Melody quickly changed back into her regular cloths. She ran her fingers through her hair and took a minute to calm down. When she came back she saw only Aj.
"Vallery had to go to the bathroom," he informed her. Then he pulled Melody's keys out of his pocket and handed them to her. "I didn't get a chance to give these back to you."
"Thanks, that's what I was going to ask you about," Melody said, staring at the keys in her hand, then finally turning her eyes towards Aj. I wish he would take off those sunglasses, she wished, then maybe I could tell what he was really feeling. "Aj, about last night…" Melody started. Aj put a finger over her lips. "No, you don't have to explain, to say anything. I know you probably had your reasons, and I respect that. If you don'' want to tell me, it's up to you. I'm not going to force you to say or do anything if you don't want to. I just want to ask for another chance. If you say no, it's no. It may not be what I want to hear, but it's up to you," he said, then moved his finger from her lips so she could answer. "I…I don't know what to say." "Say you will meet me for lunch tomorrow." "Okay." "Great, do you mind going to McDonalds?" "That'd be fine." "12:30?" "That's fine too." "Alright, see you then," Aj said, waving good-bye. As soon as he left, she felt a tap on her shoulder. "What happened?" Vallery asked as Melody turned to face her. "I agreed to go with him to lunch tomorrow." "That's good." "No, it's not. Why did I say I would go? I'm so stupid! This is DEFINITELY not good." "Why?" Vallery asked, totally confused. Melody didn't answer her at first. Really wanna know Val, Melody thought sarcastically, I'm dying and I'm afraid that I'll fall in love with him. She shook her head. "I just…it's just, I don't know! Leave me alone!" She stammered, walking out of the store. Vallery hurried after her. Melody's head spun, she sat down on the nearest bench and pulled her knees to her chest. Vallery sat down next to her as Melody coverd her face and began to cry. "Shhh, it's okay. Mel, you gotta tell me what's wrong, you just aren't yourself." "Oh Vallery, I wish I could tell you." "Then tell me." "I can't, for the same reason I can't see Aj." Melody sat up and wiped her eyes. "I want to go home." Vallery nodded, concerned for her friend. A few minutes later the two girls were back in the car. "Val?" Melody said softly. "Uh-huh?" "I need a favor." "What?" Tomorrow, could you call Nick and have him tell Aj that I'm sick?" "Melody!" "Please, it's your fault I ever met him in the first place. You owe me." "That's not fair, to me or Aj." "Sometimes life isn't fair. I'm going to break that date with or without your help. You help me; Aj doesn't get his feelings hurt. I do it by myself, I'll be so horrible that Nick will want to break up with YOU for just being my friend." I'm not joking either, and you know I'm not." "Fine," Vallery said, annoyed. She pressed down on the gas. "So what are you going to be sick with?" "A 24 hour virus, it's very contagious, so I can't see anyone, and I completely lost my voice, so that is why you are passing alone the message for me. Got it?" "Yeah, whatever. I don't know what's up with you, but I hope it doesn't last much longer." Vallery sighed. Melody could see the pain in her eyes. Melody felt bad for saying what she had said. She felt bed for how she was treating her friends, for leading Aj on, and for not being true to herself. Vallery pulled up to her house. Melody turned to her before getting out of the car. "I'm sorry Val," she whispered. Vallery nodded, and smiled weakly. She didn't care if Melody had cursed or screamed at her, she didn't really mind. She just wanted to know what was wrong with her friend. Melody went into the house; her parents still weren't home. After changing into her blue, one-piece bathing suit, she grabbed the keys to the boat. Maybe I should bring my journal, she thought. After running to get her journal and a pen, she headed down to the pier. There were sodas and chips in the boat, so she figured she would be okay chilling on the boat for a while. Melody drove the boat through the Florida Keys. After parking the boat in a secluded area, Melody settled down to rest. She grabbed a Coke and some Pringles and sat down at the small table to write. Dear Journal, Why? I need to stop asking that, but I can't. Why did I have to meet such a great guy now? Why am I being so mean to my friends? My head hurts from all the questions. If only I had the answers. If I did, maybe I would know if the right thing to do is to stay away from Aj. I don't know if what I'm doing is right. I always thought I would die happy, but now I'm just miserable. I love my life so much; I don't want it to end. I wish I didn't know, that I could go on with life like it would normally be. I would be happy, probably still with Vallery at the mall, instead of here alone on this boat crying. Maybe I should tell someone, to get it off my chest. It would be nice to talk to another person about it. If I did, whom would I tell? I need to think about that, but thinking time is going to run out soon. -Melody Melody sat in the boat listening to the radio and relaxing for an hour before deciding to head back. She turned the key, but the boat wouldn't start. "Come on," Melody begged, but it didn't help. Wonderful, she thought, sinking into a chair, trying to figure out what to do.
