The road to my Ever After

Chapter 7

Melody's POV

I heard a knock at my door, where was I? It was barely even light out. I looked at the clock on my nightstand 5:30am.  I gazed around the room, remembering I'm in another home. I sighed.

I heard another knock.  "Yeah?" I called, turning on my lamp.

Matt opened the door. "I was wondering if you'd like to walk to the school with me and Josh, see the school and meet the teachers?" 

"Sure." 

"Okay we need to leave in about 25 minutes." He smiled and shut the door.   I stretched and climbed out of bed. I pulled on some black ripped skinny jeans, and a red tank top.  Man I need new clothes. 

I put on my black converse and headed to the bathroom to do my hair and makeup.

I straightened my hair, and through on some makeup.  I looked in the mirror. Disappointed in what I saw.   Why did they want to bring me home? 

When I was done I put my stuff in the only empty drawer under the sink, and headed downstairs.

Once downstairs I was being handed a plate with some toast with strawberry jam. "Thanks." I said quietly, and started eating.

"Milk?" He asked, getting in the fridge.

I nodded, and he poured me a glass before getting his own.

We finished eating and headed outside.  Once outside I saw the tall figure of Josh walking towards us.  "He lives right down there, 1712." Matt said.

I nodded.  He got up to us and we started walking. They put me in the middle of them.  That itself was both comforting and completely nerve racking at the same time. I smiled to myself.  Maybe I could get used to this.

I looked up just to meet Josh's eyes.  He smiled sweetly.  His blue eyes are going to be the death of me.

We walked in silence until we approached the school, with many other teenagers gathered outside.  "Welcome to good ole Magee!" Matt beamed.

Josh rolled his eyes. "I haven't missed this place a bit."   I looked up, wondering why he wouldn't be in school but Matt is. Strange.

As we got closer I heard a few whispers about "that Ramsay kid". Followed by whistling in my direction.  Is this how people greeted others? I've never been whistled at. 

We stood next to Matt as he got books from his locker. 

"Are you the new girl?" A guy asked from across the hall. 

I nodded. "I start next week."

"Ah, I see.  Well I'm glad we got to see a sneak peak at that fine ass." He winked, a few kids around him laughed. And another group walked by laughing and whistling.

"Don't talk to her like that." Josh said, looking down at the much smaller guy. 

"Why? What are you going to do? You're just a drug addicted emo freak."  He spat back. 

Josh froze, jaw clenched. "Watch what you say." He said lowly.

I flinched at his tone and sudden change in body language. 

The guy laughed and walked towards us. "The names Ryan. I'll see you around." He winked at me again.

Matt and Josh both glared at him as we walked away.

"Is... is that how people greet each other at school?" I asked.

"Only here." Josh said.  Matt didn't argue. 

Matt looked up at the clock in the hall.  "Ah shit now it's too late to meet the teachers!" A bell rang.

"I'm late! You two have fun!" He scampered into the crowd of teenagers.

"Well.." I turned my gaze to Josh and shyly looked up.  "I guess we hang out now?"

He smiled. "We can go to my place until he gets out."

I followed him out the school and down the sidewalk. "How old are you anyways?" I asked.

"Seventeen, eighteen in a month. What about you?"

"Sixteen. I'll be seventeen in three months." I replied.

We walked until we reached his house. 1722 Acadia road. It was a large brick house.  We walked in and it immediately felt welcoming. 

A woman came scurrying over to us. "Oooohh and who is this?" She squealed.

"This is Melody. Matt's family just adopted her. Melody this is my mom."  He introduced us.

"Well it's very nice to meet you Melody! You'll just love it in Vancouver!"

"Nice to meet you too." I smiled.

I followed josh to the basement.  "Your room is in the basement?" I laughed nervously.

"Yes!" He laughed, "I have the biggest room, and my own bathroom! What could be better?"

I laughed and sat on the bed with him as he turned on the TV and flipped through channels, finally stopping at Criminal Minds.

We watched the show for about three hours. "I like this show." I said quietly.

"Me too. Just don't get any ideas on killing me now." He laughed at his own joke, and I joined him. 
"Do you want anything to eat? My mom should be making lunch soon." 

I shook my head and leaned against the wall.

"Okay."  He looked at me "so... how did you end up in that place, like where are you from?" He asked, unsure of himself.

I froze and looked down.  "I'm from Texas."

"That's a long ways from here!" He stated the obvious.

"Yeah. We moved to Delta almost two years ago. It was a big change but it was nice.. until the last night I was with them.  A drunk driver hit us with his struck."  Tears fell from my eyes like a leaking faucet. 
"My dad was killed instantly.. my mom taken off life support a week later." I looked down.

"Wow. I'm so sorry Mel." He frowned.

I looked up at the nickname "Mel" my old best friend used to call me that.  Before we moved.

"I haven't been called Mel since we left Texas." I looked up at Josh. 
He noticed my tears and brought me in for a hug.

Wow. When was the last time I was hugged? I scooted closer to him. 

"I'm so sorry." He said.  I sobbed into his chest, leaving tears all over his shirt. And then I just fell asleep. Faster than I had in a long time. 

Vancouver was nice so far.
Matt and Karyn and Daryl felt like family even though I barely knew them.
And Josh? Snuggled up to him...He felt like home.  Not that I would admit that.