“So . . .” I said.

“So . . . what?” she replied.

I wanted to tell Mel how much she meant to me that night, but I couldn’t find the strength to open myself up like that. Sure, she knew about my insecurities and boundaries, but that didn’t make it any easier. I was sure once those words were said, my heart would sink into my stomach. I thought if I said it, she’d at least say it back. But I wouldn’t know if she meant it, and just that thought, wondering if she didn’t feel as strongly toward me, made me close up.

“Anyways.” She cut in. “I finished my third exam today. Last exam tomorrow.”

“Nice. How did it go?”

“I think I did pretty well. It was Advanced English, so you know how it goes. How many quotes from dead white guys can I memorize? Turns out a lot.”

I laughed out loud for the first time that day.

“That’s the sound I love,” she said.

She’d said love, and it made me feel good. Not enough to tell her that I loved her, but I kind of knew there was something there. In time, it would come out.

“But yeah,” she continued. “Pretty sure my dad might surprise me with a car during Christmas. We can hit the road, go to the woods, and I can show you that lake sometime. I think that’d be pretty rad.”

“It would be.” I smiled at the thought.

“I’ll keep you in the loop, babe. I have to go. But take the day off tomorrow if you need it. Just know I’ll be around if you need to talk. I can make time for you, AC.”

I cringed when she said that, and I could hear her laugh on the other end of the line.

“Got it, Mel,” I sighed.

“Don’t be so glum. Talk tomorrow.”

She hung up and I laid back on my bed. Talking to Mel did make me feel better about the incident. There was someone out there who hated me, but there was also someone out there who loved me. I knew neither of us said it, but I could feel it. Maybe someday I’d find the strength to tell Melody that I was in love with her.

Chapter 8 Kickboxing Kids

I skipped school the next day. My parents had stopped knocking on my door to wake me up when I was fifteen. They said school was my decision. If I chose to go then I’d go. If not, then I wouldn’t. Of course they gave me all the positive reasons as to why it was a good idea to go, but I needed a mental health day. I did plan on going to King’s that night. Kicking and punching pads relieved a lot of stress, and I was getting really good at it.

Once I got there, I was already in full uniform because the locker room fear I had was universal. I walked up the steps toward the mat, and to my surprise, I saw Melody stretching her legs in a King’s uniform. She didn’t see me at first, but I looked around in a bit of disbelief and caught eyes with Scarlett.