You Drive Me Crazy || Sam Evans

40. The First Time

Melanie lay sprawled on her bed, holding her phone above her face with a long sigh. her thumb idly scrolling through old photos. The soft glow illuminating her slight pout and the longing in her eyes. A soft knock at the door frame startled her, and she turned her head to see Santana leaning casually against the doorway.

"What's with people just walking into my house?" Melanie muttered, dropping the phone to her chest.

Santana shrugged nonchalantly before plopping onto the edge of the bed. "You should hide the key better, Mouse."

"Clearly," Melanie shot back, her brow arching. "Why'd you stop by?"

Reaching into her jacket pocket, Santana pulled out a small, rectangular ticket and held it up. "I came to bring you this. Opening night. You better show up—my Anita could give Rita Moreno a run for her money."

Melanie sat up slightly, accepting the ticket with a genuine smile. "I can't wait to see it."

There was a beat of silence before Santana's gaze flicked to Melanie's phone. Curiosity sparked in her dark eyes, and before Melanie could react, Santana snatched it up.

"Hey!" Melanie shot up, trying to grab it back. "Tana!"

Grinning mischievously, Santana hopped off the bed, holding the phone out of reach. "I just want to see what's got you so worked up. Calm down, Mouse."

"Relax, I just wanna see what's so interesting." Her smirk faltered as the screen lit up, revealing photos of Melanie and Sam.

Santana let out a dramatic sigh, dropping her hands to her sides. She gave Melanie a look of exaggerated pity. "Seriously, Mouse?" She gave Melanie a pointed look, shaking her head. "Just sad."

Melanie snatched her phone back, groaning as she flopped face-first onto her bed. "Don't judge me," her voice was muffled by the pillow.

Santana sat down again, her tone softer now. "Look, I think it's time we put you out there."

"I don't wanna be out there." Melanie's muffled protest was barely audible.

Santana leaned over, poking Melanie in the back. "So you can move on."

"I don't want to move on," Melanie replied, finally rolling over to glare at Santana.

Santana crossed her arms, undeterred. "So what's the plan? You just gonna keep scrolling through old pictures of Trouty Mouth for the rest of your life?"

"Not the rest of my life," Melanie grumbled, staring at the ceiling. "I figure I'll be over it by the time I'm thirty."

Santana plopped down beside her, waving the phone for emphasis. "I mean, I get it. He's cute in that, you know, corn-fed, tractor-boy way. But Mouse, come on."

"I like tractor-boy," Melanie mumbled. "And I miss him," She admitted after a moment, her voice quieter now. "I miss his impressions, he did a really good snape...Oh and Taylor Lautner, his Taylor Lautner was really good... Ugh and his Na'vi, I loved his Na 'vi..."

"I don't miss any of that," Santana interjected, scrunching her nose.

"And his voice, god I loved listening to him sing." Melanie added, ignoring her.

Santana shrugged. "Meh."

Melanie rolled onto her side, facing Santana. "And how excited he got when 'Copacabana' came on." She smirked faintly, her eyes softening at the memory. "He loves Barry Manilow."

Santana snorted. "That doesn't surprise me. It disturbs me. But doesn't surprise me." She let out a sigh turning to Melanie "Alright, fine. I get it. If Britt moved away, I'd be pretty hung up too." She paused, looking reflective. "Plus, gotta admit, Trouty Mouth was a damn good kisser."