My One True Love- Chapters 2 (Revised Introduction), 3, 4, 5 and 6.

Chapter 21

During morning tea, I headed up to the library to start work on my geography homework. The library was unusually full today, and in the end I had to sit at the table that mainly had seniors working. I sat at the very end of the table and pulled out my geography book. Looking around casually, I saw this guy looking at me. He had dark brown hair and dark eyes. He also had an athletic build which was easily visible through his shirt. I stared at him, but he quickly looked away. I shrugged and continued with my work. I came upon a difficult question in my book and looked around for another fellow geography student’s atlas. Finding none with the book, I groaned. The athletic guy looked up at me again, and it was then I realised that he had an atlas. 2

“Can I borrow your atlas?” I asked.3

Still looking at me, he silently handed me the atlas. I thanked him and opened it up to the map of Europe. I then started to search for the city Sion, which had three questions dedicated to it. Just as I was about to start the question, ‘Give three interesting points about the city Sion’, I saw out of my peripheral vision that the athletic looking guy was not looking at me as intense as he had done before, but was still shooting me glances every now and then. Frowning, I sighed silently and continued to work on the question, just as the athletic guy stood up and walked out of my view. I closed my eyes in gratitude and silently thanked whatever god that was looking out for me. Smiling slightly, I continued to work when all of a sudden, a voice came from behind my back. 4

I turned around and saw that it was the same athletic guy that was staring at me. What the hell was he doing?5

“What do you want?” I asked a rather bit too harshly. 6

The guy raised his eyebrows in shock and replied, “Um, I was just saying that the glacial area of Sion is actually twenty percent, not forty.”7

I looked down and realised that I did put forty percent. I must’ve been looking at the next question, ‘How far is Chapayevsk from Samara?’ I looked back at him and replied, “Thanks.”8

He flashed me a toothy smile and said, “No worries,” and he walked off to the bookshelves. After I pulled my eyes back into my head, I realised that my heart was beating almost as fast as it did whenever I was near Dario.9

Confused, I stared to go back to doing my homework, but my mind lingered on the short meeting with that mysterious senior guy. My senses seemed to have noticed every bit of him… the smell of his deodorant, the touch of his breath on my skin as he breathed down my neck… all of that made me feel somewhat attracted to him. And I didn’t even know him!10

He walked past again, with a couple of books under his arm, and I looked around at him. I only caught a glimpse of him, but I could have sworn that he was looking at me as well. Once again, that weird feeling came over me as I thought about him looking at me. I wouldn’t be able to finish my homework under conditions like this, so I decided to finish it during the next break. I packed up my books and placed them in my bag. I could see out of the corner of my eye that the mysterious dude was watching me, almost observing. Ignoring his stare, I picked up his atlas and handed it back over to him, but my hand came into contact with his as he reached over.11

The feeling of his skin touching mine shocked me into looking at him. I glanced up and saw his majestic dark brown eyes staring back at me. Smiling bemusedly, I quickly looked away and muttered a quick ‘thanks’ before heading off. As I walked off, I looked back around and saw that he was still looking at me. Shaking my head slightly, I wandered out of the library, my mind still half focused on the mystery man still inside that library.12

Sighing, I sat down at a bench facing some bushes and trees. It was kinda peaceful, so it made me feel calm and collected… but not now. Because it was so quiet, it made my mind wander. And wander it did. I thought about exams and assignments… as well as Becky and Chris, and Lorelai and Dario. Every time I mentioned his name, my heart did a funny kind of flop… although he still sent shivers down my spine, they weren’t anything of what they used to be. And then came the strange, yet familiar feelings of that I felt with Dario whenever I looked at that guy in the library. Sure, I’ve only seen him once in the library, but… I don’t know. It made me confused. That, plus the fact that I might still have feelings for Dario. God I was so-13

“Melody?”14

I turned around, and speak of the devil, there was Dario standing in all his glory. Or, all of his former glory. I forget which one it was.15

“What?” I said with pure venom in my voice. Realism hit me, as this was the first time that I talked to him since the ‘incident’ and I certainly wasn’t going to forgive him that easily.16

“Um… how’re you?”17

Staring at him with pure hatred, yet strangely with some… unknown feeling, I replied in a thoughtful mock tone,18

“Hmmm…. My two best friends have gone and done a runner on me, not even talking to me anymore; I find that my boyfriend of only a month has slept with my supposedly ‘best’ friend…. God Dario, you tell me how I should feel,”19

Dario just stood there, dumbfounded. I snickered. Serves him right. Dario made to say something, but I cut across him.20

“Save it for someone who cares Dario. I obviously don’t. I stopped caring when I lost my trust for you,”21

“Look Mel, I know what you’re going through and-”22

“Know?!” I shrieked loudly, “How could you possibly know?!”23

Dario merely stood his ground, unfazed at my sudden outburst.24

“Maybe, I’m bisexual. Maybe, I had a boyfriend. Maybe… maybe I realised that he was cheating on me. With a girl. Maybe I realised that I wanted to go gay. But, no, of course, I wouldn’t possibly know anything about what you’re going through.”25

And with that, he walked off. I just stood there, baffled and still trying to comprehend everything he just told me. Shaking my head, I realised that even though I hated him, there was something inside of me that wanted me to forgive him… why? That was exactly the same question I was asking myself.26

Thankfully, a distraction appeared in the form of the guy from the library. 27

I did a double take. The guy from the library?! 28

SHIT! I thought. And there it was: another thought and emotion that made me confused… even more. Sometimes, I wondered if life was being cruel to me on purpose. Or it liked torturing me. Or maybe, this was a blessing, rather than a curse. Maybe-29

A shrill laugh cut through the air like a foghorn, bringing me out of my reverie. Looking down, I unpacked my lunch, hoping that they wouldn’t sit near me. Or see me. Sneaking a look out of the corner of my eye, I saw that a girl was clinging onto the library guy’s arm. As if they were dating. 30

Crap.31

And to think that this day would get any better… probably not. As they walked past, I sat up straight, thinking that it would be safe to actually eat normally, I saw just at the last moment the guy turning around to look at me, before he disappeared into the school building with his girlfriend. Bitch.32

Chapter 333

So this is what I had to go through for the rest of this week: get up, get ready for school, walk to the bus stop, avoid Dario, wait for the bus (it was late for the 20th time in a row… a new record), get to school just in time, form, subjects, morning tea, more subjects, lunch, even more subjects, end of school, waiting for bus, actually get on the bus, spend half an hour just to get home, walking home awkwardly with Dario and sometimes Lorelai, get home, freak out about assignments and exams, dinner, TV, shower, bed.34

Rinse and repeat.35

I did, however, see that library guy again. Yeah, he’s been dubbed as the ‘library guy’, mainly because I’m too shy to actually talk to him, but also because he’s got a girlfriend. So what’s the point, you know? No need to talk him… he’s just a distraction. Oh well, at least I’m getting my assignments done without anyone disturbing me thankfully.36

Dario’s been a bit distant, but not too distant. That’s confusing I’m sure. What I mean, is that he’s been talking to me, but not in the way we used to. Just casual ‘hellos’ and small talk, that’s all. We haven’t actually talked about what he said about me, but, you know… that’s his own choice whether he wants to or not.37

As I walked into the school grounds, once again thinking (its something I’ve been doing lately. It’s a strange hobby, I know), I was too oblivious to realise that I was walking headlong into someone else’s path. Just at the last second, I turned, only to be knocked to the ground with a loud “OOF!” escaping my mouth.38

“Shit! Sorry, sorry…”39

Biting back an insult, I looked up, only to see that the guy who knocked me down was the hot guy from the library. I rolled my eyes. What a coincidence…40

“Maybe I shouldn’t have apologised then,” he laughed, holding a hand out to me. Realising that he just saw me rolling my eyes, I blushed.41

“It didn’t mean anything. Just… a stupid thought floated through my head. Sorry though. Maybe I should watch where I’m going next time,”42

“You probably should. Wouldn’t want that pretty face of yours all bruised now do we?”43

I blushed crimson again as he said that. He just flashed me those pearly whites when he saw my face, but I saw that the corner of his mouth had twitched upwards, just a little. Smirking? Or checking me out? I was never good at reading people’s looks…44

Taking his hand, I could feel that although it was rough, yet gentle warmth almost exuded from it. Pulling me up, we came into close contact with each other that our noses were almost touching.45

I shivered for some reason. It wasn’t a shiver that came from being creeped out, but a shiver that made me excited. We just stood there for a minute or two, staring into each other’s eyes, when suddenly I snapped back into reality.46

Instead of us looking into each other’s eyes, he was in fact ‘tongue wrestling’ with his girlfriend right before my eyes. 47

After he picked me up, she came up from behind him and squealed, “GUESS WHO?” in the most sickest, babiest voice. Geez, girls…48

That’s quite ironic actually... 49

Anyways, I realised that I had daydreamt that whole sequence. I really was lonely. Or desperate… They usually mix themselves up. I stood there awkwardly, looking anywhere but at the two lip-locked teenagers who were standing right in front of me. 50

Finally, after what seemed to be an eternity, they came up for air, only to start blushing furiously as they saw me standing there still. The girl even gave me this look that said,51

‘What-the-hell-are-you-doing-here-you-little-perv?’52

Frowning, I said timidly,53

“Um, I didn’t know you two would be getting ‘personal’, but, ah...”54

“Don’t worry, it’s my fault,” the teenage girl said.55

“I’m so sorry, I- we haven’t introduced ourselves. I’m Chance Evrington and this is-”56

“I’m Layla Gardens. Nice to meet you… considering the circumstances,” she giggled.57

Around my height, probably even a tad bit taller, she just absolutely screamed ‘MEGA HOTNESS’. 58

Her shoulder-length, dirty blonde hair seemed anything but dirty. The colour seemed to mix in with the brown, dyed streaks in her hair, so that it was almost impossible to tell if they were natural or not. They certainly seemed so to me. 59

But Layla’s bright green eyes were one of the major attractions that caught my eye. They literally sparkled like gemstones, and the green was just… well, too green for words. I would have said ‘they were even greener than the greeniest green garden that was looked after by Greenpeace’, but I didn’t. Not only because it didn’t make sense, but because it didn’t describe it. They were… just green I guess.60

Her slender legs and arms reminded me of a Barbie doll, but, obviously, someone like Chance would have chosen something like her because of that. My eyes, however, continued to stray off path, and focused on her gigantic boobs… and I do mean gigantic. Like, double D gigantic.61

Another reason why Chance went for her. I think. 62

“I’m Melody Carlet. I should have probably left you to your… ah, business,” I said sheepishly. Chance laughed jovially and waved his hand in a dismissive way.63

“It’s all good… Look, we better get going, I’m gonna meet some friends down at the sports complex,” Chance said apologetically. 64

“Oh… yeah. Of course. Well… I’ve got to go to… heh, school and stuff…”65

I just realised how lame that sounded. They smiled, well, Chance did (even if it did seem a bit amused) whereas Layla just raised her eyebrow at me. Offering me his hand, I shook it gladly and it was not until he said, with an air of ‘muscularity’, “I’ll see you around,” did I feel I would faint. I smiled weakly, and Chance and Layla turned and walked off arm in arm, kissing his cheek as they did so.66

My eyes narrowed. Bitch.67

Sighing, I turned too, but not before I basked in the realization that the gentle warmth coming from Chance’s hand was not fake.68

A small smile pulled at my lips, and I held the hand that Chance shook, imagining that he was holding it…69

“Maybe if my boobs were like this more…”70

I scrunched my boobs together as I looked at my reflection in the Girls Toilets. Frowning, I jiggle my boobs up and down gently, quietly murmuring ideas… well, fantasy ideas.71

“I wonder what would happen if I had plastic surgery…”72

Shaking my head, I quickly washed my hands and headed out of the bathroom. 73

It was second break, and I had just popped into the toilets to do some… observations. Not at the girls… but at myself. I know, weird, but ever since I saw Layla, I wanted to be like her. Not in the anorexic way, but… similar. I sighed and thought ‘I really shouldn’t compare myself with anyone, even Chance’s girlfriend…’74

And I subconsciously grabbed my boobs again as I walked, fantasizing about the various sizes I would most likely fit. 75

“What the fuck are you doing with your boobs?”76

“ARGH!” I screamed, and I fell down in fright. Okay, so I fell down, big deal. You would too if the voice had just crept up on you as you were holding your boobs.77

Turning around, I saw it was none other than Dario. 78

Perfect.79

“What now?” I asked, picking myself off the ground, dusting my clothes as I did so. 80

Dario snickered and calmly said, 81

“Hey Melody,”82

I stared at him.83

“What? Can’t say ‘hello’ every now and then?”84

“No.”85

“Ouch, that’s harsh,” he said, holding a hand to his heart. I rolled my eyes. I began to walk off, but not before Dario grabbed my shoulder and spun be around.86

“Wait. I… need to talk to you. It’s about… what I said to you a few days ago… plus some other stuff…”87

My interest perked up at that point. I was rather curious as to this whole ‘bisexual business’ with Dario… especially considering that I was his ex. And his mysterious ‘other stuff’ answer only heightened my curiosity. However, my answer was short and relatively cold.88

“Fine. Not now. I’m busy.”89

I wasn’t really. But I wasn’t going to talk to him just yet. I had to deal with my own personal business first.90

“That’s alright,” Dario said gratefully. “Probably after school then when we’re walking home, ok?”91

Wait, what? 92

But before I had a chance to respond, he had already walked off. Fine then. I’ll wait after school then…93

Strangely, I half wondered what our conversation was going to even be about. Even if I did still hate his guts (hold on… do I still?), he did seem genuine. Well, genuine enough to trust me I believe. 94

Chapter 495

I never realised how noisy buses were. I mean, my other friends and myself used to actually contribute to those high levels of noise pollution, but, well… not anymore I guess. Ever since… well, it’s just usually been so quiet. 96

Sullenly, I watched the other students making noise so loud, I was surprised I didn’t go deaf… well, you know what I mean. 97

As the bus slowed down near my destination, I got my bag, and walked down the aisle, with Dario following close behind me. I forgot about him, until he bumped into my shoulder after both of us stepped off the bus. Bastard… I nearly lost my balance.98

I frowned at him, and he just laughed.99

“Geez, lighten up Melody.”100

That made me walk off silently. 101

“Oi, come on Mel!” he said, chasing after me, “I was just joking. What’s with you lately?”102

Rolling my eyes, I stopped walking and sighed. God, he has to know everything doesn’t he?103

“Stuff Dario.” I turned around and faced him. “Now, what did you want to talk about? We’re here, I’m listening… go for it.”104

He frowned at me, maybe because I was probably being too up front about it, but I wanted this… thing to be over and done with. And it wasn’t yet, not by a long shot. As he continued to watch me, he walked off, and looked over his shoulder, saying,105

“Well, you’re gonna have to walk with me at least.”106

God. He can be so annoying sometimes… as well as cute. Annoying, yet cute at the same time… how on Earth is that possible?107

“Fine,” I replied, walking after him, not bothered that he was far ahead of me. He slowed down thankfully, while he stared at me, obviously waiting for me to make the first move.108

“Right,” I said, giving in, “What’s up? What do you want to tell me?”109

Dario stared at me for a few seconds, almost as if he was observing me. Sighing, he looked away, and started to talk.110

“I can understand what it’s like for you to… to be feeling this way. I don’t want to sound all corny and shit, but, my sexuality, it also stuffs everything up.”111

He paused for a minute and stared into space for a bit, before talking again. It was weird to see him like this… I’ve never seen him so thoughtful.112

“It was weird when I found out I liked guys. I thought there was something wrong with me. Of course there wasn’t, but I always tried to hide it. But when I found you, I knew that I was straight. All the guys I lusted for, all the guys who I thought were hot, just… melted away when I saw you.”113

My face flushed. Damn, he’s a good charmer…114

“I’m not saying that when you broke up with me, everything changed… it didn’t,” Dario said as he turned to me, his face expressionless, yet with a definite air of meaning, “but I realised how fragile low can be, if you’re not careful. That night, with… Lorelai, I didn’t mean for it to happen. I didn’t want it to happen. It… just did, without me knowing. I… I did get tipsy, maybe a little bit drunk, and Lorelai… she just constantly kept on hitting on me.”115

Dario stopped walking, and I did too. My eyes caught his, and I stared at him intently, as he returned the gaze.116

“You, should know, that I would never do anything to hurt you. But… I understand where you are coming from, and I respect that, completely. Just… just know that I still like you Melody.”117

And with that, Dario lightly kissed me, and walked off, leaving me reeling with confused thoughts. What he said, although touched me, was not enough to reverse the damage he had already inflicted upon me. I smiled. Maybe everyone deserves second chances. Even scumbags like Dario.118

Chapter 5119

Hopefully Dario got over his feelings for me. Hopefully. I mean, he was just practically bouncing off the walls when he told me he was going out with someone: a guy this time. Naturally, after he told me about what happened, I felt that I had to go and talk to him again. Besides, he was still a good guy to talk to. So, when he told me about him, I shared his enthusiasm. Partly because they both liked each other a lot, and partly because that meant that Dario would get over me. But like I said, hopefully. 120

When we got to school one day, I asked Dario to point him out for me.121

“Even better,” Dario had said, as we walked into the school grounds, “he’s gonna meet me before form. We always do, so you’ll be able to get good view of him.”122

And I did get a good view of him! With an average build, he was around 185-190cm, yet his arms were almost bulging with muscles. His sandy blonde hair glistened in the morning sunlight, with little golden sparkles being reflected every now and then, while his deep, dark, green eyes looked like the unexplored depths of the oceans. Or, if you want to forget about all that poetry and descriptive crap, he was hot. Which wasn’t a surprise, considering that he was a full on athletic freak. Well, not freak, but what everyone would stereotypically call a ‘jock’. The ironic thing is, is that he was completely 100% gay.123

“Melody, this is Orion. Orion, Melody”124

“Hey Mel,” he replied. His voice was really deep, yet he had a faint European accent, which made him sound even hotter.125

“Hi,” I replied, my eyes widening in shock. He smiled. God, Dario and Orion were going to get along really well. They even shared the same smiles! My eyes got wider, which made him laugh. Dario looked over at me, and when he saw me going all googly-eyed over him, he hit my shoulder.126

“Melody!”127

“What?” I said, snapping out of my trance.128

Dario frowned at me, but smirked afterwards. He mouthed the word ‘hot’ to me, while nodding his head at the same time. I, of course, agreed with him. However, our silent conversation was interrupted with some groping and making out from Orion, who had absolutely no problem kissing Dario in front of his ex. I raised an eyebrow, and cleared my throat. They ignored me. Rolling my eyes, I said quite loudly,129

“Well… it was nice meeting you Orion. Have ‘fun’ Dario,” I added sarcastically and I walked off. 130

It’s nice to see Dario happy again, I thought to myself. But, as usual, my thoughts continued on way longer than usual, which resulted in me walking headlong into a person I didn’t even see. 131

What a klutz I am… I mused.132

Chance turned around, flashing me his pearly whites.133

“We’ve really got to stop meeting like this,” he said, his smile widening as he saw me. I think.134

“Y-yeah…” I stuttered. God, I couldn’t even talk straight with this guy. What was wrong with me? I half-consciously looked around, seeing if his Barbie girlfriend was around. 135

“What happened to that girl… what’s her name…? Lannette or whatever?”136

Chance raised an eyebrow. 137

“‘Lannette’? Where on Earth did you get a name like that?”138

I blushed. “Isn’t that her name…?”139

“No… it’s Layla. And, no, we’re not together anymore,” he said, laughing a bit. My face automatically went into ‘sad and sorry’ mode, however my insides were jumping for joy, making me want to jump as well. I had to refrain myself from doing so really hard though…140

“… and you’re probably thinking ‘what the fuck’ right about now, so, its all good, later…”141

I snapped back into reality.142

“Huh, what?”143

Chance was already walking away from me, when he stopped. He turned around, and I saw the faintest smile on his face.144

“I said: if you’re not doing anything this Friday, did you wanna watch me at my footy game?”145

I raised my eyebrows at him. Chance was staring at me, obviously unabashed at what he just asked. It had been, what, almost four weeks since I broke up with Dario? Probably more…146

I smiled, my most charming smile (which, I think made him blush a bit), moved swiftly over to him, held his hand and whispered sweetly,147

“Chance… I’d love to. Just… I need some personal time for myself. Still. I broke up with my boyfriend a few weeks ago, after he cheated on me with my best friend and… it was hard.”148

Chance solemnly stared at me, but started to softly stroke my hand. I closed my eyes for a second, in pleasure, and he whispered back to me, a romantic tone in his husky voice,149

“I wanna fix your broken heart with my love Mel…”150

I melted. Literally. But… I had to think things over first.151

“Sweet… but not yet Chance. Can I take a rain check?” I asked, still smiling and blushing furiously. He didn’t reply, but just lightly kissed me on the cheek, before walking away.152

“Oh my god!” I exclaimed. I really needed to sit down.153

Chapter 6154

My eyes snapped open. I was staring at a dark roof, and as my eyes focused its night vision, my thoughts went over what had happened.155

Me and Chance…? What the? 156

I stifled a yawn, and looked over at my digital alarm clock. 3:41 in the morning. 157

Wow… I thought. I’m usually never awake at this time…158

I tried to focus my mind on what had just happened in my head, but sleep just fogged up my head, making it almost impossible to think about anything, except for, well, sleep. Giving in, I rolled over in bed, and thought no more.159

Getting up was never so easy, especially if you woke up at three in the morning, went back to sleep, only to get up around four hours earlier. Yawning and stumbling, I made my way to the table, where my mum had thoughtfully prepared half of my breakfast: two slices of bread, margarine, and the vegemite and nutella. She knew that I love to eat my vegemite and nutella, on separate slices of bread of course.160

Putting them in the toaster, I leant against the bench, half asleep, half thinking about that dream (was it a dream? It seemed so real) that had happened. I was only able to pull from my head the name’s Chance and Dario… and that was it. I think.161

After spreading vegemite and nutella on my toast, I silently ate, listening to my mouth crunch up the pieces of toast. It was pretty fascinating. Well, maybe not, but you know how it is when you’re still tired in the morning… anything will entertain you.162

After I finished, I put the dishes in the sink, and headed off to the bathroom for my shower and to brush my teeth. However, a surprise came in the form of my half naked brother, who was standing at the sink, shaving himself.163

“Jai? What are you still doing here?” 164

“Eh?” He looked over at me, raised his eyebrows at me and then returned to his shaving. “Uh, shaving Mel, what does it look like?”165

“Yeah, I know, but I meant as in what are you still doing here at home? Aren’t you supposed to be at work or something?”166

“Day off,” he said, still focused on the mirror. I sighed and waited, watching him. He ignored me for a good few minutes, but became increasingly distracted as he watched me out of the corner of his eye. Losing his nerve, as well as almost cutting himself which I giggled at, he slammed his razor down a little bit too hard and said harshly,167

“Look, what do you want Melody?”168

I stared at him. He closed his eyes, sighed, and was about to say something, when I timidly replied,169

“Um, no it’s ok. You can continue on shaving… I just only need to have a shower and brush my teeth and get ready for school… but its ok, really. I can, um, wait. I guess.”170

And with that I sheepishly left the bathroom, much to the protest of Jai. I pretended not to hear him; he was usually so care free and happy. This morning though, he was just really… well, grumpy. Something must have happened to him, and I preferred to let him have his quiet time in order to think about it. I nearly had a heart attack though, when someone put a hand on my shoulder. As the hand spun me around, Jai stood there, his face still half covered in shaving cream. 171

“Look Mel, I’m sorry about that ok? It’s just… stuff has been happening recently, stuff that really affects me and everything, and…” he trailed awkwardly off after that, and that told me that he was not telling me something important. I stood there, stared him straight in the eye and said,172

“What’s going on Jai?”173

He sighed, and shook his head. “It’s… nothing. Really. Look, do you want me to take you to school today? You’ve probably already missed your bus.”174

I looked at the clock hanging on the kitchen wall, and saw that there was around four minutes left, before the bus came. And it took me around 10 minutes to get there. Dammit.175

“Yeah, ok then, if it’s not too much trouble.”176

He smiled the same smile I had. That was one of the only things about us that would make you instantly know that we were related.177

“’Course it’s no trouble. Give me one more minute, and the bathroom’s all yours Mel. I’ll wait for you in the garage soon ok?”178

I nodded. He ruffled my hair, something I hated having done to me, and I patiently waited, however, there was still something nagging me at the back of my head. Not only was the dream annoying me, but also what Jai wasn’t telling me. It obviously bothered him a lot, and that made me think that what he was gonna say to me would… well, make me freak. But what was it?179

Having a brother drop you off at school in his red Mustang was, I admit, a rather cool experience. As soon as I got out of the car, a bunch of grade eighters, who were sitting outside the school watching everyone arrive, yelled out to Jai,180

“Burn it up!” while his other friends backed him up with the same suggestions. Laughing, I turned to Jai, who just winked at me, when suddenly the tires began making this ear piercing noise that cut through the air, while smoke erupted from the rear. As the grade eighters whistled and cheered him on, I shook my head at Jai, and getting the message, he revved off in a cloud of smoke, much to the pleasure of the other students who had come to see what the commotion was about. Frowning, but more in amusement than anything, I headed off through the school gates, while listening to everyone’s comments about what had just happened. 181

God, brothers just love to show off don’t they?182

As I made my way into the school, I ran into Dario, who had his arm linked around a gorgeous, sandy haired blonde male. I raised my eyebrows when I realised who it was. As I stared into his deep, ocean green eyes, I asked him, “Don’t I know you from somewhere?”183

Dario, who didn’t hear me, cheerfully greeted me.184

“Melody! Hey, how you going? By the way, this is Orion. Did I mention we’re going out?”185

When Dario said this, all thought about who Dario was with fled my mind, when I heard this. Partly, it meant that Dario would forget his feelings about me. I mean, I would, just look at Orion! I would’ve fainted if Dario wasn’t there to snap me out of reality.186

“Oh my god! Really?” I turned my attention back to Orion. “Hi Orion, like Dario said, I’m Melody. How are you?”187

He winked at me, and replied with a faint trace of a European accent, “I’m good thanks Mel. Yourself?”188

I just nodded. I had nothing else to say to him. I sighed complacently. Orion smiled. Wow… he had the same smile as Dario. Weird. As I pondered about why this was strange, I heard Orion calling out to someone behind me. Considering I zoned out for a minute, I didn’t hear who it was, but when I felt someone’s presence behind me, I turned around and was so close to fainting, I hiccoughed. Chance looked at me weird. 189

“Hi Mel. Are you ok?” 190

I nodded. Chance smiled, albeit a bit uncertainly, but he grasped Orion in a handshake, which led into a one armed hug. As he let go, Chance asked him, 191

“So, is this the new boyfriend I hear you’ve got?”192

“Yep, this here’s my babe. Caught him looking at me during footy training, although I’ll never figure out why he was there in the first place,” Orion replied, grabbing his ass (well I think he did) as he said this, making Dario jump and blush.193

“It’s a secret I’ll carry to my grave Orion.”194

Everyone laughed, except for me. I just managed to emit a squeaky little laugh, which I stopped abruptly. Chance looked at me weirdly again.195

“What’s up?” he asked.196

Oh, nothing, except for the fact that I’m completely surrounded by a bunch of major hot guys! Other than that, I’m completely fine! I thought amusedly to myself. 197

“How’s Layla?” asked Orion. And that’s when the falling pieces of the puzzle began to land, which created the picture. 198

Oh. My. GOD. Déjà vu much…199

“What is?” Dario inquired. 200

Oh shit. Did I just say that last thought out loud? I thought. Obviously I did, as everyone was looking at me weirdly.201

“Melody?” Dario said, singing out my name. I snapped back to attention, and replied,202

“Nothing, everything’s all good… so yeah, how is, what’s her name… Lannette or whoever?”203

Chance continued to stare at me. God, it was like that was all he could to me today. 204

“Lannette? Where on earth did you get that name from?”205

“Uh, well then, whatever Orion said before,”206

“Layla?” Orion interjected.207

“Yeah, that’s the name…” I said, not really giving a shit about what her name was. As I trailed off, I held my breath, looking at Chance directly… I could almost imagine him saying what I had dreamt him saying… this would mean everything to me…208

“We’re going alright actually. She’s gonna watch my footy match this Friday and…” 209

… What? The rest of Chance’s answer drained out of my ears as my head snapped back to the dream I had this morning. I knew it seemed too good to be true! Me and Chance… hah! It’s like me and Orion getting together: there was absolutely no way that’d happen. God… my effed up head messing with my thoughts again. Ugh, I hate it when that happens, it always makes me think that I’m living in the real world, not some fantasy.210

“… should come to the after party on Friday night. Everyone will be going,” Chance finished. 211

My head again snapped back into reality, with everything dawning on me that I missed on half of the conversation. I must have looked like an idiot standing there saying nothing.212

“Yeah probably. If Orion will let me come that is…”213

“’Course I’ll let you come babe. What about lil’ Mel here, are you up to it?”214

“Huh? Party? Um… yeah, sure I guess if that’s ok…” I said, rather awkwardly.215

“’Course it will be, I’ll be hosting it,” Chance said rather proudly. Orion rolled his eyes.216

“Yeah, yeah, whatever. Anyways, Dario and I better get going. We were off to the office to pay for some stuff, when someone interrupted us,” he looked at me pointedly as he said it, but laughed it off. I smiled weakly.217

“Ok, catch ya man,” Chance said, and Dario and Orion walked off, with Dario waving at me before he left. As I stood there awkwardly with Chance, I could see his eyes were watching me. Those dark brown eyes, almost full with mystery and exotic-218

“Are you blushing?” Chance said, a trace of laughter in his voice.219

“No!” I squeaked. I coughed and said, “No, no… just… a bit cold. Yeah. Um…”220

“Yeah, um.” He laughed. “Look, I gotta go as well, but you’re gonna come right? To the party?”221

“The after party… yeah. What’s it for anyways?”222

“Ah, my footy match is on that night, so we’ll be celebrating either the loss or win of our team. Hopefully the former,” he laughed heartily. He clapped a hand on my shoulder, sending warm shivers down my spine, and walked off.223

Goddamn those messed up dreams I have. I hate being led on. 224