SHUTTER (melanie martinez & you)

chapter 9

Y/N's POV

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"Baby,"

I heard a soft whisper in my ear, lulling me out of my slumber. As I gradually opened my eyes, squinting slightly against the harsh illumination of the airplane cabin, I directed my gaze downward and to my right. There, I discovered Melanie, her head nestled comfortably upon my shoulder, her face adorned with a radiant smile.

"You fell asleep!" She teased softly, poking my shoulder playfully. A low, disgruntled sound escaped my throat as I shifted my posture, gently inclining my head to one side. The motion elicited a series of soft pops from my neck, alleviating the tension that had accumulated from resting against the unyielding surface of the private jet's window.

I smiled warmly at her. "Sorry, love. What did I miss?" I gestured down to my phone that was situated in my hand, 'Shameless' still running through an episode.

Melanie hummed, a light and airy giggle leaving her lips. "Just two episodes. I can rewind later if you'd like?"

"Yes please." I let out a sigh, pressing my face to the top of her head, inhaling softly and pressing a kiss into her hair. Melanie let out a gleeful sound at my action, nuzziling closer to me.

"So..." Her words faded as she gently took my phone, replacing it with her hand and intertwining our fingers in her lap. "When are you taking me on this date?"

I smiled at her. "I was thinking sometime in the next three days? We have until the 28th yeah?"

Melanie murmured her assent with a nod, then plucking out one of my AirPods to pivot towards me with evident enthusiasm.

"Where are you taking me?" Curiosity sparkled in her eyes as she beamed with an inquisitive grin.

"That, my dear. Is for me to know and for you to find out."

She pouted at me, frowning lightly. "I'm impatient." She stated simply, rubbing the side of my hand with the pad of her thumb.

"Trust," I smiled, poking her nose lightly with my finger. "It'll be worth it."

I truthfully didn't know where exactly I would be taking her.

I've never even been to Georgia before.

Definitely have to do my research. As long as I'm able to find a park and an art store, I'm all set.

"You're thinking again." Melanie's gentle voice suddenly pulled me from my reverie. Her eyes studied my face intently, her smile suggesting she was committing every nuance of my expression to memory.

I chuckled. "That obvious?"

"Mhm." She smiled warmly. "You always have this specific look on your face whenever you're deep in thought. It's cute."

A flush crept across my cheeks — a mix of mild embarrassment and overwhelming joy at realizing how closely she noticed my small habits.

"You're sweet." I muttered, a smile curving the corner of my lips. Melanie's eyes twinkled in a smile, sighing contently before resting her head on my shoulder once more.

My phone buzzed.

I briefly let go of Melanie's hand to turn over my phone, a slightly concerning message displaying on my screen.

Ron: Let's have a chat

Ron: I'm at the back of the plane