Prolouge: Melissa is 18. She has no family and lives on the street with her best friend Ashley, who is also an orphan and 18. In this story, Nick's 16, cuz i didnt want him to be too much younger than Melissa.
Chapter1
The last thing Melissa remembered was that someone was yelling "Oh my God we hit someone!"
When she woke up, she was laying in a bed in the hospital, with fuzzy figures standing around her. She blinked, and they came into focus. "You're--you're--" she passed out before she could say the names: the Jonas Brothers.
When she woke up again, her head was throbbing. "Don't faint again," Joe Jonas warned her.
"What-what happened?" she asked.
"You--sorta--" Joe gulped and glanced at his mom, who was in the room and looking at Melissa.
She explained," You two got hit by our tour bus," she said slowly. Melissa was confused.
"Us...two?" she repeated. Then it hit her."ASHLEY!!!" she shrieked. "Where is she?"
"Be quiet you'll wake her," Mrs.Jonas shushed her. "Shes in the bed across the room." Melissa tried to get up, but a stab of pain shot up her back. She eased back onto the pillows.
"Don't get up," Nick said.
"Yeah, you got hit hard. We were going sixty miles a hour,"Kevin said. "It's a miracle youre not--well, dead," he added.
Then the doctor came in. "Ok,Ok, every one out," he said. "I need to see if she has any lasting injuries." He gave Melissa a pain killer, and as she struggled against the drowsiness, the Jonas Brothers walked out the room.
She had a frightening dream. She was standing in darkness, with a hideous laughter ringing in her ears. When she woke up, panting and in a cold sweat, she could still hear the ringing of the horrendous laughter.
Chapter2
She lay in the dark hospital bed, at around 7 or 8 oclock, trying to shake the dream from her memory. She glanced at Ashley in her bed. She was stirring. "Ashers," Melissa whispered. "You awake?"
Ashley groaned and said,"Mmmm...Now I am. Where are we? Last I remembered we were crossing 3rd street." Melissa didn't want to tell her , but she did anyway.
"Well...I have good news and bad news," she started.
"Ahh..my head...What's the bad news?" Ashley asked.
"We...sorta...got...hit by a bus."
"WHAT?!" Ashley yelped. She shot up in her bed, but yelped from the pain and laid back down again. Melissa spoke quickly to calm her.
"But it was the Jonas Brothers tour bus."
Ashley screamed,"I GOT HIT BY THE JONAS BROTHERS TOUR BUS? How? When?"
"Ash,chill!" Melissa said. "Youre going to hurt yourself more!"
A nurse, hearing Ashley's yells, rushed in."what's wrong?" she asked. Melissa tried to explain without sparking another spaz in Ashley.
" Well, I told her that we got hit--" but she stopped when she noticed the nurse wasn't listening. She gave Ashley a painkiller, and soon she was sleeping peacefully.
The nurse glanced at Melissa and said, "Are you feeling OK?"
"I guess," she said. "Where did Joe and his brothers go?" she asked.
"Theyre in the cafeteria eating. Theyre really worried about you guys. By the way, youre not seriously hurt, only some bumps and bruises. A miracle," she added,"seeing that the bus was going sixty miles an hour.But your friend has a fractured skull, a broken leg, and some broken ribs, but she should be fine. Youre both extremely lucky."
Lucky...ha. "I wouldn't say that," she said wryly. Just then Joe, Kevin , Mrs. Jonas,and Nick walked in.
"Hey, you're awake," Nick said with relief.
"Yeah," Melissa sighed.
The nurse said, "What were you saying, dear?"
Melissa shook her head, and mumbled "Nevermind." Joe walked over and took her hand.
"What is it?" he asked.
"Well..."
Chapter3
"It's just that--I--we--me and Ash--can't pay for any of the hospitable bills."
Mrs. Jonas said, "Of course you can. It's not that much. Do your parents have health insurance?"Melissa's eyes filled with tears.
"No. I dont have health insurance. I don't even have parents." The air in the room seemed frozen, with the words she just uttered immobile in front of everyone's eyes.
"What--do you mean by--"Mrs. Jonas started.
"What I mean is that I'm an orphan. Me and Ash. We live on the streets. For sixteen years. Her for even longer. We got tired of foster care. Being pushed from house to house. Ash's dad left her mom before when she was born. Her mom died giving birth to her. Were all each other has." Her voice wavered, tears rolled down her face, and she took a shaky breath before continuing. "My parents--died in a---a car crash when--I was two. Neither of us have any relatives." Tears were streaming down Mrs. Jonas's and Nick's faces. Joe leaned over and hugged her .
"I'm so sorry," he whispered into her ear.
Just then Ashley woke up. They all rushed over to her bed and surrounded her, watching her stir. Melissa felt a pang of annoyance. "You poor thing," Mrs. Jonas cooed.
"Ya feeling better?" Kevin asked.
She mumbled, "No. I feel like i just got run over." Melissa sighed, rolled over to face the opposite wall, and tried to fall asleep.
She didn't remember when she fell asleep, listening to the buzz of the Jonas Brother's voices, but she must've, because she woke up around ten occlock. Joe was asleep in the chair next to Ashley's bed. He's so cute when he's sleeping, Melissa thought. She looked around. Nick and Kevin were sleeping in chairs near the door. She wondered how long they've been there.
Nick stirred, and his eyes fluttered open. He yawned, stood up, and stretched. "Hey, you're awake," he said.
"Yeah," she said. He walked over.
"Hey, y'know, sorry... for, well..." he rubbed the back of his neck.
"It's fine. I get hit by busses all the time. No big deal," she tried to joke. Nick looked serious.
"Really. We feel terrible," he insisted. "We were gonna be late to the concert, so Joe was making the driver go faster...and then we looked outside and saw you flying off the hood... and Joe couldn't even do the concert. He was shaking and crying so hard." Nick roughly brushed a tear away.
Melissa stood up, pressed her finger to his lips, and whispered,"Stop." Nick pushed her hand away and pulled her to him . His lips were barely on hers when they heard "WHAT ARE YOU DOING?"
Chapter4
Joe was awake and glaring at Nick. "What are you doing?" he repeated.
"Dude, what do you care?" Nick snapped.
"Uh, you were kissing her!" Joe yelled.
Ashley's eyes fluttered open and she said weakly, "Who's yelling?"
Joe stroked her hair and said, "Noone. Go back to sleep." He strode to the door, yanked it open, and went out. Nick ran after him and pulled the door shut behind him.
"What is wrong with you?"
"Why were you kissing her?"
"I wasn't kissing her!"
"You were about to!"
"Why are you so obsesed with this?"
"I'm obsessed because you're my little brother!"
"You make it seem like I'm a ten-year-old! I'm 16!"
Melissa was amazed that brothers so close were fighting. She squeezed her eyes shut and prayed that she could fall asleep so she couldn't hear the rest of the fight. Their voices were getting quieter, like they were walking down the hall. Finally, it was silent.
The next day, after breakfast, the doctor told Melissa and Ashley they could leave the hospital. Mrs.Jonas offered to pay for their bills, and despite Melissa's refusals, she did anyway."We feel so terrible," she said. "You two are welcome to stay with us , since you don't have homes. But you'll have to work for us." Melissa was surprised.
"No, we couldn't," she said.
Kevin said, " Shut up, you don't have anywhere to live."
Melissa was in a daze by the time they got to the Jonas Brother's house. She could barely believe that for the first time in 10 years, she was living in a house and not on the streets.
Chapter5
After a half-hour trip from the hospital, Melissa and Ashley got out of Mrs. Jonas's car. They stood in front of their home, staring at it until Kevin said, "What's wrong?"
"Nothing," Ashley said, "its just we havent been a house for years." They got inside and noticed that the Jonas Brother's house smelled like them.
Ashley walked inside and said politely, "You keep a beautiful home, Mrs. Jonas."
"Oh, well, i keep it the best i can," she replied. Melissa couldnt stop staring at everything.
Nick walked over and said, "You ok?" Melissa nodded. She thought she was dreaming.
Joe went up to Melissa and said, "I'm so sorry--" but was cut off by Kevin.
"Dude, they know that they got hit because of you.You hate yourself. They dont hate you."
"No, we dont" Melissa answered, staring into Joe's eyes.
A little later, Mrs. Jonas called Melissa and Ashley. "Could you two girls help me with dinner?
"Absolutely," Ashley said immediatly.
"You've been so nice, we would do anything. Were so grateful," Melissa said. "Ok then, could you make the salad? There's some knives right there," she ssaid, pointing to the knives in the kitchen. The immediatly got to work.
At dinner, they ate quickly. Mrs. Jonas told them where they could sleep."The guest room. Ill put another matress in there, since theres only one bed." After they borrowed Nick and Joe's pjs, Mrs. Jonas promised that they would shop for clothes tomorrow.
Chapter6
Melissa's mind was whirling, she could barely think straight. Everything was happening so fast. "Ashley?" she whispered."You awake?"
"I am now."
"Are we really at the Jonas's Brothers house? This isnt a dream?" she asked. Ashley reached over and pinched her. Melissa squeaked and said, "Why'd u do that?"
"To prove that is wasnt a dream," Ashley giggled. Melissa sighed. "This is crazy. Our reality has been turned upside down. Now we live somewhere, and have clothes and food. I cant believe it."
"Me neither," Ashley whispered. "Its crazy.
The door squeaked open and Kevin's head popped in. "Please. It's midnight. Can you call it a night?" he begged.
"Sorry," the two girls said in unison. After he left, Ashley said," I agree. Let's get some sleep." Melissa stayed awake for hours, trying to convince herself that this was really happening.
Chapter7
She woke up to an odd smell. This isn't the smell of the street, she thought. Opening her eyes, she gasped. It wasnt a dream! She really was at the Jonas Brother's house! She really was staying there! "Ashley! Wake up!" she shook Ashley awake.
"Huh--what?"
"It wasnt a dream!" Ashley blinked a few times. "Yeah- i know."
"O. Sorry. Go back to sleep." Melissa was amazed. Is Ashley taking this for granted already? There was a soft knock at the door.
Mrs. Jonas came in and said,"Good morning girls. Wakey wakey. Take a shower and then we'll make breakfast. "
"Morning Mrs. Jonas," Melissa said. Wait--what did she say?
Ashley said excitedly, "Wow--we can take a shower? Is there hot water? At the homeless shelters, all there is is cold water, and--ow! Why'd you elbow me, Melissa?" Melissa pulled her elbow back and gave her a look. Mrs. Jonas only chuckled.
"Yes. Take as long a shower as you like."
But Kevin was taking a shower, and when he got out, Joe cut in front of the girls, saying, "Ya snooze, ya lose!"
After showers, the girls helped Mrs. Jonas make omlets, bacon, bagels, and fruit salad. They ate, and Joe said, "Great omlet, Melissa." She felt a tremble.
"Th-thanks." She and Ashley did the dishes, and then Mrs. Jonas declared, "Now we'll go shopping. But dont expect to go to Hollister and American Eagle, girls."
"What are Hollister and American Eagle?" Ashley asked.
Mrs. Jonas gave her a weird look and said, "Nevermind."
They went to K-Mart, and got a few things to last them a couple weeks. In the car, going back home, Melissa said, "We cant thank you enough, Mrs. Jonas. You're so sweet."
"Oh, it was nothing," she answered.
Chapter8
Melissa tried on her new clothes, and examined herself in the full-length mirror that hung on the back of the door of the guest room. "O my god. I actually look like a normal girl." She had never noticed how, well, pretty she was. Especially in a pink tee shirt that made her hair and skin stand out. Wow--she had a nice skin tone. And blonde hair. How did it get so long?
Nick walked in, making her lose her train of thought. "Wow.You look great," he said.
"No, i dont, " she automatically said, but then remembered what she thought of herself two seconds ago.
"So what're you doing?" he asked.
"Well--I was gonna--"
"Come on." He took her hand and pulled her down the hall.
"Wait--where are you--"
"You'll see, " he answered, pulling her out the door and down the street. He lead her down countless streets until he reached a quiet culdesac. There was a giant oak tree, towering over all the houses on the street, with a treehouse in it.
He ran over to it, found a rope ladder hanging from it, and started to climb it. "Come on up," he said, grinning. Melissa paused.
"Is it safe?" she asked.
"Totally. It'll hold." She cautiously climbed up until she reached the trapdoor of the treehouse. Nick pulled her up and said proudly, "Cool, isnt it?"
Melissa looked around. It was cool. There was a window on every wall, and the treehouse was so high, she could see for miles around. There was a few posters of Switchfoot on the walls, and a few books scattered around, but not much. It was pretty empty. But yeah, it was cool. "This place is awesome!" she said.
"It was my dad's," Nick said, gazing at her. "We refurbished before Frankie was born. We come up here anytime we need to get away from the rest of the world. In this treehouse, me, Joe and Kevin aren't famous. We're just some guys hanging out and having fun." All of a sudden, they heard voices. They looked out the window, and they saw Kevin holding some girl's hand, coming toward the treehouse. "His girlfriend Katie," Nick muttered. "I don't like her."
Chapter9
Nick stuck his head out the window and yelled down, "Go away! I'm up here! I don't want your girlfriend with us!" When he came back in, he said, "That should take care of them. Where was I?"
"Umm, you were at 'you werent famous in this treehouse.'"
"Oh--yeah." He was quiet. Then he said,"Its like a soap opera."
Melissa was confused. "What is?" she asked.
"Famous rock star's tour bus hits a poor, homeless orphan girl. Now all we need is people falling in love with with wrong people," he joked.(author's note: heres some foreshadowing)
"Who're you calling poor and homeless?" Melissa joked. "It's like A Midsummer Night's Eve," she added. "It's one of my favorite Shakesphere plays."
"You read Shakesphere?" Nick asked.
"Once in a while. When I can get my hands on a book, i read it." Nick rummaged around thru the books.
"I think i might have it," he said pensively. "Here." He grabbed a book and tossed it to her. MIDSUMMER NIGHT'S EVE, it said on the cover.
"I've only known you for a few days," he started to say. OMIGOD, she thought. "But you--"
"Nick? You up there?" It was Joe. His head appeared in the trapdoor and he stared at Melissa. "Hi Melissa." he said robotically. "Nick, can I talk to you? NOW?" he climbed back down. Nick sighed and follwed him. Melissa still stood there. What was he about to tell her? Oh, Joe! You came in at the wrong moment.
Chapter10
Later at dinner, it was unusually quiet. Kevin brought his girlfriend to dinner, and Melissa caught Ashley sneaking glares at her when she was looking away.
She couldn't fall asleep that night. Stop thinking, she ordered herself, fall asleep. So around midnight, she got up and went for a walk around the backyard. The full moon illuminated the garden, and it glowed. Suddenly, she heard a guitar playing. It was so beautiful, she stopped and listened. The playing stopped. "Melissa? Is that you?" It was Nick.
"Yeah. What are you doing out at midnight?" she asked.
"I couldnt fall asleep," he said.
She sighed.
"Penny for your thoughts?" he asked. "Sit down." Nick gestured to a bench next to a lilac bush.
She sat and said, "I dont deserve to be here. I'm not supposed to be alive! I got hit by a bus! Fate is trying to say I'm better off dead."
Nick shook his head. "When'd you think of this? Fate brought us together. It gave you somewhere to live."
Melissa said, "I don't know. It just occured to me that my parents died, so maybe I'm supposed to too." Nick set his guitar down and put his arm around her.
"Maybe you're supposed to do great things in the future, and you couldnt with your parents around. Maybe you wouldn't've met us if you still lived with your parents." Melissa sniffed.
"Wow. I hadnt thought of that." She hugged him. "Thanks.'' She brushed a tear away. "I didnt even know my parents."
Chapter11
The next morning at breakfast, she smiled at Nick. He smiled back. "Oooh, puppy luuuuv," Ashley teased.
"Shut up," Melissa said.
Kevin said, "We have photo shoots with Popstar, M , and Tiger Beat. Its gonna be boring. Wanna come?''
"Sure," Ashley said eagerly. "Umm that is, if its ok with your mom." She looked at Mrs. Jonas.
She nodded. "Sure. You guys have fun today."
Melissa put on a dark blue tee and a skirt. Ashley dressed in a yellow polo and jeans. They ran outside, where the Joans brothers were standing next to a limo. Melissa stopped. "What's wrong?" Nick asked.
"It's just..I've never been in a limo before, "she said.
"Theres' a first time for everything,"Joe joked. He went in, followed by Kevin, Nick, and Ashley. Melissa hesitantly slipped inside and shut the door. The neon lights were blinding.
At the photo shoot, there were dozens of girls standing outside. Their screams erupted when the boys stepped out of the limo. Melissa was terrified, and they ran though the mob.
She and Ashley were ignored most of the time. After seven long, boring hours, they piled back into the limo and were driven home.
Melissa collapsed into bed at nine o clock, falling asleep instantly. She woke up at around six, and snuck out of the guest room to not waken Ashley. Yes, she thought. I can finally take a shower without the boys hogging it! As she was facing the bathroom door, ready to open it, it swung out at her. BONK!!!
"Oww, my nose!" she yelled.
Chapter12
"Oh my god, Melissa, I'm sorry!" Joe said. He was the one coming out of the bathroom. He led her into the bathroom and handed her a wad of tissues. "Here." She shook her head.
"I don't think it's bleeding," she said. "Owwww."
Joe looked so apologetic. "I'm sorry. I didn't know anyone would be up at this time."
She smiled. "I woke up early. I gotta take a shower. Leave."
Joe grinned. "What if I don't?" he said teasingly. Melissa grabbed a towel, twisted it, and snapped it at his leg. "That's what will happen. Leave, Joseph." He laughed and left.
Later that day, their manager came, told Kevin something, and left. He looked grave, but refused to tell anyone anything until dinner. "You guys, I gotta say something," he finally announced. There was a suspenseful silence. "Our manager told me we have to tour for another 3 months."
Melissa choked on tears. Ashley started to sob, and Nick looked close to crying.
"We were just on a tour!" he muttered.
"No fair!" Joe said.
"Life isn't fair," Mr. Jonas said.
No! They can't leave! Joe can't leave! Nick can't leave! I won't let them! That's not fair! Melissa was screaming in her head. I can't stand this! She ran out of the room,out the back door, and to the garden.
She sobbed on the bench for what seemed like hours, until Nick came out and hugged her. She cried into his shoulder."You can't go," she sobbed. "You just can't. I'll miss you too much."
Nick whispered,"Shhhh. It's OK. We'll keep in touch. 3 months isn't that long."
" Yes it is!" she cried.
"We'll make it through," he said. "You're not the only person who'll miss somebody. I'll miss you sooo much. But this is what we do. We're a band. We tour. But we always come back."
Chapter13
It was the day the guys were leaving for their tour. Everyone woke up early--at 5 in the morning. Kevin's girlfriend had slept over, despite the "No!!! Why does she have to sleep over?" 's from Melissa and Ashley, to say bye too. Mr. Jonas was leaving with the guys, but Mrs. Jonas was staying with the girls. Breakfast was waaaaaaay too short, and before Melissa knew it, they were leaving. The tour bus was parked in the front, and it looked ominous. Joe, Nick and Kevin gave final hugs goodbye. Melissa, tears brimming in her eyes, threw her arms around Joe and Nick and held them close for a few seconds.
"I--I am g-going to--m-miss--you so much!" she sobbed. They squeezed her tightly.
"We'll be back in 3 months. It's not that long," they tried to comfort her. But she wailed anyway.
Katie (Kevin's GF) hugged and kissed Kevin and said, "I'll miss you, Kevy-Bear!" As soon as she walked away, Ashley ran up and hugged Kevin.
They got on the bus. It started, and drove away. Melissa and Ashley hugged each other and sobbed. Katie went home.
Melissa couldn't take the pain of them leaving, so she took a nap. She had a nighmare about Nick and Joe falling off a cliff, them reaching out for help, but she was frozen, staring helplessly down at them at they tumbled to their--
She woke up in a cold sweat, panting. It was already dinnertime. She got up and went in the kitchen. She half expected to hear "Kevin, pass the potatoes" or "Joe, stop taking all the salad" but it was silent.
Melissa didn't feel true happiness until the day they returned.
Chapter14--3 months later
Melissa, Ashley, Mama Jonas, and Katie stood outside with a giant banner that said, "WELCOME BACK!!!" They waited anxiously for the taxi to drive up. Finally, it did, and the Jonas Brothers( and Papa J) stepped out of it.
"Kevin!" Mama J yelled, running to her husband and hugging him. Ashley ran to Kevin Jr., but was too slow--Katie ran to Kevin and threw her arms around him.
"Kevie-bear!!!" Katie squealed. "I missed you!!"
Kevin looked a little embarased, but kissed her on the cheek and said," I missed you too, Katie-bear."
Ashley just stood there, dumbfounded.
"Melissa!" Joe and Nick yelled in unison. They ran to her and hugged her tight.
"Oh my GOD!!!!!" Melissa said. "I missed you so much!!!" They pulled back from her and smiled.
"What have you been doing?" Nick asked her.
"Well, nothing. I was bored. It was reeeeely quiet-- I didn't hear Joe yelling anything stupid, for three months." She placed a hand over her heart and said pathetically, "I think its scarred me for life."
Joe laughed and gave her another hug. "Yeah, well, it wasn't the same without you either, Mel Bell."
She gave him a look. "Call me that again and you might wake up without any limbs one day."
He grinned and said, "I'm starving."
"Of course its Joe who's always hungry," Nick said.
It was midnight. After hours of welcome-back-partying, everyone had finally gone to bed. She couldn't fall asleep, tho. She was too happy. Melissa stared at the ceiling. You gotta fall asleep sometime, she thought. So she got up to have some milk and a sandwich. She walked down the hallway and into the kitchen, and she saw it.
Ashley was kissing Joe.
Chapter15
Her breath caught in her throat. No!!! Ashley isn't kissing Joe!!! Shock, betrayal, rage flooded her mind. Then Ashley noticed Melissa standing there. "Oh, God, Mel-- it wasn't what it looked like!"
Melissa was out the door before she finished talking.
She ran. She didn't know where, but she ran, still in her PJs, farther and farther. She wasn't going to stop for anything. She didn't want to hear any excuses, from anyone. Ashley knew that Melissa loved Joe!!!! She betrayed her!!! She was panting now, and her legs felt like they were on fire, but she refused to stop. Finally, she ran into the park, found a bench, laid down on it, and refused to feel anything. But the tears still came.
Her eyes snapped open, but closed instantly. It was too bright out. Then she heard sirens. Melissa jumped up, and was going to run again when a car pulled up and someone jumped up and grabbed her. "Melissa!" She struggled, but realized she wasn't going to get away, and hung limp in his arms. "Melissa, you scared the crap out of us!" It was Joe. Tears poured out of her eyes. "Don't--please--leave--m-me--alone!" she sobbed into his shoulder.
Chapter16
"No, Melissa! I'm so sorry--I didn't know--I didn't mean-- I never wanted to hurt you!" he said.
She puled away from him and stared at him. "I'm not mad at you--I'm mad at Ashley! She totally betrayed me!" She noticed Nick, Kevin, Mama J, Papa J, and Ashley come out of the cop car. Ashley ran over to Melissa.
"Melissa--you're my best friend. I would never intentionally hurt you--I was jealous of Katie for being Kevin's girlfriend! I love Kevin! So I kissed Joe! I don't know why! I just did it!" she said wildly.
Melissa glared at her. "You knew exactly what you were doing, you traitor," she hissed.
Suddenly, Joe kissed Melissa. "I don't love Ashley, anyway," he whispered into her ear. "I love you."
WHAM!! Nick's fist came flying out of nowhere, and collided with Joe's head. "You *censored*!" he yelled .Melissa shrieked in terror. "You knew I was going to tell her! I love her!" Nick yelled.
Joe punched Nick back. "I love her too! Why are you always like this, you think you're the only one who's ever been in love!" Then they started really fighting, until Mr. Jonas ran up and pulled them apart.
Melissa started shaking. She couldn't take it anymore. "I'm leaving," she screamed. Nick and Joe, both still panting, looked in surprise at her.
"Huh?" they said.
"I'm not living with two immature worms who can't put aside their own wants to make someone happy!" she said, shaking now with anger. "I'm so glad that you fell in love. But look at you!" Nick and Joe glanced at each other's bruises. "Brothers so close shouldn't fight over a girl, especially one that doesn't deserver to be fought over."
Nick stepped up to her and stroked her face. "You do deserve being loved," he said. She slapped his hand away.
"I'm leaving," she repeated. "Don't follow me unless you can change." She turned and strode away, half expecting to hear Nick or Joe's footsteps behind her, meaning that they were willing to change.
She heard nothing.
Chapter17--5 years later. Melissa is 23 and living in NYC
part 1
Melissa trudged in the door of her apartment and collapsed on the couch. She turned on the TV, and the news was on. "Pop sensations the Jonas Brothers are performing at the--"
Melissa turned the TV off. She refused to feel anything. It's been 5 years, the past is in the past, she thought. She fingered the wedding ring on her finger, looked at it, then grabbed her keys and walked outside.
Her legs took her to her favorite haunt--the Dennys a block away. She went inside and sat down. "Oh, hello Melissa!" Nancy, one of the waitresses said. "How are you today?"
Melissa forced a smile and said," Great! What about you?"
"Super! So, you want the usual?" Nancy asked.
"Yep."
Nancy left to go get a coke, turkey sandwich and salad. Melissa fingered the ring some more and looked at the customers in the restraunt. She never saw the same people more than once.
"I am so psyced for the concert today! Her, Frankie, could you pass the kechup?" she heard from a table behind her. Her heart skipped a beat. No, it couldn't be him! She hadn't seen him in 5 years!
"Why do you eat burgers like that, Nick?"
"I dunno. It's something I've always done. You always say that, Joe!"
Melissa gasped for breath. It was him. Joe. The first man she had ever loved, now sitting less than 10 feet away. Should I go talk to him? she wondered. Would it be awkward? Will he hate me? Spontaneously, she jumped up, turned around, and walked to the table. "Joe?" she squeaked out.
Joe, Nick, and Frankie stared at her. "Who are you?" Frankie said.
"MELISSA!" Nick and Joe yelled in unison. They jumped up and hugged her. "Oh, my God!" Nick said. "It's been 5 years! I-I can't believe it!"
"What the heck have you been doing for 5 years?" Joe said.
part 2
"Well...'' Melissa started to say. She paused. "Before I say anything, I need to know: how bad did I hurt you when I left?"
"Really bad," Nick said quietly. "I got so depressd after you left...Joe got over you after the first few months... I loved you so much. But I eventually got over you too"
"I'm sorry," she whispered. "What happened after you got over me?"
Joe said, "Well, Kevin broke up with Katie, I always thought she was a--er," he stopped, glanced at Frankie, and continued, "I never liked her. Anyway, he went to college, and Frankie joined the band. But enough about us. What have you been doing?" Joe said.
"Well...I stayed at homeless shelters for a while...then I managed to get a job at Lord and Taylor in New York City. (authors note: thats a store) After a few paychecks, I rented an apartment. Then, a few months ago, I got promoted to CEO. And--" she stopped and stared at her wedding ring. She choked up. "And--and--I got married--to--Roger--"
Nick sprang to his feet and ran out of Dennys.
Chapter18
Melissa gasped. "Nick!" she yelled. He didn't turn around.
"Dude!" Joe called after him. "I'll go get him," he promised. Then he ran after Nick.
Melissa collapsed in Nick's chair, facing Frankie, tears brimming in her eyes. "You're the one Nick's been talking about all these years? I expected a model that won the Nobel peace prize or something," Frankie said.
Later that day, she was in her apartment, crying her eyes out. She knew she shouldn't've married Roger! Nick still loved her! She thought Nick never realy got over her. Suddenly, the phone rang. It was Roger.
"Hey, honey! I miss you so much, but when you have buisness meetings, if you wanna keep your job, you go to them," he said. "But I'll be back in another week. Oh- I gotta go. Love you!" he hung up, not letting her say anything.
Why did I marry this retard? she thought.
