In which I fall in love with my brother's best friend.
*****
"Don't pretend like you don't feel anything." His voice is low, sending shivers down my spine.
"What do you mean?"
"You know damn well what I mean."
"I don't know what you're talking about...
I'm sorry if the characters in my story are flawed. They're not perfect, just like human beings. Especially Melanie. She's just being...Melanie. And this is the first time she experiences love, so I'm sorry if she's not as strong as you expect her to be.
Anyways, I love you guys! Now on with the story...
***
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The moment when I broke down in front of Austin yesterday is still fresh in my mind as I'm walking down the hallway of my campus this afternoon. I guess that I just didn't have any other person whom I could think of helping me let out all the emotions building inside me. The person I should be angry at isn't even here for me to yell at.
I just finished all my classes today, but these days, going home seems to be my least favorite option because it makes me feel even more lonely than I already am. But as I don't have any other choices, my legs bring me closer to the gate of the campus.
On the way there, I sneak a look at the football field and into the hallway to the jocks' locker room, which is what I've been doing recently.
Then I stop dead in my track.
My breath catches in my throat, and I feel tears pooling in my eyes as I see the person whom Austin is talking to in front of the football team's locker room.
Vaughn.
I blink. Once. Twice. And then, I stop. I'm afraid that he'll be gone if I do it again. Is this real? Am I not dreaming?
He's leaning against the wall, his arms crossed on his chest as he talks to Austin. He's dressed in a white t-shirt, black jacket and black pants, looking striking as usual. And he looks healthier than the last time I saw him.
A huge wave of relief washes over me from knowing that he's alright. I've been dreaming of this day to come, when I can finally see him again. Some scenarios have been playing in my mind, in which I would let out all of my anger toward him or cry in front of him.
But right now, I can't even move. I'm stuck here, like my feet are nailed onto the ground.
Be careful of what you wished for, Melanie.
Both Vaughn and Austin sense my presence, and my heart thumps hard against my ribs. Vaughn glances at me, and I'm shaking all over. I miss him so much. At this moment, I feel like all the problems can just fade away, and all I want to do is to run into his arms.
But to my surprise, he looks away. He speaks something to Austin and walks off before disappearing around the corner. He just...leaves.
My heart breaks into pieces. The lump in my throat is unbearable. It hurts so much. I still freeze on the spot, not believing what I just saw.
