Melanie stood outside the front doors of McKinley High, staring at the building with a tightness in her chest. Last year, she'd been nervous but hopeful, excited even, about what the school year might bring. This year Melanie felt, in all honesty, defeated.
She let out another sigh before finally opening the door and stepping inside. Quietly, she made her way to her locker, her thoughts swirling. The truth was, there wasn't much to be excited about—not really. Half of the Glee club would be graduating, she had long since given up hope of the New Directions ever winning Nationals, they were still and forever would be the school losers, and there was no—
"Melody! Twitter says you and Hobo McBieber broke up over the summer?" Jacob Ben Israel's voice cut through her thoughts as he shoved a microphone in her face.
There was no Sam.
Melanie furrowed her brows, glaring at the fro-haired ginger. "You mean Melanie?" she snapped, correcting him.
"I'm pretty sure it's Melody," Jacob replied, staring at her blankly, microphone still obnoxiously close to her mouth.
"I'm pretty sure no one likes you," Melanie bit back, glaring as she brushed past him.
Jacob raised his eyebrows, turning to address the camera. "I guess distance makes the heart grow bitter," he said dramatically, gesturing toward Melanie as she walked away.
Reaching her locker, Melanie entered the combination with a huff. It was funny, really, how much could change in such a short time. One year ago, she'd looked at life with a fresh sense of possibility, her whole future ahead of her. Now? Now, it felt like every door had slammed shut. Six months ago, she'd had a favorite place—a spot where she felt happiest, where she could truly be herself. Now, just thinking about that place filled her with anger, disappointment, and anxiety. Three months ago, she'd been in love, floating on cloud nine with a boyfriend who made everything feel brighter. Now? She was still in love, but single—left behind, as she came crashing back down to earth.
Melanie stuffed her bag into her locker and slammed the door shut, only to receive the iciest welcome back.
"Happy first day, Gleeyotch!" a jock sneered as he hurled a slushie in her face before walking off, laughing.
The cold, sticky mess hit her square in the eyes, the red syrup dripping down her cheeks and soaking her hair. She blinked against the sting, her breath catching in her throat. She stood there for a moment, her shoulders heavy, before glancing around at the indifferent faces of her classmates.
Oh, how unhappy she was to be back.
˗ˏˋ ꒰ ♡ ꒱ ˎˊ˗
The Glee Club stood surrounding the group's trophies, which were lined up on the floor.
"Mr. Schue, why are all of our trophies in the middle of the room?" Tina asked.
"I was sure our Nationals trophy would've grown over the summer," Brittany mumbled, disappointed.
"I want this image burned into your minds. This is what the difference between first place," Mr. Schue said, picking up their small Nationals trophy, "and twelfth place looks like. It's also what it feels like."
"Are you planning on bumming us out all year long?" Puck asked, sitting down.
"No. I'm planning on pushing you harder than you've ever been pushed. We made it to Nationals last year. This year, I'm not gonna let anything or anyone stop us from winning it all. I let you down last year. I lost focus, let some Broadway pipe dream get in the way," Mr. Schue explained.
YOU ARE READING
You Drive Me Crazy || Sam Evans
FanfictionYOU DRIVE ME CRAZY | ❝ Everyone else looks right through me but he looks at me and he sees me. ❞ Melanie Park was the new girl she expected to go through high school unseen in the background. That is until she joins the glee club. where she finds no...
