Running from love? (On hold indefinitely)

Chapter 4

Melanie POV

“Found you”

The words echo round my head as I sit in a stunned silence with my heartbeat quickening in pace. I hear a cough and look up to see the whole class staring and I remember where I am. I look back to Darren and see his eyes gazing at me with happiness, and some other unnamed emotion. However, the glint in his eyes scare me. I look away to see that the lesson has continued. I turn my whole body away from Darren and make it look like I’m concentrating on the class when I have many thoughts running through my head. I’m distracted by my thoughts as the bell rings. I take my time packing my stuff away. I look up sensing eyes watching me and see Michael looking at me, concerned. I look away from here and then realise Rose is standing in front of me, with a dreamy look in her eyes. I wave my hand in front of her eyes, and she looks over at me and announces

“I think I’m in love.”

Now, Rose may have lots of flings but if she says she loves someone, then she is serious. Immediately, I ask who has apparently ‘captured her heart’.

“Darren. I mean, have you seen him? He’s sexy on a stick! You need to help me. I want him.”

For some reason, my mood changes and I feel sad inside. Weird. I choose to ignore it. I answer her saying

“Well, let’s go get your man.”

We go to our next few lessons bored out of our minds and finally the bell rings for lunch. We got to the canteen and search for our table of friends. My eyes go to the centre of the canteen and I immediately find them, but with an added person.

“Melanie. Please tell me that hunky figure sitting on our table is Darren. Okay, time to turn on flirty Rosey!”

Oh gosh, she did not just say that. Rose sits next to Darren whilst I sit directly opposite him. She immediately engages in a conversation with him, giggling and smiley as insanely wide smile. I feel a sharp stab of pain inside me. Yet again, weird. I look away to my neighbour and see it’s my other best bud Becca. We’ve been friends since we were born and we know everything about each other. It’s impossible for us to have secrets. She turns to me and we start talking about our weekends.

I glance up at Roe and Darren only to see that they’re not talking. In fact, Rose looks quite upset. I excuse myself from my conversation with Becca, and signal to Rose about leaving the canteen. She nods, and we both rise and leave the canteen. I immediately turn to her and see tears glistening round her eyes. I ask

“What’s wrong?”

She turns to me and exclaims “Darren. I starting talking to him, asking about his interests and stuff and he basically turns to me and says not to bother as he prefers someone else. I mean, what’s that about?? He’s been here barely a day and he says he’s found someone better than me. ME! I mean, who’s better than me? I’m sexy, funny and intelligent and there’s no bad in me whatsoever! He is so missing out. Hmmm, will have to switch to plan B: make Darren jealous. Thanks Mels, really needed your help. Bye!”

I’m left standing there gobsmacked. Even though we’re best friends, some things she says can hurt me, that last speech being a key example. Basically saying that everyone is beneath her. Huh.

I turn around and walk into a brick wall. Wait, why is there a wall in the middle of a corridor? And a wall that makes me feel sparkles throughout my body. I look up and see I’ve walked slap-bang into Darren. *gulp* Oh great. As I stand there yet again staring at him, he interrupts my thought process saying

“Fancy meeting you again. I’m Darren and you my dear are my mate.”

Mate. Okay, things just got complicated.