Melody

CHAPTER 8

Marcus jumped and looked up, blotching the ink on the paper.

"What was that for?"

I stared at him incredulously.

"Did you really not remember the lesson?"

Marcus made an 'o' shape with his lips and facepalmed.

"I just totally got caught up in this. Cheryl (the class Queen) brought something up just now and I had to take care of it."

"And you didn't think to let me know?"

Marcus blinked. "It didn't occur to me."

For a moment there, I didn't know what to say. I nearly screeched, but remembered I was in the middle of the cafeteria.

"It didn't occur to you that I would be waiting for you to attend a lesson you scheduled?" 

Again, he blinked in unconcealed surprise. I took a sudden step back, shook my head, and stepped back again. My mouth was slightly open, and my thoughts were all over the place.

Turning to the entrance of the cafeteria, I was ready to bolt and find Lily. 

I think I'm going insane.

I admit, it was difficult being overly sensitive, because any little issue drove me over the thin edge that was my mental control.

"Melody, wait!"

Marcus grabbed my arm in a firm grip, so I couldn't snatch it away.

"I'm sorry, okay?"

"Now that's a first, apologizing without prompt."

He looked away from my face and began rubbing the back of his neck.

"I just…never thought that far."

I sighed. "Fine. I'll just go grab a bite."

"Hang on," Marcus went back to the table he was writing on and picked a piece of paper, "could you give this to Cheryl for me?"

I gave him a look.

"Have you ever seen me talk to Cheryl?"

He blinked, again. Twice.

"You don't…fine. Please, just give it to one of her aides."

"Aides?" I snickered, "that has a nice ring to it. But okay."

I took the folded piece of paper and shoved it into the pockets of my sweatshirt. I felt the paper burning a hole in my pocket as I walked back to class. The intense curiosity I had almost made me take the paper out and take a peek.

I didn't, though. Even if Marcus was…well, Marcus, I still had a little self respect left. Entering the class, I glanced at the Queen's corner, and it was empty. Cheryl and her girls were out of class.

Emily was sitting in Cheryl's spot, smacking her gum and scrolling through her phone. I walked slowly towards her and sat beside her.

"Sup Mel?"

She didn't raise her eyes from the phone, but she must have known it was me. Could it be that I radiated some special energy?

"I know the scent of your deodorant, and yes, you said that out loud."

My cheeks burned with embarrassment and Emily finally shoved her phones in her pocket and chuckled.

"What are you doing here?"

"Well, Marcus gave me a note to leave for Cheryl."

Emily cocked her head.

"Really?" She scooted closer and lowered her voice, "what's it say?"

"I haven't opened it yet."

"What?" She half whispered, half yelled, "give it to me."

Torn between a battle of wills, I pulled the paper out and dropped it in her outstretched palm. Slowly, as though she was unveiling a long lost artifact, Emily opened the paper and we bent out heads together to take a look.

Only four words were written. SORRY, IM WIT EMILY. No, that is not a typo. That is exactly what was on the small piece of paper. In that exact case. The wheels in my brain were spinning so fast, I was getting dizzy.

I looked at Emily with a confused expression. She just flicked the note off, took out her phone, and began texting again. Just like that. Totally unaffected by the content of the note.

Some things were actually starting to make sense. I wasn't such an innocent to not know the way these things work. What happened with Emily, Femi and Alex. It was none of my business though.

I was only concerned with why any of this would crash my lesson plans. Rising, I muttered a goodbye to Emily, who replied with a smack of her chewing gum, and went to my seat. I had completely forgotten about food.

Lily came back to class the exact moment the alarm for end of lunch went off. 

"What are you doing here? Didn't you go for your appointment?"

She wiggled her brows when she said appointment. I rolled my eyes.

"Our man did not show up."

Lily raised her brows.

"What?"

I explained everything from the Studio to the note that Emily made me read.

"I'm with Emily? What does that even mean?"

"My guess is, Cheryl asked him out. And he's already going out with Emily. But that is not what I'm interested in. Why does all this affect our lessons?"

Lily gave me an 'I told you so' look. I turned back to the door just as soon as Marcus walked in. He came to our seat and beckoned on me to give him the note. I passed him the note.

The looks the class gave me when they saw me passing a note to Marcus. Lily yelled at everyone to mind their business, bent to my ear and whispered.

"You've got a case with the ladies here."

"How is this any of my fault?" I whispered back furiously.

Cheryl walked into class with her girls flanking her, and I tried to resist the urge to turn and watch Marcus give her the note.

"This is so messed up."

Lily shook her head. "You're telling me."

An idea suddenly hit me. Turning to Femi behind me, I loudly asked her to ask Marcus to pass his lesson note to me. I'm sure Marcus heard me from where I sat. When I got the lesson note, I sat staring at it blankly.

Opening the note, I saw the schedule in the first page, but the rest of the pages were blank. Sighing, I picked up my pen.

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First update in August!

How're you all doing peeps?

The weather is colder over here, and the rains are getting intense. Today is sunny though, and a great day to write.

Have fun!