Life Of Melanie (Completed)

The letter was short, just three words, ‘Thinking of you’ was all it read. I did as he requested and sent it to Camp Body Rock, I hope he gets it soon. I had read the short letter he wrote me too many times to count. I was trying to analyze without over analyzing, if that was possible. I hated waiting, mom always says, ‘Patience is a virtue,’ it was a virtue I wish I had. It had only been four days, and I was going out of my mind.

Lucas had called a couple of times since our ‘date’, but for some reason I felt like I was pushing him away. I had made excuses, saying I had other plans, avoiding seeing him. Plus, it seemed he was more interested in meeting Clarissa, than he was in seeing me. I had mentioned to her, that I let slip that she could sing. I also told her that Lucas was really interested in hearing her, and her possibly joining his band. She was not happy to say the least. In fact I had never seen her more upset. I tried to assure her, that she did not have to do anything she didn’t want to do, but it did little to ease her discomfort with the whole situation. If she only knew how great she was.

School starts tomorrow, and I am terrified. First of all, I fucking hate school, and second, I didn’t know how people would react, or even if they would react. I didn’t know which scared me more, being noticed, or not being noticed. I did promise myself, however, that I would make the best of either situation. For now I was just going to enjoy my last day of freedom.

Clarissa and I had made plans to hang out the day before, so I was patiently waiting for her arrival. I had already painted my toes, and fingers, and even straightened out my hair, still she didn’t show. Walking from my bathroom on the heels of my feet, trying to avoid smudging my freshly painted toes, I headed for my desk to make a phone call. As soon as my finger hit the first digit in Clarissa’s number, she came storming into my bedroom. I could tell by her tears streaked face and puffy eyes, that something was terribly wrong.

Forgetting all about my bright purple toes, I ran to her, “Clarissa, are you okay, whats wrong?” I asked as I wrapped my arms around my sobbing friend.
For a moment she said nothing, she just sobbed and sobbed. I tried to comfort her as best I could. I stroked her hair and repeated over and over, ‘Its okay’ trying to give her the time she needed to compose herself. When she was finally calm she looked at me with her big watery saucer like eyes and said, “He’s leaving….. my dad….is umm….moving.”
“Moving….what do you mean moving?” I asked, not sure if I heard her right.
“Divorce….they are getting a divorce, and he is moving today.” She said in a quite voice her eyes pointing straight to the ground.

“What…..what happened, I mean your kidding right, your parents are getting divorced, no way.” I asked confused by the whole situation. The Jones’ are the last couple on earth I ever thought would get divorced, I mean they are Pentecostal, and Pentecostal people don’t believe in divorce….do they.

“I don’t know….I mean they have been arguing a lot, but I never thought that this could happen. I mean I was taught that…..” Clarissa just trailed off then, lost in her own thoughts. I could tell she was having an inner battle. Her facial expressions told their own story. She was hurt, don’t ask me to explain the way she was feeling at this moment cause, I had no idea the pain she must feel. Parents stay together, especially bible thumping, religious people like Mr. And Mrs. Jones. I was at a loss for words. I didn’t know what to say to make her feel better. Clarissa had always been there for me, and the one time she needs me the most I have a total brain fart. I just stood there watching her trying to work it all out in her mind…alone. I felt helpless. Suddenly her expression took on a whole new facade, anger. I mean she looked really pissed. It scared me a little.

“FUCK THIS SHIT,” she screamed as she tore her hair out of it usual bun and began stripping off her binding long sleeved button up and long denim skirt. “I hate them, I hate that all I ever wanted to do was please them, and be the daughter that always wanted…. Now I know it all a big fucking lie, all of it. I have spent my whole life being what they want, I have never….NEVER…. done anything for myself. All this time I have spent believing in……something that never really mattered. Like faith…..HA…. obviously you need more than faith….” She walked right past me and to my closet and started rummaging through clothes and shoes. I don’t know if she was actually looking at anything, or just keeping her hands busy while her mind still searched for an answer. An answer that could solve every question….. unfortunately, there was none.

I just watched as she slipped on a pair of my low rider jeans and a black fitted band tee. I wanted Clarissa to know that I was here for her, but I said nothing. I don’t think it would have helped if I did. Again she brushed past me on her was to my bathroom. I heard her rummaging through drawers and cabinets, but I did not follow, I just waited for her to emerge. When she did emerge, she looked like the girl who stood shyly in front of my mirror just days before, but there was no ounce of shyness now. She looked like a beautiful, confident woman on a mission. I was at her mercy form that moment on.

“Call Lucas, and tell him to meet us at the pool hall. If he wants me to sing in his band, lets see if I have what it takes.” She said matter of factly.

Trying to hide my shocked expression, I walked to the phone and dialed Lucas’ number….”Hey Lucas, its Melanie…hey what are doing……still wanna hear Clarissa sing…….meet us at the Pool Hall in ten minutes.”

Silently I followed my friend to my car and watched her get in. I smiled to myself as I climbed into the drivers side of the car. I stole a glance at her before starting the engine, I was so glad she was willing to let herself be heard, but at the same time I hoped she didn’t regret it later.


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Although Clarissa was trying desperately to cover her nervousness, I could tell this was really hard for her. I told her time and time again, she really had nothing to be nervous about, they were all going to love her. As we walked in to the dilapidated old building, I scanned the room cramped with pool tables from one end to the other, for Lucas. I found him and his band mates in the back near the tiny stage. Weaving my way through the millions of pool tables, I made sure to look behind me every now and then to make sure Clarissa still followed. She stayed right on my heels. When we reached the group of three, Lucas came up to me and gave me a sweet peck on the lips before turning his attention to Clarissa, “So this must be the infamous Clarissa I hear so much about.”

“In the flesh,” was her response. From the corner of my eye I could see Shane checking Clarissa out. I had to smile at the fact that I was not going to be the only person starting a new life.
“So,” Lucas began as he wrapped his arms around my waist, “ Melanie here tells me you have an amazing voice.”
Looking at me for strength, Clarissa replied, “ I don’t know about amazing, but I can hold a note.”
Chuckling he went on, “Well that’s really all you have to do right…… so what do you usually sing?’
I looked a Clarissa and saw that her cheeks were starting to get a little pink, so I jumped in, “She could sing whatever you want…..thats a fact.”
“Really, well lets hear it….” He asked without really knowing what he was asking.
Clarissa looked at me and took a deep breath, “What do you want to hear?”
“It doesn’t matter, just anything…….um….. Mary Had a Little Lamb.” He joked.
Relaxing a little she smiled. “I think I can handle that…….”

All eyes were on her now. I could tell that she was struggling, but she would do it, if it killed her. I mean its not like she even had to really try, all she had to do was open her mouth. We all held our breath waiting for her to start……. luckily we did not have to hold it for long.

Clarissa cleared her throat and began singing the childhood song that we all knew by heart. Everyone in the room, including the manager was awe struck. I had the biggest shit eating grin on my face. When she finished no one said a word. Lucas looked back at his band mates and raised his eyebrows questioning them, they both nodded yes.

Slowly Lucas released my waist and took a small step toward Clarissa, “well if your interested in joining a band, we have a open spot.” He asked her hopefully.
Visibly trying to calm her nerves she responded, “ well sorry to say…….you’ve got yourselves a singer.” The smile that was on her face couldn’t be replaced. In fact she was practically glowing. We applauded and Clarissa did a little bow. I could tell that Lucas was ecstatic, he was beaming from ear to ear when he handed Clarissa a stack of songs to learn.

I spent the next couple of hours listening to the ‘band’ practice. The four of them actually made it through a couple of sets, Clarissa was quickly picking up on the melodies, and the lyrics. It made me happy to see her so happy….so alive. Lucas tried his best to include me in the whole making music process, but most of his undivided attention was directed at Clarissa. It was fine with me, because I still didn’t know how to approach the whole ‘Lucas and Melanie’ situation. I was glad the afternoon turned out the way it did, at least I hadn’t spent every second thinking about Brice.


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After Clarissa climbed out of my car, I waited until I saw her enter her house before I put the car in reverse and backed out of her drive way. I cruised the few blocks to my house with the window down and the radio up. I went over the days events in my head. I am just so glad Clarissa could take something good from her parents divorce. Its sad to say, but maybe this is just what she needed.

When I pulled into my drive way, I noticed an unfamiliar truck parked on the curb. I brushed it off thinking it was just one of my parents friends. I climbed out of my car and locked the doors with my remote on the way into the house.
“Mom, I’m home, “ I announced as I threw my keys on the table by the front door and headed to the living room.
As I rounded the corner I began to ask, “Hey who’s here……….”

I couldn’t believe my eyes there sitting on my couch holding a chocolate chip cookie in one hand and a glass of milk in the other was Brice Palmer.


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