The Hidden Secrets

The Call.

It was about 2 am when she had called me, I could hear the terror in her voice.

"Melody? Do you know what time it is?" I asked alarmingly.

She had taken a deep breath, she began explaining.

' "Jason..he..he.."

"What Melody? What did he do?" She does not sound like her normal self, always happy. I can hear how scared she must be right now, only why? Is she talking about Tanner? I will wait to ask questions, she will tell me. After all we have been friends since third grade.

"We got into a really bad argument. Can I stay over at your place for a couple days. Just until things cool off?"

"Of course, that shouldn't even be a question. I'll stay up until you get here and I will crash on the couch and you can sleep in my bed."

"Thank you Jason, I will be there soon."

We hung up, I began getting the sheets, cover and pillows for Melody. I made the bed, packed my belongings into the living room and began making my bed on the couch. I can't stop thinking about how scared she sounded, I hope he didn't hit her. Tanner always had a temper growing up, so did his father.

His father was a bad drunk, anytime Tanner's mother Mrs. Cline did something that Mr. Cline did not like, he would be sure to know she knows better than to do it again. I remember one time In middle school, Tanner and I were once friends. I stayed the night and his mother had made dinner, meatloaf..ah my favorite. Mr. Cline apparently hated meatloaf and began yelling at his wife, calling her a no good for nothing, useless and began throwing plates at her.

Later that night I had woken up to them arguing once again, when I got up to use the bathroomIi had ran into Mrs. Cline in the hall. Her nose was bleeding, she had a gash on her cheek.

"Mrs. Cline what happened? Are you okay?"

"Little Jason! You startled me. What are you doing up at this hour? You should be in bed, young man." She tried to cover the gash on her cheek with her hand.

"I had to use the bathroom ma'am."

"I'm fine, young man, I fell. Don't you worry, now go back to bed.."

I went back to bed that night. I was too young to understand what had happened back then.

****** *********

Tanner and Melody have been dating for almost 3 years now. They had ran into each other at a college party and well, Tanner worked his charm with Melody and got not only the sweetest girl I know, but also the most beautiful girl I know as well, I was scared there was to be a day to come and not being able to recognize Melody; the true melody, the only person to have such a pure and golden heart to ever exist. She always wants the best for everyone around her, even if it tears her down. I wish that all 7 billion people on this planet would have a heart like hers.

When Melody and I first met, we were only in third grade. She was the new girl in town. The Holder residents had moved here all the way across the country; New York City. They had moved into Mrs. Baxter's house, Mrs. Baxter had passed away earlier that year, her kids did not live anywhere close by so they all thought it was best to sell the house. I was intrigued by the new family moving in as I was watching out my bedroom window, I had spotted the new family. They seemed like a very happy bunch. There was a large buff man, who seemed about 6'2, He had a tattoo on his left arm of what seemed to be several army helmets on fire. Next to him was a beautiful woman whose hair was red. She had a black floral dress with red and blue roses that came to her knees and typical black slip flat. Following behind them seemed to be a little red headed young girl with her, jumping beside her. They both seem so excited to move into this new home.

"Jay, are you ready to go bud?" I hear my father yell.

"On my way!"

We were going to the park to play some catch. My father wanted me to try out for the baseball team in middle school, and follow his footsteps of being the next star player for our sweet town.

Hours passed by and as I saw my father isn't as young as he wishes he could be; my father's friends stopped by.

"Jay, good practice bud, you can go have fun and play."

Finally!! I run to the monkey bars, I cross all ten bars in no time, now it's time to cross back to the other side. As I get to the seventh bar, my arms are starting to ache and my hands are burning. I can make it just three more bars to go, I began to grab the bar in front of me with my right hand, but my hands were burning so bad. My hands slipped and I fell. I wasn't able to catch myself in time.

"Are you okay?"

I look up, it's the red haired girl that just moved in a couple houses down from me, and looked down to my leg.

"Oh crap, I'm bleeding." I said out loud, every time I come home with new cuts from the park my mom gets worried and freaks out, always giving me the "you need to be more careful" lectures, but what does she think? That I try to intentionally hurt myself?

"Don't move, I'll be right back," She demanded frantically as she ran away.

'What is she thinking? It's just a tiny cut,' I thought as I slowly began to stand up.

As I was wiping the mulch off my pants, the little red head came running back.

"Here, this might help you for a while." She said as she handed me a baby pink bandaid.

"Thanks, wanna play on the tire swing with me."

"Well that's if you don't fall off." she said in between giggles.

"My name is Jason, what's yours?"

"Melody."

We raced to the tire swing...and that is how we became friends.

*************

I heard the door open, it's Melody. She is in tears, her eyes are black, and there's a gash on her forehead..

"He..."

"He what?" I asked, knowing I didn't want to hear her answer. I felt my heart pounding and my face began turning red. I feel the anger building up, so help me god if he did this to her, She is not gonna be able to stop me from going out that door and kicking his ass.

"I swear I'm fine, it was just an accident I swear!" Her golden brown eyes were filled with fear, and tears started to form. This is not a moment to be yelling at her. I know this wasn't an accident like she was claiming, but I'll take care of him later. I began walking towards her, she flinched, then she immediately apologized.

"Sorry, I'm still shaken up from my fall."

Not saying a word, I reached for her to embrace her in my arms. This is what she needs right now, a friend. I will find out what happened with Tanner soon enough, but first I need to make sure she is okay. As we're embracing each other, I rest my chin on top of her beautiful long curly red hair, which smells like a calm soothing lavender, She holds me tight, as I was embracing her even more; see that's the thing with Mel and I, we don't have to communicate with words. We speak with our eyes, and her eyes are filled with tears.

"I have to tell you something.." She is hesitant to tell me, I hope it's about what truly happened.

"Im all ears." I take a deep breath in. My heart is pounding again.

She looked away from my eyes, and backed away slowly. Crying even more, she begins to weep, she getting louder. What is going on with her. This isn't my best friend Mel.

"You know what, can we talk about it tomorrow, I'm so tired."

"If that's what you want, yes, get some rest. Sweet dreams."

I toss and turn for the rest of the night, I can't sleep when I'm so worried about her. It's already 10 a.m, Mel is still sound asleep. I'll go ahead and cook her favorite breakfast meal before she wakes. She loves biscuits and gravy with some bacon. That girl will never turn down bacon, or most food honestly. I'm hoping this will make her feel better. What is she about to tell me?