A Second Chance • A.F. {#wattys2018}

Chapter 16

Melody

The drive home was long and tiring but the minute I walked through the door I grabbed my blanket and sat on the sofa. I watched Rye as he sat down at the opposite side.

"You staying here tonight?" I asked him, my voice was small due to how tired I was and also due to the fact that I was still in a bit of shock from everything.

"If that's alright with you? I don't really fancy driving back just yet" he looked down and played with his thumbs, this was the first time I'd seen Rye like this since I met him and I could tell something was on his mind.

"Stay as long as you need" I said with a small smile. We sat there in silence, the only noise was the low music coming from the T.V.

Rye frowned as he looked at me. "What?" I asked with a nervous laugh, he moved closer and put his hand on my cheek, where Andy had previously caught, and I flinched slightly from the touch.

His hands were warm and I just leant my face further into his hand as he stroked my cheek with his thumb. A small tear fell from my eye and he was quick to wipe it away but more fell, no one has seen me like this, I always keep my meltdowns private but just my luck Rye was sat there.

I wanted to kiss him. I wanted to kiss him with all my heart, just to see what it was like and maybe because I was in an emotional state and just needed to feel love right now.

But I stopped my self and although I feel bad about it, I know I'll feel better about it in a few days. My mind was a mess now with the whole Andy and Elijah thing, I don't want to add another name to the triangle.

We both yawned and decided that we were ready for some sleep. "You can uh sleep in my bed" I said as I walked towards my room, Rye following close behind me.

"Here you go, I'm just gonna go to the toilet and I'll be back to grab some blankets" he nodded and pulled his shirt off just as I left. As soon as I was in the bathroom I locked the door and rested my arms on the sink, I took some deep breaths, changed into some pjs that I left in here and flushed the toilet to make it seem like I had gone, when it reality I was trying to reassure myself.

I walked back into my bedroom and saw Rye texting someone, he was laid on Elijah's side of the bed with no shirt and I'm guessing no trousers because I could see them on the floor.

I headed to my wardrobe and picked a blanket and a cushion out of the bottom and then I headed to the cabinet at my side of the bed, I tried to grab my pills as quickly as I could without Rye seeing but I could tell that he kept glancing over, I stood back up and went to walk out until Rye lightly grabbed my wrist. "Stay, please" his voice was deep but this time it wasn't in an angry way, it was pleading, like he didn't want to be alone and as much as I wanted to walk away, I didn't.

I dropped my blanket and cushion to the floor as Rye pulled the duvet back and I got in, he wrapped his arm around my waist, just like Andy had previously, his head was resting on my shoulder. He was different to Andy, I felt somewhat safer in Rye's arms.

"What are the pills for Mel" my heart shattered and my body went stiff and I'm guessing Rye noticed because I heard his soothing voice once more.

"Hey it's okay, I'm not going to judge you" I took a deep breath and turned to face him.

"After Andy left I was in a really bad place, I started to suffer from depression and things got worse, I got worse. I was in hospital a lot" I felt his hand on my chin as his thumb lightly stroked my cheek.

"I'm sorry about that, you didn't deserve any of it, you still don't" he had a sympathetic look on his face and I just shook my head.

"It doesn't matter anymore, I surrounded myself with positive people, I pushed Andy to the back of my mind, but here he is, back to haunt me" we both chuckled and laid in a comfortable silence.

For some strange reason, I loved being laid with Rye, I felt protected, safe.

Andy

We got into my car and headed to Westfield. Mikey was in the passenger seat and Jack and Brook were in the back seat. We had music blaring out and everyone was singing along, it was hard to stay angry when you were in a car with your 3 best mates.

Mikey kept taking snapchat videos while Brook and Jack took turns vlogging. I managed to pretend that I was still angry until Wannabe came on and I heard Mikey gasp in excitement, I chuckled at his reaction and started singing along

I'll tell you what I want, what I really really want

"Ohhhh he does sing along" Mikey practically screamed and continued with the song

So tell me what you want, what you really really want

I laughed at our singing and was in fits of laughter when Jack and Brook started rapping from the backseat, we were all dancing in the car and the song was close to ending.

Slam your body down and wind it all around

Mikey tried moving his hips but his seatbelt restricted him and his laugh filled the car. The song ended and the laughter started to die down as we arrived in the car park of Westfield. We all exited the car and headed towards the escalators.

"So Roadies we're now at Westfield and we're about to go get some food and maybe watch a movie, so we'll tell you how it goes after" Brook was enthusiastic when he vlogged which is why I loved having him around, he always knew how to cheer us up.

We walked into Nando's and we're took to a table, we ordered our food and made small talk as we waited for the food to arrive. I pulled my phone out and started on a text.

Andy🌵
Hey bro, I know we aren't on speaking terms but I'm sorry for everything I did. If you stay with Mel tonight I don't mind, just promise you'll be there for her if she gets upset, hold her, kiss her, I don't care, do whatever she needs to be loved. Of course it hurts me but I'd rather her be happy with you than scared with me. Love you man. Andy x

I sent that and then started a text for Mel.

Andy🎤
Hey babe, I'm sorry for hitting you. It was never my intention to hurt you and I honestly hate myself so much for it. I hope Rye makes you happy and I will never hate you for choosing him over me. I love you Mel and I hope one day you forgive all the foolish decisions I've made. Love Andy xx

I sent the text to Melody and put my phone face down on the table and sighed, Mikey turned to face me and smiled before we both joined in the conversation and I attempted to forget about the events that unfolded tonight.