Suddenly

Chapter 11

They walked up and down the field, checking the stalls. Everywhere they stopped their classmates and other students asked to see Melody and they were simply mesmerized by her. They as cooed and smiled and even talked in little baby voices. Michelle was smiling and ignoring the odd stares she got from time to time from some girls. She was enjoying the carnival and Melody was being so good. She hardly cried and looked happy to everyone. Michelle was holding her while Katy explained why Kayla couldn't make it when suddenly the attention was diverted to someone else. Even the people stealing glances at Michelle with the baby looked away.

The camera crew was here.

There was commotion as more than a few girls did a make up check, Katy included. Michelle felt herself hold Melody a little tighter when she caught sight of Keith. The last thing she wanted to feel was the aching pain she had everyday when she saw them together or had to ignore him because she knew that was wise. He's the guy who left her for Nikky and didn't bother with acknowledging Melody, not that she thinks she would've let him. She watched the crew follow Keith and Nicole, who had obviously gotten highlights and had amazing make-up. They had to just be themselves and so far were doing it well, although Nikky was being friendlier than usual as she hung on Keith's arm. They were almost by the tables at the hotdog stand where Tyler, Michelle, some guys and the girls were sitting when Katy started smiling and Laura grunted at her. The rest of the guys seemed normal which was relief. Keith, Nikky and the crew made their way to the tables and said hello to everyone. Michelle sighed. These were their friends too but she still felt as though they should've had the decency to sit alone. She realised then that the stroller was hidden by some of the guys and that since they had their back to her, they hadn't seen the baby. She suddenly felt panicked and wanted to leave but Tyler put his hand on her arm and whispered that she should relax. Nikky and Keith sat down across from Michelle and that's when Keith saw the baby. He had a sad look which he hid with a frown while Nikky looked shocked and then put all her efforts into distracting Keith. It worked well and everyone was ignoring to cameras like they'd been told to do. They were all talking when suddenly Melody made little crying sounds. Michelle forgot all about everyone.

"Don't cry baby," she cooed playing with Melody's tiny nose to distract her as she whimpered. "Are you hungry Melly?" she looked up at Tyler with a smile. "Tye will you get her bottle please?"

He mock saluted and fetched the bottle from the stroller. Instead of giving it to Michelle he held his arms out and she gave him the little blue eyed, pink bundle. When he gave her the bottle she stopped crying and snuggled closer to Tyler as she had her bottle.

"You're too cute to bug Mommy" Tyler said smiling at Michelle. She laughed and finally looked up.

The entire table was staring at them.

"Aw come on guys, my kid had to eat." She said to them with her beautiful easy smile. Most of them laughed and passed comments about how cute Melody was and how she looked just like Michelle. No one mentioned Keith although they did steal glances at him. He was staring at Melody in Tyler's arms. She seemed at home with him, like he was her father, he thought bitterly. Nicole thought of distracting him when she saw a different opportunity. She put on her friendliest smile.

"Wow you and Tyler are really cute with the baby."She said in her slightly high voice.

Michelle looked her in the eye. "Yeah, Tyler's really been there for Melody, they say she's too young to really make solid connections but you can tell she recognises him.

"And she should." Tyler barged in, "She's my favourite little girl in the whole wide world."

Nikky was taken aback but she knew she had done what she wanted. She wanted Keith to think that Michelle had moved on. Keith sat watching the exchange feeling like he should rip Melody out of Tyler's hands and he should be the one holding her, giving her her bottle. He felt angry at Michelle for replacing him with his best friend. They were clearly dating.