Fade: Chapter I

1

The next school day started off just as badly as the night before had ended, and Melissa left for school without even speaking to her mother.2

“You were great last night.” Troy said as he twisted in his chair to face Maggie.3

“Really, you think so?” Maggie said, blushing slightly.4

“Totally, I’m just happy someone was there to lead the cheers.” Troy said. “Fragsville would have probably laughed their asses off if we didn’t even have cheerleaders.”5

Melissa turned around as she overheard the conversation. “So I take it that you did great huh? What’s it like to actual lead the cheers?” she asked sincerely.6

“Why should you care?” Maggie said haughtily. “You’re not even on the team.” she added, turning her chair forward as their teacher began class. Melissa glanced over at Troy before she turned around to face the class, the boy glared at her in almost hateful way. 7

By the end of the day, Melissa had been shunned by just about all of her friends for no apparent reason. She sat in the library and tried to focus on her copy of Sense and Sensibility, to no avail of course. What’s the matter with everyone... She thought to herself as she glanced over at Maggie and Troy, who seemed to be enjoying each other far more than their English literature.  Maggie would blush and Troy would grin, followed by Melissa’s stomach tying itself in a knot. By the fifth time that happened, she decided to pack up her things and head home.8

The school was rather large, catering to thousands of students in the area. Melissa must have passed a hundred on the way downstairs to the exit, but none of the seemed to even notice her. It hadn’t been like this, something was wrong, and Melissa felt it.9

As she approached her small, blue car she noticed something on the rear-window. She sped up and stood in front of the car, her eyes wide-open in horror. 10

Sprayed on the window–in blood red paint–were the words “DIE BITCH”. The paint was slowly running down the car in the summer heat, rolling in droplets like blood. Melissa covered her mouth with her hand, speechless. Why... was the only thing that she could even think at the moment. Why would anyone do something like this...to her?11

“Well what the hell did you do?” Her mouth said in a tone and phrasing very unlike herself.12

Melissa looked hurt and taken aback. “I didn’t do anything!” she exclaimed. “It’s like everyone hates me or something...I don’t know!?” Her mother rolled her eyes and walked over to the kitchen table. The two didn’t speak to each other for the rest of the night.13

Melissa sat on her bed and tried to sort out her thoughts while studying for a history final at the same time. Unfortunately, her friends and family proved more important than Waterloo and Napoleon, and she eventually broke down crying. Her tears flowed down her face as the red paint had flowed down her car, slowly pooling around her nose and clasped hands. She couldn’t, not even in the slightest, understand why everyone had suddenly began to...hate her. They hated her, even Maggie...or rather, especially Maggie. Melissa cried for a long while, not even daring to wonder who had sprayed the heinous words on her car.14

Meanwhile, the Thatcher’s house lights dimmed out into the night, indicating that everyone was getting ready for bed. Melissa decided she needed to talk with Maggie, but it would have to wait for tomorrow. The night drug on without sleep, and Melissa was already out the door by the time her mother woke up the next morning. Linda picked up her car keys and a small orange Bible. She clutched them both tightly in her small hand as she adjusted her uniform with her free hand. Something was array.15

The wind was far too nippy for the beginning for Summer, but the inside of Melissa’s dodge was far too hot. She turned the air-conditioner on and simultaneously flipped on the radio. She kept her eyes fixed on the road, driving far more carefully most drivers let alone teenage ones. 16

At first the radio was playing faint rock music, but as the car made it’s way down the highway, the music went silent. Before it wound down into Maybourne, the highway curved around the mountainside, Melissa’s home could be seen on the left hand side...now hundreds of feet below her. She stared down at her home, feeling rather uneasy as she saw her mother backing out of the driveway at a speedy pace. She hardly ever worked in Saturdays. Suddenly, the radio broke out into loud static, startling Melissa. The car swerved slightly, and as she regained control a static-ridden voice whispered out the words “Follow me.”17

What was that? Melissa asked herself as she tried to remain calm. She had heard the voice before, saying the same thing actually, and she had heard it in her own home. She swallowed nervously and quickly turned off the radio, Maybourne was just ahead and so was the football field where Maggie was watching Troy and the others practice. Melissa turned her focus away from the strange voice she thought she had heard, and instead thought about what exactly she wanted to say to Maggie, and how to say it.18

The football field was a lush green and the sun was shining through an overcast sky. Melissa entered from the home-team side, where she had seen Maggie and various other people standing near the sidelines. She could also see Troy and the other players running back and forth on the field, their coach demanded a lot out of them but most of the players were willing to work if it meant winning. 19

Maggie was wearing a yellow and purple jersey which she would have probably worn to the team’s games had she not been a cheerleader. Two of her friends were standing on either side of her, wearing identical clothes. Maggie caught sight of Melissa out of the corner of her eye and actually turned around to meet her.20

“Hey...” Melissa said, slightly out of the breath. Maggie eyed her up and down, as if judging her for something. “I’m real sorry...if I, for some reason...”21

“Have you gained weight, Melissa? That shirt looked rather roomy on you the last time you wore it.” Maggie said.22

“Maybe she’s just pregnant.” one of her friends cooed, causing all three of the girls to chuckle slightly.23

“...What’s your problem!” Melissa exclaimed. “Did I do something to you? I don’t even understand!”24

“Maybe you’d understand if you’d just shut up and accept it.” a loud voice said from behind Melissa. She turned around to see Troy, still in his uniform and looking beat.25

“T-troy...please..” Melissa pleaded. “Why are you all...”26

“Some people can’t take a hint.” Maggie said. “Come on, let’s go see what Jen’s doing.” Maggie rolled her eyes at Melissa and her and her posse walked off across the field. Troy walked over and sat on the team bench, he took a swig of a red colored sports-drink and then wrapped a towel around his neck.27

“Troy . . . ” Melissa turned and looked him in the eye.28

“Go home.” Troy said as he dried his sweaty-hair off with the towel. “No one wants you here, so just go home.”29

Melissa stared at her friend, and the longer she stared at him the easier it was to visualize him holding a can of red spray paint in his hand instead of a sports-drink. She took a few steps backwards and then ran off to her car, confused and hurt. Troy glared at her as she ran off, but his eyes seemed more hollow than angry, more indifferent than hateful.30