I'M SO SORRY FOR NOT UPDATING I'VE BEEN SO BUSY AND I COMPLETELY FORGOT WHERE I LEFT OFF WITH THIS ONE, SO I APOLOGIZE! I doubt any of you actually waited with baited breath for me to update, but I'm still really sorry! I just realized after rereading the material I've written so far that this fanfic is really angsty. Oops! I don't mind a bit of angst, but it was just really unexpected, compared to my idea of how the story would go. Pretty please send feedback, stay safe, and I hope you enjoy! Love you guys! 3

If fight scenes make you uncomfortable, then don't read!

Melanie must've heard me when I went into the diner part of the building, because her gaze immediately turned to me, with her stunning hazel eyes burning into mine. The physical sight of Melanie crying behind the register hurt me in the heart.

James didn't seem to know Melanie was hiding, because he was still at a table, reading through his phone, waiting for service. Nobody was around, so I expected Schaffer and Melanie to be the only ones working this morning. James didn't notice me either, or if he did, he didn't seem to show it.

My eyes drew back to Melanie, still crouched low on the ground, trying to hold whimpers in the back of her throat. James was oblivious to the silent chaos unfolding, simply scrolling through something on his phone.

I wasn't sure what Melanie wanted, but I didn't need to be told three times that Melanie didn't want violence. I snuck back around to the laundry room, where Schaffer was sorting through his white and dark clothes.

"Schaffer, I need you out front."

"Whatever you need, Melanie can help you out."

"Mel is hiding behind the counter because James is the only person in the room with her," I informed him quietly. He dropped the sock he was unfolding and immediately rushed passed me, to the door.

"Why didn't you say so before?" He asked me bewildered. He was almost running to the cash register, but I couldn't sneak behind, because James was already at the counter, almost peering over to see behind the register, while Melanie was shuffling away quietly.

"What can I get for you," Schaffer asked coldly.

"A medium coffee, one cream, no sugar," he answered just as harshly. I was watching the scene fold out from the doorframe of the diner. Melanie was sat in the corner on the floor, shakily beckoning me with an unsteady finger. Schaffer clearly saw the movement and very subtly tilted his head to Melanie.

"Excuse me," I said, ducking down behind the counter making it look like I need something. I crawled on the sticky floor to Melanie, where she was nearly jumping up and down, waiting for me. When I sat beside her, she immediately hugged my arm and used the sleeve of my coat to muffle a tiny, barely audible sob. Schaffer bussed around the kitchen making the coffee and finally slid the finished coffee across the counter to James. He left wordlessly. As soon as the door shut, Melanie went back to hugging my arm as she burst out sobbing.

"I-I'm sorry for ruining your sleeve," Melanie said.

"Don't apologize, honey." Melanie let go of my sleeve and hugged my waist instead, tears trickling down her face.

"Am I overreacting?"

"Of course not," I told her. "Don't ever think that. Ever." Melanie nodded through the tears. Schaffer sat on the other side of him and held out his arms to hug her. Melanie looked at him over her shoulder and looked conflicted. She hugged me tight once more, then jumped into Schaffer's arms, now sobbing into his shirt. I wondered what Snow would do to me if she knew she was hugging the man who I framed for killing her father. That didn't matter at the moment, as long as Mel found solace in anyone. I didn't care for him, along with nearly everyone in town, but if Melanie needed him, then I guess I can tolerate him and his slight, obvious ogling. I stroked Melanie's hair as she cried into Schaffer's shoulder, now realizing that Mel was special; I would never willingly sit on the floor of this distasteful diner and have these unnamed substances on the ugly tiles stick to my clothes.

Schaffer eventually had to deal with the early-morning breakfast rush, but he said we were free to sit behind the counter or in the staff room. My back was hurting against the wall we were sitting against, so I —as discreetly as I could— led Melanie to the big green couch in the staff room.

Schaffer called in another waitress to work in the morning, as long as Melanie took the shift during the dinner rush. She agreed to do so and copiously thanked the waitress covering her shift. Nobody came into the break room, other than Schaffer forcing her to have a piece of french toast and a glass of orange juice.

After a little while, I offered to take Mel back to hers or my apartment, but she whined and said she was comfy where she was. I chuckled softly and pressed a chaste kiss to her forehead, then her nose. Melanie tugged me closer like I was her teddy bear. I would be her teddy bear 24/7 if that's what she wanted. After some amount of time, Melanie's grip on my loosened as her tears dried over her sleeping face. I grinned brightly and kissed her cheek, tasting salt, as I loosened her arms from around my waist. I picked her up off the couch, bridal style. I only picked her up once before her run-in with James, but I definitely noticed a change in her weight, even with the baby. I was rarely ever scared, but this change in Melanie made me scared. I just tried convincing myself it was her morning sickness that made her lighter, even if I knew I was wrong.

Schaffer waved at me as I carried her through the diner.

"Call me when my clothes are done," I told him seriously. He nodded in confirmation as I struggled and eventually pulled open the door. "Let's take you home," I whispered soothingly to Melanie. I nearly dropped my purse when trying to open Melanie's car door, but I kept her safe and got her into the car and buckled up.

I went around to the driver's side of my car and got in, buckling myself and driving back to my apartment. I had six hours until I needed to get to work, but I could easily give myself a small amount of leeway, as long as Riley got there on time.

Once I got home, I put Melanie on the couch, following her and leaning her body on top of mine.

Melanie had her insecurities about herself. She always tried apologizing for her behaviour, her want to be around me (she wouldn't listen to me when I told her that I wanted the same, to be around her all the time,) and everything she thought was wrong for her to do. I loved her, but someone needed to knock some sense into her. Maybe Schaffer can stop her new habit of apologizing for everything.

———————Melanie———————

Roni had to go to work, so I stayed at her apartment. I had the energy to go to the bar this morning, but now I didn't.

Sometimes I completely forgot I was pregnant, but then I got a migraine, or I felt unusually tired, or morning sickness wracked my body. I wish I could do that with James.

I was being a baby about the whole situation. Anyone else would've moved on by now, and surely wouldn't be as clingy with their girlfriend as I've been. I didn't wanna be, but I was afraid of being alone. I didn't want him finding me.

I was afraid of so many different things now. I was afraid of being without Roni, I was afraid of having to decide the fate of the baby, I was afraid of James, or any men other than Schaffer, I was afraid of being alone, and I was afraid of myself. I didn't want to mess things up with Roni, so I made sure I was doing things right. She always told me to stop asking if everything was okay to do, but I can't. At this point, I wouldn't be able to live without Roni; that was my biggest fear.

After I woke up from my nap, Roni said she was leaving for work and that I was free to eat anything and call if I needed to. I didn't want to bother her, so I turned my phone off altogether.

Roni's apartment was nice, albeit a bit small. I didn't feel like doing anything, so I grabbed Roni's pillow and sat on the couch, hugging it to my chest. It smelled like her shampoo: coconut and apples. I buried my face into the pillow and breathed deeply. Some people may find it creepy, but I want Roni here.

I didn't know how impactful James's actions were until I was with Roni. He made me cling to her like she was my lifeline. He made me think Roni was going to leave at any moment, and so I depended on her until it was an unhealthy habit.

I pride myself in being a non-violent person. I don't mind an occasional fight, especially if Roni's involved (she looks sexy in a fight,) but if it could be avoided, I won't fight. I thought my problem with James could be resolved without violence, but I'm at my final straw. I'm not a coward, but James made me so. The only resolution would be to fight back. I needed closure and this was the only way to get it; I've tried everything else, why not give it a shot. I suddenly had my energy back.

I didn't know where James would be, but I assumed he was just getting out of school. I couldn't fight him in my red jean shorts and white crop top, so I looked through Roni's wardrobe.

I found a pair of her leggings and a Nirvana band t-shirt. After putting them on, I tied the bottom of the shirt into a knot to make it more of an outfit for me. I looked over myself in the mirror and promised that I would wear more of Roni's clothes.

I took my Camaro so I could find James easier. Even just thinking about beating the shit out of him makes me feel so much better.

I don't know what was going through my head when I thought of my plan. I'm a pregnant, sleep-deprived girl with newly-acquired trust issues, especially with males, dependency issues, and trouble with abandonment. But soon, I could throw those labels out the window and I'll be normal again.

Roni was understanding of it all. I didn't know how, but she was so calm and collected with everything. Even if she was accepting, I could tell she wanted the old me back. I wanted the old me back. I'm sure Schaffer would want the old me back too.

I found James walking back from the school on the dirt road. I pulled up right beside him, nearly skimming his side with the right side of my car. I braked immediately and tried not to cry. I was alone with James, the very thing that scared me senseless this morning.

I jumped out of the car and angrily stomped around to the other side.

"Hey," he yelled. "What was that for?"

"I don't think you should be asking that right now," I growled back at him.

"What are you doing? What's gotten into you."

"Sense. Sense has gotten into me." I stopped in front of him and stared him down.

"What the fuck are you talking—" my hand connected with his face before he finished his sentence.

"You should be fucking glad you don't have your glasses in right now," I spat at him.

"What was that for?"

"What was that for?" I asked bewildered. "Do you not remember what you did to me?"

"Of course not! We had a great time that night. Are you wanting to do that again? Is that it? Playing hard to get?"

"No. Can you run it through that thick skull of yours? No means no!" I shouted as I elbowed him in the chest, pushing him to the ground.

"You made me like this. I'm scared of everything now, because of you. I thought I'd return the favor." I straddled his waist and held my arm on his neck.

"What kind of kinky shit are you doing?" James wondered aloud. I laughed loudly, verging on hysterical, as he struggled under my weight.

"You actually don't get it, do you?" I chuckled once more as I pressed my arm deeper into his neck, hearing him gasp and choke. I felt something hard pressing into my lower back and growled. "This is turning you on? You really do feed off the pain of others." James still gasped and his face turned red from lack of oxygen. "We have something in common," I whispered hoarsely into his ear, before leaning back and punching him square in the jaw. My fist hurt, but it was worth it, seeing the blood trickle from his face.

"What the fuck are you trying to accomplish if you aren't here for sex," James asked me. He looked like he was going to pass out, so I removed my arm from his neck. He gasped and tried rubbing at his bruising neck, but I moved up his abdomen to kneel on his shoulders.

"I'm getting closure," I told him. "Now, what are we going to do with you?"

"Fuck me," James suggested.

"No, I don't think so. I don't think I could go through that shit with you again. How about we just..." I wound up to punch him again and nailed him in the nose. The burning ache in my fist turned into a fiery throbbing, so I switched tactics and got off his shoulders to hit a softer spot. James was still hard through his khakis, so I punched him there and he deflated like a balloon. James turned onto his side to curl up in pain, shoving me off his body like a horse.

As soon as I was off of him, he climbed on top of my back and breathed into my ear.

"I may currently have damaged goods, but that doesn't mean the package won't get out," he said hotly in my ear. "You really thought you could get away with that stunt you just pulled?"

I was waiting for my body and brain to shut down like it did last time. It wasn't an exact instance of déjà vu, but it was pretty damn close. I didn't stop struggling and took it. I didn't whisper "stop" defeatedly, and I didn't feel worthless. I squirmed and wiggled violently under James as I heard a zipper being moved and clinking metal against metal. I moved twice as hard and moved James off of me once again as he was undoing his jeans. We were rolling down a hill into the ditch, on the edge of the forest. I climbed onto him once again and held his head on the ground. During this moment was when I realized I could've hurt the baby.

"Never take advantage of a woman again," I threatened. I punched him in the groin and slapped him once more, before climbing off. James was struggling to stand, so I wound up my leg to kick him in the stomach, but a vehicle was driving in the distance. I didn't care who saw and kicked him anyway, running to my vehicle to leave.

My car peeled away from the scene, just catching a glimpse of Roni driving by in her vehicle. If she knew what I did, I was dead meat.

———————————————

I've decided that at the end of my chapters, I would talk about a bunch of random stuff, I guess, so if you don't wanna read, skip! A while ago, I found this dead end road and at the end there's this really pretty clearing of trees. I had a picnic there and I'm still finding bug bites from when I went there. At least I got a suntan! I also fell off a section of a log and got a large scratch on the back of my knee.