Change (19)

I've Changed the Title of the Story, because Scarlett Night didn't go with the story. So it's now called Change

 

We pulled into Melanie's driveway so she could shower and change before dinner. She had been really busy at work. I’d watched her talk to her customers and run back and forth to the kitchen. She was really good at her job, despite her clumsiness.

I had also caught that Mike guy staring at her an awful lot. The look on his face told me he was not thinking nice things about my Melanie. I would have to fix that for her. I couldn’t decide if I was just angry he wouldn’t leave her alone or if it was something else. But if it was something else, what was that feeling? Protectiveness? Possessiveness? Jealousy? It had to just be anger, right?

Melanie was standing outside of the car, leaning in to look at me. “Earth to Eddie!”

I jerked and looked up at her, blushing slightly. “Sorry, what?”

“Are you coming in?” she giggled.

“Sure,” I replied. I got out of the car and ran around to her side. She grabbed my hand and we made our way into her house.

“Der!” she called up the stairs.

When she didn’t get a reply, she walked into the kitchen. There was a note on the table.

Melanie read it and said, “They left early. According to this note, Mercury and Annabelle had top secret girl stuff to discuss.”

“Interesting,” I mused.

There’s no telling what my sister was up to. And Annabelle being involved would make it much more evil. They could have easily been sisters that were raised together, instead of friends who’ve only known each other for a little over a year.

“You can listen to music in my room while I shower, or stay down here and watch TV,” Melanie offered.

“I’d prefer to listen to music, if that’s okay,” I said.

She nodded her head. I followed Melanie up to her room and went to her small CD player, turning it on. The song Melanie had been practicing was playing. Melanie was even better than I had realized. The tempo and voice were almost a perfect match. I heard humming and turned to see it was coming from Melanie. She was swaying her hips while looking through her dresser. The humming turned into actual singing as the song continued. I watched her silently, not wanting her to stop.

“Cause every time you hold me in your arms. I'm comfortable enough to feel your warmth,” Melanie sang. She slammed her drawer shut and spun around, finally remembering I was in the room. A shy smile flooded her face as did a beautiful shade of pink. “Hey there!”

“Hey yourself!” I said, raising an eyebrow.

Melanie blushed darker and scurried out of her room. I heard a door close and water running. I smiled to myself. She was absolutely perfect and for some reason, she was willing to be with me. It amazed me that with one word, I would have missed out on meeting her. If I had refused Mercury… that one little choice would have changed everything, and not for the better. Lucky and grateful were two words that fit my mood, but seemed weak at the same time. I felt like some great force in the world had smiled down on me and bestowed me with an angel. I could only hope I deserved her.

I walked to the edge of her bed and picked up her guitar. I’d never played one before, but figured it couldn’t be that hard. I found her pick on the floor and tried to strum it across the strings. The noise was not pleasant. I put the pick back down and just played with different notes by holding down strings at the top and strumming at the bottom.

“It’s a good thing you’re so darn cute.”

I jerked my head up to see her leaning in her doorway smiling at me.

“Otherwise, I’d have to rethink this whole girlfriend thing after hearing you play like that.”

I felt my lips curl into the smile only she and Mercury could bring out in me. “That bad?”

Melanie came over and knelt in front of me. She moved my fingers gently, and placed them in the correct positions. “Use your thumb and push the string down and out, like you’re flicking it.”

I did as she instructed.

“Good. Now move your finger here at the top over to the next string and hold it down, then flick the string at the bottom again. Change your fingers back and forth at the top and keep flicking the bottom part.”

I did as she said, and it did sound a little better.

“You’ve got the general idea, but I doubt you’ll be playing any masterpieces on this baby any time soon.” Melanie had a coy smile on her perfect lips and her brown eyes twinkled with delight.

“I didn’t see any lyric books lying around,” I said as I gently put down her instrument. “How are you learning the song in your CD player.”

“By ear,” Melanie shrugged.

“Melanie Rae, do you know not many people are capable of that?”

“Really?” She shrugged again. “I’ve just always been good at picking out a beat.”

I ran the back of my hand against her jaw line. “You are simply amazing.”

She moved forward the slightest bit and I moved the rest of the way, kissing her deeply. My heart started racing, pounding in my ears. How could she make me feel this way? I could feel the heat of her blush against my own cheeks. I hoped that meant she was feeling the same way.

She chuckled as we broke apart. “We’ll be late for dinner if you don’t stop that.”

I smiled at her, knowing she was right. I was reluctant to stop, but very excited to know I would get to do it again, and soon! I stood up and helped her to her feet. We left her house and headed toward mine.

We walked through the front door and found Mercury, Ronald, Annabelle and Derrick sitting in the living room and arguing over some TV show. Kylie was obviously in the kitchen from the smells filling the house. Anderson wouldn’t be home for another fifteen minutes. My father was nothing if not punctual.

“Hey, Mel!” Mercury called, having finally noticed us. “How was the lunch shift?”

“Pretty good,” Melanie said, falling back into the couch cushions and leaning against my sister. Ronald shifted his weight and looked up at Melanie's flawless face and shot her a crocked smile. “I was really busy and made some pretty good tips. More people are eating out with Christmas being so close.”

I sat on the arm of the sofa so I could be near Melanie. I couldn’t seem to be around her enough today. And anyway, Ronald kept giving Melanie longing looks. For a second, I considered the possibility that I might be loosing my mind. But then I laughed to myself, knowing that this was just the high of having someone in my life after being alone for so long. And not just any someone, but the perfect someone. Melanie was perfect for me. She had a great sense of humor. She was loving and kind and honest. And there wasn’t a thought in my mind or heart that she would ever hurt me.

“Speaking of that!” Mercury chirped. She turned toward Derrick. “You and Melanie are sleeping over from the 23rd until the 26th. We are all spending Christmas together, and I don’t want to hear anything other than ‘Yes, Mercury. Got it?”

“Yes, Mercury!” Derrick chuckled. “Hear that, Squirt! Another excuse for you to crawl into Eddie’s bed.”

“Some big brother you are, Der,” Melanie sighed. The corner of her lips began to twitch, preparing for her retort. “I would have thought you would at least be a little worried about my virtue, whatever that is. I’m still not clear on that concept. I mean, you still haven’t even given me the birds and bees speech yet.”

The room sat in stunned silence. Derrick moved his mouth to say something, but closed it, shaking his head to see if it would shake his thoughts loose.

Melanie lips twitched again. “I mean, really Der,” she said, trying hard to hide her giggles. “What else does one do in a bedroom besides sleep anyway? You and Annabelle are just sleeping in your room, right?”

Derrick choked on his own breath and that was the last straw for Melanie . She threw her head back and laughed happily, clapping her hands. The joyous sound of her giggles was all it took to set off Mercury, Ronald, Annabelle and myself.

Ronald shot me a look, saying her sense of humor, matches mine. She isn't right for you. I took a deep breathe, rolled my eyes and ignored him.

Derrick coughed hard, trying to clear his throat. He finally grunted and managed to get out, “You suck, Melanie.”

Melanie bounced over to him and sat on his lap, kissing his cheek. “It’s only because I love you, brother bear. Don’t worry. Mom gave me the speech for my birthday. Of course, things could have changed since then … you might need to give me a refresher course.”

Derrick pushed her right off his lap and she landed on her butt. She was too busy laughing to notice. Part of me was trying hard not to laugh at her and another part hoped she was okay. Derrick hadn’t pushed her that hard, but Melanie tended to be clumsy.

When I saw she was still laughing, I let out my own chuckle. She held her hands out to me and I helped her up from the floor. She wiped away her happy tears, and absently rubbed a hand across her bottom. I turned my head away, trying to be somewhat of a gentleman.

“Melanie, I would so ground you if I thought you would listen,” Derrick growled.

“Derrick,” Annabelle called, twirling some of his hair. “Melanie's just having fun. Don’t ground her.”

“Melanie!” Mercury sang, pulling her down onto the sofa. “You are so my new best friend! Now I have two! Twice the fun … and twice the shopping!”

“Edward!” Melanie giggled, wiggling her hands at me. “Save me from Mercury!”

I playfully scooped her up and tossed her over my shoulder. She yelped, but started laughing harder.

“No fair, Edward!” Mercury pouted.

“I was commanded,” I said, pushing Mercury back down on the sofa with one hand and hanging on to Melanie small frame with the other.

“You better put her down,” Derrick chuckled. “She’s likely to puke on you with the way she’s laughing.”

Melanie was gasping for air between her giggles. I sat next to Mercury with Melanie on my lap. She brushed her hair out of her face, trying to calm herself down. I rubbed her back, hoping to help her out. Her face was an alarming shade of red and tears were falling from her beautiful brown eyes. She sniffled and wiped them away, still smiling.

Ronald rolled his eyes and shifted his weight, once more trying to get closer to Melanie. I growled under my breathe and I knew my temper was running out for Ronald and his love for my Melanie.

“Jeez, Mel-Mel!” Derrick said with a chuckle. “You haven’t spazzed out like that in years! Wasn’t the last time when Dad thought you had a date?”

Melanie nodded her head, still unable to speak. She still had the glorious smile on her face.

“Do tell!” Mercury sang, bouncing around next to me.

“Bella was thirteen years old. Our mom had bought her a new dress and had managed to actually get Little Miss Stubborn into it. Not to be denied, our mom had her in makeup and shoes that weren’t sneakers as well. Our dad came home, took one look at Melanie standing in front of the stairs and turned purple. He started yelling at our mom, saying Melanie was way too young for boys. Mel figured out what he was thinking and sat down hard on the bottom step. She laughed until she cried, and then laughed some more until she puked all over the new dress. Our mom stopped with the dresses after that.”

“Just how many embarrassing Mel-Mel stories are out there?” Mercury asked, glee evident in her hazel eyes.

“Too many,” Melanie chuckled.

"I like that, Mel-Mel," Mercury said happily. "I'm going to use that." Melanie's eyes widened as she gasped.

"No! Please!"

I was glad to see her face was its normal pale shade again. Melanie smiled at me before leaning against my shoulder. I stroked her hair, happy to have her so close.

The door opened and my father walked in, holding his coat and briefcase. When he noticed all of us together, he beamed proudly. “What a welcome sight to come home to!”

“Hey, Daddy!” Mer said as she danced over and hugged him. “How many lives saved today?”

“Enough,” my father said, kissing my sister’s spiky hair. “Please say you’re all staying for dinner.”

“Of course they are!” Mercury chuckled.

“Ah!” he said. “How silly of me to forget free will goes out the door when you’re near, my lovely daughter!”

“Thanks, Daddy!” Mercury sang, kissing his cheek. “I love you too, by the way!”

I shook my head, laughing at her. “Merrie, you are impossible.”

“Nope!” Mercury chuckled. “That will be me tomorrow after you finish your final, Edward. We are all going tree hunting and then we’re going to decorate. And you will participate beyond playing Christmas carols.”

“Feisty Little Holiday Sprite!” Melanie chuckled.

We all laughed and Alice smiled proudly. I think she was taken with her new title.

“Dinner is ready!” Kylie called from the kitchen.

We all made our way into the dining room through the kitchen. Annabelle, Derrick, Mercury and Ronald sat on one side, Melanie and I on the other. My parents sat at the ends. My mother had made her famous lasagna for dinner.

Ronald kept his glare on me as Melanie sniffed the air.

“It smells wonderful,” Melanie said. “Thank you so much, Kylie!”

“It’s my pleasure, Bella,” Kylie replied. “I love having a lot of people to cook for.”

“And with Derrick here, you don’t have to worry about leftovers,” Melanie chuckled.

“Watch it, Squirt,” Derrick said, narrowing his eyes. The grin on his face gave away the fact that he wasn’t really aggravated with her.

“Edward,” my father called.

I looked over to see him smiling at me. I knew what that smile meant. He’d talked to my mother today. Why was he going to bring this up now?

“I talked to your mother today.”

I rolled my eyes, having already figured this out for myself.

“She and I had a very interesting conversation about you.”

“I’m sure,” I muttered, pushing my food around my plate.

Melanie nudged her elbow into my side. I looked down at her and she smiled. I couldn’t help but return it.

“Have you heard from Mr. Reynolds yet, Edward?” my mother asked.

I couldn’t believe my luck! She had steered the conversation away from my father! “It’s Sunday, Mother. I’m not expecting to. He said it might be a week or more.”

“Have you given anymore thought to whether or not you’ll accept?” my dad questioned.

“I would prefer to remain in school full-time. If he has a part-time internship, I would be open to the idea,” I replied.

“Yes, but most of your classes won’t even apply toward a medical degree,” he pressed.

“Anderson,” my mother interrupted. Bless her sweet soul. “Edward is capable of choosing his own path. After all, that’s how we raised him. Be patient, dear. He hasn’t ruled it out completely yet.”

“Melanie, what do you study?” my father asked.

She smiled at my father. “I’m studying literature right now. I’m looking into a teaching degree, but I’m also interested in possibly being an editor. That little red pen is awfully enticing.”

“Melanie, you are so weird,” Derrick said, rolling his eyes at her.

“And?” Melanie asked, making her eyebrows lift up. She once again had us all laughing. She was infectious!

“You’ll certainly keep Edward on his toes,” my father chuckled.

“I’ve never understood that phrase,” Melanie said, leaning toward my father. “I get that the general idea is for a person to be wary of another and watch out. But if a person is literally up on his toes, he’s a thousand times more likely to pitch forward and fall flat on his face. Wouldn’t you want to keep your feet flat so you can get out of the way faster?”

“That’s a rather interesting view point,” he remarked. “Do you often ponder such things?”

Melanie shrugged. “Depends on what’s going on at the time. When I work my job at the mall, I’m not allowed to study or read so I have a lot of time for contemplation. Just this week, I was trying to understand why mall developers think water fountains and small children in a consumer setting are a good idea. You have the potential for so many accidents in that.” Melanie started counting on her fingers. “There’s drowning, choking on change, being dropped in, pneumonia from getting wet. Not to mention the wasting of finite resources. We should all be more conservative with our water usage.”

“If our parents could you see you now,” Derrick chuckled.

“Wow!” Mercury said. “In one breath, you can say almost as much as me!”

“That is quite an accomplishment,” my mother observed, with a small smile.

“See Mercury! Breath can be used for something other than the latest fashion weekly report,” I joked.

Mercury poked her tongue at me. “You’re just being a smart-aleck because your girlfriend is smarter than you.”

“Mercury, don’t embarrass your brother at the dinner table,” my mother chided.

“You’re right, Mother,” Mercury said somberly. I knew she was pretending. “I should embarrass him everywhere! And you know you want to make fun of him just as much as I do. You’re just too motherly to stoop to it.”

My mother tried hard to hide her smile, but we all saw it. Mercury grinned happily.

“Isn’t there any other topic more interesting than me?” I asked.

“Nope!” came from Annabelle, Ronald, Derrick, Mercury…and my mother.

“Derrick, dear,” my mother called. “Have Merrie and Edward spoken to you about Christmas?”

“Mercury commanded for me and Melanie to spend the holiday here,” Derrick chuckled.

“Good!” she beamed. “We have plenty of room for everyone!”

Conversation continued throughout the meal. When we were all done, my father, Derrick, Ronald (who kept glaring at me), and I cleared the table and did the dishes as my mother had taught us. I could hear Melanie talking and laughing with Annabelle and Mercury. Her happiness made me happy. It was strange to feel so strongly for her, but it was as if she had always been a part of me, just misplaced for a time.

“Stop daydreaming about my sister and hand me that plate,” Derrick said with a smirk. Ronald stiffened as he picked up the cup, Annabelle had used.

I smiled guiltily. “I was thinking about my biology final tomorrow.”

“You were certainly thinking about someone’s biology,” Derrick chuckled. “Want to play a round of guess Eddie’s mood right now? I bet I win!”

Ronald groaned. "Rather not, thanks for the offer,"

“So, Edward,” my father called. “I hear you asked Melanie to be your girlfriend.” Ronald spun around so fast that he dropped the cup and shattered on the floor.

Anderson sent Ronald a look as he bent down and picked up the glass pieces.

I cringed a little, trying to remind myself he meant well. “Yes.”

“I like her. She’s a very nice girl. Bright too,” he said.

“Yeah, the Squirt is pretty special,” Derrick chuckled. “You just keep that in mind, Edward. Don’t forget for a second or I’ll have to remind you in a way you won’t enjoy.”

“Point taken,” I chuckled. “Is the scary big brother act over yet? Because I’d like to challenge you to Halo.”

“The magic words!” Derrick yelled. “Hurry up there, Edward. Put some pep into it! The sooner we finish these dishes, the sooner we can kick some alien butt!”

This was why I loved Derrick. He was simple and honest. What he was thinking was most likely what he would say. And he was easily distracted! I wasn’t ready for him to find out just how much I liked his sister. I was afraid he wouldn’t approve at all and I knew how much Melanie valued his thoughts.

Melanie! I even loved the way her name sounded in my head. I thought of how lucky I was to have met her at all.

But somehow the look Ronald was sending me...meant he wasn't going to quit. 'Till Melanie was his.