2:30 PM PST
Harmony was feeling very nervous, as she knocked on Melody's bedroom door. After all, this version of Melody wasn't really her sister - as she didn't exist in this world. In another sense, though, she did still care for this version of Melody as her sister.
'Who is it now?' Melody asked, with a bit of apprehension in her voice. 'If it's Griff and the gang again, I guess I'll do it. I'm not a chicken or a mama's girl, after all.''
Harmony was a little uncertain of what to say. She then replied, 'It's someone who knows you from school. My name is Harmony. I was wondering if I could talk to you.'
'Yeah, sure, I guess,' mumbled Melody, as she opened the door to let Harmony inside. 'I'm not sure if I recognize you, although you look kinda familiar. Come to think of it, you kinda look like me. So what was it you wanted to talk to me about?'
'Well, listen, Melody,' Harmony said, a bit nervously, 'I need to discuss something with you. It has to do with Griff Tannen and his gang. I'm real concerned about you.'
'Okay, what would you like to discuss?' asked Melody. She then patted her bed, as she added, 'Here, just sit on my bed. I would offer you something to eat or drink, but the only thing we really have in this house is water and some mouldy bologna.'
'Oh, that's all right, Melody,' Harmony said, smiling, as she joined Melody on the bed. 'Okay, I'm trying to think of how to say this to you. Well, um, I overheard Griff and his gang talking about their plans for you. They really don't want you to be a part of their group. Their plans are simply to get you hurt, or maybe even get you killed.'
'What?' shrieked Melody, in horror. 'Are you absolutely serious about this, Harmony?'
'Melody?' called out Patty. 'Are you all right up there? Is there something wrong?'
'No, Mom, I'm fine,' Melody called back. Then, turning back to Harmony, Melody continued, 'I know Griff and his gang have a really bad reputation. I used to not like them either. However, they're some of the very few people who are nice to me.'
Tears then filled Harmony's eyes, as her heart went out to Melody. 'Well, Melody,' Harmony said, gently, 'I'm really not sure what to say to you. I understand that it must hurt to not have very many friends, and I hate to let you down even more. The thing is, though, Griff and his gang are not really interested in being your friends.'
'So what are you saying?' Melody asked, with desperation. 'Are they just using me?'
'Sadly, it's worse than even that,' Harmony said, shaking her head. 'They know how vulnerable you are, so they're out to hurt you even more. I mean, do you remember how they started mocking you - when you told them you were afraid to do the dare they had proposed? They were calling you names like 'chicken' and 'mama's girl'. Well, if they were truly interested in being your friends - they wouldn't be treating you that way. True friends wouldn't make you prove yourself to them. They would just accept you for who you are, and they would treat you with respect and dignity.'
'Well, I guess you're right, Harmony,' Melody said, sighing. 'I don't think I really have any true friends right now. In fact, I'm not quite sure I even want to live anymore.'
'Oh, Melody, don't say that!' Harmony cried out with desperation. 'Life can be nice!'
'So why do you even care!' Melody spat out. 'My parents have divorced three months ago. Where have you been these past few months? You say you know me from school? Why haven't you been there for me before? Why are just right now deciding to be my friend? I bet you want something from me, too. Is that it, Harmony?'
Harmony was a bit stung by Melody's outburst, and she was a little uncertain of how to respond. She wanted to help Melody, but it appeared that she was making things even worse. Harmony was feeling quite desperate, as she was pressed for time.
Just then, the bedroom room opened, and Patty walked in. 'Melody, who are you talking to?' Patty asked, concerned. 'I don't see anyone in here but you. If you're even talking to yourself, then I really am concerned for you. What's going on here?'
'I was talking to a girl named Harmony,' Melody said, stunned. 'She's sitting right here on the bed with me. Don't you see her? Weren't you the one who let her in?'
'Uh, no,' Patty said, stunned. 'The last people I let in were Griff Tannen and his gang. I bet they gave you something that's causing you to hallucinate. Are you sure you don't want to talk to me right now? I really am concerned about you, sweetheart.'
'Look, Mom,' Melody said, quietly, 'I'll talk to you soon, okay? Maybe in about half an hour or so. I have other stuff that I need to take care of right now. I love you, Mom!'
'I love you, too, sweetie,' replied Patty. 'I just want you to be all right. That's all.'
Harmony watched silently, as Patty left the room. She was feeling real worried about Melody. She hadn't meant to make her mom even more worried about Melody.
'So who are you?' Melody whispered, quietly. 'So where did you really come from?'
'Okay, well, let's just say I'm your guardian angel,' replied Harmony. 'I was sent here to prevent you from letting yourself get hurt by Griff Tannen and his gang.'
Melody was stunned for a minute, then she gave a small smile. 'Well, Harmony,' Melody said, quietly, 'I never expected to meet a guardian angel before. I dunno, maybe life is worth living, after all. Maybe I do need to look at life differently.'
'You have a lot to live for,' Harmony insisted, as she reached out to hold Melody's hands. 'For starters, you have your mother. She really does love you a lot. Also, she suggested taking you out to go swimming. You know, you could also make some necklaces out of colourful beads. I'm sure the pretty colours would cheer you up.'
'Thank you so much, Harmony!' gushed Melody, as she threw her arms around Harmony. 'I used to really enjoy making necklaces. I guess the whole divorce made me lose sight of all the things I used to really enjoy. I guess I was also pushing some of my friends away. I'll have to write to them and apologize for my attitude.'
'Now that's the spirit, Melody!' Harmony said, beaming. 'Knowing your friends, I'm sure they would be quick to forgive you. I'm sure they've been real concerned for you, but were a bit nervous of what to say to you. Just keep your chin up, okay?'
'Thanks so much for talking to me, Harmony,' Melody whispered. 'You've really made me see the light. I realize now that I do have a lot of live for.I will say 'no' to Griff Tannen and his gang, I guess I should go have a talk with Mom after you leave.'
'You definitely should,' agreed Harmony, as she hugged Melody and gave her a little kiss on the top of her head. Harmony then decided that she should apply the advice she just gave Melody to herself. She felt proud to know she just made another difference in someone's life. She then turned to look at Bethany, who was smiling.
'You did a great job, Harmony!' Bethany said, smiling widely. 'It's looks like, through everything, you yourself have learned the value of life. I am so pleased with you.'
Harmony then glanced from Bethany to Melody one more time, before everything changed around her. Harmony then realized she was lying down on her bed.