Melody

CHAPTER 4

Someone was calling my name, but it all seemed so far away. I knew I was in an open space because of the light hitting my closed eyelids. I tried to turn to the direction of the sound, but I couldn't.

The voice sounded familiar. Where had I heard it? I could hear it now, sounding more frantic, almost hysterical.

"We need to get help!"

I could hear sniffles from someone else. There were two people here.

"We snuck out remember? We can't get caught! Do something!"

Hang on. I knew that voice. Where did I…?

Lily! Was she okay? Forcing my eyes open, I squinted as the harsh rays of the sun suddenly found an opening. A figure entered my field of vision. Then another. Then another.

What was happening? Why were there two sets of twins in front of me? And why did the male twins look so much like Marcus?
Wait, Marcus? Who was Marcus?

"Melody!"

The female pair launched themselves at me and pulled me into a bone crushing hug. How was it even possible for two people to do that?

"Thank God you're alright! I was so worried!"

My eyes shifted into focus, and the two Lilys morphed into one. I gave her a weak smile.

"What happened? Last I remember, we were…we were…ahh!"

A searing pain shot through my temple, blinding my vision. I buried my face between my knees and groaned. It all began coming back to me…jumping over the wall with Lily, finding Marcus, and…

I bolted upright. My imagination had played me again. The more I remembered, the more flushed my skin became until I looked like an overripe tomato.

Marcus squatted in front of me, took one good look at my face and chuckled.

"I see you remember how silly you have been, but we don't have time for that. Not that I care if you get caught or not," he rose and straightened his already very straight uniform,  "I thought you should know that the next patrol for this part of the premises is in the next sixty seconds. Except you have another way to get back to class undetected, I would suggest you get going now."

Behind me, Lily did a double take.

"Oh my God! Melody, look at the time! "We really have to get going."

She grabbed my arm and began pulling me towards the wall. I was pretty sure if I tried to protest, Lily would drag me all the way to class, so I just went along with her. Hoisting me up, she made sure I was secure on the fence before she grabbed the hand I stretched to help her up.

Together, we jumped off the wall, and just managed to miss the incoming patrol team. When we reached the corridor where our extra classes were, I peeked in through the window and found our tutor pacing just beside the door.

"Um, Lily? I think we might have overstayed."

Lily settled her piercing gaze on me. "And whose fault was that, exactly?"

"How can you put this all on me?" I gulped when she narrowed her gaze, "I didn't even do anything. Why didn't you revive me quickly? "

"Wow," she shook her head in amazement, "remind me to always carry smelling salts around."

"Your sarcasm is not very much appreciated in this situation. You should use that quirkiness for something more productive, like figuring out what you're going to say to Mr. Campbell."

Lily's eyebrows shot up so high, they disappeared into her hair.

"What I'm going to say?"