Chapter 6: Melissa, My Rock
Disclaimer: I do not own any of the Flight 29 characters. I did however write the song that is toward the end of the story. It's defiantly not something Jackson or even Johnny Pacar would ever sing but it's okay.o0o0o0o0o0o0o
Everything was almost ready for the party. Everybody had presents. Fish had been cooked, the oysters had been gathered, and fruit had been cut up and was ready to serve. Taylor was making lei- like necklaces out of palm leaves. It was amazing what that girl could make jewelry out of.
Nathan and Daley were hanging up makeshift decorations out of colorful clothes (mostly Taylor's), seashells and flowers they had found in the jungle. Every few seconds you could see one of them taking a quick glance at the other but just as quickly looking away hoping no one had seen. Jackson had to laugh at this. Everyone had decided it was best not to get involved with each other but it was kind of hard sometimes to hide these feelings. Jackson knew this first hand of course.
Ever since the incident when Taylor and Eric had played Melissa's video diary for everyone to hear, Jackson had tried to keep the way he felt about Melissa under wraps. He knew he had let it slip on a few occasions but after tonight he decided he didn't care anymore. He was going to tell Melissa his feelings 100. He knew that was strange for any guy but especially for him.
It was almost time for the party to begin. He looked around one more time at the area. Lex was entertaining Eric by putting different things in the fire to make it change colors. Jackson had to admit it looked pretty cool but he couldn't get distracted.
Jackson had the job of getting Melissa to the party so he headed off toward the camp. He was extremely excited about tonight. He was glad he didn't have to wait much longer. Unfortunately when he got to the tent and saw the look on Melissa's face his smile faded.
"Hey Mel you okay?" She looked like she had been crying. Jackson remembered what Nathan had told him earlier but didn't want to push for information. Then again it seemed like he wouldn't have to.
"Jackson, can we take a walk?" The party could wait. If Melissa wanted to talk he would listen. No matter how long it took. They walked along the beach for a while in silence. The sun was setting and under any other circumstance it would have been a very romantic scene. Suddenly Melissa stopped and sat down on the sand. Jackson sat down next to her and they just stared out over the water. Finally Melissa spoke.
"His name was Joey." Jackson wasn't prepared for what he was about to hear. Melissa told him the entire story through her tears. Jackson put his arm around her and they just sat like that until Melissa stopped crying.
"You think you're up for a surprise?" Melissa looked at him questionably and then nodded her head.
They got up and Jackson took Melissa's hand in his. They walked back through camp and Melissa stopped to wash her face. When she was finished they continued toward the party. Jackson had made Nathan the look out so as they came around the tree he knew it wouldn't be quiet for much longer. He was right.
"Surprise! Happy birthday Melissa!" A smile spread across Melissa's face as she walked into the party. She took everything in and looked as if she might start to cry again but she didn't. Nathan took her arm and lead her to the airplane chair that they had done up to look like a throne. Taylor placed a lei around her neck and Daley placed a crown on her head that she and Nathan had made. The party was a little quieter than their other previous celebrations because since the plane had been destroyed there was no more radio. Luckily, Jackson had something for that but that was for later. Right now was time to eat.
Everyone got their fill of fish, the fruit was gone and the oyster shells lay on the ground. It seemed no one could hold on to their anticipation to have Melissa open their gifts. Taylor was first.
"It's not much," Taylor said as she handed Melissa a small box. "After all there's no mall around here but I know you've had an eye on this for a while and after everything that has happened you more than deserve it." Melissa opened up the box and on the inside was a beautiful necklace. Taylor had rarely even worn it for fear of getting it messed up so who knows why she had even brought it. None the less Taylor had decided to give it to Melissa and Melissa wasn't complaining. Daley was next and because of what is was Nathan had joined in on it.
"It's the best we could do. Sorry Mel." Melissa wished everybody would stop apologizing. This was a lot more than she would have hoped for today. She opened the box Daley had handed her and found herself looking at a picture frame made of driftwood and seashells. In the frame was a picture of her and Nathan when they were in the first grade. Melissa remembered the day it was taken. It was at Nathan's 7th birthday party. Nathan had told his mom that Melissa was his girlfriend. Melissa laughed at the memory. Lex was next with help from Nathan.
They had hidden it around behind a tree because it was pretty big. They put it down it front of Melissa and Eric went into Vanna White mode.
"You'll notice the exquisite bamboo frame and sturdy cloth. Melissa Wu we give you a brand new cot." Melissa laughed and then looked warily at the cot so Eric sat on it to show it was sturdy. Jackson began to feel a little antsy. It was his turn and he hoped Melissa would like it. He grabbed his guitar while Melissa thanked everybody for heir gifts. Then as if someone flipped a switch everyone went quiet and looked at him. This was it. This was the moment Jackson had been anticipating all day. He played the first few notes and then figured there was no tuning back now.
We're stranded here together
We've learned to make a work
We've all been through a lot
And I admit I've been a jerk.
Melissa, my rock
I love your pretty smile
The way your hair blows in the wind
Melissa, my rock
I love the way you hold us together
The way your so sweet and smart
But most of all
Melissa, my rock
I love you
Melissa
I love you.
Melissa wiped the tears from her eyes but this time they were happy tears. She ran over to Jackson and through her arms around him. Jackson had a smile so big it spread from ear to ear. Then totally throwing away any rules that may have been made about relationships, Melissa kissed Jackson square on the lips. Even though all sounds seem to fade around them there was no silencing the hoping and hollering from the other five at the party. Melissa and Jackson finally pulled apart and Melissa looked around at everybody. "This was the best birthday I could ever hope for. The only thing that could make this better would be if a rescue plane suddenly showed up." Everybody laughed and then got quiet as if listening for a plane. Then everyone laughed and continued on with the party. This was the best day that any of them had ever had on this island and no one could deny that.