A Silent Melody

Trouble

Matt woke up groggy once more. He'd drunk the second bottle of vodka alone the previous night and was finally feeling its effects.

He remembered he'd agreed to meet with Melody at ten in the morning. It was already a quarter past nine. He quickly got dressed, deciding on a pair of blue jeans and a white sweater with the Western logo on it. He hurried out and drove to Polly's, waving at Jonah, who was sitting on the couch, before heading out. He got in his car and drove to Polly's.

It was a clear day, and the sun shone brightly upon his face. Perfect weather, he thought to himself, before pulling into the Western campus parking lot.

He got out and walked the short distance to Polly's. It was a small coffee shop in the center of the large campus. It was surrounded by a small garden and a stream of water with little fish swimming through it.

It was a popular studying spot, especially during finals week when it would get overcrowded. At the moment it was nearly empty, some students and university faculty sitting separately in leisure.

Matt crossed the small bridge hanging above the stream and went inside, looking around for Melody for a moment.

He finally found her, sitting by a window overlooking the garden, sunlight raining down upon her. She wore a yellow dress, her dark hair draping over her shoulders, her brown eyes shining in the glare of the light. She turned to see him and waved hi, smiling.

Matt waved back. His heart ached, a tight knot forming in the pit of his stomach. He yearned to be sitting with her already, but first, he turned and walked to the counter to order a straight black coffee.

Once that was done he walked up to Melody. She stood up to give him a quick hug. Matt could smell the lavender scent coming from her and felt his stomach drop.

"How are you doing?" Matt asked awkwardly."Do you want a coffee?"

"No, I'm good. I already ordered myself one," she replied quietly, pointing at her cappuccino on the table and smiling. "I was just waiting for you. Let's sit down?"

"Sure," Matt replied.

They sat down facing each other. Melody continued.

"I'm glad we could meet up. How are you?"

"Could be better," he said casually. "Woke up with the nastiest hangover of all time. Spent the whole night..."

He saw her eyesight diverting away from him and broke off.

"Um, do you want a pastry or anything?" he asked awkwardly, not knowing what to say. "It's on me."

Polly's was famous for their carrot cake, which people would venture across campus to procure. It was the first thing that came to his mind.

"No, I'm good," Melody said. "Thank you."

They sat in awkward silence for a few seconds, Simple Season by Hippo Campus playing in the background. They sipped on their coffees, Melody turning to look at the garden before Matt finally spoke.

"Listen, the other night," he started, looking shyly at Melody, "I meant it when I said we don't have to go through this alone. I'm here to stay."

Melody sat silent for a few moments, thinking, before turning her head and making fierce eye contact with him. Matt was taken aback and shrunk into his seat, turning his head down.

"You're not everything you pretend to be, Matt," Melody said disappointedly. "I can't let someone like the person you've become back into my life just like that. You're not the boy I remember."