CHAPTER 5: THE EX RETURNS

Before anyone even knew it, the day of Melanie's return had arrived. Franklin was nervous because she didn't know about him and Marcie being an item now. While Hans, Marcie's ex-boyfriend, was supportive, due to him moving back to Germany and actually splitting things off with her because he didn't want her waiting for him, especially if he wasn't coming back to America. But things were different in the case of Franklin and Melanie. When she and her family moved, her parents didn't let her communicate with Franklin. It took the efforts of the gang to get them together while her parents were out so he could say goodbye to her, and they never kept in touch, until she had recently called him telling him about her returning to Sparkyville. He hoped that she would take it well and be accepting of him and Marcie dating.

Meanwhile, Charlie Brown and Frieda were looking at the photos Snoopy took while out in Monte Woods. They knew it wasn't a Bigfoot he captured, but one of their classmates.

"I showed the photo to Stu this morning," Charlie Brown told Frieda. "He said he never saw Snoopy or his troops, nor did Rick or Wiley. I promised him that no one, beside us, would see this."

"Good thing, babe," agreed Frieda. If anyone, like Lucy, saw it, Stu wouldn't hear the end of it. By the way, Kennedi told me that John thought you were a cool person and would like to even try out for our team."

"Really? I hope he's a good player, because then we will sweep the league."

"We can hope, sweetie."

At that moment, a frantic Franklin walked by. Charlie Brown and Frieda took notice.

"Hey, Franklin," Charlie Brown began, "is everything okay?"

"Melanie's coming back today," he said, quickly.

"Wait a minute, what?!" said Frieda. "As in your old girlfriend, THAT Melanie?"

"Yeah," Franklin replied.

"Does Marcie know?" asked Charlie Brown.

"She does, said Franklin. "But that's not the big issue. Melanie thinks we're getting back together."

"Oh boy!" sighed Frieda. "This may have to do with the fact that her parents wouldn't let you talk to her, in the first place."

"I figured that much, Frieda," Franklin responded. "I just hope she takes it well when she does find out about me and Marcie."

"Well, you're about to find out how she's going to take it," said Charlie Brown. "There she is, now!"

And Melanie walked into the school smiling ear to ear, happy to see her old friends again. They all greeted her with hugs and smiles. Marcie walked up to Franklin, along with Peppermint Patty and Claudia.

"I see she has arrived," Marcie observed.

"Yeah," sighed Franklin.

"How come you never told her about you and Marcie, Franklin?" asked Patty.

"I tried when she called me, but I couldn't get in a word before she hung up," Franklin explained.

"Kind of a flimsy excuse, if you ask me," Patty retorted.

"Said the g-girl who interrupts everyone c-constantly," said Claudia, noting Patty's past habits.

"Touché, sir," said Marcie. Everyone had a brief chuckle, until Melanie made it to the group.

"Hi, everyone!" she chirped. "Charlie Brown and Frieda! I see you two are still together."

"We are, Melanie," said Charlie Brown.

"We're still madly in love, Mel," added Frieda, holding her boyfriend's hand.

"Hi, Peppermint Patty," she said to Patty. "Where's Franco at?"

"He's around, but we're not together anymore," said Patty, looking down.

"Aww, what happened?" Melanie asked.

"It's a l-long story," said Claudia. "We'll tell you about it another t-time."

"Marcie!" Melanie squealed, seeing her, and giving her a hug. Everyone else noticed Marcie's uncomfortableness, knowing what was coming. "How have you've been since Hans went back to Germany?"

"Pretty good, Mel," Marcie replied. "In fact, even though we broke up, we've actually have stayed in touch with each other emailing and webchatting."

"Aww, that good," Melanie said, making a sweet face. "Are you seeing anyone?"

"Good grief!" muttered Charlie Brown.

"You can say that again, Chuck," whispered Patty.

"I am, Melanie," said Marcie. "He's closer than you think."

"Well, I hope he's as great as my Frankie here," she said, obviously oblivious to everyone's discomfort with the situation. Going over to Franklin, after giving him a kiss on the cheek, she said, "Are you happy to see I'm back, baby?"

"I am, Mel, I am," said Franklin, nervously. "However, there's something you should know."

"What's that?"

"Well, you see, I've been-"

"Melanie?!" Sally made her presence known to everyone in the group. She was with Michael. "Big Brother, did you know she was coming back today?!"

"I just found out myself, Sally," Charlie Brown replied.

"Well, does she know about him and Marcie dating?"

That was when everyone spontaneously face-palmed themselves, save for Franklin and Marcie, who look mortified, and Melanie, who's expression changed from happiness to shocked.

"What did I say?" asked an innocent Sally.

"Not your fault, Sally," said Frieda. "But, Melanie didn't know about Franklin and Marcie. He was about to tell her before you came in, though."

"Me and my big mouth!" groaned Sally.

"You didn't know, babe," Michael said, comforting Sally. It was then, that all eyes were on Franklin, Marcie, and Melanie. Their expressions ranged from complete horror, to embarrassment, to being on the verge of tears. No matter the outcome of this, all knew this would be messy.

TO BE CONTINUED…

WEEEEEEEELL, Melanie's is now back in town, but what will happen between her, Franklin, and Marcie? We will find out next episode. Plus more drama with the Scorpion. Stay tuned!