“You know my music,” I rasp, unable to keep the emotion out of my voice. The back of my throat burns.
Melanie’s face softens. “Of course I do, Josh.” She reaches for me, placing her hand on my kneecap. “I’msoproud of you.” Her brows knit together, and her voice is quieter. “The first time I heard this song on the radio, I knew I had to learn it. It helped me feel close to you when we were so far apart.” But what I think she means is,when we left so many words unspoken. That’s the real reason I’m here.
My heart lurches in my chest. “Play it again,” I murmur.
This time I join her.
We play through the song together, never breaking eye contact. When we reach the bridge, Melanie takes the third harmony. My chest constricts, and I’m not even embarrassed when my eyes sting with unshed tears. Being here with Melanie, making music together again, really is coming home. Melanie is home for me.
“What next?” she asks when we finish.
I’m so overcome with emotion I have to take a pause. I lean my guitar against the couch and run a thumb under my lower lid to prevent a tear from escaping.
Melanie’s face falls when she sees the emotion on my face. “Josh, are you okay?” she asks, alarmed, setting her own guitar aside. She rises and comes to sit next to me on the couch. Without hesitation, she puts her arms around me, and I quickly reciprocate. The moment our arms close around each other, it’s as if time has folded in on itself, drawing the past and present together into one fragile, breathless moment. It’s not just a hug—it’s the quiet ache of things we left behind. I’m sure Melanie feels the tremor of my chest, my uneven heartbeat carrying too many unspoken words.
“I’m so sorry, Mel,” I whisper into her shoulder, letting my lips linger on her skin. Her arms fit around me like they always had, as if no time had passed, as if there were no long silences or unspoken apologies for the pain I caused her.
“Josh.” Melanie’s voice wavers and she sniffles. And in the quiet space between us, she softens. Maybe she hasn’t forgiven me completely, but there’s hope.
“I should have come sooner,” I murmur, pulling back slightly so I can look at her without breaking contact.
“You were busy…” Melanie lets her voice trail off. “You made something of yourself.”
I pull back, guilt washing over me, sharp and unrelenting. “And at what cost?” I let go of Melanie and scrape my hand through my hair. “I lost you completely. And I’ve missed you more than I ever let myself admit…until now.”
“I’ve missed you too, Josh,” Melanie croaks. She falls back into my arms, and I let her, stroking her back.
I let myself memorize the way she feels against me, as if holding her now will make up for all the years I didn’t. We stay like that for a long time, and for the first time, I let myself think maybe this doesn’t have to end—maybe it can be the start of something new.
Then
Josh,
I need you to know how much last night meant to me. I can’t call you because I don’t want Cara to be suspicious. And you won’t get to read this until Study Hall on Monday, but if I don’t get it out, I’ll burst. Thank you. Thank you for taking me to my prom. For my corsage. For dancing with me and being silly with me. For making me feel beautiful. Andseen. And thank you for everything after…for your patience and gentleness with me. For making our first time special. I will remember it forever. I hope you know how much you mean to me, not just because of last night, but because of everything.
Love, Mel
Melanie,
You have noideahow much you mean to me. I haven’t stopped thinking about it since Saturday night. Not just what we did but how you looked at me after. You’re the only girl I ever want to be like that with. I have no idea if I did everything right, but I know it felt like the rest of the world faded away and it was just us. I hope you don’t regret it because I don’t. Not for a second. So…when is round two? Asking for a friend.
LOL – you better only be asking for yourself! I still can’t believe that actually happened…with you. Not to be dramatic but I’m pretty sure you ruined me for anyone else. Ever.
For me too. Now all the love songs on the radio make sense. Can we please hang out again ASAP?
Maybe somewhere a bit more private than the gazebo? My parents won’t be home until 6 today.
School can’t end fast enough.
11
MELANIE
NOW
“Hold on,” Sophie says, holding up her hand. “Josh has been sleeping on your couch for two weeks already?” I haven’t seen her in ages, so we grabbed a coffee and parked ourselves on a bench at the Washington Street Mall. I’m filling her in on all things Josh, and she’s looking at me with heart eyes.
I nod, sheepishly biting my lip. “He has…and when I am off, we are writing new music every night. Or playing old music. It’s just like old times but better.” I close my eyes and sigh, trying not to swoon and failing miserably. “And when I work, he comes in and hangs out at the bar for half my shift.”
