Paper Thin

• 12: The Hots •

Melody

       The rest of the time went by quickly, as now everyone was getting tired and it was all strictly homework. Everyone's focus was on the assignment, and not on me and I was relieved. We didn't discuss the fact that I didn't eat anything and got up in the middle of their dinner. They focused on the written part while I quickly cut out the finished drawings. Then we were done.

Jeff was picked up by his dad, and of course offered to drive Lily home, although she insisted her mom could pick her up. Once they left, it was just Carson and I standing in the foyer by the front door. His big brown eyes bore into mine as we stood there silently. I could feel nerves twisting in my stomach, so I broke eye contact.

"Well, um, I should be going now," I said quickly as I picked up my backpack from off the floor.

"Are you walking?" Carson asked. When I nodded his facial features slipped into a frown. "But it's getting dark out."

"I'll be fine," I responded. Carson sighed.

"Please give me some peace of mind Mel. I want to know that you're home safe!" Carson said. There was a hint of urgency to his voice as much as he played it off sounding cool. It took me a moment to even process that he'd called me 'Mel'. A nickname. One that I actually liked. I tried not to react as I responded to him.

"I'll be fine," I repeated with a small smile, and then I added, "you'll see me tomorrow."

"You're going to make me wait twelve hours to know you didn't get snatched in the dark?" Carson asked. His lips curved up into a partially teasing smile. "Let me drive you!"

It made my heart flutter that he seemed to care so much. But once he got to know me he'd stop caring. Everyone else did, and I didn't want him to stop caring too. It was better to keep him at a distance, so it wouldn't happen.

"You really don't have to."

"I don't have to, but I want to," Carson insisted. I smiled as he said that. Carson White really knew how to win a girl over.

***

We were quiet, but as we drove I watched him out of the corner of my eye. I knew that even as he kept his face still, he was thinking. I wondered what he was thinking about, and I hoped it had nothing to do with today. I knew that I'd have nowhere to escape to if he asked me anything personal, and I think he knew it too. But he stayed quiet. So, I was able relax.

***

The next day in English class, we handed in our collage. Mr. Garcia was very impressed with the drawings so far and he mentioned how excited he was to look at them more. I was glad that my art didn't let the group down and breathed a sigh of relief when he said it.

I could still hear the whispers of different stories explaining the bruise on my face and I was dreading the rest of the day, as I knew Ms. Foster was gone again today, and I wouldn't be able to spend my lunch there. I didn't want to sit with Alani and her friends because I wasn't sure how welcome I was. I didn't know whether or not Alani actually wanted me there or if she just was trying to repay me for standing up for her, and with Emma, I wasn't sure if she pitied me for being the new girl. I wasn't too sure about Noah, and Cora didn't seem to like me.

However, when lunch finally did roll around, Alani called me over right away when she saw me. I smiled and walked over to them, moving past the popular table without making eye contact with anyone there. I knew Carson was sitting there, but I didn't look at him either.