloat at the fact that Milo was depressed...
But this time, he couldn't even muster an insult. He tried to ignore Milo as best as he could, but even then, his conscience was bothering him.
"Hello, my sweet heart..."
Bradley looked over and noticed Melissa. Normally, a lot of boys were noting that Melissa's pink skirt was a little more shorter, but she had ditched the white jacket, and was wearing a nice blue blouse, showing off her belly button. A lot of teenage boys were staring at the girl with a rather amusing look. For Bradley though, he... didn't react. Sure, he reacted a little bit the first day they were dating, but since the couple days had passed, now it was nothing... good. "Good morning, Melissa."
"What do you think, Bradley? Do I look... attractive today?" Melissa fluttered her eyes as she went over and ensnared the nerd in a hug. From a distance, the nerd noticed Milo looking up, his usual optimistic attitude replaced with a death glare of jealousy.
"Uh... sure..." Bradley paused as he turned to Melissa.
"Oh, good. I'm so glad that you and I are together. You really opened my eyes, Bradley, and I want to apologize to you. I feel like I haven't given you the treatment you truly deserve. Maybe I should make up for that..." Melissa fluttered her eyes as she leaned closer.
"Uh, no, that's okay, I'm sure tha-" Bradley started before yelping as the girl grabbed him and moved him closer to her face.
"Come on. Just one little one, before the bus comes?" Melissa said in a rather husky voice.
It was right then at this moment that Bradley realized that this was not what he wanted in the first place. Sure, he loved Melissa and would do anything to get her... but the more she hung around him, the more he realized that she was an okay friend... but NOT someone he would want to spend the rest of his life with.
"Uh, excuse me a second!" Bradley said as he slipped out from under her arms and ran off, jumping the fence as quickly as she stood.
Melissa paused as she blinked, until she noted Milo staring at her. Milo, realizing that the frizzy haired ginger had noticed, looked away. Melissa's eyes turned sorrowful as she looked down sadly. She wanted to talk to Milo, really she did... but something was keeping her from doing it... and she wasn't sure what.
Bradley couldn't help but notice from the other side of the fence Melissa's sad attitude when she looked at Milo. He looked between Milo and Melissa, suddenly thinking about the things they went through together. Sure, sometimes, it was at his expense, but he didn't want to see people heartbroken.
"Oh my goodness... what have I done?" Bradley groaned... before getting an idea. Patting his pocket, he quickly started to make a quick detour... over at the park, to a certain well. He didn't care if he was going to miss school, he knew he couldn't keep up this charade anymore!
Melissa paused as she sat on the bus, thinking about everything that had gone by this week. Why was it that she was in love with Bradley? For what reason? She never fell in love with him before...
She looked out the window one more time to see that Milo and Zack were off on another Murphy's Law filled adventure somewhere. Somewhere, her heart was feeling weak, sad, and lonely as she looked down, remembering the slight fight she had with the chaotic jinx. Sure, it wasn't his fault that Murphy's Law didn't work right that day, but... at the same time, she was just as guilty for trying to invoke it on Bradley in the first place. But then... why would she go out with Bradley over Milo... unless... was she still in love with Milo and she was just hoping to get him... jealous?
"Did the plan backfire?" she wondered to herself. "And how do I even know that it didn't work?"
Melissa looked down as she sighed. She had quite the crush on Milo Murphy for so long, that for her to back out and go out with Bradley... it didn't make sense to her. Why would she do that... as the bus continued going along the highway to school, she slowly began to understand what was happening as she paused, looking at herself. There was no reason she had to dress... like this! Why did she even do it, anyway? As the bus went on and on, she started to slowly realize something. She was still in love with Milo, there was no doubt about it. If that was the case... jealousy, that was all it was. Maybe by going out with Bradley, she was doing her best to make Milo jealous and have him slowly realize his feelings?
Melissa put her hands over her eyes, realizing what a manipulative fool she had been. Sure, Bradley was acting all cool and calm, but she only did it because... well, she didn't know why. And as the bus kept driving itself on and on, the feelings for Melissa were made more clear. She was in love with Milo, there was no mistake. Whatever feeling she felt with Bradley... was gone. Like, it was nothing.
She had a weird feeling that Bradley somehow was responsible for making her fall in love with him, but she didn't care. Right now, all she wanted was to meet up with Milo and talk with him. Soon enough, the bus stopped as everyone was getting off.
And, much to her surprise, there was Milo and Zack, fresh off their trip from another Murphy's Law visit, but Milo's heart felt like it wasn't even in the trip in the first place. Taking a deep breath, Melissa ran up to Milo as she waved her hand.
"Milo, wait!"
Milo stopped in his tracks, hearing the angelic voice that he loved to hear. He turned with curiosity as he looked surprised. "Melissa?"
Melissa looked ashamed as she approached. "Uh, hey, Milo."
Milo frowned a bit as he turned his head, worrying Melissa. "Look, about what I said the other day... you know I didn't mean those words, right?"
"Well... do you know that?" Milo asked. "Honestly, Melissa, I'm beginning to think you enjoyed the thrill of the adventure more than you did... well, me."
Melissa winced as she looked down, feeling guilty. "I guess when you put it like that, I do sound like I was hoping for a thrill... but Milo, if you can just hear me out for a few seconds..."
Milo stayed silent, but he was content to listen. Zack, realizing where this was going, kindly backed away as Milo and Melissa stood there, alone as Melissa stood there, feeling more and more awkward every day.
"About my going out with Bradley, I... I don't know why I went to him... or maybe I do, but I never realized it..." Melissa paused. "Milo, I've been acting strange around you, but you never seem to notice. I guess what I'm trying to say is, I don't just enjoy the thrill of Murphy's Law. I mean, it makes life exciting, but... it's just not the same without you around me. I guess I was just trying to make you... well..."
Melissa put a hand behind her neck as Milo finished her sentence. "Jealous?"
"That's the word." Melissa sighed. "Because... you're my best friend, Milo. No, more than my best friend... the reason I asked you to the dance wasn't just because we're just friends... but because I was wondering if you wanted to take our relationship to the next level... but... I knew you wouldn't understand it..."
"Why wouldn't I understand it?" Milo said as he turned to Melissa, his face having a raised eyebrow in curiosity.
"Well... I don't know." Melissa sighed. "Anyway, don't let that one day ruin our friendship. I didn't mean to overreact the way I did, and I'm sorry... I just hope you have the heart to forgive me, after what I did to you..."
Milo said nothing for two minutes as Melissa stood next to him, looking down in guilt. Finally, after the second minute, Milo spoke. "Heh, you know, it's ironic..."
"What's that?" Melissa asked.
"The minute you left me and ditched me was the moment I figured out that I loved you Melissa, and I was a dumb idiot for letting you go off with Bradley." Milo said as he turned to Melissa, with a smile. "I guess in short, we BOTH had a bad day and we let it get to us."
"Heh, I suppose we did." Melissa gave a smile. "You know, I feel silly wearing these... these things on me..."
"You do look pretty hot in them." Milo smiled.
Melissa, hearing that, blushed. "Er, thanks..." It was then Melissa finally realized what Milo just said. "Wait, did you just say you loved me?"
"Did I stutter?" Milo asked, cocking his head in curiosity.
Feeling the happiest she ever felt, Melissa pulled Milo close to him and gave him the biggest kiss on the lips she could muster, surprising Milo. Milo smiled as he returned the kiss with passion. After that moment, Milo and Melissa let go of each other, looking happily as Bradley was coming over. "Wow, Melissa, that was amazing..."
"Yeah..." Melissa sighed happily, knowing that this was right... before pausing. "Of course, I have to talk with Bradley about the dance..."
"Oh, Melissa, I hope I wasn't interrupting." Bradley said as Melissa and Milo turned to him.
"Er, not at all." Melissa said as Bradley coughed.
"Listen, about the dance, I... don't think I can make it tonight. Somebody from the family needs me to be there, last minute plans, can't back out of it." Bradley explained. "So, I'm afraid you'll have to be dateless... unless you had someone else in mind."
Milo and Melissa looked surprised at hearing what Bradley said as Melissa smiled a bit. "Actually, I do have one date in mind... Milo, would you be willing to..."
"Of course I would." Milo smiled as he clutched Melissa's hand. "And you know, I'm looking forward to the dance tonight."
Melissa laughed as she and Milo went off together. "Glad to hear you say that."
Bradley watched as he gave a little sigh of relief. It was at that moment he noticed Zack standing nearby, gawking at the sight as he walked over to Bradley. "I thought you liked Melissa."
"I did... for a short while... but the more I thought about it, the more I realize... she's just not my type." Bradley shrugged. "I can be reasonable, you know..."
Zack frowned as he raised an eyebrow. "Uh huh. You sure you didn't just go to the wishing well and reversed the wish yourself?"
Bradley looked over to the former singer in surprise. "How did you kn-" Bradley gave a sigh. "Never mind, I don't want to know..."
"Well, you did the right thing." Zack smiled. "Look at how happy these two are. I don't think the world should break these two up, ever."
"I learned my lesson on that..." Bradley sighed... before shrugging. "But I still think Melissa's the most normal person I've ever met, even if she does like danger more."
Zack couldn't agree more with that sentiment.
With that, the second to last chapter has ended on quite a good note! How did you guys like it? Next time, we'll be going to the final part of the story... and the announcement of what story I'm focusing on next... though if you saw the update on the story, you probably already know! Anyway, read, review, criticize and suggest, folks!