A/N: Ok, so I just have to put this so I don't get in trouble. I don't own the song that I'm using in this chapter. Just a warning, like I said on the other one, the 2nd half of this one will get intense.
Melani looked at herself in the mirror. Her hair was done up perfectly, parted to the left and done in a full tight bun, with two strands down and curled tucked behind her ears on either side. She had gotten her makeup done at MAC to be perfectly in sync with her outfit. Her dress sat perfectly on her, like it was made just for her. She spun around a few times. This would be so perfect if I was with Bradin, I guess I just have to settle for almost perfect she thought as the doorbell rang. "It's open" she yelled down
James walked into the house and up the stairs to her room. His jaw nearly hit the floor when he saw her. "Wow" was all he could manage to say.
Melani caught his reaction in the mirror "You don't look too bad yourself" she said turning to face him, a smile on her face "I love dances. I feel like a princess"
"Princesses have nothing on you right now. You look like an angel" he said wrapping his arms around her in a tight hug
Angel she thought only Bradin calls me that she quickly snapped out of her trance, but James noticed she was spacing again "Thinking about tonight?" he asked
"Of course." She said "What else would I be thinking about? Well besides you of course"
He laughed and pulled her in for a kiss "Are your parents around today? They're usually around for dances"
"Nope, they're in Santa Barbara for a business conference. I'm all alone once again" she laughed and rolled her eyes "but what else is new? I'm always alone"
James looked at her in the eyes "You won't fall asleep alone tonight" he said before kissing her again. Her stomach did a flip-flop as she thought of the expectation of the after-dance party
"Aunt Ava if you take any more pictures I swear I'm going to throw the camera out into the ocean when I go surfing tomorrow" Bradin said, causing Allie to laugh
"Ok, you two be safe" she said hugging her nephew "I want a call after the dance before you get to Lucas' house, understand Bradin?"
"Yes aunt Ava, I promise. I'll see you tomorrow" he kissed her on the cheek and grabbed Allie's hand and the two walked to the limo sitting in front of the house.
"Oh my goodness, the gym looks amazing!" Melani screeched. "Oh James this is going to be so much fun!" she saw Kelli, Bradin, Lucas and Allie walk in together "I'm going to go see Kelli. I'll be right back, ok baby?"
James looked at them and back at her "Ok, but hurry. I don't want you gone too long" he kissed her and watched her walk over to the group. She could feel his eyes on her back
"Oh my goodness Kelli you look amazing!" she said, hugging her "You do too Al"
"Thanks, you look like…ok words don't express what you look like Mel. Queen here you come" Kelli said smiling
"Listen, I can't talk long, Mr. God of the Universe will kill me if I 'ditch' him. I'll see y'all at the party on the beach, right?" Everyone nodded "Cool. I'll see you later"
"Stay around us Mel" Bradin said "Trust me, I'll come in handy"
Melani looked at him "Ok?" she laughed and turned and walked back to James "Ready to dance?"
"No, but I'm ready to show you off" She laughed and the two walked into the middle of the floor and began to dance.
Over an hour later, the teacher coordinator came on over the microphone "All right everyone, settle down" "I know everyone comes to homecoming with a date, but we thought this year we might mix stuff up a bit, so for the next dance, I want everyone to find someone else to dance with, as in, you can't dance with your date. The song will be Truly Madly Deeply by Savage Garden if that helps you. Have fun! I'll be back later to announce the Kings and Queens" And with that she got off the stage.
Kelli immediately ran over to Mel and James "James will you dance with me?" she asked, winking at Mel
"Sure Kel" He wrapped his arms around her and began to dance as the music started. I'll be your dream, I'll be your wish, I'll be your fantasy. I'll be your hope, I'll be your love, Be everything that you need.
She turned around to see Lucas walking toward Bradin and Allie. Why do I have the feeling they planned this? She thought. She walked over to where Bradin, Lucas and Allie were standing. She got there just in time to hear Lucas ask Allie to dance. "Well, why do I get the feeling I missed something?" she said to Bradin as Lucas swept Allie away. I love you more with every breath, Truly madly deeply do..
"I don't know. Maybe because you did" he said "Do you want to dance, because if you don't, I went through a lot of trouble for nothing." Melani smiled I will be strong I will be faithful 'Cuz I'm counting on a new beginning. A reason for living. A deeper meaning, yeah
"Well, I'd love to dance." He pulled her close and she rested her head against his head. He made sure they were out of James' sight. They swayed to the music I want to stand with you on a mountain. I want to bathe with you in the sea. I want to lay like this forever. Until the sky falls down on me...
"Bradin, this is so perfect. I love it. I feel like this song was made for us" she whispered, just loud enough for him to hear her. And when the stars are shining brightly, In the velvet sky, I'll make a wish, Send it to heaven, Then make you want to cry.. The tears of joy, For all the pleasure and the certainty. That we're surrounded, By the comfort and protection of.. The highest power. In lonely hours. The tears devour you..
"Well I was sitting on my bed a few nights ago, and I was thinking about this idea, and how I needed to talk Mrs. Mitchell into playing the perfect song, and this one came to mind. They played it at Sophomore Semi last year and I remembered it. It reminded me of us" I want to stand with you on a mountain. I want to bathe with you in the sea. I want to lay like this forever. Until the sky falls down on me...
The two swayed for a while without saying anything, just listening to the song…their song Oh can't you see it baby? You don't have to close your eyes, 'Cuz it's standing right before you. All that you need will surely come...
I'll be your dream, I'll be your wish, I'll be your fantasy. I'll be your hope, I'll be your love, Be everything that you need. I love you more with every breath, Truly madly deeply do… "Thank you Bradin" she whispered "this song is perfect. It's everything I feel for you and more. You really made this night magical" He hugged he tighter as they listened to the last chorus fade away, he whispered the words to her "I want to stand with you on a mountain. I want to bathe with you in the sea. I want to lay like this forever. Until the sky falls down on me..."
She hugged him when the song ended "I'll see you later babe" she said then slowly walked back to James, and back to the normal life she was expected to lead. The dance went on for another hour and a half without interruption, except for the usual, don't do that, or stop throwing things from the administration
At 10:45, Mrs. Mitchell came back on the stage. The group started to buzz; everyone knew what she was up there for. "Ok everyone, calm down. I have the results for King and Queen as voted by the winners' respective classes. We'll start from the bottom and go up, ok" a groan came from the upper classmen while the lower classmen cheered. "Freshmen Queen is Miss Abby Lortine and Freshmen King is Mr. Ed Minelley." The two walked up together as their class cheered "Ok. Sophomores, you were much undecided. The queen winner only won by 10 votes. Your Sophomore Queen is Miss Lisa Carigan and your Sophomore King for the second year is Mr. Kevin Davies" They also walked up to the stageand smiled as the crowns were placed on their heads. "Ok, now Juniors are you ready? I think most of you know who your Queen is. Miss Melani Lawrence, for the third year in a row" Mel smiled and hugged Kelli as she waited to see who won King "And you surprised me this year. Not only did the favorite not win, the newest member of your class won almost by as much as a landslide as Mel did. Your Junior King is Mr. Bradin Westerly" Bradin looked almost as shocked as James did. Mel smiled as she took his hand and walked up the stage and they were crowned together "And Seniors?" a roar came from the crowd "Your Homecoming Queen is Miss Laura Carmikal and your Homecoming King is Mr. Adam Avery. Now the royal couples will share the moonlight dance." All the winners danced on the stage, ending the dance. Now new troubles were ahead, the after parties.
"Sorry you didn't win honey" Mel said to James as they walked out of the gym to the limo he had rented just for them. She tried her hardest to look totally sincere
James looked at her. "It's ok babe. I just have to be more sociable so I get Prom King. It's just homecoming." He opened the door for her and they got in. As soon as James gave the driver the directions to the beach, he came back and wrapped his arms around Mel "I love you baby" he said
Mel smiled "I care about you too" she replied
James looked at her. "Why can't you just say it? We've been together over 2 years, its three little words, just say it" he said aggravated
"Yes, literally it may be three little words, but they have big meaning behind them. I know we've been together 2 years, and I promise I'll say it, I just can't say it until I'm sure of what it means and I'm not sure yet. We've been over this. Please try to understand" she begged. He grunted "James please… please don't ruin tonight because I won't say it. I really don't want to, don't make me" she begged. He didn't look at her, he just continued to look out the window "James please look at me" she said quietly
"I can't look at you if you don't feel the way I do" he said bluntly
Melani sighed as a single tear ran down her cheek "Fine, don't" she said trying not to have her voice sound shaky.
It must have been, despite her effort because James turned around and looked at her. He saw the tears in her eyes. "Don't cry." He said firmly. They pulled up to the beach and James got out "I'll let you change while I grab us something to drink. Come find me when you're done, ok?" he kissed her forehead and closed the door, not waiting for an answer.
Melani sighed as she pulled off her dress and threw on jeans, a light blue tank top and a light yellow sweatshirt. She jumped out of the limo and walked over to James. He handed her a beer "Thanks" she said, now afraid of him getting drunk.
As the night went on, James drank more and more, and Mel drank less and less. She knew she wouldn't be able to resist him if she was even a little bit tipsy. At about 1, James came over to her, totally smashed, but sadly totally in control of himself "Let's go inside baby. I want you"
Mel looked at him "J, you're drunk, I don't want to do this" she turned and began to walk away.
He didn't like that at all. He grabbed her and dragged her down the beach. "First you won't say you love me, now you won't have sex with me. What the hell is your problem?" he yelled as he tightened his grip on her arms.
Melani started to shake, she'd been with him when he was mad and drunk, but it was nothing like this. Her arms started to numb over because of the pain of his grasp "I just don't want to" she said quietly, looking at the ground
"LOOK AT ME WHEN WE'RE TALKING!" he yelled.
She forced herself to look at him He's going to rape me, I can just tell. She thought. Holy crap, what do I do? He's stronger than me, he'll kill me if I resist him, oh God, where's Bradin and Lucas when I need them?
James looked at her angrily "SAY IT MELANI!" he yelled, his grip becoming so unbearable
"Please James, don't make me, please!" she pleaded, tears starting to pour down her face
"STOP CRYING DAMN IT. I SAID SAY IT"
Try as she might, she couldn't stop crying "I love you" she said weakly, not meaning it at all.
James loosened his grip on her "Good." He replied "Now I'll be in the house, you better get your ass in there soon after you get yourself together. Don't make me come out and get you" and with that he walked back down the beach.
Melani fell to the ground. She just let the tears freely fall now. She couldn't believe that she had just said that. No, she could believe it, and the huge black, not purple, bruises on her arms were the reasons.
Back a little way, Allie and Bradin were standing by the fire. The had decided it was too cliché to have sex for the first time after a dance so instead theywere enjoying each other's company. Bradin happened to look over at the water and saw Melani collapsed on the ground "Shit" he said and ran off, Allie close behind. Upon hearing and seeing him, Kelli and Lucas were just a step behind Allie.
Even before he saw her he heard her crying. "Mel" he said, scooping her up in his arms. Allie looked at her, then at him. "Mel what happened" he asked
Mel couldn't talk. Her tears were all over his shirt. All she could mange to do was to pull off her sweatshirt. Two huge dark black bruises were on her arms "Oh my God" Allie said, "What happened to you?"
"Can I tell her Mel?" Kelli asked. Melani nodded as Bradin started to dry her tears "Allie, you can't tell anyone, promise?"
"I promise" she said, concerned
"James hit her. He has for a while."
"Brae Baby?" Mel said quietly
"Yeah Angel" he replied
"Will you take me to your house? James knows my parents aren't home and I'm scared of him, I really really am."
"Absolutely Angel. He kissed her as he picked her up in his arms" she curled up against him "I'm sorry Allie. I have to help her." Allie nodded as Bradin carried Melani in the opposite direction toward his house.
"Allie you can't tell a soul. They're together, like legit together because she's to afraid to leave James" Kelli explained
Allie nodded "That explains a lot. I'll go keep James occupied until he passes out. I just hope she's ok. I just want him to be happy, and if he's happy with her, then that's good. I don't want her to get hurt."
"Thanks Allie" Kelli said. The three walked back toward the party, and Allie walked into the house, ready to do what needed to be done to help her friend
A/N: (again) WOW, that was really really long! Ok, I have to update my other 2 stories before I update this one again, so it might be a few days! Hope you like this chapter, not too intense, right ;-) 143 Steph