Melanie's POV
The next few days continue the same. Me and Daniel chat every night and take care of Lizzy together during the day. We get along and compromise. We send endless selfies...
And we smile at each other in a different way.
I'm so confused about my feelings.
So I text Christina over the weekend and tell her about my dilemma.
Messages!
harris 🥰
what? something must be wrong with my eyes.
did u just say u LIKE daniel seavey?
is this some kind of weird autocorrect thing?
Me
trust me, i know!
maybe this baby thing is getting to my head.
harris 🥰
it must be
mel, you've spent years hating him
Me
i know
but he's super mature and great with lizzy
and he hasn't made fun of me all week
maybe he's changing?
harris 🥰
i don't know
i wouldn't count on it
The next day...
I see Daniel at my locker.
...But Lizzy is nowhere in sight.
My heat jumps a little because we're not supposed to be seen without her.
He's laughing with a friend as I approach.
"Dude, can't believe you did that." I hear the boy say. "This is the final project. You're gonna fail."
My stomach drops as I put two and two together. With my heart pounding I confront Daniel.
"What did you do to her?!"
"Huh?" Daniel stares at me.
"Where's Lizzy? What stupid thing did you do know?"
His eyes crease and this time I know I see hurt in them. But I don't care. Just when I thought he was changing!
"We're not supposed to be seen without her! What don't you understand about that? I knew you couldn't be trusted."
Before Daniel can respond, Donaldson comes around the corner with Lizzy in his arms.
"Thanks for letting me take her, Daniel. My wife loved that fabulous onesie."
He turns to me.
"Oh, Melanie! Ben was just telling me you guys have been getting along better lately. I knew things would work out."
After he leaves Daniel, hands me Lizzy. Then he gives me a searing look.
"Jack was talking to me about math. I wouldn't let anything happen to Lizzy."
My expression is pained.
"I'm sorry. I overreacted. I shouldn't have-"
He cuts me off with a sad laugh.
"Hey, don't be sorry. I'm just a joke, right? That's what I've always been and that's what I'll always be."
He leaves me standing there feeling as uptight as he once said I was.
