Oh, My, Addison

Chapter Sixteen - Melanie - A Conflicting Future

Adrienne groaned as she twirled herself around in my computer chair while I cuffed the sleeves of my black short-sleeve button-up. "Melanie, you've literally changed five times in the past half hour. Pick an outfit so we can leave." I glanced over at her as she sat backwards in the rotating chair, her hand loosely holding her phone as she checked the time for the twentieth time.

"Fine," I muttered, "I'll wear this then." I glanced at myself in the mirror, deciding that the top matched well with my white pants. I rolled up my pants to my ankles to show the small tattoo I had of a girl's silhouette. I was reminded of the time I spontaneously went to get my first tattoo when I first turned eighteen, and how I decided to choose that to express my love for the woman's body.

I slipped a belt through my pant loops then slid into a matching pair of loafers. I ran my fingers through my hair, letting it fall down in loose waves as I let out a small breath.

"For someone that," I watched her bring her fingers up to do air quotes, "doesn't have a crush on a certain you-know-who, you really do care about your appearance tonight."

I pressed my collar down neatly then unbuttoned the top button, "I just want to look good tonight."

"For a certain - Addison Cruz?" Adrienne teased as she spun around in a circle on the chair for extra effect. I grabbed a t-shirt that I decided against earlier right at her face, but she easily dodged it without flinching.

"Or maybe any other girl I could pick up at the club," I tried to tease back, but we both knew by the tone of my voice that I wasn't serious with that offer at all. We both knew that the only person I could constantly think about was the black-haired beauty that kept stirring my life up.

As if to voice my thoughts, Adrienne laughed, "Yeah, right," she continued, "You and I both know that you've probably been saying Addison's name in your sleep at night. The girl has you whipped. I know it, because I've never seen you like this, Mel."

She was kinda right despite the fact that I didn't want to admit it.

I said in a lower voice, "She might entertain me somewhat."

Adrienne ran her fingers through her locks, "If you have a crush on the girl, why not ask her out?"

I gulped, "I don't have a crush on her, and there's no point in dating. After graduation, everybody is going to change and everybody is going to separate." I paused, "And who are you to talk, Adrienne? It's obvious that you want to be with June, but you've always got to have this loner, bad girl vibe about you. Date the girl already."

She ignored most of my accusations, "I have my reservations." It looked like she was pondering her next words until she was able to say, "What if you do end up with Addison? Wouldn't you want to do everything in your power to make it work then?"

I shoved my phone into my back pocket, "That wouldn't be within my power. High school relationships don't last." I paused, "This fall, I'm going off to college to fulfill my life dream of becoming a chemist-"

"Which, who the fuck dreams of becoming a chemist when they're five, but okay go on." Adrienne interrupted as I gave her a small glare.

"I like chemistry, and I like labs. It makes me feel in control," I huffed out then frowned, "Just because you're not sure what you'd like to do after high school, doesn't mean you have to bring me down."

She raised her dark eyebrows, "I'm not bringing you down. I'm actually trying to bring you up by telling you that you can date someone in high school and have it work out." She grinned ear to ear, "Plus, you two have got some chemistry together."