Good Boy, Bad Girl

Mel Starts A Project

This chapter is shorter than the others - I've had less time to write tonight than other nights and this chapter doesn't cover as much, anyway. Regardless, I hope you enjoy it!

Angel got suspended for a week.

I'm honestly not surprised. Apparently Sam and his friends (who are apparently called Zach and Harrison) were in first aid for half an hour total before they reached Mr King. Angel texted me after they'd had the conversation, an hour after the fight.

Angel: I've been suspended until Monday, and after that it's after school detention for a week.

Guilt originally began to churn in my stomach when I sat down for registration, and now it was beginning to grow more violent.

Bobby: I'm sorry. It's my fault you got into the  fight. If I hadn't dropped my watch we wouldn't have encountered them.

Angel: Don't give me that bullshit. The only ones to blame are Sam and the rest of his little Team Rocket for starting on you and Mel. Besides, if I get suspended I'm glad I got suspended protecting you two. At least it was for a good reason.

It took me a few minutes to realise I'd started blushing.

It's Thursday now and I'm sat alone at our table, idly stirring my pasta around as Mel did yesterday. We agreed to carry on sitting together while Angel was off, but she hasn't arrived yet. It's weird - two weeks ago sitting alone was the most natural thing in the world, but now it feels lonely and awkward.

I'm not stewing in my misery for long, because in the blink of an eye Mel is sitting across from me, grinning apologetically. "Sorry I'm late. We had to stay behind for ten minutes."

I smile, relieved that she hadn't abandoned me. "It's fine, I understand. Why did you have to stay behind?"

Mel is just as talkative as ever, but something seems different. Her eyes, normally carefree, have a determined sheen to them.

"Nobody would shut up." She says simply. "Except..." The glint in her eye shines snd I decide to take the plunge and ask.

"Except what?"

Mel shakes her head and her curls fall over her shoulder. "Except who, more like. They didn't speak at all, let alone stop talking."

My brow furrows in curiosity, and whilst the determined look in her eyes doesn't diminish in the slightest eagerness begins to melt into it. "Bobby, I'm starting a project."

"Um... what kind? Science? IT?"

She shakes her head, laughing a little. "Of course not! I'm not going to start a project like that in the middle of the day, more like the middle of the night, nine hours before I need to hand it in. I mean a personal project, to do with a person."

I think of the deal Angel and I have, where she protects me and in return learns about me. It doesn't seem like much of a project, but I can't help but to think of it anyway. "Like... to get to know them?"

"Exactly!"

"So... who do you want to know more about?"

Melissa takes a bite of her sandwich, and after she's swallowed, she speaks. "Taylor Stone."

I raise my fork to my mouth, pasta impaled on it. "The new kid?"

Mel nods, and explains as I chew. "This is the first English lesson we've had since he got here where we actually had the correct teacher, and she rearranged our seating plan. I got put next to him, and no matter what I said, he didn't speak to me!"

I swallow. "So you're staring a project to find out why this guy won't talk to you? Maybe he just isn't the friendly type. He did turn Sam Thompson down."

Mel shakes her head rapidly. "That's just common sense. I don't want to know why he didn't talk to me. I want to know why he doesn't want to talk to anyone." She pauses. "And how he got such a good beard for a fifteen year old."

I stare at her in disbelief. "Um... are you sure it isn't something personal? Like, issues at home?"

"If that's the case, then I'll try and become his friend and make him feel better!" Mel raises her eyebrows at me. "If Angel can adopt a social outcast and get to know them, then so can I!"

I blink at her, before fake jumping in surprise. (I'm not the world best actor, but I do flinch a lot, so I'm well practiced.) "Hang on, I got a text. Oh, it's dad. Give me a few minutes."

I quickly go on my phone and immediately text Angel.

Bobby: Mel has officially lost it.

She texts back almost immediately, to my surprise. I'd have thought she'd have her phone taken off her.

Angel: Bobby, she lost it long ago.

Bobby: No, I'm serious. She wants to start a project based around befriending Taylor Stone.

Angel: That new guy? Bobby, this is far from her weirdest plan.

Bobby: I know, but he's apparently more anti social than I am on a bad day.

Angel: ... should I call her a therapist?

Bobby: Not yet. Let's see how this goes first. Then we can get her help.

Angel: Fair enough.

I slide my phone into my pocket and look back at Mel.

"So, when are you starting?"

"Next lesson," she says cheerfully. "I sit by Tyler Dayes, and I can't stand him. I'll just ask if I can move and sit by Tay."

She's already given him a nickname?

I eat another forkful of pasta, and as I swallow I can't help but to send my thoughts to Taylor.

Good luck, buddy. This girl is a hurricane.

Hopefully, he'll live and actually befriend Mel.

Hopefully.