Although news of the shooting spread through wildfire, the topic on everyone's mind when they returned from Christmas break was Melani's sudden break up with James and her even more sudden engagement/wedding to Bradin. To those who didn't know about her and James, it came as a shock; to those who did but weren't around to go to the wedding, it was an unbelievable relief.
Melani and Bradin drove into the parking lot in her car. "Woo-hoo, another term to begin" he said sarcastically "This is going to be awesome"
Melani laughed "Doesn't phase me Baby, I like school, remember" She opened the passenger door and grabbed her crutches out of the back of her convertible and steadied herself "I have to go to the office and have them change my records. Do you think you can survive without me until 3rd period physics?" she said smiling
He got out too and smiled "I guess if I have to I will." He laughed "What record do you need to change though?" he asked
"It's not really my records they need to change, its my name. I'm not longer Melani Lawrence, I'm Melani Westerly, and I want to make sure that's the name they have" she said smiling
He laughed "Oh Angel, what am I going to do with you?" he said, rolling his eyes "Though, I do want everyone to know you're mine" he kissed her on the cheek. "Now go, it's going to take you twice as long to get there" he said motioning to the crutches
She glared at him "You're funny, you know that, you're just hilarious"
He smirked "I know. And I said I would carry you, but you just wouldn't go for that" he said, sarcastically "But I would, give me an excuse to be late to class"
She laughed "No, I'm good" she kissed him quickly, "I'll see you in 3rd period, we have study together, right?" he nodded "Awesome, see you then baby"
Mel limped her way to the office, stopping almost every 2 feet to explain her marriage or for someone to admire her ring. After she got through all the office drama she hobbled her way to her locker for her books. There she was bombarded by her entire upperclassmen of the cheerleading squad
"What the hell? We want all the details on EVERYTHING!" Jenn said, glaring at her co-captain
Mel laughed "Um, well, I broke up with James. Then I got married. James didn't like it, so we got into a fight and the gun went off and hit me in the foot. It's fine, I just can't cheer for like 3 weeks max"
Jenn stared at her friend "Wow, talk about the readers digest version! So, what made the sudden change of heart? I thought you loved James, and he sure as hell loved you. Not that I don't think Bradin's loved you since he got here, but…"she said trying to draw out a decent response
Mel laughed again "James just wasn't the right guy for me. Or really, for anyone who doesn't like getting hit. So Bradin made me feel better, and I love him for it. And now that I'm out of James' grasp, I can finally be genuinely happy. The only cost was the stupid cast, and seeing James broken hearted"
The girls all laughed "Can we help you go to class?" one asked
Mel rolled her eyes "Y'all just want an excuse to be late to class" they all laughed "But sure" They all talked all the way to class, then broke apart, just as the bell rang
"Nice of you to join us Miss Anderson, Miss Norton and Miss Lawrence" their teacher said as the three girls walked into class
"We were helping poor crippled Melani" Lizzie said defensively "Come one Mr. Leary, she's in pain and her name isn't Miss Lawrence anymore, its Mrs. Westerly"
Mr. Leary laughed "Nice line Elizabeth. Now what is this about being a Mrs. Melani?"
Melani looked at him smiling as she reached her seat "I got married over the break" she said, as if it were totally normal for juniors to go off for Christmas break, then come back married
He gave her a confused look, then noticed the rings on her hand and knew she was serious "Westerly huh? As in Bradin?" he said to her.
"Absolutely." She said smiling
Mr. Leary sighed "I'll just have to talk to him when I have him 5th period today now won't I?" Mel laughed "But enough on that topic, let's get back to Algebra. Please open your books to page 255 and do the review problems, just to make sure you still know what you're doing"
Bradin and Mel met in the quad for their study "Hey Angel, how was your day?"
Mel smiled and hugged him "Um, interesting to say the least. This rock" she motioned to her ring "and my new last name have cause quite a riot in all of my classes. By the way, Mr. Leary is going to bug you when you have him"
Bradin laughed "I'd expect nothing less from him. So, do you want to go relax on the beach for a while? I don't like this no seeing my wife thing"
She nodded and laughed "And I don't like not seeing my husband. Good thing we have physics and English lit together. Having 3 out of 7 classes together isn't that bad"
"4 if you count lunch" he said smiling. The two sat on the sand, finger intertwined "I love you Angel, I really do"
She smiled "I love you too baby" she replied, cuddling into his chest "I would say lets skip next period, but I have AP bio, so I don't think that's a good idea."
He laughed "And I have French, I'm already getting a bad grade in that class"
Mel laughed "Ok, so I'll see you 6th and 7th period, and lunch before physics?"
"Yeah." He hugged her then helped her up just as the end of class bell rang "I love you Angel" he said as they parted ways
"Love you too Baby" she said as she hobbled down the hall.
The rest of the day went by quickly since they were in classes together, and only their English Lit Class had James in it. He had been avoiding her all day, which was just fine with her. Finally the last period bell rang "I have to go see my coach, then I have practice. DO you think you can make it home alone?" Bradin asked, knowing her cast was on her left foot so she could still drive
"I'll be fine, relax. I'll see you at home." She hugged him as he walked out of the room and sprinted down the hall toward the athletic offices
Mel sighed as she walked, or crutched out of the room. Before she had a chance to turn around, she heard a voice "Can I talk to you Mel? It'll only take a second, I promise"
She turned around and saw a very different James then she was used to. He seemed depressed and unhappy, not like him at all "Sure" she said, motioning to the abandoned classroom
He pulled a chair out and sat on it as she sat on one of the desks. "I just wanted to say I'm sorry, sorry for what happened at Lucas' house, for being a horrible boyfriend, for hurting you all these years, for everything. I truly am sorry, I never knew how much pain I caused you"
She smiled "I understand, I never really let you know how much pain I was in all the time. It was hard playing a part all the time. I accept your apology and I hope you have much better luck with another person. I really do"
He smiled back at her "But this doen'st mean I like him" he said, causing her to laugh "If he hurts you in any way I'll kill him"
She smiled "Thanks J. That means a lot to me" she leaned down and hugged him, smelling a familiar scent she used to loathe. She got up and grabbed her crutches from the ground "If you need anything, just tell me ok? I want us to be ok, I really do. I know what I did hurt you, and I wish I could take the pain back, but I can't. I just want us to be cool"
"We already are" he said hugging her back
She smiled as she left the room, Maybe he's going to get better. I really hope he does. She thought. I really do