Not So Cliche Kidnapping (Uncompleted)

Chapter 44 - The Richest Chocolate Cake

Chapter 44 - The Richest Chocolate Cake

"So," Melissa's mother began, which I now have learned her name was Barbra. "When did you two meet?" She asked, excited for finally having a chance to get some details. I looked over at Melissa to explain because I was shit at lying, but she seemed too frightened to go along with me being her "boyfriend." I looked back at Barbra and quickly made up a short story that wasn't far from the truth so it wouldn't be too sketchy.

"Um... freshman year. I used to tease her a lot and I guess she finally accepted it." I said and Melissa stiffened. She had her fork pierced into the meatloaf that Barbra had made. Her knuckles turned pale as she gripped the handle of the fork tighter when I mentioned: "accepting my teasing".

"Oh really? What'd you tease her about? Anything I can blackmail her with?" She grinned as she joked about the last part. I gave an awkward panicked laugh as I looked back at Melissa again, pleading with my eyes for what to say. She looked up at me and I nodded to her arms with a confused look. Basically saying: "Does she know about your arms?"

She shook her head and her eyes widened: "Of course not!" 

I looked back at Melissa's mother, quickly thinking of what I would say that would make her stop asking about the subject. "Uh... Just... A lot of stupid inside jokes." She chuckled back and waved it off. I nervously took a bite out of meatloaf, terrified that she was going to ask more questions. 

Barbra turned her head to Justin and Ruby with a smile that made all of us freeze in fear, despite it being sweet. It was too sweet, as if sickening. Like the richest chocolate cake in the world; good but it makes you want to vomit. "So what about you two?" She asked. "How'd you two meet?"

Justin shoved meatloaf in his mouth so he wasn't able to speak. That coward. Ruby must've thought the same thing, judging by her glare. She cleared her throat. "Lissa introduced us." We all glanced at her and she gave a guilty smile even though I could feel her anxiety rising. I glanced at Ruby to continue before Melissa had a panic attack at the dinner table. "Justin wouldn't get off my back and then next thing I knew we were kissing after school." She grinned and we all stared at her, shocked at her confidence. Barbra chuckled. "You were always the confident one of the family. You must've got it from your father." She sighed from a happy memory and the mood seemed to change at the table; it felt sad as if they had just gotten back from a funeral. Barbra seemed to have a peaceful smile, but I noticed Melissa and Ruby looking down at their laps.

I leaned toward Melissa next to me and nudged her with my elbow. She jumped with surprise and froze for a few seconds before looking back at me with a sad face. "What happened to him? You never talk about him." I mouthed.

She hesitated before opening her mouth to tell me, but fell silent and looked back down at her lap. I figured that I should lay off for now and let the family have their moment. I looked over at Justin who knew exactly what had happened and was now hugging Ruby with his left arm and slowly stroking her bicep with his thumb. 

I looked down at Melissa who was once again left alone to comfort herself. She leaned forward, as if attempting to hug her knees but unable due to the sitting position. I debated for a moment how I should comfort her and decided on the calming back rub. I built up the confidence and raised my balled up fist, loosening the grip and slowly lowering it to her back. Before I could touch her, she sat up quickly which disrupted the silence, and caused me to immediately retreat my hand as fast as I could. 

She didn't say anything and I didn't know how she was feeling because a thick sheet of hair covered her face. Melissa stood up from her seat and speed walked down the hallway and I'm guessing to her room. 

That's your cue.

I cleared my throat and stood up too. "Thank you for the meal, Miss Collins. I'm just going to check on her." Barbra nodded and I walked down the hallway and to the only closed door. I figured Melissa was in there, so I knocked three times while opening the door.

It was a very nice room. The wallpaper was a boring beige but that didn't give it any less of a personality. Hung up on the walls were posters of bands that I didn't seem to recognize, but it gave the room more color. There was dust on the cabinets and the room looked almost lonely from the lack of activity in it. The only thing messy about it was an opened drawer in her cabinet and I noticed a small metal object that seemed to shine from the reflection of the room light. Razor blades? I looked over at the small bed in the corner of the room and saw her silently curled on the bed, hugging her pillow.

I took a deep nervous breath and took a few slow steps towards Melissa until I was standing in front of her bed. She didn't move but the air around us felt thick and I knew she felt tense. I didn't know how to approach her without looking awkward, creepy, or insane, so I just settled on sitting on the edge of her without saying anything. 

It was quiet for at least a minute before Melissa mumbled something. I looked over at her, trying to make out a face but was still only saw a sheet of hair. "What was that?" I asked and her grip on the pillow tightened. She mumbled the same thing, her voice slightly louder but I still wasn't able to make it out. "I still can't hear you," I stated and Melissa angerly sat up, turning her angry yet hurt glare at me. "I said I was sorry because I was sure you didn't want to be here," Her harsh tone surprised me because she was angry for no reason. "But I'm starting to think you're enjoying this considering you're- ugh, I don't know, mocking me?"

I stared at her with a confused look. "Melissa, what are you talking about?" 

"Ugh, forget it. I don't know what I expected from you anyway." She scowled and looked the other way.

I furrowed my eyebrows. "What-

"Get out." 

"But-"

She whipped her head to me with an even angrier glare. "I said get out, Mason." 

"I can't-"

"Yes, you can." She tried pushing me off of the bed with her foot, but I grabbed her ankle and trapped it against the bed. She tried again with her other hand and I did the same thing with my free hand. "Just leave already!" She said in frustration and tried swatting at me. I grabbed her wrist before it came in contact with my face and she winced. "No." I gave her a serious look and she froze for a second before swinging her other fist at me. I caught her other wrist and planted both of them down on the bed so she was forced to lay back in order to get comfortable and she started kicking her legs everywhere.

What has gotten into her??

I had to keep her still if she was going to listen to me, so I crawled onto the bed to straddle her and she kept her legs still. I breathed in relief that she was finally still and I looked down at her. She looked scared as she stared back into my eyes.

We were interrupted by a small knock and the slow creaking of the door and we both looked in the direction to see Barbra peaking in. As soon as she saw us, she gasped and I froze in place.

God, it's my first day here and her mother already thinks I'm going to bang her daughter.

She covered her mouth and to my surprise, she chuckled. "Oh, I'm sorry for interrupting you two, just wanted to make sure that you're alright." She dismissed us with a wave of your hand and backed away. "Continue." 

She closed the door behind her and I took and painful breath as I looked back at Melissa. She looked back at me and it felt like I had just gotten stabbed in the chest. 

She was... crying...?

Author's Note

Ha! You thought there was gonna be smut, huh? You just got pRaNkEd, BRO.

Nah, I'm joking. I wanted it too. ;)

But anyways, hopefully, this chapter will get more views because it has cake in the title. Last time, it got up to 10K VIEWS GUYS! How long has it been since the first chapter, honestly? It must've been a while considering this book has somehow gotten up 130K views! It's crazy! 

Though, I don't know if I should be concerned or excited.

Let's settle with both.

Well, thanks for reading! New chapter coming soon!