Just Yesterday
1940 Words
The next morning, Susan and Eve stood outside Melanie's dorm room.
Susan reached for the doorknob, only for her hand to freeze midway. She turned to Eve, panic flickering across her face as she looked down at the box of chocolates in her hand.
“I hope my gift is good, Evie. Will Melanie like it? What are we even going to say to her? Oh my gosh, I feel so bad for her,” she fretted.
Eve rolled her eyes.
“Susan, for f**k's sake, just open the door. We came here to say sorry about her breakup, that's it! I still don't know why you had to bring chocolates. Geez,” she groaned.
“Eve, chocolates are for emotional support, okay? They help, if you didn't know,” Susan shot back with a pout.
She leaned forward to open the door, but before she could, the door opened and Melanie stepped out.
Both girls stared at Melanie with wide, shocked eyes. Damn, she looked awful.
Dark circles rested beneath Melanie's eyes. She had carefully hidden her freckles beneath makeup, as always, but she still looked exhausted, like she hadn't slept all night. Her red hair was tied into a messy bun that looked as though she'd given up halfway through fixing it.
Melanie's eyes darted between them. Adjusting her tote bag, she offered a weak wave.
“Hi.”
“Girlll, you look like s**t,” Eve blurted, shaking her head.
Susan immediately shot her a look that screamed, Could you shut up for once?!
Turning back to Melanie, she smiled warmly.
“Good morning, Melanie. Um… we didn't see you at breakfast, so I brought you some chocolates. I hope you like them.” She handed Melanie the box.
Melanie offered a small smile. “Thanks.”
Raising a puzzled brow, she looked at Susan. “Why are you guys here, by the way?”
Susan took a deep breath before speaking. “We heard about your breakup, Melanie.”
Melanie instantly stiffened.
“And we're so sorry,” Susan said with a sad smile. “I felt so bad the moment I heard that you two broke up.”
“Wait…” Melanie frowned. “How do you guys know about my breakup?”
Susan hesitated, then said, “Noah told everyone. Practically every student knows. Your breakup with Noah is spreading across campus like wildfire.” She paused. “...And everyone knows what happened during Truth or Dare.”
“Everyone knows?!” Melanie gasped, whipping toward Eve. “Brittany posted it?!”
“Yup,” Eve nodded. “That girl wasn't joking when she said the video would go live. She's so annoying. Doesn't she know what privacy means?”
Melanie ran her fingers through her hair in frustration. Why was all this happening to her?
She had thought today would be better. Even after everything that had happened yesterday, she had still hoped things would somehow work out. But the party, the truth or dare game, and Noah's harsh words kept replaying in her mind, hurting her more each time.
Last night, she had cried herself to sleep. And this morning, she had sent Noah countless messages, apologizing and hoping he would answer. He had read every single one of them… but never replied. The silence hurt more than she wanted to admit.
She sighed inwardly. Today was nothing close to the fresh start she had hoped for. Everyone knew about her virginity, all thanks to Brittany. And now, Noah had gone around telling people about their breakup.
Why would he do that? Why was today being so cruel to her?
Melanie shook her head as she said, “I'm not going to class today. I knew this was a bad idea. I shouldn't have thought I could survive today.”
She turned back toward her room, but Susan quickly caught her arm.
“Come on, Melanie. You'll survive,” she said softly.
“I don't think so,” Eve said bluntly, earning a glare from Susan.
Melanie groaned. “This is so horrible, Susan.”
“Melanie, calm down, okay? People have gone through much worse than this. Just come with us,” Susan said gently. Her soothing voice eased some of the tension in Melanie's chest.
Susan gently guided her out and shut the door behind them.
“Susan, I don't want to go. Everyone knows about my breakup. Everyone knows what happened during Truth or Dare. This sucks.” Melanie lowered her gaze. “I… I just wanted a peaceful stay at Crestmoor. But I guess that's never going to happen.”
“Yup, girl,” Eve said bluntly. “This school is messy. A peaceful stay in Crestmoor is about as likely as dogs ruling humans. It’s never happening. People will hate you, people will gossip, and that’s life. You’re not ice cream, sweetheart. Not everyone’s gonna like you.”
Susan smiled warmly and hooked her arm through Melanie's.
“Come on, babe. Embarrassment is part of life. I remember when Jasmine leaked one of Charlotte’s s*x videos. Everybody watched it, and Charlotte didn’t even give a damn.”
Melanie stared at her with wide eyes. “Charlotte’s s*x video?!”
Eve nodded. “Yep. The whole school watched it. Charlotte just carried on like nothing happened.”
“That’s horrible,” Melanie murmured, though she found herself relaxing slightly. Somehow, hearing other people’s disasters made her own seem a little less unbearable.
“Far worse than yours,” Susan agreed. “Or remember when rumors spread that Eve had feelings for a professor? His name was—”
“NOPE! Don't even dare, Susan!” Eve cut in sharply.
Susan burst into giggles.
“Susan, don't you dare finish that sentence.”
“Mr. Andrew,” Susan said anyway, ignoring her. “Gosh, that man was in his late sixties. Everyone talked about it, and even Mr. Andrew heard the rumor. The creep actually approached Eve and wanted them to hook up. f**k that guy.”
Melanie shuddered in disgust. “That’s terrible,” she said sympathetically. “I’m sorry, Eve. You must’ve been so embarrassed.”
“You have no idea,” Eve groaned. “Why the hell would I fall for a professor? An old professor, for that matter? The guy actually wanted to sleep with me. Disgusting.”
“So, see?” Susan smiled. “You’re not alone, Melanie. People talk. They always will. Don’t let them define you.”
Melanie let out a long breath and managed a small smile. She felt a little lighter than before.
“Thanks.”
“You’re welcome.” Susan grinned. “Now, enough depressing stuff. We have class, so move it.”
She dragged Melanie along while the three girls walked together.
“So, why exactly did Noah break up with you?” Eve asked.
Melanie fell silent for a moment.
“He… he broke up with me because…” She swallowed hard. “Because I didn’t lie about being a virgin.”
“I knew that guy was an asshole,” Eve muttered.
“Seriously?” Susan frowned. “Noah lied to everyone, saying he’d slept with you, and somehow this became your fault? Did you even know he told them that?”
Melanie shook her head quickly. “I swear, I didn’t know. I had no idea.” Her eyes lowered. “He blames me. He always blames me.”
Eve patted her shoulder and said, “Girl, forget that dude. He’s a jerk. You deserve better. And if he comes crawling back with an apology, don’t be stupid enough to take him back.”
“I’m agreeing with Eve for once,” Susan said. “How long have you guys been together?”
Three years. The thought alone made her chest ache.
“We’ve dated for three years,” Melanie said quietly, her eyes stinging with tears.
“Three years?!” Eve nearly stopped walking. “You’ve been putting up with Noah’s bullshit for three whole years?”
“Melanie, sweetheart, you deserve so much better,” Susan said gently. “Noah isn’t the guy for you. By the way, how did you two meet?”
Melanie remembered exactly how she and Noah had first met. It was one of those memories she could never bring herself to forget.
“We met at a party,” she said softly. “I remember every little detail. It feels like it happened just… yesterday.”
A faint, wistful smile curved Melanie's lips as the memory slowly resurfaced, pulling her back to the night everything began.
I sipped my drink lazily, staring at the guests with boredom. I had tucked myself away in a corner where no one would notice me. Actually, Mom had told me to sit there. She didn't want anyone to see me, and the thought made me feel awful.
Mom never liked me appearing in public. Because she was… ashamed of me.
I sighed and reached for another glass of wine from a passing waiter.
“Is this seat taken?”
A deep voice jolted me from my thoughts. I looked up, and my jaw nearly dropped.
Standing before me was the most handsome guy I'd ever seen.
He had brown hair and striking green eyes that seemed almost unreal.
I quickly composed myself.
“No, it isn't,” I replied quietly.
He sat down opposite me. Gosh, he was ridiculously handsome. But a thought immediately crossed my mind.
Maybe he's here for Tiffany, just like every other guy… not me.
No guy had ever spared me a second glance. They always wanted Tiffany. She was stunning, with the beauty of a Mediterranean goddess. No one ever laid eyes on her without falling head over heels.
And today was her day.
She had just signed a modeling contract with one of the biggest companies in the country, so Mom had thrown a huge celebration in her honor.
“Your sister is dazzling,” the guy commented, snapping me out of my thoughts.
His gaze was fixed on Tiffany, and irritation bubbled inside me. I was so tired of guys approaching me just so I could play messenger for my sister.
“Look, if you're here for Tiffany, then just go talk to her. I don't look like your mouthpiece,” I snapped before I could stop myself.
He laughed. It was warm and pleasant, and somehow, it annoyed me even more.
I frowned.
“I'm not here for Tiffany,” he said. “I'm actually here… for you.”
His words made my pulse quicken.
“Me?” I blurted.
He smiled. “Yes. I saw you from across the room. You looked lonely sitting here all by yourself.”
“I'm not lonely!” I snapped, offended. “I don't feel lonely.”
He laughed again, and then his green eyes settled on mine.
“My name is Noah. Noah Grayson.”
He took my hand gently and pressed a kiss against it.
My cheeks instantly turned the color of ripe tomatoes.
“I want to get to know you, Ms. Chambers. Maybe we could be friends. I heard there's a new restaurant across town. I'd love it if you'd let me take you there.”
My brows knitted together, though I couldn't stop the shy smile creeping onto my lips.
“Are you asking me out on a date?”
His lips curved into a grin. “That depends. What do you say? Would you like to go on a date with me?”
He winked, and I couldn't help but blush.
- Writer
