Jar of Memories

Owl Boy (part 1)

{flashback}
We sat in her pink room with a glow from a soft lamp doing our nails for her 13th birthday party.
"Oh my God Harp, honey I'm so nervous", she said, suddenly overcome with an unusual wave of panic.
"What for, Mel? It's your time to shine", I said reaching over to hug her. Of course I knew why she was nervous. Everyone would be watching her. She was queen bee. But she would, being Mel, shine.
"But what if I don't?"
"Then you're a human Melody. It's a party. Be yourself Melly"
She gave a half smile, like she wasn't so sure. She suddenly changed the subject.
"Oh Harper, they'll be boys!"
I laughed. "I know Mel, I made the invite list with you." Despite being popular, Mel had never been too boy crazy, so I figured she must've been heading somewhere.
"Harp, there's this boy I really think you'd like. His name is Noah, he's in our math class".
"We have a Noah in our math class?"
She playfully smacked me.
"You can't be serious Harper", she giggled. "He has brown hair and big owl glasses and plays cello, and his older sister is Vivi-"
"Okay, okay, Mel", I said. It was my turn to smack her.
"Ouch, Harp. Anyways, I'll introduce you two. I'm sure you'll hit it off"
"Haha don't bother", I had said brushing it off as casually as I could. I wasn't really looking for anyone like that, but I didn't want to hurt Melody's feelings. She seemed so excited.
She turned to me and looked serious. She touched my bare and bony shoulder. "Honey, trust me. Just let go for once. What's the harm?"

Lights flashed, a pop star blasted from the Bluetooth speakers, and boys and girls danced and laughed with iced tea in red plastic cups. I walked into the bright kitchen with the food. I grabbed a soda can and a slice of pizza.
Aleeyah walked in.
"Hey Harper cutie", she cooed. "That's a sweet dress". She piled a hot dog on her plate and took a can of seltzer.
"Hey Ali", I greeted.
"Oh before I forget, Mellie was looking for you. She said if I found you first for you to meet her in the den by the couch. She said she wants to talk to you away from the crowd".
"Oh. Okay well thanks Ali"
"Anytime Harp", she said saluting.
I cautiously stepped away from the party into the closed off den.
"Melody?", I called warily as the slowly opened the door. I tiptoed in, looking over my shoulder as I plopped on the couch.
"Oh...uh...hey there", said an unfamiliar voice. Oh of course. Of course Mel would set me up. It was so typical of her.
"Oh my God," I said standing of sighing with relief. "I'm so sorry. Wrong person. I'll leave you be".
"Oh no, I'm waiting for Mel also".
My face hardened. "I'm sorry, but I've got to go now"
He looked shocked and hurt.
"Oh. Okay then. Sorry for wasting your time." He pushed his glasses further on his nose.
I squeezed my eyes shut and smoothed my skirt. "No, it's okay. Just...not in the mood, you know. Nothing personal," I said, sitting down again. He scooted to make me enough room.
"No, I get it. It's tough. Everyone assumes I'm a party person and I'm not. I don't usually sneak away into random rooms, but I do just stand in the corner or wait it out in the bathroom."
"Why do people assume you're a party person? Doesn't anyone see you're miserable?"
"Guess they're too busy. Besides, my ex, who I broke up with a few months ago was a real party girl."
Ew. I didn't have the gut to sit here anymore. Just another tween "romance" that lasted for a week or so. They made me sick.
"Well, nice talking to you. I've got to go though. Have a good evening," I replied. I tried not to act to harsh but I could tell my words were as cold as they were intended.
"You know I'm joking right? How could I be serious? Not for nothing, but I'm not really anyone's ideal boyfriend. I'm sorry I offended you."
"And I'm sorry for judging you so quick"
"No hard feelings?" He stuck out his hand
"No hard feelings," I reached out to grab it as the door creaked open.
"Hey. See you too have met. Sorry to interrupt. But Harper there's a cute boy I want you to see. Oh Noah this is Harper by-the-way"
"Hi again," I smiled and waved. I turned around to Melody to give her a confused glare. My brown hair fell over my flushed face as I stared up to the blonde curly haired girl who ignored me, giving a candy sweet grin to Noah.
"Hi. Bye," he said grinning widely.
"Right, so to the cute boy," Melody said pointing, giving me The Look.
"Right," Noah and I jinxed. While I said it in a confused, but I get you're trying to signal me tone, and Noah said it in a more carefree tone.
"Bye Noah," Mel said waving.

"Melody are you crazy?!" I begged, as she refilled her iced tea.
"Gotta play hard to get Harpy."
"Ew don't call me Harpy, that's an evil bird witch thing."
"Half bird half woman Greek creature," she corrected me.
"Whatever, they're ugly."
She sipped her tea and sat on a stool. She picked out a water melon cube, inspected and popped it in her mouth, then shrugged. I rubbed my eyes and yawned. I'd be sleeping over after everyone left.
"Wanna go rest in my room," she asked with her mouth full, the back of her hand blocking her mouth.
I shook my head and picked up a can of seltzer and began reading the label. Mel swallowed and took the can from me.
"Honey, what's bothering you?"
"No nothing. Just tired," I lied, as Ciena walked in.
"Heyyy sweethearts. Oof, how many calories in that seltzer?" She asked, taking it from the counter.
"It's seltzer Ciena it doesn't have calories, honey". Ciena wasn't the sharpest knife in the draw.
"Ooo," she said popping the tab. "It's like fizzy water," she said, intrigued.
"Ci, have you ever had seltzer before?"
"Not the calorie free one before, I haven't."
Mel and I looked at each other before we kindly smiled at her and let the topic drop. Ciena pulled a stool up to us and draped her arm around me while looking at Melody.
"What've you sugars been up to lately?," she asked, taking another swig. "There's some cute boy just sitting in your den, Mels. Just sipping some water. He looks like freaking owl who's just seen a ghost," she said nonchalantly.
"Noah," Melody and I gasped at the same time, giggling.