Lost In Purple

Chapter 27: The Rough Goodbye

Melanie's POV

"I'll miss you too," I say as we walk up the stairs to the Dormitory. It feels so weird walking up to the entrance knowing that I won't be living here anymore. I always thought that I would basically find sanctuary in here for the next four years, but that clearly isn't happening. Johnny keeps a serious look on his face as he opens the door and lets me enter before him. I wait for a response of some sort but it never comes. I didn't think he would be this upset about me leaving, and I'm guessing he wasn't expecting to be this upset either.

We climb up to the top floor and take a couple of strides to the end of the hallway to open the door and see my somewhat boring dorm that's looking a little dusty. "Hey, um, are you going to see your parents or something?" I ask after gaining enough courage.

Johnny looks to me and chuckles before looking back into the room. "No. I never have any interest in seeing my parents so I just stay here for the entire break," He answers while smiling like he normally does.

"You stay? Aren't Javier and Chip and the others leaving as well though? Won't you be lonely?" I interrogate.

"Javier and Chip stay as well, but they usually never stay in the house. They go spend time with their families and friends elsewhere and come back late at night. As for Chet, he leaves, and Bruisers staying because his parents are on a trip to Boodapest," Johnny explains.

Aww. I knew it, he's going to be pretty lonely for the next month. I put my arms around his torso and hug him tightly. "I'm sorry John. I would stay but I can't just forget about my parents now that I'm in college," I sigh.

"No it's fine," he replies while putting a head to the back of head, "I'm sorry if I made you feel guilty. I just hate winter break because everyone else gets to have fun while I hear my dad scream at me all day."

"He screams at you?" I ask while frowning and furrowing my eyebrows.

He sighs in frustration. "I forget that I haven't told you very much about him or had you meet him yet. He has these high expectations for me that are impossible to reach, so ever since I entered high school he's been on my ass about 'honoring the family name.' Nothing's ever good enough for him and I just have to take his criticism."

"I-I don't understand," I disclose.

Johnny puts his fingers in between his eyes. "Let's just say that I have a reputation that I have to keep, and in order to follow and respect my families legacy, I have to just completely ignore my parents entirely. So, I choose to just stay here, bored out of my mind."

Johnny then lowers his hand and saunters towards my bed to take off the sheets and blankets for me. I follow his lead and go to my closet and take out all of my clothes while also taking any small trinkets of mine off counters. I also rummage through all my drawers and throw them into the large cardboard box that I came here with back in August. We're able to eventually throw everything in my box, and backpack with ease.

"Anything else princess?" Johnny asks.

"No, that's everything. Let me call my Mom first though, I want to make sure she knows that… you know… I'm coming home," I respond.

Johnny smiles and crosses his arms while looking out the small window that overlooks the front of the Scaring School. I take out my phone and call my Mom, bringing it up to my ear and listening to the ring. The ringing stops and I hear my Mom on the phone answer with a cheerful tone. "Melody! My little girl, how are you?!"

"Hi, I'm doing good. I passed all my finals so everything's going perfectly," I respond calmly.

"Yaaaay! I can't wait to tell your father, he'll be so proud of you!" Mom screams.

"Oh...please don't make it a big deal Mom," I blush, "Is he still working overtime?"

My mom sighs and I can see her eyes roll within my mind. "Ugh, yes. They're exhausting him, but they wouldn't be up and running if it wasn't for him."

"Do you think he'll get a break soon? Or is there maybe an open scaring position for him?" I ask.

"You know your father is always going to those scare try-outs. They never have time for him though," Mom responds.

"So he's just going to have to suck it up?" I question melancholically.

"Unfortunately. I have been trying to help him search for something better, but he lives and breathes Scaring, so there's nothing else I can really do," Mom answers.

I see Johnny look through my large cardboard box that contains all my clothes. He pulls out the dress I wore at the Fall Formal and carefully runs his hands over it. I try and smack his hands away so that he would drop it, but he pulls his arms away and subtly growls at me.

"Anyways, when do you think you'll be home Mel?" Mom asks.

I watch Johnny study my dress more thoroughly by running his eyes along the Victorian patterns and the black rose accessories along the torso. I open the cardboard box all the way for when Johnny wants to put it back but continue talking to Mom by saying, "Around one this afternoon. Do you need me to come earlier, or maybe later?"

"No no no, you can get there whenever. I'm just at work right now so I won't see you until around four," Mom replies.

"Sounds good…It's going to be weird going back, I've grown accustomed to my dorm room over these past few months," I say looking out the window for one last time.

"What? Have you already moved on from your father and I?" Mom whines.

"Nooo! I just-it just…it feels odd because the dormitory almost feels like home," I stutter.

Mom laughs and creates couple of cute sounding snorts that make me laugh with her. "I'm just joking Mel, I know everything feels weird when going through all this change. I bet it's going to feel weird for all your friends and Mr. Worthington as well since they won't see you for whole month. Speaking of Mr. Worthington, is he going back home as well?"

I look over to Johnny and see him cautiously pushing my dress, that's now professionally folded, back into my cardboard box. "No, he doesn't have the best relationship with his parents and would rather stay on campus," I answer.

"That poor boy! Can he stay with his grandparents or any of his aunts and uncles?" Mom gasps.

"I don't think so, he told me his family is never around anyways, so it's probably pointless for him to even go back home," I respond.

"Aww, will he be alright for next month at least? He won't be lonely or anything right?" Mom questions.

"From what I know, almost everyone else in ROR stays on campus as well so he should be fine. He's done it the past three years anyways, so I know he can take care of himself," I reply while looking over to Johnny. He's looking out the window again, but I can tell he's listening to me.

"Will he be alright without you?" Mom worries.

I mean, I would like to think he'll be fine, but I can't speak for him. He's also already told me that he'll miss me for the next month, so I'm assuming it's going to be a little more difficult than past years. "I think so," I answer vaguely.

"Hmm... Well in case you didn't know, it's obvious that he absolutely adores you so I don't know if I can believe you," Mom states.

I start blushing all over again and try my best to hide my embarrassment from Johnny, but I don't do a good enough job of that because I can see him smirk. Why is my Mom so good at embarrassing people? "Mooooom, stoooop!" I growl in between my teeth.

"Mel it's not something to be embarrassed about! He looks at you with an undying amount of passion, it's a normal thing!" She laughs.

"Yeah ok well I have to go, Johnny's waiting for me to finish packing so I'll talk to you later," I say trying to conclude our conversation.

"Oh don't be so coy Mel, you know I'm just teasing you," Mom replies. I can see the smug grin lying across her face right now as she works.

"Well I don't want to be teased right now…I'm upset that I have to leave John," I pout. He walks over and puts his arms around me. I hug him back and listen to my Mom tell me to calm down. He kisses my head and starts pushing his head against mine which causes him to purr a little bit. I'm going to miss that.

"I understand Mel. We can see if he can visit you a couple times before Christmas," Mom comforts.

"Ok… We'd better," I whimper.

Mom sighs before speaking once again. "Don't worry, we will. Anyways, I have to get back to work so I'll see you soon. Love you Melody."

I tell her that I love her as well, and listen to her hang up. I put my phone in my pocket and put my arms around Johnny so that we can just stand there loving each other for one last time. I think I've gotten too used to physical affection over these past two months, and now I'm going to feel starved of it by the time next semester comes around. I pray that Johnny will be able to see me before I go insane within the next few weeks.

"I'll be fine Mel…just figured I should say that since that's what you were talking about with your mother," Johnny says interrupting the silence between us as we embrace each other.

I turn my head upwards to look him in the eye. "Are you sure? I can try to make room for you if I have to," I ask.

"I mean… that is tempting," He replies with a wink, "But I want you to spend time with your parents. I wouldn't like getting in between you three."

I whine and then force my head against Johnny's chest like a puppy who's lost all its' energy. He moves his right hand up to my head and holds it there while he kisses my head a couple more times. "I know, I'll miss you too," He mumbles.

"Will you call me or text me while I'm gone?" I ask.

"I don't think I could live with myself if I didn't," Johnny answers.

I smile and then push myself away from him. I walk over to my bed and grab my backpack, handbag, and large cardboard box so that I can carry them off campus. Before I'm able to say anything else, Johnny's cell phone begins ringing. He fishes it out of his sweater and looks at the screen. His eyes go wide and answers it in a hurry. "Dad, why are you calling me?" He panics.

His shoulders tense up as he listens carefully to the deep voice on the other side of the receiver. "Y-yes, sir," he mumbles.

The call is then cut short and he looks at the phone in confusion. Wow, there wasn't even a goodbye or an 'I love you' or anything. "My-uh, my dad needs to see me. Will you be alright staying here or back at the house for a little while?" Johnny asks.

"Oh…yeah. That's fine," I mumble with a hint of sadness. I was wishing to spend a little bit more time with him before I go back home, but I guess I can't do anything about that.

He doesn't seem to thrilled either since that sorrowful, yet serious look of his returns. "I'll be back soon to drive you home Mel. Just…hang tight for me ok."

Johnny's POV

I push the gas pedal all the way down on the way to Monsters Incorporated. My dad never calls me nor asks me to see him in his office, so I have a full blown nervous breakdown as I go through security and park my Clawvette in the parking lot. I practically sprint into the building and open the doors to see the building crowded with Scarers, Floor Assistants, Janitors, and Office Workers. I push my way through the crowds (not literally) and find the same woman at the front desk typing away on the computer, her head of snakes and one eyeball carefully reading everything on the bright, white screen. "Excuse me Madam, I'm hear to see John Worthington," I declare.

"May I have your name?" She asks, never looking over to see who I am.

"I'm his son, Jonathan Worthington the Third," I answer.

She finally looks over. "Oh, yes, he informed me that you'd be coming. Feel free to head up to his office whenever you're ready. I'll let him know you're here."

"Thank you," I say before power walking through the crowds of monsters blocking my way.

I find myself walking further into the factory and turn into the offices that have red carpet and orange walls with several doors lining the walls. I turn my head from side to side and read each plaque in order to confirm that I have the right hallway, and I do. I quickly find the one that has my Dads name written on it along with 'Managing Director' below it and knock on the door, waiting for permission to enter. "You may enter," Dad bellows on the other side.

I push the door open and see him carefully going over a couple of documents with his reading glasses on.

"You wanted to talk to me?" I ask.

He firmly sets his documents down, and calmly takes off his reading glasses that are soon folded and set on top of his desk. "Yes. Normally I would lead up to my point after bonding with you a little, but considering that our last discussion was nothing short of infuriating, I'm just going to cut to the chase. I'm signing you up for a Fear Co. internship, it's time for you to start taking your Scaring seriously," Dad explains.

"What?! Dad I told you already that I don't need an internship!" I snarl.

"Ugh here we go again. Jonathan I'm getting really tired of the constant fighting between us! If you don't take this internship, then you can say goodbye to your inheritance, you'll not have a single cent to your name! Do not tell me that I wasted my whole life trying to give you the best life possible only for you to throw away your legacy right here in front of me!" He counters.

"Why do you not care about what I want Dad? I can't do this internship on top of everything else!" I grunt.

"I had to do it, so you'll be able to as well! This family will not tolerate letting you be a lazy, petty, and weak monster that has no influence of power over anyone else. You are an elite Jonathan, so start acting like one!" Dad barks back.

"Has everything I've done not been enough?! Why can I not live the way I want to?!" I scream.

"You know what? I'm done! I've tried everything I can to keep you from becoming a pathetic excuse of a monster. Since you clearly want to be liberated from my control, you decide what you want to do. However, if you choose to not become who you're supposed to be, there will be nothing for you here at Monsters Inc and nothing for you at Fear Co for as long as you live," Dad declares.

"But Da-," I say before getting cut off.

"Don't say another word, get out of my sight. I don't want to see you again unless it's at Fear Co with a Floor Manager," Dad concludes.

There's nothing left for me to do than to just give up talking to him. I turn around and open the door to see the orange walls once again.

"Oh and Jonathan, expect to hear from me about Hank Knapp's daughter. I put in a good word to Hank and he wants to set up a date for you and his daughter some time in the next couple of months. You'd better show up for that as well," he snarls.

Shit. I lied to him about breaking up with Melanie and now it's caught up with me. Do I not show up? Do I break up with Melanie? Do I…have two relationships going on at the same time? I hate my life. The only thing I can do now is think about what I'm going to do. However, all of that can wait. I have to bring Melanie home from college, so I should at least follow up on that promise.

Melanie's POV

We turn down into the cul-de-sac where my parents house still stands tall. The sidewalks stay empty and tumbleweeds fly down the road while the uncut fields of yellow grass sway with the freezing breeze. The area feels like it's been abandoned which makes me feel a little uneasy. I've been lucky to live in this specific area that's ironically very secure and beautiful, so everything feels somewhat antithetical when passing by everything on the road. Perhaps this is what people feel when they learn about where I come from.

The Roar Rover pulls up to the end of the street, along the curb, and stops in a smooth manner. Johnny's and incredibly good driver…I hope he knows that. "Here we are," Johnny announces. I sigh while leaning over to kiss Johnny on the cheek. He smiles while looking over at me.

"Don't forget to call me ok," I remind him.

"Don't worry, I won't," He responds with a pained smile.

We both stare into each other's eyes for a while since it might be the last time we see each other for another month. While it's nice to have a break from the stresses of college, there seems to be a part of us that telling us 'please, don't go.'

"…D-Do you want to come Inside for a few few minutes?" I stutter. It's obvious that he gets a little excited with a hint of relief because his pupils expand and his shoulders lower a little bit before saying, "Of course."

He hops out of the car, and I open the passenger side door. With the help of his right hand, I jump down onto the ground and scavenge all of my belongings out of the back of the car with him. He looks around and notices how quiet it is as he shuts the back door. I'll admit it does seem a little eerie today, but it's probably because it around noon during a weekday. I never really saw the neighbor during this time when I was a kid because I was always under my blankets wanting to be alone so I understand what he's feeling right now.

Johnny opens the door for me and we enter the silent house that hasn't changed since the last time we were here. The living room to the left still has the same couches, carpet, and TV, while the kitchen still has the same appliances, countertops, and cabinets. It's almost like I never left last semester.

"I still can't believe your family has to live in a house like this," Johnny sighs.

"Yeah, can't really do very much about it though. None of us can find stable jobs for long enough, so this is what we have to live with. Anyways, follow me, I'll show you where I hid for the past 19 years of my life," I reply while readjusting all of my belongings in my arms.

"Hid? Were you really that antisocial?" Johnny asks.

"Yep. I generally hate people, so there was no reason for me to even go outside. Thankfully it wasn't that hot this summer cause my scales would have burnt to a crisp…" I mumble.

Johnny chuckles while putting his hands on his hips. "I must have been one memorable monster then. It seems like I did the impossible and should be awarded for it," he boasts.

"Dream on. You were kind of a stuck up jerk when I met you, so you're lucky we kept running into each other. I would usually choose to forget people like that," I respond.

"Whaaat? Don't tell me you don't like your big, scary boyfriend!" He teases while narrowing his eyes.

"I never said that. I'm just saying that I don't need you to be so pompous when you're around me," I answer while closing my eyes and tilting my head upwards.

"Oh come on, I know you like it when I'm like that," He beams.

I feel my ears lower and my tail go between my legs. "…Well…yeah. I love you…"

He freezes up while I feel my heart beat pound within my chest. I meant that with truth and sincerity because he's changed my life for the better. I know we've only been dating for two months already but it was more of a 'testing the waters' kind of relationship, and I want our relationship to become something more.

"R-really?" He asks.

I nod my head while looking at the ground embarrassed. Maybe it wasn't the best time to say that considering we'll be away from each other.

"Y-you mean that? Truthfully?" He interrogates further.

"Mm-hmm," I respond.

Johnny takes the box in my hands and throws it onto the couch beside us. He puts his hands on my hips and pulls me towards him and plants his lips onto mine. For some reason, this kiss feels more…real. His hands move up and down my body for a few minutes while I push my hands against his chest. I really wish I didn't have to say goodbye to something like this.

Johnny's POV

When I push away from our kiss, I put my head against Melanie's. I really don't think I can live without her anymore, but now things are becoming infinitely more difficult. Time feels like it slows down with her around, and I can't help but feel unexplainably happy when she's close to me. There's no way that I can tell her that my Dad is going to force me to date someone else because, in reality, she's the only one for me. "I've been waiting for you to say that for months," I sigh trying to think of some way to figure this out.

She laughs and shows me her beautiful, sharp white teeth. "Would you help me bring my stuff up?" Melanie asks.

"Yes ma'am," I respond.

I grab the cardboard box and stare at it as I follow her upstairs and to her room. She opens the door to reveal a tiny white room with a king sized bed that has light pink sheets and covers on it. There's a small desk along the back wall and a cramped looking closet to the left.

"You can just put it down on the bed John," Melanie says while opening the closet and throwing her backpack in it.

I set the box down at the end of the bed and see Melanie flop onto her bed as if she went on a long journey for the past couples of months…well, I guess she kind of did. "Are you sure that you'll be fine at the ROR house? I'm really worried that you'll be too lonely," Melanie's asks again.

"I can survive," I smile.

Melanie smiles back as she lazily curls up into a ball. I take a few steps to fall onto the bed with her and pull her close so that she can't escape. I'm going to miss these doing little things like this. It's going to become really difficult to have moments like this with the internship that I now have no choice but to do.

After a couple of moments alone with Melanie, I hear the front door of the house open. "Meeelooody! Where's my little moondrop at?!" Melanie's mother hollers.

Melanie jumps up from the bed with her tail wagging furiously and sprints out the door. When I peek out of the doorway she's basically flying down the stairs in excitement, causing her mother to yell out in happiness. It's very wholesome hearing all the things they both say to each other while laughing and squealing together. I really wish I could stay here with Melanie and experience all these reunions with her, but I obviously don't belong. However, I wonder if either I or Melanie's parents could find a way for us to spend a little more time together.

I see Melanie's phone laying on the bed turned on and unlocked for some reason. Maybe I could figure out her mothers phone number and ask her about staying here for a few days.