Paper Thin

• Epilogue •

Melody

• April 4th – Present •

"...Happy birthday to you! Happy birthday dear Melody," everyone sang in off-key unison. "Happy birthday to you!"

I sat there in front of my candle lit strawberry shortcake, smiling from ear to ear, as my friends and family sang around me. Of course, Carson, my dad, Leslie, and Mia were here, but so were Alani, Emma, Harvey, Noah, and even Ms. Foster. It was a little odd to have people from school inside my home, but I wanted something small and intimate and it was nice having them here.

"Okay, you have to wish for something big!" Emma said, cuing me to blow out my candles. I closed my eyes and thought of what I wanted – what I truly wanted deep down – and wished with all my might.

***

• 10 Years Later •

I opened my eyes to a white ceiling, the sun's rays bouncing off of them. Below my head was a white cushion, resting atop a grey sofa. I sat up and noticed an empty plate on top of the sleek white coffee table. I must have fallen asleep after lunch. Though it was Saturday, I was working from home, like I did almost every Saturday. Work never really stopped when you were the owner of a fashion company – a body positive one at that. I called it Harmony Couture.

After getting into NYU's art program, I decided to study art and design. Though I took a short break from modelling to get back on my feet, I soon felt strong enough to do it again while studying. I ended up being quite successful in it, especially after a couple large ad campaigns and a few shows in New York Fashion Week. The combination of interests in fashion and art led me to start the company, which became a success – especially with the added bonus of my mother's name attached to it.

My phone buzzed and I reached for it, catching a glimpse of the sparkling ring on my left ring finger. I looked at my phone screen and smiled. It was a message and a photo from Mia. Over the years we had managed to work out our differences and had grown quite close. She'd started going to therapy to deal with her issues surrounding her mother, which helped change her into the kind and funny person I knew she was when we originally met. It was much to our father's delight to see us this close, as he didn't feel like spending time with one of us meant choosing over the other. And the three of us could hang out and have fun. It was amazing to have my father back, and I loved having a sister more than I would have imagined.

Baby Robyn looks so cute in the playsuit you made her!

Thanks again!

Mia Allen; 2:16pm

Baby Robyn. I had a one-year-old niece and sometimes it was still weird to think about. Mia had gotten married two years ago to a nice guy named Liam and had shortly was pregnant with Robyn. Robyn's name was inspired by our dad's and was a perfect mix of Mia and Liam. She was the cutest and I loved spoiling her almost as much as my dad did.

She looks too cute in it!

See you guys at dad's next weekend!

Melody Reese; 2:18pm

I got up and picked up my dirty dishes, taking in my apartment. Keys dangled at the front door and I made a mental correction: our apartment. It had that clean modern look that made it feel fresh and high end. The colour scheme was fairly neutral; greys, whites, nudes and a pop of green here and there with plants and décor. The best part was the view, overlooking the busy streets of Manhattan. My favourite city.