Anyone But You

02: Anyone But You

Chapter 2

*****6 YEARS BEFORE*****

"Melody, I don't want to be your friend anymore."

I look up my best friend, Andy. "But why?"

"You're not cool," he says.

I turn away from him but a silent promise was made. Sworn enemies.

*****PRESENT*****

We were "friends". He asked about Lucy and I told him. I also realized I haven't cut in the days we have been friends. Which has been 2 weeks. I asked about his mom since she had breast cancer and I've been cheerier. Wearing short sleeves though sometimes I don't wear my bracelets he looks down at my wrists.

That's when it gets weird. He gets this expression like he feels he's responsible. I mean, he's not, though I cut because of him, I'm the one cut myself. When he gets this expression, I put my hand on his shoulder and whisper to him.

"It's not your fault," I whisper.

He then holds me close in a hug. Then, he whispers into my hair. "But it is."

It's weird when he hugs me because we used to be enemies. But then I hug him back, glad that I finally have a friend other than Kendra. But the thing is ... No it's crazy. I'll ignore it.

*****

On our 3rd week anniversary of being friends, he gave me a package. "Here."

I eye it but take it. "What is it?"

"Open it!" he urged.

I take off the ribbon and open the package, removing the tissue. It was a necklace with an amethyst, my birthstone. It said on it, "Friends." I pick it up.

"It's beautiful, Andy," I breathe.

He smiles and takes it. "Turn around."

I turn and move my hair out of the way. He puts it around my neck and his hand brushes my neck. It was a weird tingling sensation where he touched. I think he noticed it because he paused. Then continued. He clapsed it and I put my hair back and turn around.

I unexpectedly hugged him and put my arms around his neck. He's shocked but hugs me back.

"Thank you," I mumble into his chest.

I feel his chest rising and falling and hear his steady heartbeat.

"You're welcome, Mel," he said.

3 weeks ago, if he'd called me Mel, I'd have maybe punched now I felt happy. He was my friend now. I let go and finger the necklace.

"I love it," I say.

We start walking towards History class, which was our first class. Now we walked close almost shoulders touching hangs swinging as we walked.

We walked and talked but then my hand slipped into his. I freeze and just keep walking, taking away my hand. Weird ... We walk to History and head inside. I trip on a desk leg and almost fly onto my face. Almost. Andy catches my hand and puts his other hand on my hip. He slowly gets me back on my feet and our faces are close.

His lips were a couple inches from mine and I suddenly have the impulse to lean forward and kiss him. He leans forward a tiny bit and so do I. I turn away first and take his hands and take them away from my hand and hip.

"Thanks," I say, surprisingly steady.

He looked in a trance then snapped out of it. "Yeah, no problem."