Paper Thin

• 79: Moral Support •

Melody

I went straight to art after history class, as avoiding the cafeteria at all costs seemed like the best course of action. I was shocked to see Alani, Emma, and Noah waiting at the door.

"What are you guys doing here?" I asked.

"Moral support," Noah grinned. My eyebrows furrowed in confusion, making my friends smile.

"People are saying really crappy things about you, and we just thought you'd like some friends around," Alani explained.

"Thanks," I said, quietly. I opened the door to the art room and smiled at Ms. Foster. "I, um, brought friends... if that's okay?"

"That's awesome! No worries," she smiled. "Just make sure to clean up after you eat," she added before going back to her papers.

I sat down at my usual spot, and Alani, Emma and Noah sat around the table. They pulled out their lunches, Emma with a sandwich, Noah spaghetti, and Alani a rice bowl. I simply took out my sketchbook, water and phone, and sipped my water bottle every so often.

"How are you holding up?" Emma asked, taking a bite out of her sandwich.

"I'm fine," I said shrugging. What else was I going to say? Nothing was going to change despite my pathetic New Year hopes.

"That's good. Honestly, they all just need to brush their teeth before they rot from all the trash flying out of their mouths," Alani said, making everyone laugh. Even I smirked a little. My phone buzzed in my pocket and I pulled it out, to see a text from Gavin.

Check Instagram!

The Scarlett Noir spread is out.

Gavin LeBlanc; 12:10pm

I opened the app and went to my profile to see that Gavin had posted another picture of me, this one from the Scarlett Noir shoot. I could feel my lips spreading into a smile as I zoomed into the photo.

"What's got you smiling so big?" Noah asked, startling me, as I had almost forgotten there were other people in the room.

"She's happy to see me!" Carson said, entering the classroom. I raised an eyebrow.

"Am I though?" I teased as he walked over to me. A small chorus of 'oohs' erupted from my friends.

"Ouch. I'm wounded," Carson said sitting down next to me.

"Kidding," I said, poking him playfully.

"But really, what's up?" he asked.

"Scarlett Noir is out!" I showed him the picture and his eyes widened.

"Holy crap! Melody you are so beautiful it's unreal," Carson said, making my cheeks heat.

"Okay let me in on this love fest! Is this one of the pictures from your magazine shoot?" Emma chimed in. I nodded and she grabbed the phone from my hands, excitedly, leaning so that Alani could see. "Melody! Oh my God!"

"Wow, I'm literally sobbing," Alani sighed.

"This is such a good picture and you're actually perfect," Emma said, pouting jokingly.

"Um, excuse me! Feeling a tad left out over here," Noah said, pushing his pasta to the side and reaching for my phone. "Damn! This is a fire photo!" He passed it back to Emma and Alani.

"Miss! Come see this!" Emma called, waving Ms. Foster over. She walked over and looked at my phone.

"Wow! Wow! And wow again! This is gorgeous!" she exclaimed. "You do modelling?"