A/N Okay so just as a quick note, this was an odd chapter to write. I went thru about 5 various versions of the chapter and finally consulted my mom about which one I should do. She said this one because it shows a little bit of the background of Melissa and it gives a little angst to the story. So tell me how ya'll like it and that will determine on if I keep it up or eliminate it (I have the ideas going both ways)

Disclaimer- Nothing but the plot and character, Melissa, belong to me, for full disclaimerisms check out my first chapter.

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They talked for a long while as Mark watched Melissa from across the table. Every time she laughed, her eyes seemed to light up the room.

Melissa smiled as Roger asked," What is your musical this semester?"

Melissa shook her head from side to side," It is The King and I, and it is rumored that the lead is already picked even though it says that no parts have been pre-cast. I can think of two new, expensive things that have been donated in the last year." Melissa shrugged.

"It's sad that people have to pay their way into the leads- what will they do when they get older and can't pay their way into everything they want. Us here have life skills and street skills and can make it without much money."

Collins nodded," It is a good thing to have, that is what I am going to do with your class, get it more based on the life skills rather than the money based stuff you were all working on."

Roger looked over at Collins," It sucks that teaching computer-aged philosophy didn't work for you."

"Yeah but history is just as good."

"So long as you are lenient on my class," Melissa smiled at Collins.

"So explain it to me, I am still confused on how you can go to school," Collins said, relaxing back, playing with the edge of his coat.

Melissa nodded," I have these… safe places…" Melissa paused to gain her thoughts," School is one, here, this whole building is another. I am really trying to get used to going to places that are not one of them, but…" Melissa stopped a moment," Yeah."

Roger got up and patted Melissa on the top of the head as he headed over to the couch and picked up a book off of it and took it back to the table.

"Okay, so I was at the bookstore the other day and was looking through the different sections."

"You were bored and had nothing better to do…" Melissa said as she raised her eyebrows.

"Yeah, but anyway, it is this book about how rock music got started, I read it and I think that you might like it." Roger handed the book to Melissa," Get it back when you have a chance."

Melissa smiled and took the book, flipping through it a little," This looks awesome. I should probably be done in about a week."

Roger nodded and looked at Mark who was staring at Melissa.

Mark was lost in his thoughts about her beauty and how he wanted to make more of a move, more of an impact, but unsure of how to do it. Why the fuck do I suck at this shit? He thought to himself, Why can't I do this, why can't I just make it more clear? Maybe I should just stay where I am, behind my camera, hiding in my work.

"What kind of films do you make, Mark?" Melissa asked Mark as she shifted so that she was sitting on one of her legs.

Mark shook himself out of his daze and looked at her wide-eyed," Pardon?"

Roger laughed," Marky- she asked you what kind of films you make. But then again, you were trying to imagine her naked weren't you?"

Mark blushed slightly and looked sympathetically at Melissa who was starting to shift uncomfortably in her chair," No, Roger, I wasn't. I was just lost in my thoughts. I make documentaries for Buzzline and I have been making my own on the side."

Melissa nodded and shifted in the chair, looking at the clock on the wall then looked back to Mark," It's gotten late, my dad and his boyfriend should be done," Melissa got up from her chair and hugged Roger," Thank you two for keeping me company while I was in the hall."

"No problem girlie- hey come up sometime tomorrow and we can work on that song you were talking about earlier," Roger said as he hugged Melissa back.

"Maybe I will." Melissa looked at Mark," Come by anytime tomorrow night. I have the place to myself for the next week and a half," Melissa walked over and pecked Mark on the cheek and headed toward the door.

Mark quickly got up and rushed over to her," I'll walk you down." He and Melissa headed out into the hall and Mark shut the door behind himself. "Sorry about that."

Melissa shrugged," Its fine, what I typically expect from a male anyway."

Mark bit his lip and rolled his eyes," Wait. Melissa come on. I wasn't thinking about you naked." Mark stopped and considered the thought," But now that the idea has been instilled in my head…"

"GOD!" Melissa yelled, turning around furiously," Can't you men think or talk about anything better? I am sick of being seen as a sex object, I mean that is what my whole goddamned job is." Melissa shook a little."

Mark set his hand on her shoulder," I was thinking about your eyes, and how beautiful they are. And how they light up when you laugh. Roger is just a bit perverted."

Melissa rolled her eyes," Whatever." Melissa pulled on the door to the apartment and it opened a few centimeters then stopped," Fuck. Mark you should go, things here are about to get really bad, fast."

Mark nodded and looked at Melissa," I am sorry, I will see you tomorrow?"

Melissa smiled softly," Yeah you will. Go, quick."

Mark darted up the stairs out of sight, staying just close enough to hear what was going on.

The voice of an angry man appeared," You little bitch, can you fucking wait a few hours to get back in here?"

"Daddy," Mark could hear Melissa say, her voice full of fear," It had been since noon, and it's almost 9."

"Then why the fuck didn't you go out somewhere?" Melissa's dad yelled as a small squeal could be heard from Melissa.

"Daddy please, you know I can't go out there, and without the medicine for the panic attacks."

"Shut up you stupid bitch and get your ass in the apartment." There was the noise of some one being pushed in and the large door being shut hard behind them going in.

Mark didn't know quite what to, he was shaken and quietly went up to his apartment and walked in, looking at Roger, who was looking back at Mark, obviously having heard what happened.

"Her dad is like that most of the time, Mark, you're gonna have to be careful." Roger said, sadly," She needs you."

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A/N- Okay, the ending was a little tough to write, I was actually shaking and in tears during it, feeling both the pain and the angst of Melissa and Mark... Anyway, please comment.