Baby Clifford

Make it Stop

It seemed like all of the world needed to stop and make Melody's self-esteem go lower and lower. Everything just failed.

It even started bad. She was deep in a 80ft. pool with no sign of savior. Even though she wasn't attached to anything, but it felt like her ankles and wrists were chained to the floor of the pool. She kicked, but she didn't move. She screamed, but only bubbles came out and water seemed to choke her. Her body felt like it was going to a laying position on the cold pool floor. Melody screamed out once again and choked, not feeling any air come to her. Like nothing would come in at all.

A body dove in and pulled her out. Melody recognize him. The famous Finnick from the Hunger Games. She couldn't deny his looks being talented handsome. He smiled down at her, that pure white smile. "It's going to be okay." His calm, alluring smile came to his face and leaned down and-- "Melody! Wake up!" Michael's voice yelled. Melody groaned and rolled over, face down into the pillow. "Why must you ruin my dream?" She groaned. "Melody, I'm not getting any younger! Let's go!" Michael called. "Wear something somewhat nice, we'll be starting How Did We End up Here 2." He added. Melody threw her pillow at the door before getting out of bed. She snatched a pair of black and grey smokey skinny jeans and a grey t-shirt that said Sorry I'm Not Listening in a black bold font. Melody grabbed a pair of grey boots. She added smokey eyes and red lipstick before pulling her hair into a bun.

She made a very sweet coffee and a bagel with strawberry cream cheese while Michael took a shower. He eventually came out in his normal black jeans, combat boots, a band t-shirt, and leather jacket.

There was the family sitting around the table. John at the head of the table and a magazine gripped tightly in his grasp. "Do you care to explain this to me? This isn't what I like to see before you guys head on tour. This is bad, which means less everything." John tossed the magazine at Melody. Michael snatched it before Melody could even look at the cover. "Melody why?" He asked, shame covered his face and filled his voice, then dropping the magazine. Melody slid it over to her view. She almost laughed, but managed to keep it inside of her. They finally got the story of her swearing at the paparazzi. She turned to the page of the article She the words to the article.

The last time we heard from rockstar Michael Clifford's daughter, Melody, was when she was a small, innocent, and happy tot. Melody, the oldest of the 5SOS children at 16, was seen at the beach way after curfew hours without a supervision of anyone.

Melody's anger was soon seen and heard, exposing her ugly inside. I had simply asked her the question, what was she doing there so late at night? The teen angrily responded with, "Get the f*** away from me!" I told her it wasn't civil or lady like to swear.

Melody scan parts of the article, until she got to the end.

As a car pulled up to the beach, the oldest of the famous band's children fell as she attempted to get in the car. The car drove off, giving me a good riddance of her.

Melody felt sick on how the paparazzi changed his questions. "He is bullshitting it. He fixed his statements. Don't just think I'm the one to blame, and it isn't like any of you haven't flipped them off or shit like that." Calum looked guilty.

"Yes, but that doesn't mean you have to go off and make the mistakes we made." Ashton stated.

"Media will change whatever words they want to make the cover story and that's exactly what he did." John added.

"Well now the question is, did he change your words?" Luke asked. Melody hesitated. "Melody Anastasia why-" "Oh like you ever told me how to act around them!" Melody cut off Michael with a snap.

"You should've known bettter!" Michael snapped back. "Well then you should've been a father and quit this job so I wouldn't have to hate you so much!" Melody yelled and stood up from the table, heading for the door. Michael had paled and looked like he was ready to get sick and cry.

"Melody, you don't-" Calum was cut off. "Yeah, I do! You try being Michael Clifford's daughter who barely gives you a fucking second glance unless you get in trouble! I can't stand being in this," she held up air quotes, "family any more! If you all fucked yourselves off a cliff, I wouldn't give a shit! I'll make my part in this stupid thing real easy, don't put me in it. Because I'm sick of even thinking about being the perfect daughter and how I miss everyone when their on tour. 'Cause that's way too much bullshit in my life!" Melody screamed and walked out of the building.

Melody took a few breathes before sitting next to a guy smoking a cigarette. "Could I have one?" Melody asked. "Sure," he pulled one out of the pack and lit it before handing it to her. She brought it to her mouth and slowly inhaled. "First one?" The guy asked. She nodded. He took it from her mouth and crushed it. "Don't start." He said and handed her a 20. "Go home." He said. Melody hesitated, but took it and texted Vince rhat she was coming over soon. "Thanks," she muttered as he waved over a taxi cab. Melody went in it and told the driver Vince's address. Oh how Vince was going to have an earful.

Melody paid the driver as she got to the designation and walked over to Vince's house, knocking on the door. His mum, Mary, opened the door. Preacher's wife. Her left hand held tightly on the cross like she was seeing the devil. "Get away from our house. You're not welcome." Yup, she read the article. "Please Mrs. Thompson, can I talk to your son?" Melody didn't realize how vulnerable her voice was. "Not with that tongue of yours that I read about. Now leave!" Mary slammed the door shut.

Melody sighed and looked across the street. Ryan. Melody went there and knocked on that door. Feeling her heart sink. Just because she has a "devil's tongue" according to Mrs. Thompson, didn't make her an awful person.

"It amazes me every time I see you, Ms. Melody." Christina, Ryan's mum, opened the door and hugged her. Just that action made Melody cry. "It's alright. Let's go to my office, honey, okay." Melody nodded and Christina let Melody in and walked Melody to her office, that was in the basement. When Ryan's mum went there, it was kinda like a panic room. A place where you could calm down without anyone else.

Melody sat on the soft and comfy cloth couch. Christina sat next to her and rubbed her shoulder blades and kissed her head a few times, just letting her stop crying before talking. Christina had dark red hair, that her son inherited and doe eyes. She had a large chest and nose and feet. Everything else had a medium level to it. Christina handed Melody a blanket she kept down there. Melody wasn't a stranger to this teddy bear designed blanket and wiped her tears with it as she tightly hugged it. It was like a stress ball to Melody. Melody began to sniffle and her tears slowed after many more tears and tissues. "Are you ready to talk now?" Christina asked. Melody shook her head, "C-can you though, about any-anything?" Melody stuttered.

"When you first came here, my Ryan got busy and helped me clean the entire house within seconds because he wanted to come off as a good boy who helped his mummy for your dad." She started. "And as you and your dad walked down the road, holding hands. Ryan told me, 'That's her Muma, that's my sissy that I protect like Patricia. She's my second best friend.'" Christina explained the story. "I miss those days. They were so much easier." Melody said, wiping a few spare tears. "That's when Dad gave a shit about me no matter what it was. He can barely look at me. I told him I hated him and he would be a better dad if he quit his job." Melody explained. "I hate being a daughter of a famous father. Why couldn't my dad die and Mum live, so I could have a fucking normal life?" Melody asked, her voice raised. "Because life just can't work out the way we want it, honey." Christina gently said and brought the girl in a hug. "You're welcome to stay here tonight if you want. I'll even make my famous mac&cheese." Christina kissed her forehead. "Thank you." Melody whispered. "Anything for you, Melody."

She stayed the night there and woke up before the rest of the family, other than Ryan's dad who was at work already. *Slightly Triggering* Melody had a bowl of cereal and went to the bathroom, staring at the razor. After how much other shit she screwed up with, why not? Then decided it was best to do it at home where her dad will see it and finally learn lessons. She knew how to. Melody had considered it. "Just the upper forearm." She whispered and sliced where her arm almost met the inside elbow. Melody let the blood run down her arm. It stopped after so long. *End of Triggering*

Melody got into Danny's car as they went to the Voice Awards.