A Second Chance • A.F. {#wattys2018}

Chapter 4

Melody

I stormed my way home, trying to forget the events that just happened, I left Andy behind, just like he left me except I gave him more than what he ever did. I gave him a reason.

I turned the corner but I felt like there was someone behind me, so I didn't turn around, I just sped up my pace, hoping that I would make it back to my place in time.

Just as I got to my door and pulled my keys out I felt a hand on my shoulder and I jumped in fear, only to hear a soft voice "hey, woah. I'm sorry, I didn't mean to scare you" he let out a small chuckle and I took in his features, his face was tanned with a distinct jawline and cheekbones, he had gorgeous brown eyes, completely different to Andy's blue eyes, hair that fell just above his brows and some distinctive freckles.

He was Andy's friend from the bar.

"What, uh, what are you doing here?" My words stumbled out forming a sentence that I'm sure didn't make sense but he just smiled.

"Well after what happened at the bar, I wanted to see if you were alright?" He stuffed his hands into his jean pockets and slightly rocked back and forth on his heels waiting for an answer.

I unlocked my door and held it open for him "you want to come in ?" He looked at me first and then stepped into the room, his eyes wandered around and landed on a framed picture of Andy and I.

He walked over to it and picked it up, turning it to me and raising his brows, I closed the door and took the picture from his hand, sitting on my sofa and smiling at the goofy picture of Andy and I stood on the bar laughing whilst we were both drenched in god knows what.

"Looks like that was an eventful night" he voice was soft and calming "yeah it was, this was a couple of weeks before he left, we were getting ready for my 18th birthday and planning themes etc, but when the party came around Andy wasn't there" my voice trailed off and I could feel Rye's eyes burning into the side of my head as I looked down, the tears were threatening to fall and suddenly I didn't want Rye here anymore I thought I did but I was wrong.

"I, um think you should go" he nodded and walked towards my door, I didn't expect him to be that reluctant but I'm glad he didn't ask for a reason why I was practically forcing him out of my home just 10 minutes after inviting him in.

However, before he left, he pulled me into a tight hug, one that felt strangely safe and brotherly "I wrote my number on your note pad while you were stood at the door, call me if your ever need anything okay?" I nodded and with that he waved and walked off, once again I was left alone, and again it was my own choice.

*Flashback*
It was my second night working in the revolution and I was still nervous about working there, I didn't know anyone and I was only 17.

It was a Thursday night so it wasn't too busy, just your average 60year olds watching football with a pint of beer, that's until a blonde boy walked in with a smile on his face and two other people with him, but they didn't catch my attention like he did.

His smile was cheeky and his eyes were like the ocean, he had black jeans on and a white jumper with some fake glasses and I couldn't stop my eyes from staring as he walked over to the seat in front of me, plonking down and smiling up at me.

His friends watched the football and he would occasionally turn around to stare at me but soon return his gaze to the giant tv straight ahead.

It was an hour before closing time and then 3 boys got up to leave, well that was until the blonde boy whispered something to this friends and sat back in his seat in front of me, resting his head in his hand.

"So love, what's your name" he smiled at me waiting for a response.

"It's uh, it's Melody, you?" I suddenly gained a small amount of confidence and I continued drying the glasses and putting them under the bar.

"Andy, Andy fowler" he stuck his hand out and I raised my eyebrows at him.

"You know Mel, you're supposed to shake it" I laughed slightly and shook his hand, there was an awkward silence for about 2 minutes until he spoke again.

"So Melody, what's the meaning behind your name?" 

"Well Melody is a Greek name that means music and both of my parents were quite musical so that's where Melody came from I guess" he nodded at my response and I continued.

"What's the meaning behind Andy?" I laid the cloth on the counter and crossed my arms.

"Well it's also Greek and it means man or warrior" as soon as he said warrior I burst out laughing, causing a few people to turn and look but that didn't bother me.

"What are you laughing at?" His voice had a hint of annoyance but the majority sounded like a joke.

"It's funny because you don't exactly look like a warrior"

"Just watch babe, one day I'll save you and you'll thank me" he winked and I fake gagged at his cringeness. We spent the whole night laughing and that was the beginning of something beautiful...

*End of Flashback*

Once again, I felt the familiar tears roll down my face and I contemplated calling Luke's number but then I decided to call someone who I knew was always there for me no matter what I went through.

I scrolled through my contacts, quickly adding Rye's number into my phone and sent a text letting him know I was sorry, I returned back to the contacts and scrolled a little more until I found the name I was searching for.

Elijah.