Chapter 11: good moment, gone sour

Melody and her family arrived on time to the dance that night. The driver pulled up and let out the passengers to a huge mansion. Melody stood in awe as her sisters strode to the front door. Melody took in all the lights and sounds. This is where she wanted to be. There was no better place than here to wait for her. The girl that would answer this call to the pounding in her chest.

"Melody?," Melody's father said snapping her from her trance she was in.

"W-wha?" she answered.

"Are you coming?," her father asked.

"Oh, you go ahead. I am waiting for someone," Melody replied merrily.

Her father gave her a puzzled look.

"Alright then, make sure he know how to dance," her father said with a wink.

Melody just smiled and gave her father a thumbs-up. Her father then nodded and joined her sisters inside the mansion. Melody checked the time on her watch.

"Nine o'clock...she always runs late so...," Melody said thinking. "9:30? Or 10?"

Time drew on and on until at 9:45 PM, a car drove up onto the driveway. Melody stood wide-eyed and excited. Her heart could not control its pumping. It was pounding and pounding. This was the moment that she was waiting for. This is it. She will tell her as soon as she steps out. The door of the car opens. Melody's heart was racing. She could not take anymore. A guy stepped out of the car with spiked blonde hair. Melody's heart slowed for a second as she watch him help Nikki out of the car. Nikki was dressed in a beautiful purple dress. It was big and sparkled as she walked.

Melody stood in, not only confusion but disappointment. Nikki grasped on to the boy's arm as she approached. Nikki then recognized Melody standing.

"Mel! Mel! Hi!," Nikki said as she walked over and gave Melody a hug.

"Nikki! I missed you!" Melody said.

"I know. I haven't had time. I have just been spending time with my boyfriend, Miles," Nikki said with a smile.

Melody looked over at Miles as he waved at her. Melody waved back in confusion and turned back to Nikki.

"You...didn't tell me that you had a boyfriend...," Melody whispered.

"Oh, come on Mel. It had to have happened some time. And plus, he is a nice guy. He really is," Nikki whispered back.

"I highly doubt he is...," Melody whispered.

"Oh, come on Mel. Some guys are nice once you get to know them. You cant hide from love forever," Nikki whispered.

Nikki gave Melody a smile and took her boyfriend's arm again.

"See you inside, Mel!," Nikki said walking into the mansion.

Melody then sighed and started entering the building.

Once inside she gazed around the party at all of the fancy suits and dresses. Colorful, big gowns twirled back and forth as people walked across the floor. The music was subtle, but joyous. Little laughter from little conversations could be heard around the room. Melody strode across the floor in her big dress, her gown hovering over the red carpeting as she stepped

She could smell the delicious delectables surrounding the room. The savory scent for teriyaki chicken. The buttery smell of seafood dish that was carried by a waiter, which zoomed past Melody, only to place is with the rest of the food.

Melody sighed and sat down at a table. She rested her chin on her hand as she gazed down at her empty plate. She wasn't hungry at all. Maybe before, but not now. It killed her inside, her heart was pounding with rage.

"Dating someone...," she said angrily under her breath.

Melody gazed up and Nikki sitting with her new boyfriend. The laughed and smiled as they made conversation. This made Melody sick to her stomach.

"If only I didn't wait this long...," She said to herself.

She sat and festered on this emotion she felt: Longing, anger, fear, passion, and loneliness.

Melody sat and thought about getting up to get something to eat. If that act were to help her then maybe she will forget. She gazed up once more and saw that Nikki's boyfriend had left her alone.

"This is my chance," Melody said with determination.

Melody stood up and slowly made her way to Nikki's table. She stopped before getting there and stared at her. Nikki then looked up.

"Oh, hi! Mel!," Nikki said.

"Hi...I was just uh...," Melody said giggling a bit.

"Would you like to sit with us?" Nikki asked.

"W-well I...I, um, sure," Melody said taking a seat next to Nikki.

"He will be back. He is just getting me a drink. He almost forgot, himself. He is a mess," Nikki giggled.

Melody giggled a bit and tried collecting herself. She sighed.

"Nikki...I...dont think I know you all that well," Melody said staring down at the table.

"What are you talking about? We have known each other. We talk almost every day," Nikki said.

"Yeah...but...I still dont know alot of things about you,"

"What would you like to know?"

Melody's heart was racing. Her cheeks turned bright red.

"What is your...favorite book?," Melody asked.

"Book? You want to know my favorite book?," Nikki asked.

Melody nodded.

"The book I like is called 'Red'. It's about a girl that learns that her ancestors were actually blades and she was the first in her family to get a red blade after so long. How about you?" Nikki answered.

Melody sighed to calm herself and she looked over at Nikki. She looked into Nikki's eyes.

"My favorite is a book called 'The Story of the Forgotten'. It is a biography on a blade that was on Spirit's team, but died before she made it on the battlefield...but they said that she actually protected them...her name was Serah...," Melody said placing her hand on Nikki's hand. "All my life, I wanted to be like Serah...and have someone to protect... I can be your protector...,"

Melody leaned in and closed her eyes slightly. Nikki, sitting there stunned, leaned back away from the kiss. All of a sudden, a crash was heard. Melody pulled back and gazed up at Nikki's boyfriend, who dropped the drinks all over the floor. The room seemed to stop what they were doing and turned their attention to Melody. Whispers can be heard from the crowd. Melody turned to find her father, appalled at what he just witnessed.

Melody then sighed.