Title: School Trip

| Part 1 | Part 2 | Part 3 | Part 4 | Part 5 |

Author: LLE

Rating: PG-13 for now. R/NC-17 will come around later ;)

Feedback: Yes please! saturnchild@hotmail.com

Disclaimer: Nope, these girls are all mine ::evil grin::

Author’s Notes: Incredible what I can come up with just by lying on the couch, don’t you think? I hope you’ll enjoy my feeble attempt at writing, and please let me know what you think. Thanks for reading.

Part 1

“Life in the fast lane
surely make you lose your mind
Life in the fast lane, everything all the time”

- Eagles

”Yo, Mel!” A redheaded girl called across the stadium, jogging towards her friend while waving excitedly.

Mel, or Melody, heard her friend calling for her and turned her head to give Jennifer a broad grin and a quick wave before walking towards her. “What’s up, Jenny?” The girl smiled when the two met.

Jen grinned and pushed her unruly red curls back as she replied. “You’ll never guess.”

“Probably not.” Mel shrugged and pulled her long hair back in a tight ponytail as she looked at her long-time friend. “That’s why I asked. But hurry, please. I’m up next and you know how difficult Coach Riley gets if you’re not ready on the dot.”

The two girls rolled their eyes simultaneously and laughed. Coach Riley was well loved by her students and took the teasing about her obsession with punctuality without blinking an eye, but that didn’t mean that the teenagers didn’t complain about it every now an then.

“We’re going to Athens!” Jenny grinned.

“You’re shittin’ me?!” Mel yelled and grabbed the redhead in a fierce hug. “All of us?!”

“All of us.” Jenny assured her. “The board just made the decision.”

“Awesome.” Mel beamed and finally released the other girl. “I guess our little project helped then.”

Jenny laughed and shook her head in exasperation, remembering exactly how Mel had prepared a long presentation about the Acropolis, given it in front of the entire school along with the board, alumni and parents, ending the job by saying: “But of course, we would know much more if we could see the Acropolis firsthand.”

“That was your project, Mel.” The redhead pointed out. “And it was your butt on the line.”

“You can say ‘ass’ you know.” Her friend teased.

“Yeah well, I’m not the bad girl around here, you are.” Jenny smiled.

Mel grinned rakishly and winked at the other girl. “Truer words were never spoken.”

Jenny looked over her childhood friend with a smile. At 19 years of age, Melody Thornton was a very experienced ‘bad girl’. Standing at 5” 10’ with long blond hair and a deceptively soft and curved body, she was a very attractive girl indeed. Women both younger and older than the blonde fell prey to her open nature and charming behavior, but Melody always made it clear that she was not interested in a relationship. Her straightforwardness was admired and appreciated by her lovers, who were always surprised at her experience. Jenny really couldn’t blame them for thinking otherwise of the girl, Melody had such a sweet and innocent face that you immediately thought of her as something so completely pure that it was almost impossible. Then again, the girl had an air of sensuality about her that just drew the attention of potential lovers, both male and female. Mel, however, always made it quite clear that she did not, as she so eloquently put it, ‘drive stick’.

“Thornton! You’re up!”

With a dramatic sigh and a devilish grin, Melody started back towards the track. “Wish me luck.” She called back.

Jennifer grinned and waved at the blonde. “You won’t need it.” She replied confidently.

As Mel got into running position along with her opponents, she just had the time to stick her tongue out at her friend before Coach Riley blew the whistle.

Jenny remained standing where she was; watching as Melody effortlessly left the other runners behind her. While the blonde undoubtedly looked harmless at first glance, there was a surprising amount of tight, powerful muscle flexing just beneath the soft skin of her athletic body. Having gotten into more than her fair share of bar-brawls and other various fights on the past year had trained and toned the young girl into a well-experienced fighter, both barehanded and with whatever item that was handy at the moment. This fact, along with a fondness for leather and an attitude to boot, was what had earned Mel the tough reputation that made most people leave her alone.

Lord knows that being an out lesbian in High School wasn’t an easy experience, but Mel had managed to pull it off. Now, in her senior year, people respected her for her courage and honesty. Whatever barbs small-minded people had thrown at her through the past year, Mel had taken it all in stride, giving as good as she got and growing stronger by the day.

And that, Jenny thought with a smile as she watched her friend practically fly around the track, was truly something to admire.

*~*~*~*

Freshly showered and out of her tracksuit, Mel changed back into her patented black leather pants along with a powder-blue top. Placing one foot on the bench in the locker room, she let the curtain of her thick, golden hair hide the mischievous smile that played at her lips as she felt the stares when she leaned forward to tie the laces on her sneaker.

She grabbed her gym clothes and stuffed them into her duffel, letting her gaze wander across the other girls in the room, most of which quickly averted their eyes when she looked at them. One girl didn’t back down though, and Melody found herself looking into the blue eyes of Katie Johnson, a pretty blonde girl with a delectable body.

Quirking her full, pink lips into a cocky smirk, Mel sat with one leg on either side of the bench and leaned back on her arms, raising an inquisitive eyebrow at the other blonde. Katie smiled and nervously tugged a lock of hair behind her left ear. Pointing at the door leading outside, Melody stood up and strode from the room, bag in hand. Katie would follow her shortly, she smirked to herself, they always did.

*~*~*~*

Jennifer raised her eyes from the book in her lap and looked towards the door to the locker rooms. Seeing Melody leaned casually against the wall, obviously flirting with a shorter, blonde girl, Jenny shook her head in fond exasperation. The girl was such a beast when it came to girls, she simply couldn’t get enough.

With a small smile at her lips, Jenny watched as Mel took the other girl’s hand and kissed the palm lightly before walking away. That the blonde runner had a libido like nobody else was no secret, but she was never crude about it. Always treating her dates like ladies and never expecting more than that first date unless the girls she took out made it clear that they wanted more, which most of them did. An example was easily found. Jenny knew for a fact that the ‘straighter-than-thou’ attitude of the Soli High cheerleaders was utter crap. Melody had bedded every single one of them. She knew this from a reliable source, namely Mel herself. Not that the blonde was a kiss-and-tell kind of girl, not at all. But if Jenny asked, Mel told her.

“So.” The redhead rested her chin in the palm of her hand and smirked at the approaching blonde. “Hot date tonight?”

Mel rolled her eyes and grinned as she sat down in the grass next to her friend. “A date, definitely. A hot date...” The blonde waggled her eyebrows, “The jury’s still out on that one. We’ll see.”

“I want the story first thing tomorrow.” Jenny smiled at her friend and raised a finger. “Just remember…”

“Yeah, yeah I know.” Mel broke in with an exaggerated sigh “Not too many details. I got it the first time you told me.”

“Should have told you earlier than I did.” Jenny grumbled, a slight blush crawling up her neck as she remembered the first date her friend had relayed to her in painfully graphic detail. Jenny had discovered too late that when one asked Mel to be told everything, one was told everything. Literally.

Melody laughed at the look on her friend’s face. “What is it with you and sex anyway?” The blonde asked. “It’s not like you have no experience in the field yourself, at least with a horny girlfriend like yours I don’t hope so. You’d make the poor girl implode from UST.” She teased good-naturedly.

“Hey! Stacy is no where near as horny as you are, girlfriend.”

“I know.” Mel grinned and raised her arms in triumph. “I’m one of a kind.”

“Uh-huh, just don’t take your one-of-a-kind sex-drive near my girlfriend.” Jenny said, smiling to take the sting out her words.

“Furthest thing from my mind.” Melody shook her head seriously. “That’d be like hitting on you, no offense.”

“None taken.” Jenny smiled. “No, my ‘thing’ with sex is that I think it’s for two people in love, not just a random boinkfest every now and then.”

Mel smiled and placed her hand over the redhead’s. “And I agree. It’s just that you have found the other one for you, and I haven’t. No one mentioned anything about not having fun while waiting.”

Jenny laughed and lay back onto the ground, closing her eyes against the warm rays of the California sun.

Melody remained sitting cross-legged on the grass, a fond look in her eyes as she gazed at her closest friend. No, she could never take that path with Jennifer. It wasn’t that she was not attracted to the other girl, Hell; she’d have to be blind not to notice how beautiful Jenny was. Pouty, red lips, even white teeth, a cute, upturned nose, bright emerald eyes and a small amount of freckles dotted over creamy white skin. Just a tad taller than 5” 8’ with a slender frame and softly rounded curves, Jenny was without a doubt one of the most attractive girls Mel had ever laid her eyes on.

Back when the two of them had just begun to discover their blossoming sexuality, they had voiced their attraction for each other and agreed not to act on it. They were too alike for the relationship to last, and a short-term fling was simply not worth risking their friendship over.

“Brown.”

Mel blinked in confusion and looked into the now open eyes of her best friend. “Huh?”

Jennifer smiled. “Ever eloquent, aren’t you?” She teased. “Your eyes, they’re brown now.”

“Ah, I see.”  Mel grinned. It never seized to amaze the blonde just how much amusement Jenny got from trying to figure her eyes out. Ok, so her eyes changed color more often than she changed girlfriends, so what? It was interesting that they could go from blue, to green, to brown and back to blue within an hour, sure, but it never captivated Mel herself as it seemed to do the redhead.

“Anyway.”  Mel smiled and changed the topic of discussion. “Ready for the next class?”

“Oh you bet I am.” Jennifer grinned and raised herself up on her elbows. “I’m so looking forward to seeing Mrs. Lee’s reaction to the board’s decision. She wanted them to grant our class this trip almost as badly as you did.”

“No shit.” Mel stood up and did a handstand, walking on her hands in a wide circle around her now laughing friend before sitting down again.

“Show-off.” The redhead accused playfully.

“Not until tonight, if I’m lucky.” Mel grinned. “That was just for burning off some energy. I can’t believe they’re actually letting all twelve of us go to Athens for a whole two weeks!”

“Tell me about it.” Jenny agreed, smiling green eyes looking over the other students outside for recess. Her gaze stopped at one pupil in particular, and she turned her face back towards the blonde. “Guess who’s watching us.” She muttered.

Mel let her eyes sweep across the open area, her eyes momentarily locking with those of Samantha Ryan, a stunning brunette who would also be going to Greece along with Jenny, Melody, Mrs. Lee and eight other students. “Sam.” The blonde said glumly as the dark-haired girl broke eye-contact with her and returned her attention to the two students flanking her.

Jennifer frowned at the look of hurt that flashed across Melody’s face before the blonde could mask it. The blonde’s longstanding crush on who was once her oldest friend was a well-known fact to the redhead. “You’re not over her yet, are you?”

Mel shook her head, chasing away the dark thoughts and smiling at her friend. “Yeah, I am.” She assured the other girl. “We never would have had a chance, even if she was interested. Hell, we don’t even speak anymore, how could we start dating then? Icy silence is certainly no basis for a relationship.” She laughed.

“You want a relationship with her?” Jenny asked, surprised. She had never heard the blonde mention a serious relationship unless she was joking, and to hear Mel talking about such a thing with Sam Ryan was just, well, disconcerting in some way.

Mel flinched and her face instantly became guarded as she realized that she had probably said too much. Desperately searching for an escape route, she noticed that Katie was sitting nearby, watching her carefully. “Come on Jen.” She grinned and turned to her friend. “Me in a relationship? That’s never gonna happen.” The blonde laughed and grabbed her friend’s shoulder, squeezing it reassuringly as she stood up.

“If you’ll excuse me.” Mel tilted her head in Katie’s direction and winked at the redhead. “I’m gonna go try to turn things more in my favor for tonight. See ya in class, Sparky.” She grinned, using an old nickname for her friend before walking away, a predatory gleam in her eyes.

*~*~*~*

Katie Johnson swallowed nervously as she saw Melody approaching her. Not even the rumor-mill could think of a way to describe the way the runner moved. There was a slight swagger in her hips, nothing overdone, but just enough to make your hands shake, no matter who you were. The girl moved with the grace of a panther, beautiful but deadly. The cocky smirk that always seemed to play on those kissable lips made even the most experienced woman’s throat go dry with desire. Katie quickly returned her gaze to the can of soda resting on the bench beside her, picking it up and taking a large swallow to aide her parched throat.

A shadow suddenly covered the blonde, and she willed her hands to stop shaking as she raised her gaze slowly. Her eyes trailing up endlessly long legs encased in skin-tight leather, past the hint of taut, tanned midriff, over firm breasts and a graceful neck, moving over full lips and pearly teeth along with perfectly sculpted cheekbones before finally coming to rest on the gleaming, dark-green eyes of Melody Thornton. Katie could have sworn those eyes had been blue just a few minutes ago, but since Mel’s heady gaze was making her blood run in all the wrong directions, she didn’t think on it long.

“Hey, sweetness.” That husky, melodious alto voice floated over her as Mel moved closer, standing with one leg on either side of Katie’s closed knees, her slim hips just inches away from the younger girl’s face. Mel extended her hand towards the girl, and Katie dazedly took it, allowing herself to be pulled to her feet so that she stood just an inch away from the runner’s warm body.

“Looking forward to tonight?” Mel mumbled softly, placing her schoolbag on the ground without ever breaking eye-contact with the other blonde.

“Yes.” Katie breathed as she felt one long arm sneak around her waist and tug gently, bringing her in direct contact with the soft curves of the athlete.

“Good.” Mel smirked and trailed her free hand slowly up Katie’s side, pausing briefly to brush her fingertips against the side of a soft breast. “So am I.” The warm hand continued over the girl’s shoulder, caressing the side of her neck and tracing the edge of her ear lightly before Mel buried her fingers in the soft hair at the nape of Katie’s neck, bringing the other girl’s face close enough for them to breath the same air.

“Do you want me to stop?”

“No.” Katie whispered, lidded blue eyes watching the well-known half-smile form on the blonde’s face as Mel closed the distance between them, gently pressing her lips to Katie’s.

Katie knew that she and Mel would never enter into any form of a serious relationship, and that was fine with her. The younger blonde was with Melody for the thrill of it, not for anything long-term. She knew better than that.

Mel nipped at Katie’s lower lip, flicking her tongue over the smooth surface until she heard her soon-to-be lover moan softly and felt her deepen the kiss. As Katie’s arms wound around her shoulders, Mel allowed herself to get lost in the sensations, willing her mind to erase the beautiful countenance she saw in her mind’s eye as her tongue danced with Katie’s. I don’t want her. Samantha Ryan’s face flickered and faded. I don’t!

Part 2

Author’s Notes: Since my knowledge of the Spanish language is limited at best, I can’t guarantee that everything is spelled or arranged correctly. I apologize in advance for any mistakes I might have made.

~~~~~

“Come take a Trip in my Airship,
come sail away to the stars
We'll travel to Venus
we'll sail away to Mars
No one will see while we're kissing
No one will know as we swoon
So come take a Trip in my Airship
and we'll visit the Man in the Moon”

- Natalie Merchant

Georgia Lee smiled and shook her head as she opened the door and stepped into the classroom. As she walked to the desk by the blackboard, she listened to the exited chatter of her small class.

“Class.” Ms. Lee called, smiling as the students immediately quieted down and turned to face her. “Let’s see if we’re all here, hm?” Attendance checks weren’t really necessary since the class only consisted of eleven students, all of who were female. Nonetheless, school rules said that it was to be done at the beginning of every class, regardless of whether there were five students or fifty.

“Bree, Jessica.”

“Present.” Jessica, a slim girl with short chestnut hair raised her hand.

“Cassidy, Stephanie.”

“Here.” An African American girl in her junior year answered, twirling a yellow pencil between her fingers and smiling.

Ms. Lee returned the smile and checked off five other students before reaching: “Mitchell, Stacy.”

“Right here, sugar.” An 18-year old girl with long black hair and shining green eyes replied, winking playfully at the young teacher.

Georgia shook her head, called out, “Morgan, Jennifer” and checked off her student, willingly ignoring Stacy’s indignant yelp as her redheaded girlfriend slapped her on the arm. Stacy Mitchell was a hopeless flirt, something the 26-year old woman knew well since she had grown up next door to the Mitchell’s. However, everybody knew that Stacy, in spite of her relentless flirting with anything on two legs, was completely devoted to Jennifer.

“Ryan, Samantha.”

“Yes.” The lithe, raven-haired girl replied, giving the teacher a small smile.

“Thornton, Melody A.”

A short whistle was heard, and Mel grinned at her friend, cerulean eyes glinting at the older Asian woman from over mirrored sunglasses. “Present.”

A fond smile on her face, Georgia Lee addressed the girl she’d met at the Golden Gate Club when Mel had been going through the worst part of her young life. Originally, Melody had been trying to seduce the older woman, but Georgia resisted and had instead helped the young blonde realize that drugs and alcohol was not the way to deal with her pain. With Georgia’s assistance, Mel had stopped wasting her massive inheritance on wild parties, and instead focused on her friends and her schoolwork. “Miss Thornton, please remove your sunglasses.”

“Yes, Ma’am.” Melody smirked and pulled the black Ray-Ban’s from her face, placing them on the table in front of her.

“Thank you. Now, if the noise-level in this room was any indication, I’d say that you all have already learned that we are indeed going to Greece?” Ms. Lee asked, laughing as her question was met with a round of exited applause and a chorus of joyous calls, Stacy and Melody being responsible for the worst of the noise.

“I’ll take that as yes.” The teacher said once her gleeful students had calmed down. “Now, since the board changed its original decision as late as it did, we only have a week to get ready before we leave.” She looked over the class. “I want all of you to go home and pack tonight, and let your parents know that the trip is, in fact, a go.”

Samantha noticed the slight flinch that traveled through Melody’s strong frame at Ms. Lee’s words. The young blonde had lost her entire family in a plane crash a little over a year ago when they had been returning from a vacation in Bali. The only reason that Melody herself hadn’t been on that plane with them, was that Jennifer had been going through a crisis with Stacy and had needed her friend around. Mel had, as was her nature, immediately cancelled her plans with her family and stayed home to look after her friend.

The brunette didn’t know the entire story herself, but since she and Stacy spent a lot of time together, she knew the version that Jennifer had told her girlfriend. From what Stacy had said, Mel had gotten the call the day after her 18^th birthday. The trip to Bali had been the blonde’s present from her parents, and she had gladly accepted it when her father had shown her the tickets a week earlier. Because she had accepted the present, Melody blamed herself for the death of her family for a long time.

Although Melody had been of legal age when her family was killed, Samantha’s parents had told the girl that she would be welcome in their home if she wanted. John and Alice Ryan understood the incredible weight it would be for an 18-year old girl to handle a large estate like the one the Thornton’s had, along with the incredible amount of money Melody had been the sole heir to. Since she was now the only remaining member of the Thornton line, Mel had inherited not only her parents’ property, which included the incredibly successful Thornton Law firm that her parents had built and run, but also the life-long earnings of her entire extended family.

Samantha recalled the way her one-time friend had looked at the funeral. Having sold everything her family had owned except for her parents’ estate where she still lived and a house by Tampa Beach in Florida, Mel had given half of all the money to various charities, still leaving the young blonde with more money than she could possibly spend in four lifetimes. She had taken care of nearly everything for the mass-funeral herself, refusing to accept help from anyone but Samantha’s parents, who had been her mother and father’s closest friends. When everything was finally ready, Melody had gone to the service, her otherwise so vibrant eyes filled with insurmountable pain and her delicate features pale and drawn.

For more than six months, Melody had refused herself the right to cry for the loss of her family. She had dropped out of school and tried to escape the painful reality by drowning herself in drugs, alcohol and meaningless sex. Because of the way her heart had chilled, Melody Angeline Thornton had soon become the terror of the small Southern Californian town of Soli. Fighting those who rivaled the ‘Dark Angel’ for her position as the leader of the underground gangs on a nightly basis had turned the once friendly and open girl into a cold-hearted bitch. But although Melody was physically more than able of committing murder and rape, she never did so, and she forbade it to her followers as well.

Finally, ten months ago, Melody had met Georgia Lee, and the young teacher had helped the girl turn her life around. Melody dropped the drugs and the gangs and started seeing a therapist. It took a long time for Doctor Simon Varch to reach the young girl, but he had done it. Melody returned to school and was once more the same charming girl she had always been. Yes, she still went to therapy twice a week, she still drank and had sex as often as she could, but she had it under control.

 Samantha returned her attention to the present as Ms. Lee once again spoke up.

“Another problem with this late change of heart is that all planes to Athens are fully booked.” The young woman told her students. “So we will have to take a plane from Los Angeles to Madrid, and then travel the remaining distance by bus along with some Spanish students.”

“Mierda.” A lovely Cuban girl by the name of Vanesa Gonzalez grumbled jokingly. “How long will the bus-ride take?”

Melody bent her head back and grinned at the dark-skinned girl behind her “Como es? No te gusta los hombres españoles?” She teased and quickly jerked her head to one side when Vanesa threw a crumbled up piece of paper her way. “Touchy.” The blonde laughed as the Cuban scowled playfully at her.

“Enough, you two.” Ms. Lee smiled and shook her head. “The bus will take us from Madrid to Athens in around 36 hours, so we’ll have to sleep in it for one night. Now, since this class is called Culture of Ancient Greece, I suggest that we start learning about that subject.”

The students voiced their agreement, and the room grew quiet as the lesson began.

*~*~*~*

The following morning, Mel pulled her white gold Lexus SC 430 up in front of the Morgan home. With practiced ease, the blonde jumped out of the car without bothering to open the door and walked the short distance to the front door of the Victorian-style house. Knocking on the door, Melody waited for a short while until the door was opened by a chubby, middle-aged man with curly red hair.

“Good morning, Mr. Morgan.” Mel smiled at Jennifer’s father. “Is Jenny ready for school?”

“I think she’ll be a few more minutes, you know how girls are.” Peter Morgan grinned. “Want to come inside and wait for her?”

“Indeed I know.” Mel blushed slightly at the older man’s reference to her steady stream of lovers, and followed her friend’s father inside the house.

“Hello, Melody.” Jamie Morgan, a blond woman with slight laugh-lines around her green eyes, said as she hugged the young girl briefly. “How are you?”

“I’m doing just fine, Mrs. Morgan. Thank you.” Mel grinned and returned the embrace before letting herself be lead to a chair by the kitchen table.

“Would you like some coffee, dear?” Mrs. Morgan offered, holding up her own cup as she looked at her daughter’s friend. Both she and her husband were immensely fond of the young blonde, and they had been as relieved as Jenny when Melody had managed to dig her way out of the deep hole her previous lifestyle had gotten her into.

“I’d love some, thanks.” Melody replied, smiling as she took the offered cup from Jamie’s hand.

“So.” Peter Morgan folded his hands under his chin and looked at the young girl with a teasing glimpse in his blue eyes. “Hot date last night, huh?”

Melody grinned and held a hand over her eyes as she blushed from the base of her neck to the roots of her hair. Jenny, I’m going to kill you.

*~*~*~*

“Honestly, Mel.” Jennifer teased as the two girls left the Morgan house. “How many cows can one person wear?” The redhead laughed at the scowl thrown her way.

“What?” Melody looked at her outfit, which consisted of sandals and pants made from tan leather, a white cotton t-shirt and a leather jacket in the same color as her pants. “I happen to like leather.”

“No kidding.” Jenny quirked an eyebrow and smirked at her friend. “So, had a good time last night?”

“Aww, man!” Mel whined and pouted at the redhead. “First your parents and now you? Can’t a girl catch a break every once in a while?”

“Nope.” The redhead grinned. “You know that my parents love to tease you.”

“Must be a family trait.” The runner grumbled. She didn’t mind the good-natured teasing she received from the Morgan’s. Since Mel always gave back as good as she got, she actually liked how she and the Morgan’s could be so relaxed around each other. Still, that didn’t mean that she couldn’t pretend to give her friend a hard time about it sometimes.

“It is.” Jennifer smirked and got into the passenger seat of her friend’s car, dumping her school bag in the backseat next to Mel’s. “But seriously, how did things go last night? What was her name again?”

“Katie.” Mel slipped on her beloved Ray-Ban’s and started the engine, smoothly moving the open car onto the empty, suburban road.

“Oh yeah, the girl from the socker team right?”

“That’s her.” The blonde nodded, a smirk playing at her lips as she remembered just how enjoyable the previous night had been.

“So?”  The redhead prodded.

“So what?” Mel teased.

“Mel!” Jennifer whined and slapped her friend’s arm. “How’d it go last night?”

A rakish grin slowly made its way onto the blonde’s face. “Well…” She drawled lazily, waggling her eyebrows as she glanced at the redhead. “It sure has been a long time since I had a student who was that eager to learn.”

*~*~*~*

“What classes do you have today?” Jenny asked as the two teenagers got out of Melody’s car in the school parking lot.

“Advanced English and Calculus.” Mel pulled a face and locked her car down securely. “Thank God it’s Friday.”

“My thoughts exactly.” Jenny sighed and fell into step beside her friend as another day of school loomed ahead of them.

*~*~*~*

As the days passed by, the students from Ms. Lee’s CAG class grew more and more exited about the approaching trip. The fact that Jennifer and Stacy had long ago decided that they would be sitting next to each other was no surprise to their classmates, and Melody’s finding and arranging a date with one of the female Spanish students got a similar lack of reaction.

At long last, Friday arrived. The student’s were, since the plane took off at 10 PM, set to meet at gate 15 in LAX at 9 PM, and at 8:45, Mel’s Lexus rolled into the airport’s secured parking lot. Stacy and Jenny jumped out from the back of the car and unloaded the luggage while Mel put the top up and made sure that the car was locked.

“Ready to rock ’n roll, ladies?”  Stacy grinned as they each stood with their luggage in hand, looking at the massive building that was LA’s biggest airport.

Mel blew a bubble with her gum and popped it loudly before turning to her friends with a cheeky smile. “I’m always ready.”

“That’s a newsflash.” Jenny teased and quickly ducked to avoid the hand slapping at the back of her head. “Hey!”

“You started it.” Mel smirked and hoisted up her suitcase, walking ahead of her two friends. “Let’s go girls!” She called after the blonde and the brunette. “The Parthenon awaits!”

“And if your party-gene kicks in while we’re near it, the poor thing will be awaiting it’s destruction!” Stacy called after her.

Mel’s warm laughter rang back to them. “Jen, you might wanna put a damper on your lover before I have to hurt her.”

“You couldn’t take me if you tried.” The brunette grinned as she and Jenny caught up with the blonde.

“You just keep telling yourself that, Stace.”

*~*~*~*

When bickering and banter could be heard easily over the noise of the busy airport, there was no doubt in Georgia Lee’s mind who the three voices belonged to. As she turned her head towards the sound she, sure enough, saw Jenny, Stacy and Melody walking down the hallway.

“Over here, girls!” The teacher called, crossing off the final three names on the list of students. “Ok, looks like we’re all here. Now, who forgot their textbooks?”

Eleven hands shot up in response.

Ms. Lee smirked and opened her backpack. “Sorry ladies, but I saw that one coming a mile away.” Inside the green Eastpack was eleven copies of “Antique Athens”, neatly stabled and wrapped in plastic.

Eleven groans were heard throughout gate 15.

*~*~*~*

“The plane’s on schedule, right?” Mel asked offhandedly as they stood in line to board.

“It looks that way, yes. Why do you ask?” Ms. Lee responded.

“Because she has a date in Madrid and doesn’t want to be late.” Stacy rolled her eyes. “Geez, Mel. It’s not like you have the time for it anyway.”

“Sure I do.” The blonde grinned. “We have a few hours before the bus leaves from the Escuela Internacional, and Pilar agreed to come to the school early. I don’t know about you guys, but I intend to make the most of the time we have in Spain.”

“So what are you saying?” Jessica raised an eyebrow at the blonde. “That the rest of us are going to sit around at some school while you take this Spanish chick out to see the town?”

Melody smiled. “No, not at all. Some of the other Spaniards agreed to take you lot out sightseeing. Pilar and I just figured we could entertain ourselves.”

“Oh there’s gonna be entertainment alright.” Jenny smirked and nudged her friend. “I bet she’ll be more than happy to show you the sights of Plaza Pilar.”

Mel groaned as her classmates laughed. “What is it with you people? Get your minds out of the gutter already!”

*~*~*~*

 As the last of the passengers settled down for the flight, Ms. Lee stood up and looked over the cabin, making sure that her students were in their seats.

At the very back of the plane sat Veronica, a sweet girl with light brown hair and a pierced nose, along with Vanesa and Jessica. In front of them were Stephanie seated between the blonde twins, Jamie and Janice. Then came Samantha, Maria and herself, and finally, in the next row was Stacy, flanked by Jennifer and Melody. The blonde had claimed the aisle seat and was, true to her nature, blatantly flirting with the young stewardess, who seemed to be growing redder by the second.

“Melody.” Jenny scolded as the uniformed woman hurried away, her face burning. “You’re terrible.”

“I thought she was doing pretty well.” Stacy interjected, yelping as her girlfriend smacked her on the arm. “Ow! Now what’d I do?”

“Hey, it wasn’t that she didn’t want to.” Melody grinned and flashed a piece of paper that had a phone-number and the words ‘call me’ written on it. “She’s a local girl and bi-curious. The only reason she turned as red as she did was because you were leering at her, Stacy.”

“Ouch!” Stacy grabbed her arm where Jenny had once again slapped it and glared at the blonde. “Thanks a lot, Mel.”

*~*~*~*

After a 12-hour flight and a half-hour bus ride from Aeropuerto Madrid to the Escuela Internacional, all of the travelers were more than happy to step into the fresh night air. Ms. Lee immediately reminded everyone that their watches should be set ahead 9 hours to have the correct time, which meant that it was now 7:30 PM Saturday.

As the students unloaded their suitcases from airport mini-bus, a small group of teenagers approached them. One of the young men stepped forward and cleared his throat to gain the attention of the new arrivals.

“Buenas noches.” He smiled. “You are the Americans, no?” He had a slight accent, but his words were perfectly understandable to all of their guests.

“We are.” Ms. Lee smiled and approached the young man and greeted him by kissing both of his cheeks, as was the custom in Spain. “And you are the students who will show us Madrid?”

“Most of you, yes.” The young man nodded. “My name is Victor, by the way. Which one of you is Melody?”

“That’d be me.” Mel raised her hand and smiled.

Victor looked appreciatively at the young American. His sister could certainly have done worse. “Pilar asked me to tell you that she will be a little late. She asks that you wait here for 10 minutes, then she will come.”

Melody looked around the courtyard of the school. Plenty of trees, benches and even a dark corner that would be perfect for a little star-gazing. She had spent ten minutes in places far worse then this. “Sure.” She smiled and slipped into her tan leather jacket. “No problem.”

“Gracias.” Victor smiled and kissed the blonde on both cheeks. “Pilar is very sorry that she has made you wait.”

“Again, not a problem.” Melody assured him as his fellow students greeted the rest of the Americans. “I like to take a little time to relax after a long flight.”

“Good.” Victor nodded. “We will leave now then.”

“Oh, Melody.” Ms. Lee interrupted them. “Don’t forget that the bus leaves at 11 PM, so you have to be back here by then.”

“Yes, Ma’am.” Melody saluted her friend and grinned. “Don’t worry, we’ll be back in good time.”

*~*~*~*

Melody sat in the darkest corner of the courtyard. Her legs were stretched out on the grass as she leaned against the brick wall, her head tilted back and her gaze locked at the myriad of stars above her. Some she could recognize from back home in Soli, but most were foreign to her.

Soon, the faint sound of footsteps echoed across the courtyard. “Melody?” A soft voice called. “Dónde están?”

The blonde quickly got to her feet and walked into the light. She could see the silhouette of a young woman walking in her direction. “I’m here.” She replied.

The young woman stepped closer and let her eyes drift slowly over the blonde. “Oy.” She breathed “Su retrato no lo hizo justicia.”

“Um, my picture did not do me justice?” Melody guessed and smiled. “Sorry, my Spanish is a little rusty.”

“Ah, yo me disculpo.”  Pilar shook her head. “I mean, I apologize.”

“No need.” Melody smiled and reached for the young woman’s hand. “I understood you.”

“Si.” Pilar took the offered hand and stepped fully into the light. “You did.”

“Yowser.” Melody breathed as she looked at her date for the night. Pilar was almost as tall as Melody herself, with tanned skin, a body trimmed and toned to perfection, long dark hair, full ruby lips and eyes the light brown shade of walnuts.  “Viva España.”

Pilar smiled and blushed slightly. “Are you complimenting me or my homeland?”

“I’m complimenting you and envying your homeland for having you in it.” Melody smirked. “Usted es hermosa.”

The brunette was now blushing furiously. “Gracias.” She replied. “You are beautiful too.”

“Thanks.” Melody smiled as she watched the other girl fidget nervously. “Pilar, how old are you?”

“Que?” The brunette looked puzzled. “I do not understand.”

“Um..” Mel wracked her brain for the right phrase. “Quantos años tienes?”

“Ah, entiendo.” Pilar nodded. “I am 20 years old.”

“Ok, is this your first date with a girl?”

“Si. I am a little… how do you say… nerviosa?”

“You’re a little nervous.” The blonde smiled softly, utterly charmed by her companion’s shyness. “Don’t worry. I won’t do anything you don’t want me to do, ok?”

“Como?”

Melody smiled and tried in Spanish. “Yo no haré nada que usted no me quiere para hacer.” The blonde offered. Ok, my phrasing probably sucks, but as long as she gets the idea.

Pilar smiled and squeezed the blonde’s hand softly. “I understand. Gracias.”

“De nada.” Melody grinned and led her date out of the courtyard.

“A dónde vamos?” The brunette asked as they stopped on the sidewalk in front of the school.

“Champaneria Gala.” The blonde replied, naming one of the most popular gay restaurants in Madrid. “Do you know where Moratin is?”

“Si, yo sé.” Pilar smiled and pulled the blonde to the left. “It is not far, come.”

*~*~*~*

Three hours later, Melody and Pilar were back in the dark corner of the courtyard, looking at the stars. Although dinner conversation had been halted slightly due to the fact that most long sentences had to be translated either one way or the other, both girls had had a good time.

“Melody?” Pilar’s voice drifted up from where she was lying on the grass.

“Hmm?” The American turned her head to the brunette.

“Can I… Will you…”  The brunette struggled for words and sighed. “I do not know how to say it.”

“Try in Spanish.” Mel replied, sliding down so that she was lying beside her date, resting her chin on one hand. “Who knows.” She smirked. “Maybe I’ll understand you.”

Pilar swallowed nervously and nodded. “Me besará usted?”

Mel smiled and lowered her head until her face was a mere breath away from Pilar’s. “Will I kiss you?”

The brunette nodded and slowly wrapped her arms around the blonde’s waist.

Melody trailed her thumb gently over the other girl’s trembling lips, soft green eyes locking with nervous brown ones. “Gladly.” She whispered as she closed the distance.

Part 3

“Save me, Save me, Save me
I can't face this life alone
Save me Save me
Oh I'm naked and I'm far from home

Each night I cry and still believe the lie
I love you 'til I die”

-Queen

“So this is the Plaza Mayor?” Ms. Lee asked as she looked around the grand open area.

“Si.” Victor, who was acting as the guide, replied. “It used to be the main arena for bullfights, and the Madrilenos would join in and chase the bull with sticks.”

“What is that building?” Jessica asked, pointing towards an enormous gray and white structure with square windows.

“It is the Palacio Real.” The 18-year old Spaniard said. “The royal Palace. It has 2000 rooms in it.”

Maria whistled, impressed. “Two thousand, not bad.” She said. “It that where your King and Queen live?”

“No.” Victor shook his head. “They use it for special occasions only.”

As the young man waved his countrymen and the foreigners along for the next stop on their small tour, Jenny, Stacy and Samantha fell back a little.

“How do you think the date’s going?” Stacy asked her girlfriend.

“Well.” Jenny pondered the question for a minute before replying. “Knowing Mel, she’ll do anything to make Pilar feel comfortable.”

“Duh!” Stacy grinned. “Everyone knows that!”

“Not in that way, you sex-fixated trollop!” Jenny laughed.  “And how, pre tell, would you know about Mel’s bedside manner?”

“Eh…”

“Thought so.”

Samantha smiled as she watched her friend interact with the redhead. Those two were so obviously in love that even a blind man couldn’t help but notice.

“Hey!” Stacy suddenly raised her voice a little. “I am not a trollop!”

“Of course not, sweetie.” Jenny smiled and kissed her surprised girlfriend softly on the lips. “You’re just a flirt.” She winked.

Stacy turned red as a beet and kicked the toe of her shoe against the ground, reminding the other two girls very much of an embarrassed child. Samantha eyes twinkled at the look on her friend’s face. No one but Jennifer could turn the otherwise so loud and tough Stacy into a pile of mush.

“Is Mel really as much of a player as people say?” Sam asked curiously.

Stacy and Jenny looked at her.

“No.” Jennifer replied strongly, her eyes suddenly flashing with anger. “Mel ‘s not a player at all.”

“But with all the girls she takes out..” Samantha trailed off, unsure of the things she’d heard.

“Sam.” Stacy interrupted, sending her irate girlfriend a warning glance. “Mel’s not a player. Sure, she takes out a lot of girls, but she never leads them on with false pretensions of wanting a real relationship.”

“Then how come Alicia Reed said that Mel did just that with her?” Samantha frowned.

“Because Al’s a sucker for attention.” Jenny growled. She hated it when people spoke badly of her friend. “That blonde-haired, blue-eyed, sleazy, good-for-nothing..”

“Jenny, baby, calm down.” Stacy wrapped one arm around her lover’s shoulders and kissed the redhead’s cheek softly. “You know Al was lying.”

“That’s my point!” The angry girl hissed. “She dragged Mel’s reputation through the dirt when she said that!”

“Honey.” Stacy spoke softly next to Jennifer’s ear. “We both know that Mel’s rep wasn’t exactly clean as a whistle as it were.”

“Yeah, I know.” Jenny sighed and let Stacy wrap her arms around her comfortingly. “It’s just that Melody tries so hard to do the right thing in her own way. It really pisses me off when stuck up bimbo’s like Alicia try to wreck it for her.”

“I know, baby.” Stacy soothed and pulled the redhead close, leaning her forehead against Jenny’s. “I don’t like it either.” She kissed Jenny’s nose softly. “But with the way Mel lives her life, people are bound to bad-mouth her every once in a while. She knows that just as well as we do.”

As Jenny sighed and put her arms around Stacy’s neck, hugging her tightly, Samantha turned her eyes away from the couple. This was obviously a very emotional moment between the two of them, and she didn’t want to intrude.

“You’re right.” Jennifer  muttered as she shared a gentle kiss with her lover. “It’s just…” She trailed off with a sigh. “Mel’s my friend. My best friend, apart from you.” She smiled softly at the brunette. “And I hate it when…”

“When people seem out to get her.” Stacy nodded in understanding. “But like I said, it’s bound to happen, and we can’t do anything about it.”

“But wouldn’t it stop automatically if Mel stopped being such a slut?” Samantha asked, putting her two cents in.

“Whoa!” Stacy immediately tightened her hold on her girlfriend’s waist as Jenny lunged at the younger girl, her green eyes glowing with rage.

“Mel is NOT a slut!” The agitated redhead yelled, struggling to free herself from the strong arms wrapped around her waist from behind.

“Careful, Sam.” Stacy quirked at half-grin at her friend, grunting with the effort of keeping her deceptively strong and very angry lover away from the startled brunette. “You know what they say about redheads and short tempers.”

Samantha gulped and inadvertently took a step back as she looked at Jenny. The otherwise calm and balanced girl suddenly reminded her very much of an overprotective lioness. “I…uh…yeah.” She muttered, the fierce look in Jennifer’s eyes making the young girl suitably uncomfortable. “Sorry.”

“You should be.” The redhead snapped, calming down a little. “Those girls use Mel just as badly as she uses them.” She closed her eyes and took a deep breath, trying to ease the tension from her body. “Jesus, Samantha.” She breathed. “You’ve known Mel since she was 3 years old, you should know better then to say stuff like that about her.”

Samantha nodded mutely, keeping her eyes fixated on the ground.

“Sam.” Stacy spoke gently, loosening her grip on the redhead. “It’s not Mel’s fault that sleeps with so many people.” She calmly relayed a conversation she had had with Mel a few months prior, telling the younger brunette how Dr. Varch had interpreted the blonde’s seemingly unquenchable appetite for sex as being a near-desperate need for any sort of intimacy, leading back to the sudden loss of her family. She chose not to mention the fact that losing Samantha as a friend, according to the good Doctor, probably also had something to with it.

Sam quietly agreed with her friend and, after Stacy had excused herself and Jenny, watched the two girls walk to a nearby building, a pensive look in her chocolate eyes.

The brunette watched from a distance as her friend calmed Jenny with loving, reassuring touches and light kisses. She felt her chest constrict almost painfully at the sight, reminding her of just how many times she had wished for a relationship as close and passionate as the one Stacy had with Jennifer.

Remembering her earlier words, Samantha cursed herself for thinking the way she had. Of course there had to be a reason behind Melody’s lifestyle, she should know that. Growing up, Melody had always been the image of loyalty. Never once had she passed on a secret, taken the easy way out when one of her friends was bullied by a large group or run away when things got rough. She had always stood by Sam when the younger girl had needed her, and how had the brunette repaid her friendship?

By running away, simple as that.

Sam walked the few steps to the statue standing in the Plaza and sat down, leaning back against the cool stone. She closed her eyes and watched as the images flashed before her eyes again. That day in school, 4 years ago when Melody had come up to her, happy and smiling as always. The blonde’s face as Sam and had mocked and ridiculed her in front of most of the pupils, the hurt in those soulful eyes as Mel had turned and walked away from the laughter.

The brunette bit back a sob and hung her head. Those eyes had haunted her ever since. What was even worse was the reason why she had done what she did. Samantha had realized that her feelings for her long-time friend were growing into something she couldn’t handle, and she had hoped that if she broke off all contact with Melody, those feelings would go away again. That hadn’t been the case though. Not then, and certainly not now.

Sam had watched the blonde grow from a skinny child, to a gangly adolescent, to a beautiful young woman, and the change mesmerized her like nothing else. Actually, Melody as a person mesmerized her. There was something about the blonde that just reeled you in, regardless of whether you wanted it or not. The brunette knew that it wasn’t a conscious thing on Melody’s part, it was just a natural part of her personality, and the blonde couldn’t control it even if she wanted to. Sam had been so angry with the blonde for that, even if she knew that Mel couldn’t help it. Angry that she couldn’t be angry and thereby have a reason for ending their friendship.

Once again, those eyes showed themselves to her. Samantha knew every nuance in them by now. Even today, every time she would meet Mel’s gaze, she would have that exact same look thrown back at her. Those beautiful, vibrant eyes would fill with hurt, betrayal and confusion whenever their eyes locked, and Samantha hated herself for it. She had deliberately destroyed the closest connection she had ever had, just because she was afraid of being different.

And yet, in spite of the distance she had put between herself and Melody, her feelings had continued to grow. When she had been 14, it had merely been a crush, but now… There definitely was something about that old phrase. Absence did make the heart grow fonder.

Samantha didn’t have a crush on Melody anymore. She was in love with her.

*~*~*~*

At exactly a quarter to 11, the American students re-entered the courtyard of the Escuela Internacional. Currently, their helpful guides were in front of the school, saying goodbye to their families before the bus showed up.

“Okay.” Ms. Lee said. “Is everybody here?” She made a quick mental count of the girls standing around her, and came to a satisfactory ten. That meant that no one had gotten lost of the walk back. Still, the courtyard appeared to be empty, aside from them. “Does anyone see Melody anywhere?”

Stacy, having seen her friend’s smile when she’d noticed the dark corner earlier n the evening, turned her gaze towards it. “I’ll go see if I can find her.”

“And Pilar.” Jenny called after her lover, not seeing the spark of anger that flashed briefly in the eyes of Samantha Ryan.

“And Pilar.” Stacy turned back with a grin. “I sure don’t hope she has any issues with intruders.” She added under her breath as she walked on. “’Cause I ain’t waiting at a safe distance if they’re not dressed.”

*~*~*~*

Feeling bold, Pilar made a swift move to change their positions so that the American was now the one lying on the ground. The brunette raised her eyes from Melody’s lips, looking hesitantly into her eyes to make sure that the girl was okay with this. As all she saw in the clear sapphire gaze (hadn’t those been green just a second ago?) was reassurance and a twinkle of merriment, she smiled and pressed her lips softly to the blonde’s pulse-point.

Melody felt her breath hitch as searching, inexperienced hands tugged the black shirt free of her pants and moved lightly up her sides, learning their way over a woman’s soft skin. As much as she wanted to ravish the other girl right then and there, she knew that Pilar was far from ready for the whole package. The older Spaniard was looking to her, the more experienced one, for guidance and support, and Mel knew that she would shatter that trust immediately if she pushed.

Pilar felt the blonde’s fingertips dig into her back as her thumb brushed over a hardened nipple. She smiled slightly and nipped her way across Melody’s jaw line, encouraged by the soft moan that came from the other girl. The time soon came for the brunette to give a moan of her own as a leather-clad thigh was placed gently in between her legs, applying the most delicious pressure against the apex of her thighs.

“Hrm-hrmm!”

Melody had to try her hardest not to laugh as Pilar practically flew off of her when Stacy cleared her throat loudly. “Calme.” She said, placing a calming hand over the brunette’s as she tried to restart her brain. “Es mi amiga, Stacy.”

“Ella no dirá nadie?” Pilar asked breathlessly.

“No.” Melody shook her head and sat up, smiling reassuringly. “She’s not going to tell anyone.”

Stacy shook her head in amusement at the reaction she’d caused and smiled at the nervous girl. “No preocupe. Hablé con su hermano y sé que él es el único que sabe acerca de usted. Yo no diré nadie. Es su elección quien usted quiere saber, no minar.”

Melody blinked. “Uh, okay. What’d you just say to her?”

Stacy grinned and helped the two girls to their feet. “Basically? That I spoke to Victor and that it ain’t my place to tell anyone about her preferences.”

Mel stuck her tongue out at her friend. “Show-off.”

“Hey, if you paid more attention in class you wouldn’t suck as much as you do.” Stacy replied, yelping as her arm was swatted by an irritated blonde. “Ow! Why do people always do that?!”

Pilar simply watched the exchange with wry amusement.

*~*~*~*

Pulling her attention away from the dark clouds gathering outside the bus, Melody turned her head and looked at her friends, a soft smile touching her lips.  Jenny had fallen asleep sitting up, and was resting her head on Stacy’s shoulder, one arm around the brunette’s waist. Stacy was awake, staring out of the window while gently tracing her fingers through her lover’s fiery locks. Every once in a while, she would duck her head and place a soft kiss to Jenny’s forehead.

Melody looked around, grateful that they had chosen the seats at the very back of the bus. Though none of the nine Spanish students, or their teacher for that matter, seemed like the homophobic type, they could very well show a negative reaction if they witnessed such an open display of affection. Mel herself didn’t give a rat’s ass what other people thought, but she knew that they were most likely going to bump into these people over and over again during their stay in Athens, and she didn’t want her friends to feel uncomfortable in case some of the Spaniards reacted in a negative way.

Feeling her friend’s eyes on her, Stacy turned her head and smiled at the blonde. She carefully extracted herself from her lover’s arms and moved across the narrow aisle, sitting down next to Melody.

“Hey.” The brunette said softly.

“Hey yourself.” Mel replied, her voice as soft as Stacy’s. Neither girl felt the need to disturb the rest of the passengers since most of them were either sleeping or dozing.

“So.” Stacy said, lowering her voice further in spite of the fact that the two rows in front of them  were empty on both sides of the aisle. “How come the Spaniards didn’t say anything about you and Pilar going off alone? You know, since you’re total strangers and all.”

“Because as far as they know we’re not total strangers.” Melody smirked. “They think that Pilar and I met six years ago and talk to each other every week.”

“Which is a lie.” Stacy grinned. “Devious, my friend. Pure evil.”

Melody cocked her head from side to side a few times. “A half-lie.” She admitted. “We did meet around six years ago, but we haven’t spoken since then.”

“Really?”

“Mhmm.” Melody strangled a yawn as she nodded. “Her parents are in charge of the Thornton Law office in Madrid. We met when I was with my parents here on a business trip.”

“Is the company still called that, by the way?” Stacy asked. “I figured the name would change when you sold it.”

“I didn’t technically sell it.” Melody smiled. “I just promoted the Vice-President. I’m still the major stock-holder here, so Thornton Law is, in essence, mine. I just don’t have anything to do with the business unless I feel like I have to get involved.”

“But the media said that you’d sold the entire company?”

“That was exactly what we wanted them to say.” The blonde stretched her arms above her head and sighed as she felt her back straighten. “Would your parents hire a law-firm that was run by a teenager?”

“My folks would, because they know you personally.” Stacy smiled. “But as for the people who don’t have that honor… No, I don’t think they would.”

“Which was why we made it look like I sold the company.” Mel nodded. “If we hadn’t, there was a very good chance that the company would go out of business.”

“Because how many adults would trust a recently orphaned 18-year old to run one of the biggest law-firms in the world.” Stacy said, understanding her friend’s logic completely.

“Pretty much none.” Melody smirked. “Can’t really blame them, I don’t think I would either.”

“Oh, speaking of your latest conquest.” Stacy said. “Where is she anyway? I haven’t seen hair nor hide of her since we boarded the bus.”

“That’s because you were too busy necking with your girlfriend.” The runner grinned. “She’s up in the front, sitting with her friend Anna. Thanks, by the way, for relaying the ‘no telling’ info to the rest of the guys.”

“No problem.” Stacy shrugged. “It seemed like a pretty big deal to her that it’s kept in the dark for now.”

“Or in the closet, so to speak.”

*~*~*~*

“Uh… Melody?”

The blonde pulled her blanket down from shelf under the roof of the bus and turned to the girl standing a few feet away from her. “Yeah?”

“Um, I, uh, didn’t get a seat earlier.” Samantha explained, fidgeting nervously as she looked everywhere but her at her former friend’s face.

“Well, there are four available ones right here.” The blonde replied blandly, gesturing to the empty seats, which had been reclined for the night while the students were inside the bathroom of the truck-stop the driver had pulled up at. “Take your pick.”

“I know, but, um, I really don’t like sleeping by myself, so..” The brunette trailed off. She chanced a look at the runner’s face, only to see an unreadable mask.

“So you were wondering if you could sleep next to me.” Mel sighed. She remembered how Samantha had always had to have at least a stuffed toy to hold onto during the night when they were younger, a habit she apparently hadn’t grown out of.

“Um, yeah. Basically.”

“Whatever.” Mel shrugged noncommittally. “Window or aisle?”

“Uh, window. If you don’t mind, that is.” Samantha rubbed her neck uncomfortably, knowing fully well that she deserved this kind of treatment from the blonde.

“Sure.” Mel rolled out her blanket and placed it on the aisle seat. “You’re all set for the night, right?”

“Yeah.”

“Cool.” Mel responded in the same monotone voice. “Go get your shit, and you can make your bed while I go brush.”

“My sh.. Oh!” Samantha nodded in understanding and scurried away to get her things, desperate to get away from the icy blonde as fast as she could, yet just as desperate to return to her side again.

Melody watched her go with a frown on her face. So I’m sleeping next to Sam tonight. She sighed and rubbed a hand over her face as she grabbed her toilet bag and left the bus. Not good, not good at all.

*~*~*~*

Samantha was sitting cross-legged with a book in her lap as Melody returned to the bus a good ten minutes later. Looking up, the brunette saw the fond smile form on the runner’s lips as she glanced at Stacy and Jenny who, in spite of their best efforts, had cuddled up close in their own seat after sleep had taken them. As soon as Mel’s gaze found it’s way to Samantha though, her face once more became masked.

The blonde slipped out of the sweatpants she had put on while in the bathroom, leaving her only in an over-sized t-shirt and a pair of satin boxers. She tucked the pants into her duffel and sat down in her seat, swinging her legs up on top of the blanket.

“What’s that?” Samantha asked curiously.

“Dirt-bike crash.” The other girl responded automatically, knowing that the brunette was referring to the jagged scar running along the length of her right calf. It was the first question out of anyone who saw her bare legs.

“When’d it happen?”

“Two years ago.” Melody crawled under the blanket and yawned. “I zigged when I should have zagged, the bike flipped, I was thrown off and crashed through a fence head-on. Not even leather can stop a 7-inch nail if the fucker wants to hurt ya.”

“I’m sorry.” The brunette said softly, concern evident in her eyes.

Melody looked blankly at the other girl for long moments before responding. “Not your fault. You weren’t there.” She turned onto her side with her back to Samantha, effectively ending the conversation. “Night.”

But I should have been there. Samantha thought sadly. “Goodnight.”

*~*~*~*

Hours later, Melody was awoken by soft whimpers. Groggily, she opened her eyes and looked around the bus, trying to determine who was making the noise.

The blonde glanced out the window just as lightning lit up the sky, and immediately knew where the whimpers were coming from.

Sam.

Mel’s protective gene immediately kicked in as she remembered that the younger girl had always been terrified of thunderstorms, and this was a bad one. Any restrictions she’d had concerning her one-time friend disappeared in an instant, and she wrapped her arms around the shaking girl next to her and held her close.

Samantha clung to the blonde, burying her face in the crook of Mel’s neck as she felt strong fingers comb through her hair softly. Part of her mind felt even more guilty than she had before since, in spite of all that had happened between them, Melody was still there for her when she needed it. Another part was wishing for the storm to stop, while a third part hoped that it would never end. For the moment, and as long as the storm raged outside, things were as they once had been.

As they always should be.

Part 4

Rating: soft R. That Melody sure is a potty-mouth when she’s mad. Tut-tut-tut….

Author’s Notes: Cookie points to Acid Burn for helping with my terrible (or non-existant) Italian. Every sentence is now written as an Italian-speeking person would say them. Thanks for the help, V. Furthermore, all the words encased in ( )’s are the English translation of the Italian sentences. Thanks for reading, and remember: Feed me! :p

~~~~~

“A fragile heart was broken before
I don't think it could endure another pain
But there's a voice from deep inside of you
That's calling out to make you realize

That this new bond gives inspiration
To all who feel no love appeal no more
So how can I break this wall around you
That's aiding both our hearts to grow in pain.”

-Westlife

As she floated into Limbo, the place your mind takes you just before you wake up completely, Melody became aware of two things. The first was the fact that the bus pulled to a gentle stop, the second was that there was a very wonderful-smelling head of hair resting on her shoulder.

The blonde opened her eyes and looked blearily around the bus. Everyone seemed to be asleep aside from the driver and herself. As sleepy ocean-green eyes focused on the clock at the opposite end of the bus, she soon realized why. 5:30 AM, good Lord! Mel focused her gaze on the raven-haired girl asleep in her arms and sighed softly. I could get used to this way too easily.

Carefully pulling away from Samantha, Mel slipped onto the floor and pulled on her sweatpants from the night before. She glanced out of the window, noticing that they had stopped close to a small town. Not too far from where the vehicle had been parked, there was a park with a small lake. Hopefully, they would be here for some time.

Mel put on her sneakers, grabbed her duffel and stepped outside into the early dawn. She saw the driver leaning against the front of the bus, smoking a cigarette, and walked up to him.

“Buenas días, Carlos.” She smiled.

“Bunas días, señorita.” The middle-aged Spaniard replied, smiling at the young blonde. “How come you are up so early?”

Melody shrugged. “Couldn’t sleep. Where are we?”

“San Remo.” The driver said. “Estamos en Italia.”

“Italy.” The runner smiled, glad that they had reached a region where she was more familiar with the language. “How long are we stopping here for?”

“At least two hours.” Carlos looked at his watch. “I am waiting for the new driver to arrive, but he has called and said that he will be very late. There has been an accident further up the road, so he must take a large de-tour.”

“Good.” The blonde nodded. “I think I’ll go for a run in the park then. In case I don’t get back before you leave, it’s been nice seeing you again, Carlos.”

“Usted también, señorita Thornton.” The older man shook her hand and smiled. “I was very upset to hear of your parents.” He added with a sad look in his eyes. “They were kind people.”

Mel looked at the man who had been her parents’ preferred driver whenever they had come to Spain. Carlos had always been considered a family friend, and had taken the young girl to see the sights of Madrid many a time when her parents had a late meeting. “They were.” She agreed sadly, pulling the older man into a hug. “Take care of yourself, my friend.”

“You too, princesa pequeña.” Came the soft reply as Carlos held the blonde in a comforting embrace. “Do not let the world get you down. Life will go on.”

“I know.” Melody pulled back and kissed her old friend on the cheek. “Bye, Carlos.”

“Adios, senõrita.” The dark-haired man watched the blonde walk towards the bathrooms. She was a strong girl, she would be alright.

*~*~*~*

“Buongiorno.” Melody smiled at the young woman behind the counter as she entered the cafeteria a little while later. “Posso farle una domanda?” (Can I ask you a question?)

“Sí, signorina.” The short, dark-haired girl replied, smiling warmly at the tall blonde in the tight-fitting, blue running clothes. “Cosa vuole sapere?” (What would you like to know?)

“Potrei andare a correre nel parco?” (Would it be alright for me to run in the park?) Mel asked, leaning against the counter and resting her chin in the palm of her hand. Thank God dad insisted on teaching me Italian.

“Certo.” (Of course.) The waitress replied. “Da dove viene? Non riconosco il suo accento.” (Where are you from? I don’t recognize your accent.)

Melody smiled and tightened her ponytail as she responded. “Vengo dall'America. Sto andando in Grecia con alcuni amici.” (I’m from America. I’m traveling to Greece with some of my friends.)

“America? Non avrei mai indovinato. Lei ha un buono accento italiano.” (I would never have guessed. You have a good Italian accent.)

“La ringrazio.” (Thank you.) Melody smiled. “Mi ha insegnato mio padre.” (My father taught me.)

“Lo vedo.” (I see.) The brunette smiled as two local women entered the cafeteria. “Mi scusi, devo andare a servire le clienti. Si goda la sua corsa.” (Excuse me, I must tend to the customers. Enjoy your run.)

“Lo farò.” (I will.) Melody smiled and walked to the door. “Buona giornata.” (Have a good day.) She called over her shoulder before leaving.

*~*~*~*

In-hale-four-steps, ex-hale-four-steps. In-hale-four-steps, ex-hale-four-steps.

Melody repeated the mantra in her head as she jogged around the small lake. She’d gone around it five times already, which meant that she had probably run about six miles in the last 45 minutes.

In-hale-four-steps, ex-hale-four-steps.

She’d always enjoyed running alone. The silence of the early morning, the fresh air and the colors of the sunrise as a new day dawned. Plus, it was an excellent way to clear her mind. Something the blonde needed desperately right now.

In-hale-four-steps, ex-hale-four-steps. Why does she have to look so cute when she’s sleeping? In-hale-four-steps, ex-hale-four-steps. Why can’t she just stay away from me so I can get over her?

Melody frowned and deliberately stomped her foot in the water’s edge as she ran.

In-hale-four-steps, ex-hale-four-steps. How can I feel that way about her after the things she said?

The runner slowed down to a brisk walk, stretching her well-used muscles out as she finished the sixth round. Reaching the big tree on the side of the lake that was closer to the parking lot; she sat down next to her duffel and stretched her legs out, wiggling them to loosen the muscles.

What am I going to do about you, Samantha Ryan? The blonde pulled her knees against her chest and gazed pensively at the water, blinking away the tears forming in her eyes. I love you…  And I can’t.

*~*~*~*

“Sam?” Stacy shook the sleeping brunette gently. “Sam, wake up.”

“Hmm? Wha..” Samantha blinked groggily and looked at her friend. “What time is it?”

“Almost 7 AM:” Stacy replied. “Where’s Melody?”

“Huh?” Sam rubbed her eyes sleepily. “I dunno. She was here last night.”

“I found her.” Jenny entered the bus and grinned at her girlfriend. “Well, sort of found her, anyway.”

“Where is she? The bus is leaving in like half an hour.”

“You know how Mel feels about water, right?” The redhead asked.

“Calms her down.” Samantha interjected as Stacy opened her mouth to respond.

“Precisely.” Jenny nodded, still not quite sure whether to like the younger brunette or not. “I talked to the lady in the cafeteria, and she said that a young woman with blonde hair asked if she could run by the lake.”

“And with the trance Mel enters when she’s running…” Stacy sighed and ran a hand through her unruly locks.

“She probably lost track of time.” Her lover agreed. “We should go get her.”

As the two girls left the bus, Samantha was suddenly wide awake. She jumped down from the seat, quickly pulled on her jeans and ran after them. “Wait!”

“What?” Jenny stopped and looked at the girl.

“Let me get her.” Samantha asked. “I, uh, kind of need to talk to her.”

“You’ve said plenty to her already.” The redhead responded acidly, having been there when Samantha had ridiculed her friend four years earlier.

“Easy there, tigress.” Stacy placed a hand on her lover’s shoulder. “Sam has a point. She and Mel have a lot of things to talk about.”

“Please, Jennifer.” Samantha looked pleadingly at the redhead. “I just want to apologize to her.”

Jenny looked from her girlfriend to the other brunette and sighed resignedly. “Fine.” She muttered, throwing up her hands. “But.” She glared at the younger girl and poked her hard in the chest. “If you ever, EVER, hurt her like that again, I am going to hunt you down and kill you. Understand?”

“Understood.” Samantha gulped and quickly walked towards the lake.

“Do you have to be so hard on her?” Stacy asked and wrapped one arm around her lover’s waist once the younger girl was out of earshot. She too had been there four years back, but she had never learned of Melody’s true feelings for her old friend.

Jenny looked at her lover with sad eyes. “Sweetheart, if you knew what I knew, you wouldn’t be too fond of her either.”

The brunette wanted to ask what exactly it was that Jennifer knew, but she understood that Melody told the redhead things that no one else heard, and she respected that. Well, curiosity killed the cat anyway. She gave a mental shrug and smiled at the redhead. “Breakfast?”

At that exact moment, Jennifer’s stomach gave a loud rumble, and both girls laughed. “I think that’d be wise.”

*~*~*~*

Samantha walked along the small path leading through a patch of trees to the lake, looking around for the blonde. As she made it to the end of the trail, she saw Melody sitting a few feet from the edge of the water. Her back was against the trunk of a large tree, her head leaned back and her eyes closed.

Feeling the eyes on her and catching a slight whiff of the scent that still clung to her own skin, Melody sighed. “What do you want. Ryan?” She called.

Sam jumped in surprise and slowly walked closer. “How’d you know it was me?”

The blonde tapped the tip of her own nose, her eyes still closed. “Smelled ya.”

“Hm.” Sam nodded a sat down next to her friend, careful to avoid their bodies touching. “You always had a good sense of smell.” She gazed at the water. “It’s pretty here.”

“Yeah.” The runner opened her eyes and glanced at the brunette. Bare feet in white sneakers, wearing her favorite pair of stone-washed jeans and a Snoopy night-shirt, her long, dark hair mussed from sleep and a pillow-crease running across her left cheek, Samantha looked completely adorable. Melody couldn’t help but smile a little. Jesus, she’s even beautiful right after waking up.

“So.” Mel returned her eyes to the lake and folded her arms around her knees. “What do you want?”

“I… I wanted to apologize.” Sam replied nervously, finding her own hands very interesting all of a sudden.

“Why now?” Melody sighed. “Suddenly you don’t mind hanging out with a ‘fucking dyke’ anymore?”

The brunette winced at having her own words thrown back in her face. “I’m sorry. I didn’t mean that.”

“Just like you didn’t mean to ‘out’ a 15-year old girl in front of the entire school, huh?” The blonde picked up a stone and threw it into the water angrily. “Gotta do better than that, Ryan.”

“I said I was sorry.” Sam said softly, hurt by the iciness in the other girl’s voice as well as Mel’s refusal to use her first name.

The blonde jumped to her feet and, from pure rage, spin-kicked a nearby lamppost hard enough to make it shake for several seconds. “You’re sorry?!” She yelled. “You’re fucking SORRY?!” She grabbed the younger girl by the collar of her shirt and yanked the brunette to her feet, stormy blue burning into scared brown. “Do you have ANY idea how much that hurt?!”

Realizing that the enraged blonde was actually expecting a response, Sam shook her head no.

“I thought not.” Melody smiled dangerously at the brunette. “Well, let me fill you in then.” She released her grip on Sam’s shirt and roughly pushed her to the ground, towering over her. “You.” She poked the brunette in the chest. “Were the FIRST person I told! I TRUSTED you with that info before my own parents!”

Cowering before the angry girl, Samantha felt tears starting to slide down her cheeks.

“Jesus Christ!” Melody threw up her hands. “Now you start with the tears too? You piece of shit! You deserve every fucking word I tell you!”

“I know.” Samantha whispered, sniffling. “I’m sorry, Mel. I really am.”

Melody crouched before the brunette, her eyes blazing and her lips pulled back in a sneer. “Don’t you dare use my first name.” She spat, her voice dangerously low and quiet. “My name is reserved for my friends. You proved four years ago that you sure as Hell ain’t one of them, Ryan.”

“What the fuck do you want from me?” Samantha raised her voice angrily. She knew that she deserved the verbal abuse the blonde gave her, but there had to be a limit somewhere. “What do you want me to say, huh?! That I’m sorry? I am, I told you that already!”

Mel grabbed the girl’s shoulder and pushed her back against the tree none too gently. Samantha watched as her eyes changed from cerulean to emerald, and recognized the look in them. The anger drained from the green orbs, and was replaced with the same expression the brunette saw every time she closed her own eyes.

“You were my best friend.” The runner choked out as her eyes filled with tears. “Why did you do it?”

Sam moved to hug the other girl, but was pushed back against the tree, this time a little harder. “Don’t touch me.” Melody said, her voice still soft as the tears trailed down her face. “Just tell me why, please.”

“I… I...” Samantha stuttered, trapped by the hurt in the emerald eyes. “I was just so confused.” She whispered.

“Confused?” Melody frowned, not quite understanding. “Because I told you I’m gay?”

“Because you saying that made me think about some things I wasn’t ready to deal with.” Samantha replied. It wasn’t completely true, but she wasn’t about to admit to her feelings for the blonde. “I thought that if I pushed you away…”

“That those thoughts, by association, would disappear too.” The blonde finished with a sigh. “Did it work?”

“No.”

Mel smiled humorlessly and shook her head as she stood up, leaning her back against the tree and looking blankly at the lake.

“What?” Samantha looked up at the other girl.

“I must have been a horrible person in a past life.” Mel muttered, rubbing a hand over her face. “Karma’s got it in for me.”

“Mel..”

“No.” The runner turned and held up a hand, silencing the brunette. “Come on.” Mel took Samantha’s hand and helped her too her feet, gently brushing the dirt off of the back of her night-shirt before looking the other girl in the eyes. “I accept your apology on one condition.”

“Anything.” Samantha replied decisively. “What is it?”

“Next time I do or say something that confuses you, you talk to me about it. No more pushing me away, alright?”

“One condition.” Sam smirked.

Melody rolled her eyes and grinned genuinely at the brunette for the first time in four years. “You always loved to repeat every word I said. What is it?”

“You stop pushing me away as well. Deal?”

“Deal.” Mel nodded. “And sorry for roughing you up before.”

“No problem.” Sam shrugged. She didn’t really care that her shoulder was a little sore. She and Melody had made up, and that was all she needed for now. “Friends again?” She held out her hand.

The blonde took the proffered hand and shook it firmly. “Working towards it, definitely.”

Part 5

“You and I can share the silence
Finding comfort together
The way old friends do
And after fights and words of violence
We make up with each other
The way old friends do
Times of joy and times of sorrow
We will always see it through
Oh I don't care what comes tomorrow
We can face it together
The way old friends do”

 - ABBA

”So, how do we go about this?” Samantha asked as the two girls started back towards the truck stop. She glanced at the blonde walking beside her, feeling a pleasant tingle run down her spine as she took in the lean body, the flushed skin and the few tendrils of fair hair that had come undone during Mel’s apparently vigorous exercise.

“Well, first thing I need to do is take a shower.” Melody scrunched up her nose as she used a small towel she had brought to wipe some of the sweat from her neck. “I must look like a drowned rat.”

“Not what I meant.” Sam smirked and reached behind the blonde, tugging the long ponytail free from the collar of the sports jacket Melody wore, her fingers brushing against the warm skin on the other girl’s neck as she did so.

“I know.” The feather-light touch felt like a soothing balm to Mel’s overheated skin, and she thanked the heavens that her already flushed skin hid the blush that crawled up her neck at the images that followed the sensation.

“So?” Sam prodded after a few minutes of silence.

“Uh.” The blonde shook her head, pushing the memory of the touch to the back of her mind as she realized that the brunette was still waiting for an answer.  Geez, if I go into La-la-land every time she touches me she’s going to know that something’s up. “Well, we definitely need to talk. About a lot of things.” She reached over and casually placed an arm around Sam’s shoulders. “We’ve both changed a lot.”

“True.” Sam nodded and unconsciously leaned into the warm body beside her as the two of them walked on. “We’re probably going to have to get to know each other all over again.”

“You don’t mind that, do you?” Mel asked with a grin, amazed at how quickly the two of them fell back into their old pattern of friendly touches.

“Not at all.” The brunette returned the grin full force, slipping an arm around Melody’s waist as she had done so many times in the past. “I’m actually looking forward to it.”

*¨*

“Ah, the missing duo re-emerges.” Ms. Lee said when she saw Melody and Samantha walk onto the parking lot. “And where have the two of you been, then?”

“Talking.” Sam replied.

“Running.” Mel said at the exact same time.

The two girls glanced at each other and grinned. “Actually, I was out for my morning run. Sam showed up, and we talked.” The blonde explained.

“Okay.” Ms. Lee nodded. “Our new driver got here a few minutes ago, so we’re really only waiting for the two of you.”

Melody quickly ducked inside the bus, almost instantly returning with her duffel. “10 minutes.” She hurriedly told her teacher, before taking off for the showers at a fast clip.

*~*

“Mel?” Jennifer knocked on the door to the shower. “Can I come in?”

A brief laugh, mixed with the sound of running water, came from the other side of the door. “Sure, as long as you don’t mind getting drenched. Not a whole lotta space in here.”

Jenny briefly glanced down at her clothing, wryly acknowledging that suede boots, denim jeans and a silk blouse probably wasn’t the best thing to wear when entering a shower stall. “Nah,” she called out to be heard over the water. “I think I’ll wait out here.”

“Suit yourself.” Melody grinned as she heard her friend shuffle around outside the shower door, looking for a suitable place to wait.

“Aw, crap.” Mel grumbled and turned the water off. “Hey, Jen?”

“Yeah?”

“I forgot to take the shampoo out of my bag. Could you get it for me?”

“Sure.” Jenny jumped down from the table she had been sitting on and started rummaging through her friend’s bag, her eyes widening slightly in the process. “Jesus, Mel!” She called out. “How much shampoo can one person need?”

A slightly self-conscious laugh came from the stall. “Um, a lot?”

“Apparently so!” Jenny laughed. “But honestly, Mel, five different kinds?”

“I like to be prepared?” The blonde replied sheepishly.

“You’re not a boy scout.” Jennifer teasingly reminded her. “Which one do you want?”

“The jojoba-scented one.” Mel wrung some of the excess water from her hair. “And I never wanted to a boy scout in the first place.”

The pink bottle of shampoo was gently tossed over the shower door, and Mel caught it easily. “Thanks.”

“No problem.” Jenny jumped back on the table. “You done yet?”

“I’ve been in here for 2 minutes in total, give me a break!” Mel laughed.

Jenny merely grinned and leaned back against the wall, settling down for the wait.

Not too long after, Jennifer heard the shower being turned off, and Melody stepped out.

“Hey, Mel?”

“Yeah?” The blonde glanced at her friend while briskly towelling her long hair.

“Does the term ‘indecent exposure’ mean anything to you?” Jenny indicated her friend’s nude form with one hand and grinned.

Melody straightened up, placing one hand on her hip and tapping her chin thoughtfully.

“Nope.” She cheerfully replied. “Never let that term into my personal vocabulary.” She grabbed a towel and playfully snapped it at her friend, making the redhead scramble out of reach hastily. “Besides, you’ve seen me in the buff plenty of times.”

“Yeow! Cut that out.” Jenny dodged the second attack and retreated a few steps.

“Sorry.” Melody smiled, and somehow managed not to look apologetic at all. “Ok, new topic. What brings you into my shower, mademoiselle?” She asked with a rakish grin and one wildly waggling eyebrow.

“Sam Ryan, actually.” Jenny looked at her friend.

Melody frowned and shot her friend a puzzled glance as she dried off. “Sam sent you into my shower?”

“No, Miss Literal-as-the-day-is long.” Jenny rolled her eyes.  “That’s not what I meant.”

“Well, stop being so vague.” Mel shrugged and ran a brush through her hair before pulling it back in her trademark ponytail.

Jenny gave her friend an exasperated look. “If you stopped interrupting me, maybe I wouldn’t have to!”

Mel blinked at the redhead. “Feisty, aren’t we?” She asked, holding up her hands and giving her friend an apologetic glance. “Ok, I’m sorry; I didn’t think you were serious.”

“Well, I am.” Jenny scowled at her friends, before letting her features slide into a concerned look. “Mel, do you honestly know what you’re doing?”

The blonde debated with herself for a moment, and decided that playing dumb was only going to delay the inevitable for a few minutes anyway. “About Sam, you mean?”

Jennifer nodded.

“I like to think so, yes.” Melody tried to shrug off her friend’s concern. “She apologized for what she did, and wants to start over. That’s good enough for me.”

“It’s not that I don’t want you to talk to her…” Jenny rubbed at her eyes. “Wait a minute, I take that back. Hell no, I don’t want you to talk to her! How can you even think about letting that girl back inside, Mel?” She asked incredulously. “She literally broke your heart, remember?”

“Vaguely, yes.” Melody turned her back on her friend as she pulled on her underwear and a pair of white jeans.

“Melody…” Jenny sighed.

“Uh-oh,” Mel joked half-heartedly. “I know I’m in trouble when you use my full name.”

“Could you turn around and be serious for a moment?”

“I was being serious, Jen.” The blonde turned and folded her arms over her chest as she gazed evenly at the redhead. “I said that Sam’s apology was good enough for me, and I meant it. Why can’t it be good enough for you, too?”

“Because,” Jenny walked over to her friend and placed her hands on Melody’s shoulders, “I can’t help but worry that you’re only setting yourself up for another heartache.” She squeezed the warm skin under her hands gently. “I don’t want to see you like that again, my friend.”

Melody bowed her head and took a deep breath, exhaling heavily before replying. “I don’t want that either,” she confirmed quietly, “but you know how I feel about her,” she continued. “I thought for a long time that I couldn’t even have Sam’s friendship, and I never felt that lonely, not even when…” She trailed off; not wanting to call up the storm of emotions that always came rushing back whenever she discussed the loss of her family.

“That’s exactly what I mean,” Jennifer insisted gently. “Why do you want to risk going through that again?”

“I have to,” Mel sighed, her throat feeling uncomfortably tight all of a sudden. “I lost so much already, Jenny. My parents, Marty…” The blonde bit off a sob.

Jenny gently rubbed her hands over Melody’s shoulders in sympathy. Martin was the blonde’s younger brother, a wonderful boy who had also been on the plane, and thus only lived to be thirteen years old. He had been Mel’s best friend and confidante, and his death was probably the one that was the hardest for the blonde to bear.

Mel sniffled and took a breath to regain her composure. “Like I said,” she picked up where she’d left off, her voice still trembling slightly, “I lost a lot already, and I’m loath to lose anyone else if I can prevent it.” The green eyes met Jennifer’s own with fierce determination. “If Sam wants to start over, I’ll accept it, consequences be damned.”

“Alright.” Jenny nodded and stepped back a bit, handing Melody the powder blue sleeveless shirt that the blonde had placed in her duffel.

“Thanks.” Mel took the shirt and put it on, leaving the top button open and tucking it expertly into her jeans before packing her things back down in the small bag.

“Ready to go?”

“Yeah, just about.” Melody finished tying her shoelaces and stood. “Coming.”

As she reached the door to the outside, Jennifer felt a hand on her shoulder and turned, meeting the eyes of her best friend curiously. “What is it?”

“Just this,” Melody wrapped her arms around the redhead, pulling her into a warm hug. “Thank you,” she whispered, rubbing Jenny’s back gently, “for caring enough to talk to me about this.”

“Always,” Jennifer’s arms circled Mel’s waist and squeezed gently. “That’s what friends are for.”

TBC