Memories and Melodies <Book Two of TMTYLM>

Hey guys! :D

This is my last update as a seventh grader! Wow. xD

I wanted get this up before I went to school, because I'm going to a friend's after, and I'm going to help her write while I'm there.

Picture will be James just being stupidly perfect. Ugh, I hate this kid for being so perfect. xD

Song with be "Payphone" by Maroon 5!

Dedication goes to @elevatedstars_  for talking to me this morning(:

Vote, Comment, Fan! :)

Enjoy! <3

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Chapter Eight

<Two Weeks Later>

<Juliet>

James’ black Kia Surrento slows to a stop in front of a secluded log cabin, surrounded by forest. I smile at the place through the windshield as James gets out of the car and starts unloading our luggage.

Aunt Lisa and Uncle Kendall’s daughter, Kaylee, is on the trip with us, so I turn around and smile at her. “You survived the trip from the airport to here?” I ask.

Kaylee laughs. “Yeah, I’m fine. I don’t want to fall asleep until I see Aunt Maddie, though.”

My grin gets wider. Kaylee and I both get out of the car. James looks at me. “Juliet, you wouldn’t mind helping me with the bags, would you?” He asks and I shake my head.

I grab my duffle and Kaylee’s backpack. James smiles gratefully at me, swinging his own duffle bag over his shoulder. “Thanks, Jules.” I nod and he and I walk up the porch steps.

Kaylee knocks on the door and I look at James to view his reaction when he sees Aunt Maddie. I hear the door open. James inhales sharply and purses his lips, stiffening his back and straightening his varsity jacket.

I look to my aunt. “Hi, Kaylee!” Maddie exclaims, hugging her niece. “Your parents talk about you all the time. It’s so nice to finally meet you!”

Kaylee runs inside the house and Maddie grins at me. “Hello, sweetheart!” She hugs me and I inhale my aunt’s scent of pine trees and maple and vanilla. “You’ve grown up! I haven’t seen you since you were eight!” Maddie exclaims. She holds me by the shoulders, an arms’ length away. We both take each other in.

Maddie’s hair is in a high ponytail, her bangs out. She wears a blue “The Fray” shirt, dark gray yoga pants, and black Uggs. Her pants have splatters of pant dabbing them, and she has a paintbrush through the hair-band of her ponytail.

Deciding to leave Maddie and James alone, I go inside and find Kaylee in a room, unpacking her things. I help her out, wondering what James and Maddie could be talking about.

<Maddie>

James looks at me and pushes a smile onto his face. “Long time no see,” He says quietly.

I nod and make a soft sound, clearing the way for him to enter. James strides into the living room, spotting a framed picture on a side table next to one of the couches. He gently sets his bags down and picks up the photo.

It was taken when Kaylee was around 5, and Kendall had mailed it to me. He was holding his niece in his arms, smiling widely. Kaylee’s hair wasn’t Lisa’s dark shade at the time—it was actually the traditional Schmidt-blonde. James was standing next to them, smiling brightly.

James looks at me. “I remember when this was taken. The next month, Kaylee’s hair got darker,” he reminisces with a soft laugh.

“I’m glad you took the girls here,” I tell him. “Really, I am. And I know it’s hard for you to see me, but you set that aside for your daughter and you’re niece. I think that’s amazing.”

James shrugs and sets down the frame. “What room do you want me in?” He asks.

I point at the staircase. “First door on the left is yours.”

He picks up his bags and smiles at me, walking up the stairs. Juliet and Kaylee come out of one of the rooms and Kaylee looks at me.

“Juliet says you and James are going to get back together!” She says and Juliet clamps a hand over her mouth.

“I never said that, Maddie!” Juliet exclaims. “I swear!”

I take a deep breath. “No, Kaylee. We aren’t. James and I are just going to help each other take care of you girls. That’s all.”

Kaylee nods. “Alright. I think I’m going to go take a nap…” She drags her feet down the hall and into her room.