chewing gum • ray hall

one|graduation

melodie's dad not showing up to her graduation didn't bother her. she already knew he wasn't coming. she knew he was probably out drinking with his buddies, with no thought of her in mind.

melodie didn't mind when no one cheered (besides tank of course, a boy that oddly followed her around) when she was called to get her diploma. as she walked away she kept her head down. she didn't like the attention, nor did she want it. when tank peter's name was called to the stage however, everyone yelled for him and all he did was wave and wink down at melodie. this action only made melodie roll her eyes and glare up at the curly headed boy.

after a while of watching people cross the stage, the ceremony was over and people were off. taking pictures with friends and family. starting their last summer before whatever they decided to do in the fall. melodie stared at the people taking pictures with their parents, almost with envy. wishing for once her dad would care. she shook it off as tank started towards her, a cigarette hanging from his mouth.

"hey mouse," he greeted with a smile.

all melodie did was stare up at him.

"really mel? you've known me for years now and i still can't get a "hey" from you?" he laughed, taking a drag from his cigarette.

melodie did feel bad. he was always kind to her, he protected her since sophomore year. with a soft smile she let out a hushed "hey."

"there's my girl!" tank let out as he wrapped his arms around her, "i can't believe we made it. its finally over! we can finally move on from here, well you can at least."

melodie nodded twice against his chest, her arms hesitant to hug back. tank had always been touchy and talkative with her.

her dream had always been to pursue her ballet career away from the small town of carp, texas. as graduation grew closer and closer her hopes grew smaller. with that moment being finally here, she knew it would never happen. her dad would never just let her leave and she definitely didn't have the funds to just go.

"you'll get out tank," she whispered as she pulled away. she knew he would.

tank's parents were rich and he got into almost every college he applied too. melodie knew he was smart and that he was just going through a phase of wanting to rebel.

"hey mel?" he looked down at her, his hands gripping her shoulders.

melodie hummed in response.

"you wanna go to a party tonight? like a graduation one?" tank asked.

her eyes went wide as she shook her head at him. he was crazy for even asking.

"come on mouse. please?" his eyes pleaded with her. tank even pouted his lips. "it's ONE party and you've never been to one before. live a little mel!"

melodie sighed heavily. she knew he was right. she had never been to a party before because of her anxieties, but he was right. melodie knew she needed to live a little.

"okay, okay. i'll go," she nodded up at him biting her lip.

he raised his arms in triumph, "you're gonna love it mel. i'll make it the best party you've ever gone too!"

melodie sighed again, but this time at the sight of tank's parents. she tapped his arm and pointed.

"oh shit. mouse, you never saw me!" he pressed a quick kiss to the side of her head and started to run, but not before calling out a quick, "i'll be at your place around seven, be ready!"

she huffed and looked up at the clouds. melodie took of her graduation cap and threw it up towards the sky before watching it come back down. she gave one last look around before picking it up and starting to walk home. if you could call a small trailer a home.

it only took her around fifteen minutes to get home. she pulled her keys out of her back pocket. melodie didn't even check if her dad was home because she figured he wouldn't be.

it shocked her seeing him lounging on the couch, a beer in hand and some sport channel blaring on the tv.

"melodie, sweetheart! how did it go?" he called to her from his spot.

it was weird to hear him be so happy and enthusiastic when talking to her.

"it went okay. i got my diploma," she pulled the paper out and held it out to him.

"that's great kiddo," he said. his eyes never leaving the television.

melodie took the hint and stood there for a second before saying, "i'm gonna go to a party tonight."

this seemed to catch his attention.

"yeah? and who told you that you could?" he looked up at her with a a glare.

"right, sorry. can i go to a party tonight?" she looked to ground, realizing her mistake.

she hated that he wanted to play father sometimes and other times he would completely ignore her or disappear for a few days. even getting physical on really drunk nights when he saw her as her mom.

"that's more like it," he took a long sip of his beer before standing up, "i don't care if you go, just be sure you have your keys in case i'm not here when you get back."

melodie nodded and let out a small "thank you" as he walked passed her and out the door. she sighed in relief that he was gone. she turned off the tv and walked back to her small room.

she started taking off her gown and putting it away in her closet before turning to her small dresser to find something to wear. a blue cardigan over a white tank top, with some black jean shorts.

simple. like melodie.

melodie stared in the mirror and tried to push down her frizzy hair. she gave up and decided to throw the brown mess up into a ponytail.

she made herself cheer up, for tank's sake. melodie could do it, she could go to this party and be completely fine. as the thoughts started to sink in she started to want to back out. she checked the time.

7:06 p.m.

'maybe he was backing out too,' she thought to herself but obviously it was too good to be true.

a horn honked outside her trailer and her phone buzzed.

tank: come out loser, let's go partyyyyy!!

melodie laughed a little and walked out the door, making sure it was locked a few times. she walked down to tank's car and opened the door. she sat herself down and smiled softly over at the boy next her.

"ready mouse?" he asked, feeling the nerves rolling off of her.

melodie knew she could do it.

"ready." she nodded firmly, slipping on her seat belt.

end of chapter one
word count: 1154