Chapter 16:

It took some convincing, Kelsey wasn't exactly pleased to see me, but I couldn't blame her. I had been awful to the poor girl, when all she wanted was to be my friend! She'd been the one to introduce me to One Direction, and I'd completely shut her out. The more I thought about it, the more I realized what a bitch I was. I hadn't even given her a chance; I'd just assumed she was the same as all other preppy annoying girls. And she was, but this preppy annoying girl was the one who was coming to pick me up from an airport, even though I had been nothing but rude to her. I owed her, big time.

So, while we sat in the taxi, I tried to make conversation, to show that I could be half decent, when I wasn't being a complete bitch. But it was evident that she had no interest in small talk, so I just came out and said it.

"I'm sorry." My pride was being battered down even more.

"You are? For what?" she sounded skeptical.

"Yes. Kelsey, you tried to take me in, you even took me to a concert… and how have I repaid you? I haven't. I was such a bitch to you! I ignored you, and treated you as if you were beneath me. I'm so sorry! I'm sorry I was such a hateful bitch about everything… can you forgive me?" My voice got weaker and weaker by the end. I couldn't even look at her, so I focused my eyes on my lap instead.

Kelsey looked at me, it almost seemed as if she knew exactly what I was talking about, as if she were reading my thoughts. It made me slightly uncomfortable; I felt exposed, but I refused to be anything but pleasant to her.

After a minute, she responded with, "I believe you."

I looked up at her shocked; she was too nice for her own good! "Believe it or not, I've changed." I mumbled.

"Oh, I knew that before you even apologized." She smiled.

"How?" I said bewildered. Could she really read me that well?

"Well, when you were first shipped off to England, you had a… hardness to you. You walked as if you owned the place, before you even knew anyone. You dressed your own way, talked your own way… but you seemed hollow. Now, you're hair is no longer done to impress, you're wearing a baggy t-shirt and jeans, and there's a more subtle kindness in your eyes. I don't know what happened to you, but I'm glad it did. You seem like a better person now." She smiled when she saw the look on my face.

Her words rang clear in my mind; this girl had basically displayed my entire year in front of the both of us, leaving me feeling more exposed than ever before. I wasn't sure how to respond. She was right, I no longer spent time on my appearance, or partied, or had the same ego as I used to. It frightened me, I didn't know who I was anymore, I had always been so confident in myself, always known how to fit in and be popular and now… I was friendless loser who'd run away to see her boyfriend. My confidence was shattered, and with it went me.

Kelsey thought it was weird that I had asked to be dropped off at the pet store, but I promised I would explain later. I hugged her and thanked her for everything.

I still had nowhere to stay, but at least I knew where I was. In fact, I could probably walk to the boys' flats from here… although it would take awhile. I got my phone out of my purse, checking for the time, when I noticed eight missed calls… from Liam.

My phone rang again…

"Liam?" I answered.

"I've been calling you for twenty minutes! Melissa, where are you?" He tried to keep his voice calm, but he was pissed.

"I'm at the pet store." I tried to make my voice strong.

"What? How did you get there? Do you know how worried I've been?" I could practically see the waves of emotions bouncing off him.

"I'm sorry." My voice no longer had emotion in it; it was just dead.

Liam sighed, "I'll be there as soon as I can. I'm just about to leave my flat." The control in his voice was audibly forced.

Liam:

I didn't know what to think anymore. Mel was great; she was the kind of girl I needed; someone who could let loose and have fun; get to me act my age, as opposed to like an adult. All the boys had agreed that her influence, as negative as it was, was much needed. But this? Running away? Taking her parents' money? What was she thinking? Where did she come up with something that crazy?

Was there something going on that she hadn't told me about? I knew Mel, she wouldn't just leave because she was lonely, something had pushed her over the edge, and now she'd gone and gotten herself disowned. I wasn't sure if living in my flat was the best idea for her, but I didn't know where else she would go. She didn't know anyone, and hotels were expensive.

Was I mad? Yes, a little. But mostly I was disappointed. I wanted things to be how they were when we first met; when we could just sit and laugh about the stupidest things. Everything had become so over dramatic and, I personally, had never been one for drama. I hated having to think of this… but if the drama didn't end, I didn't think Mel and I would last. Mel could be high maintenance, but the issue wasn't that, it was that she brought upon her own problems. Lying, leaving home… it was her own fault, but her pride always got in her way. How was I supposed to cope with her constant drama? I liked her a lot, but she was so unpredictable, I couldn't always be there to comfort her when she did something really stupid…

I pulled into the parking lot, looking for Mel. Usually she pops out of a crowd, with her unique style and the way she carries herself. Even a few days ago when I went to visit, she still had that spark; it had been subtler, but certainly still there. When I finally laid eyes on the small shriveled and defeated girl in front of me, my hypothesis was confirmed; something was wrong. Was it because I'd left? What had happened to make her lose that gleam in her eyes?

I parked the car and silently took her bags from her and put them in the trunk. I sat down in the driver's seat, again in silence and began to drive. I couldn't handle the silence anymore.

"You screwed up." I tried to keep my voice gentle, but she needed to know the truth.

"I know." Her voice was bitter, "When don't I fuck up?"

"Why'd you leave?"

"I don't know." There was a hateful tone in her voice, but I wasn't sure if it was aimed at herself or I.

"Do you want to talk about it?"

"No." And that effectively ended our conversation for the rest of the ride home.