Tragic Melody

Chapter - 3

"You need more clothes."

I rolled my eyes at her and kept myself glued to the book that I had recently started reading. A chapter in it and I was already hooked on "The Kite Runner".

"Some other day, B," muttering incoherently, I turned the page.

Brooke groaned. "But it's already Saturday and school's starting on Monday."

I ignored her comment.

"You are not going to school in sweatpants."

Ignored again.

"I could lend you my dresses but I already know you don't like pink or bright colors much."

If Brooke was obsessed with something then it would surely be the pink and its shades. 90% of her wardrobe consisted of pink. And imagining myself in those dresses made me want to throw up.

Definitely not wearing one of those.

Suddenly, my book got snatched away from me. When I looked up, I saw an angry Brooke burning hole in my head with her sharp glare.

5'4 height, milky white complexion, red hair, paired perfectly curvy body, and an attitude of a fierce lioness. That was my best friend Brooke Stone and right now she was angry with me. She may love pink but she ain't any Barbie.

And trust me, you don't want to mess with that.

"Were you even listening to me or was I just monologuing like an old broody principal?" She demanded, putting her right hand on her hip and holding my book in her left one.

I chose the rational and gave her my undivided, exclusive attention. "Yes, B. I am and was all ears."

She sat beside me on the bed, narrowing her eyes at me accusingly. "It didn't seem like that when I kept asking questions that you didn't deign to reply."

"I won't wear your pink dresses at all. Not even if the world runs out of clothes, and yes, we will go shopping but on Monday. Also, you can buy your dad a new watch for his birthday. It's classy yet all-time trending present for men."

Her lips turned upwards, giving me an appreciative look.

"Now, if you are done then I have a book to read. Hand it back to me."

Shaking her head, she placed it on the bookshelf. "Get your ass up. We are going shopping. It will help you in alleviating your anxiety about school."

"But—"

"No buts, Mel. You need some fresh air."

She was right. The last time, I went out—other than gym and Brooke, Shubham, and Dylan's house—was 3 months ago with dad only for an hour. My anxiety wasn't as fatal as it was in starting but if I wanted to survive this year of school, I needed to get myself more accustomed to the crowd.

Weighing both options I sighed. It was only for a couple of hours. "Okay. But I am not changing."

She could have broken a muscle or two, as a result of the magnitude of force, with which her neck whisked towards me. It was funny but I didn't dare to laugh. Didn't want to provoke her further.

"Seriously! You will come with me?"

Getting up from the bed, I pulled her on her legs and grabbed my purse and cellphone. "Let's not waste any more time slouching around."

Before I could take a step, she jumped on me, engulfing me in a big bone-crushing hug. "I am so happy, Mel. I am so happy, to see you taking a shot for your happiness. School won't be easy but I will be there with you, I promise."

Her words held nothing but the truth in them and I was glad to have her with me.

I patted her back with a small smile. "Why am I surrounded by such huggers?"

She pulled away with a big grin. "Sheesh! Get over yourself."

I shook my head disappointedly while she laughed.

We walked out of the room, climbing down the stairs to the living room, where the boys were watching The Rings.

Here we go again with another horror movie.

Didn't matter how much scared they'd be, nothing could change their ritual of watching horror movies together. The four of them loved to get scared.

Okay, not four, Max and Sky would hardly ever be scared by anything let alone a movie. But Shubham and Dylan, these two were a lost cause. They'd end up scaring more than the movie itself with their creepy screeches. They were worse than kids.

The only exception guys made with the movies was when Brooke and I join them. That was only because Brooke was fantastic with her threatening persuasion. Nobody denies her.

The couch was placed facing away from the staircase, so they didn't see us coming down and were totally unaware of our presence behind them. Dylan was sprawled all over the couch, his big 5'8 frame covering most of it, while the other three—Shubham, Max, and Sky—were sitting on the floor, their feet stretched in front, with an empty popcorn bowl lying beside. A lot of popcorn, around half a bowl, was scattered around them but they ignored it like they ignore their dirty laundry.

I shook my head at them.

But even with all its nastiness, it was a cute sight of them deeply indulged in the movie.

It's not every day you get to see four grown-up boys scared to s**t.

I turned to Brooke and she winked at me wickedly. Silent understanding passed between us and we discreetly hid behind the wall, that separated the living room and dining area.

I nodded towards her, signaling to execute her work, and she nodded back.

"YO BITCHES!" Brooke yelled in a high-pitched voice.

And just like that, boys jumped on their places, standing straight, and started frantically screaming.

"AHHHHHH! SHE IS COMING TO HUNT US DOWN."

"I TOLD YOU NOT TO MOCK HER! NOW SEE."

"YOU WERE THE ONE TO JOKE ABOUT HER HAIR."

"AND YOU WERE THE ONE WHO UNDERLINED IT WITH YOUR PUN ABOUT HER NAME."

"YOU BOTH ARE SCARING ME MORE THAN THE MOVIE."

Shubham and Dylan were the ones blaming each other while Max spoke the last comment.

We couldn't keep our laughter in control and burst out, walking out from our hiding spot. Didn't matter how many times we trick them, it never failed in leaving us laughing until oxygen become of utmost necessity.

Our laughter drew their attention, successfully stopping their yelling contest. Noticing us there, they all visibly relaxed, sighing but suddenly their expressions changed into annoyance when the realization dawned on them.

"So it was just you two. I got scared for nothing," Dylan whined.

Stifling another laugh, we both walked to them and stood behind the couch.

"There's a reason, why kids are advised not to watch horror movies," I said with a duh tone.

Brooke chuckled. "You guys are such a wimp."

"You can't blame us for it. Ghosts and witches got nothing on you," Shubham quipped while plopping back down on the couch.

Brooke took a threatening step towards him, flaring with indignation. "What did you just say?"

"That you are uglier than Ghosts."

When I tried catching her hand to stop, it was already too late.

"You wish you wouldn't have said it, Shubham Lamba." With that, Brooke stomped towards him and he jumped off, leaping for the kitchen. But Brooke was hot on his trail and chased him.

I sighed.

Their friendship may look platonic, but to me, their attraction was as clear as day. Shubh was totally whipped for her and Brooke had been nursing her crush on him for a long while too. And it made sense. Their personality might be a lot different from each other but they understood each other like no one else. All they need was a little push to realize and see what was openly visible to everybody else but them.

"Where are you guys going?" Max asked, picking up the scattered popcorn from the floor. Suddenly he stopped and glared at Dylan and Sky. "What are you both idiots waiting for? Help me in clearing up the mess."

They both groaned but joined him on the floor nonetheless.

I leaned on the wall behind me, closing my eyes. "Mall. According to her, I can't go to school in my sweatpants."

"And do you really not want to go in them?" Sky questioned.

A soft smile broke on my face at his concern. Nobody knew but Sky was the person with whom I talked the most in the last 4 years. We never talked in person or on call. I wasn't above keeping up with a conversation longer than 5 minutes.

On my 14th birthday, Sky left a letter with the set of books he gifted me. The letter only talked about how his and Max's time at University was going and other normal stuff. And I liked reading it. It was a way where I wasn't expected to reply or give any reaction. He even mentioned in the last line that he didn't expect any reply.

Then the letters became our thing. Every month when he and Max visited us, he'd leave the letter in my room, always hiding it under the 2nd drawer of my study table, when everyone was most distracted. I'd read that letter only after them leaving again for the university. Sometimes there was one, sometimes there was more, depending on how their month went.

After four months, I couldn't stop myself from writing back. There wasn't much in my life to talk about but I wanted my thoughts to be heard. I had forgotten how to be that chatty girl again but I wanted to say what was inside my head. He had presented me with the best solution. So, I started leaving letters, addressed to him in bold letters on the envelope, in that very same drawer.

"Standing out doesn't help in keeping a low profile in high school," I answered his question. "That negated all my other choices. So yes, I am not coerced into this shopping spree."

I could imagine the smile on his face but for some reason, I had this desire to watch his dimples. So, I opened my eyes and there was that smile which I secretly like. Lucky for me, he was too busy picking the popcorns.

Standing at 6'1, with broad shoulders, lean muscles, and a jaw sharp enough to cut your heart, Skylar was a catch for eyes. Even I accepted that. As if his features weren't already enough, he was blessed with a mixture of deep ocean and icy blue eyes and dimples on his left cheek to make girls and guys swoon. He was disgustingly handsome and cheeky. One of the reasons why I try my best to not look at him much.

Every time he locks my eyes with him, I get that weird kick in my stomach, and my heart flutters. I seem to forget breathing for that time being. Perhaps, it was happening because he knew me better than anybody else. His eyes always felt like they were figuring a mystery whenever they dropped on me.

Dylan was the one to stand up first from his position on the floor. "Can I join you both please? I need to buy some boxers too."

We all laughed, except for Dylan, who was giving us a murderous glare.

Only if looks could kill.

"I think I will join too. I need to buy some suits. A lawyer needs to look professional before showing up for work," Max said, shrugging coolly like he didn't just drop one of the best news.

I blinked. Two times. "Did you?"

He nodded with a smirk. "Yes."

Holy s**t!

He got that freaking job at The Attorneys.