Melody

CHAPTER 10

After prep that day, I snatched the notebook from the desk and went to meet Marcus. 

"Listen, I get. You and Emily. What I don't understand is why that should hinder our lessons. You're the one who came to me for help, and I'm sticking my neck out for you." I gestured to the whispering group of girls by the corner. "I might not care about being the subject of discussion, but I certainly don't appreciate being talked about for nothing." 

Something wet and sticky hit my back. I turned to the group of girls and noticed they'd grown, and become very much silent. I felt the yogurt drip slowly from my collar to my pelvis.

I'm not much of a fighter, but I'd never been more blinded by rage. Rushing at the girl with the yogurt carton, I grabbed her hair and pulled it in what I hoped was an excruciatingly painful way.

"Melody!"

Yep, Lily definitely sounded like my inner voice, the one that kept pricking me from the moment I touched the girl's hair.

"Let her go," she said, prying my hands off the writhing girl.

She inspected the hair for damage, then after satisfying herself that all was well, she grabbed my hand and pulled me out of the class, grabbing my bag from our desk in passing.

When we were clear of the whispering crowd of students, Lily hustled me into an empty classroom and shut the door.

"Are you insane?"

I scrunched up my face and pouted. "She hurled her yogurt at me!"

"So?" Lily hissed, "do you want to get suspended?"

We were both breathing heavily, our faces only inches apart. I slid down the wall to the floor and hugged my knees. After a while, Lily did the same.

"Why? I don't get it. Why? Why would anyone pour yogurt on my shirt? I mean, this is the very first time that happened, and I kind of snapped."

Lily shook her head. "You're a naive one, aren't you? A lot of people have their eyes on him. They think you might too."

I scoffed. "What are the chances? Besides, he says he's with Emily. And I don't even get how this works. Aren't we supposed to still be kids at the age of 12?"

Lily chuckled. "Sure. You really look like a kid right now. I still don't want you to go picking fights."

I opened my mouth to protest, but she gave me a pointed look and I sighed.

"Yeah, okay. But I've decided not to go through with the private lesson anymore. Maybe people will leave me alone then."

Lily mouthed, "I told you so."

I picked up a torn piece of paper nearby and chucked it at her. She grabbed the paper before it hit her face and stuck her tongue out at me.

"You missed," she said, looking down at the paper, "I bet a penguin can aim better than…you've got to be kidding me." 

I crawled over to Lily on hearing her screech, and grabbed the paper from her.

Oh. My. God.

"Where'd you get that?" Lily's eyes were wide.

"I just…picked it up from the floor. Hang on, what class is this? Ugh! It's the North class."

Lily and I were in the East Class, while the rest of the students were separated into North and South classes.

"The writing looks kind of familiar. It almost looks like…Marcus'?"

"Hang on," I snatched the sheet back from her, "it is Marcus' writing!"

Reaching around Lily, I picked up the abandoned notebook we had used to chat with him in class.

"No way!" Lily breathed into my ear as we compared both handwritings.

"But what was Marcus doing writing a Beauty Grading List?"

My eyes swept through the list until it paused on a name.

"Um, Lily? I think he's using last names."

"No. No, that is not my name in there! Is he insane?!" 

I winced at how enraged she sounded.

"It's not really a big deal. Besides, he gave you a solid 92%. And look at this breakdown. You have pretty legs, and alluring face, even a cute…backside."

My voice trailed off as Lily pinned me with her gaze.

"I noticed your name was not on the list," she said and smiled sweetly.

"Hey! At least he considers you pretty. I didn't make the list because I'm really plain." I shrugged and ignored the awful twist in my stomach.

Lily smacked the back of my head with her palm. "Erase that thought, now! And come on, I have a few words for your student."

"Ex-student," I murmurred quietly as Lily pulled me up.

"What's with that expression, Melody? I thought I told you to bury that thought? I don't have ugly friends, Melody. And last I checked, I had only one friend."

"I know. I know. It's just, well, I don't know."

Lily paused with her hand on the doorknob and turned to face me. "I meant it when I said I don't have ugly friends. Now come on, let's see how fast Marcus burns."

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I knowwwwww. 😩
I'm so sorry guys.
This update is two weeks late, and I have no reasonable excuse.

Working on my new full-length novel has really choked up space for me.

I'll try to be more consistent with the updates, but for now, enjoy this chapter!

Don't forget to tell me what you think, and how you feel I could improve the plot. I'm all open for ideas, cause I hit writer's block A LOT on this story.

Sometimes, I don't even know where it is taking me. But thanks for sticking around this long, and don't forget to vote and leave a comment!