Torn Apart Hearts

Chapter Two

Clara stepped out of her last period and took a deep breath. The first day of culinary included an entire class period of slicing onions. Clara had never liked onions before, but she definitely hated them now.

"You smell funny." Melody said with a smile as she caught up to Clara in the hallway.

"Culinary." Clara stated simply and sniffed her blouse, though her sense of smell was surely shot for the day. "I swear I will never touch another onion as long as I live." Melody laughed out loud at this until her phone buzzed. A frown fell upon her spotless face as she pulled the device from her backpack pocket.

"Can I come to your house?" She said hopefully after a long minute of staring intensely at her phone. Clara's family had become accustomed to Melody's random appearances, visits, and slumber parties and none of them seemed to mind. Melody was incredibly sweet and well mannered around Clara's parents and she made John laugh constantly. Clara couldn't imagine anyone hating Melody, if they only took the time to know her.

"Duh." Clara chuckled and they walked through the dense crowd of teenagers to Clara's car.

"Why do you never take your mom's van? You know I hate this tiny death contraption." Melody complained as she climbed uncomfortably into the vehicle.  Clara threw her bag into the backseat and Melody did so too. Clara never noticed how much Melody followed after her, mimicked her, admired her.

"Hey, don't hate the bug." Clara said defensively and caressed the dashboard lovingly. Melody giggled and slid her chair back as far as it could go, which in fairness, wasn't far.

Melody quickly fell asleep as the low jazz music played through the speakers. Clara chuckled at her friend and remained focused on the road.

**

Clara pulled into her driveway quickly and stopped suddenly. The sudden movement casted Melody forward as she was literally thrown into consciousness.

"OW!" Melody yelled rubbing the spot on her chest where her seat belt caught her. "I sometimes really hate you."

Clara thought about this for a moment before giggling. "I know." She said cheerfully and exited her car. Melody grabbed both their backpacks and got out.

"Forget something?" Melody said causing Clara to turn around. Melody was holding Clara's sea-foam green, $89 backpack threateningly over a puddle of mud from the rainy night before.

"No, no, please, I am so so sorry, Melody!" Clara ran forward pleading. Melody pulled the backpack farther from Clara's reach and Clara watched in horror. "Come on, dude that's my new backpack."

"That was the second time you've scared me today, just stop!" Melody said rather aggressively and shoved the backpack into Clara's arms. Clara was shocked for a moment but knew this behavior was somewhat normal for her. Especially on her off days.

Clara felt a chill as the wind picked up, signalling more rain tonight. Melody pulled her black hoodie tighter around her small figure and they rushed inside. Once in the door, Melody simply unzipped her jacket and collapsed on the couch.

"Ah," Melody took a deep sighing breath and put her feet up on the coffee table, "it's good to be home."

"Hey," Clara came up in front of her and pushed her feet down, "no feet on the table, child, you know better." Clara scolded playfully. Melody pouted and looked up with sad eyes.

"Sorry, grandma." She said causing Clara to throw a pillow at her face. Melody caught it and laughed. She stood and used the pillow to hit Clara in the back with while Clara picked up another one from the couch. Melody climbed on the couch for a better vantage point but didn't expect the onslaught of attacks on her legs. Melody was uncoordinated as it was, and she quickly fell backwards over the back of the couch.

"OH MY GOD!" Clara cried out in concern, immediately rushing to check on her. "Mel, are you okay? I'm so sorry!" Clara sat by her side and lifted her head. Melody soon began laughing uncontrollably and after a quick sigh of relief, Clara joined her. Clara collapsed on top of the fallen girl and they simply lay there, together.

"Clara," Melody started once she could catch her breath again, "even when you go off to college, and leave me behind in the jungle all by myself," Melody took a moment to playfully slap Clara's arm, to which she had no reaction other than a smile, "we'll still be best friends, right?"

"Duh!" Clara said turning to look Melody in the eyes. "College couldn't separate us! Neither could a new job, or a new house..." Clara hesitated before finishing, "a new man." She waggled her eyebrows suggestively and Melody's smile faded only slightly. "Oh, come on. There has to be one guy in one of your classes you find the least bit attractive?" Clara questioned and watched Melody's face for any sign of surrender. Melody looked away for half a second and tried to hide a smile and Clara knew she had her. "HA! I knew it! Who is he? Tell me everything! Is he single? Did you talk to him?"

"Woah! Calm down!" Melody put up her hands defensively. "It's not a big deal... It's just this one guy helped me when I dropped my stuff in class today." Melody looked away once again and Clara felt her heart swell for the younger girl.

"Okay, 1, you're such a clutz," Clara started to which Melody nodded knowingly, "2, that's really sweet. Are you gonna ask him out or do I have to do it for you... again?" Melody's cheeks heated at the memory of Clara's twelfth birthday party where Clara introduced her to a boy name Charles who wore glasses and had short ginger hair and freckles. Clara had told him that Melody wanted to ask him out. Being so young they never went through with it but Clara still liked to tease her for it. Melody always wondered what ever happened to Charles.

"Nooo. That was six years ago, get over yourself. I'm probably not going to ask him out, he was just being nice. Plus, he's way out of my league." Melody sat up straight and crossed her legs. She put her hands in her lap and stared at them. Clara pitied the beautiful girl who had so little confidence.

"Mel," Clara started and grabbed the girls shoulders so she would look at her, "girl, you are worth so much more than you give yourself credit for. I cannot name a single person in our school or anywhere that is remotely out of your league." Melody smiled brightly and hugged the older girl, glad she had such a wonderful friend.

Clara embraced Melody and sighed. Her words were true, she didn't know anyone out of Melody's league. The problem was convincing Melody of her own worth. Maybe if she had a good guy to keep her company she wouldn't be so upset when Clara made her decision.