4. Melody
4
MELODY
M y phone is dead. I forgot to charge it in my exhaustion. Plus, I slept at a weird angle on the couch and now, a sharp pain is wrapped around my neck. Rubbing it doesn’t seem to help. Fuck. Well, I’m off to a fantastic start.
I didn’t even change my clothes. Wincing, I realize that I only purchased the one uniform, thinking I’d have enough time to buy some more options when I got here. I’m not exactly sure when you’re supposed to wear them and when you can wear something normal. The rules are vague on that.
Head swimming and neck on fire, I stretch out in the offensive morning light.
Fuck that’s bright.
The curtains are pulled wide open making the massive windows let in a ridiculous amount of light. Who sleeps with their shades wide open for anyone to look in? My new stepbrother that’s who. Speaking of, I look around and find him fast asleep in his full-sized bed. I glare at his back. Asshole.
He couldn’t even bother to take me to my room. Instead, he played some sick game trying to get me to leave no doubt. I’m no fan of our parent’s hasty union either, but it’s not like we can control what they do. They’re grown adults making their own stupid decisions and we have to live with those consequences.
His body rises and falls with a steady rhythm, and I feel a stab of anger at how peaceful he looks. How dare he get to look like that when I’m thoroughly disheveled and in pain from sleeping on that lumpy couch?
Frowning, I scan the room and find a shelf with several Hot Wheels cars displayed like a child lives here. Of course, it makes perfect sense that this man-child would have a bunch of toys in a place of honor. Right under a Grammy. How the actual hell does he have a Grammy?
Like a bored cat, I intentionally knock the Hot Wheels over with a resounding clatter. They topple to the floor in spectacular fashion, and to my delight it startles the shit out of Chase.
His legs go flying as he stumbles from the bed, searching for the offending sound.
I stand there, arms crossed waiting for him to calm down. It’s actually hilarious seeing him like this, and I take my time to enjoy it.
“The fuck.” He stomps over to the toy cars and scoops them up like they’re a precious baby he needs to save from me.
“Good morning, princess, ” I say with a wide smile on my face. “This sleepover was fun and all, but I’m done playing your games. Now if you don’t mind, I would like to get to my room if you could just show me where it is.”
Chase looks at me with a deep frown creasing his forehead. His hair is rumpled from sleep and so are his clothes. He must have changed into pajamas at some point, but I’m stuck wearing the same thing I was yesterday. I’m desperate for a shower and some breakfast, and my temper is on a short leash.
“I told you already. This is your room.” He sets the cars down methodically. Taking care with each one, setting them at just the right angle. My eyebrow raises as I watch him.
“Very funny. Cut the shit out and just show me.”
He runs his hands down his face, exasperation evident. “I fucking told you.”
I stare at him for a moment and for the first time I wonder if he really isn’t fucking with me. Mouth slightly agape, I struggle with what to say next.
“Are you just going to stand there looking like a fish, or can I get back to sleep before my first class?”
I uncross my arms, fury rising. I feel my fists clench into two balls ready to swing on him. I’m not normally a violent person, but catch me without food and coffee, and you better not be in my way.
“Listen here, you privileged little shit–”
“First of all, nothing about me is little. ” I feel my eyebrows raise and cheeks heat at what he’s implying. “And second of all, I’m not fucking lying. I didn’t sign up for this arrangement any more than you did. So, either deal with it, or get out.”
“Fine! Gladly.” I grab my purse and luggage and rush past him, anger licking at my heels and my face burning red. I hate him. I fucking hate him. Of all the stepbrothers I could have been shackled to, why did I end up with him?
The campus is so vast that I get lost multiple times in search of the dean’s office. Thankfully, I have a standing appointment already set up. My feet are screaming at me by the time I hobble down the right wing. It’s filled with cubicles and office doors and a not so friendly receptionist named, Phyllis. She looks like they plucked her straight out of the tv show, The Office , with the same hairdo and round glasses, only more cunty.
“Melody Wessex?” An older looking woman with an ebony completion and gray streaked shoulder length hair asks, peeking her head into the room.
“Here,” I say, gathering my things.
She gestures for me to follow, and I do. Right into a beautifully decorated room, filled with an array of books, plants, and several plush chairs. The walls are lined with academic and musical accolades. A violin sits tucked away in a case near the window.
“How can I assist you today? I assume this is about your schedule?” She hands me a piece of paper with a detailed list of classes and teachers. My eyes flick over the content hungrily, curious as to what my day to day will look like. It blurs together as I remember why I’m here.
“Yes, but also–”
“Yes?” She looks over her moon-shaped wire frames, eyebrows wrinkling her forehead.
“I was wondering about my rooming situation?”
“Your stepfather has arranged all that. He asked that you stay with his son since you’re family now and all. You know he’s quite the brilliant student and should be able to help you find your footing at this school. Normally, we don’t make exceptions for just anyone, but the Milfords are a staple of our establishment.”
My stomach drops like bricks being tossed off a ledge. A whirring of what sounds like a heater kicking on fills the room with a rush of hot air licking at the wooden floorboards. The warmth snakes up my legs as the information she’s given me takes root. I’ll have to live with Chase. Which means he wasn’t lying.
“Are we sure there isn’t somewhere else I could stay?”
Her eyes dim and she raises her hands into a steeple beneath her prominent chin.
“Seeing as the year is well under way and the strings that were pulled to get you in, I would be grateful for what you have, yes? Beggars can’t be choosers after all.”
Her words linger in the air, heavy with the reminder that I’m only here because of my new stepfather. It’s like ice being thrown over me, sliding down my spine and stabbing my bones. I’m a charity case, and they won’t let me forget it.
“Is it possible to get a mattress then?” I ask.
Her eyebrows raise. “There should have been one sent yesterday for your arrival. I’ll check with maintenance for you.”
I give her my thanks and a small, tired smile. My head is fuzzy with trying to come to grips about my living situation. I’ve never roomed with a guy before and especially not one as abrasive as Chase Milford. God, this is going to be a disaster. What if he brings home a slew of girls? Where do I go? Is the sock on the door thing something that people actually do? My head hurts just thinking about it.
The sound of my luggage wheels rolling over the uneven cobblestones keeps a steady beat in time with my pulsating despair following me back to the room. My goal is to find my way back with only one wrong turn, but instead I’m wandering around lost in a dance corridor after several wrong red bricked buildings and one long trek through the arts wing. I’m distracted by one of the rooms that’s in the middle of a ballet lesson. It’s impossible not to look for a moment as they gracefully leap in the air. And the guys in tights aren’t too bad to look at either. They bend and sway in a synchronized routine that’s mesmerizing to watch. It’s clear why this school has the reputation it does. Picking the best of the best. I feel like a fraud being here. I don’t come from the same background as the students here, and I have no idea how I’ll measure up to the school’s lofty standards. All I can do, is try my best and hope I have enough talent to carve out a space for myself. I might not belong yet, but I know I’ll work as hard as I can to earn my spot here.
“Going on a trip?” Liam’s voice asks from behind me, making me jolt up with surprise.
I turn and find him watching me with an amused smile splayed upon his full lips.
“No, I’m headed back to the dorms.”
Somehow, he looks even more handsome than he did the other day.
“I could have sworn I carried that same luggage for you yesterday. Do you not go anywhere without it?” His tone is teasing and light, and the sun coming in from the large windows is hitting the dark hues in his hair making it appear almost blue.
“It’s my emotional support baggage. I like to have a physical representation of what I have to offer at all times,” I quip.
His hazel eyes sparkle at my joke. “You’re funny.”
“I can be.”
“Is that your schedule?” he asks, pointing to the creased paper I have clutched in my hand. I completely forgot I’m sitting her holding it.
“Oh, yeah. I haven’t had a chance to go over it yet.” I hold it up and he snatches it playfully.
He winces when he looks over it.
“What?” Nerves creep up my chest.
“Well, you’ll need a drink to get through this schedule. How about we go out for one this Friday?”
I chew on my bottom lip debating. A habit I know my mom would be scolding me for if she were here.
“Sure.”
His eyes sparkle, and before the word is even out of my mouth a large hand lands on Liam’s shoulder. A hand belonging to none other than my new roommate and stepbrother, Chase Milford. I can feel my lips curl back in disgust at his sudden appearance.
“What do we have here?” He asks.
Liam shrugs out from underneath Chase’s touch, jaw clenched and nose flaring.
Maybe going out with Liam would be the perfect solution to getting under Chase’s skin.
“I’ll see you Friday,” I say smiling, making sure all my attention lands on Liam. I don’t miss the surprise on Chase’s face from the corner of my eye.
Liam leans down and grazes my cheek with his lips, leaving a whisper of a kiss on my skin. My face heats while Chase stares me down. Why the hell does he hate me so much?
“What’s happening on Friday?” Chase asks once Liam has walked out of earshot.
I roll my eyes and take off, going through the wooden double doors in what I hope is the direction or our dorm.
“If you’re heading to our room, it’s that way.” Chase points in the opposite direction, and I huff out a sharp breath. I’m annoyed and it’s getting colder by the second. My breath fogs in front of my face as I rush to put as much distance between me and my new stepbrother.
“Wait up,” Chase does what his namesake implies and chases after me. I don’t slow down though. If anything, I speed up my pace desperate to get away from him. Which is stupid seeing as we’ll be sharing our accommodations for the foreseeable future. But I do it anyway.
“I guess you figured out I was telling the truth after all,” he says, matching my stride easily with his long legs. I bet he could walk over those hurdles that they make up run back in high school gym class with ease.
“Yep.” I can hear the loud pop in my annunciation on the letter ‘p’. Not only do I have to live with a stranger who clearly hates me, but the knot in my neck is flaring up with the tension settling across my shoulders, and I haven’t had breakfast yet. A loud rumble emanates from my stomach reminding me that I’ve neglected myself like a dying houseplant desperate for a drop of water.
“Is there somewhere I can grab food?”
“Wow. Asking your stepbrother on a date? How taboo of you.”
I glare at his self-appreciating grin, wanting nothing more than to smack his pretty little face. Maybe I’ll put his hand in a glass of warm water while he sleeps so he can wet the bed.
Another rumble of my stomach has my entire front vibrating. It’s loud enough that Chase hears it, and I can feel the tips of my ears redden with embarrassment.
“Alright, fine. It’s this building over here. There’s a cafeteria that’s open from 6-11 am for breakfast. We should be able to grab whatever left over.” He says looking at his watch. But I don’t stop walking. I speed up and the sound of my rolling luggage increases its tempo.
“Did you see a mattress being delivered yet for the room?” I ask since he’s not leaving me alone.
There’s a pause in his answer and a tilt to his head that screams guilty before he answers no. But it’s the inflection at the end, like he’s asking a question that tips me off.
“Really? Because the Dean said that one had been sent over yesterday. You wouldn’t happen to know anything about that, would you?”
I can see his carefully constructed demeanor flaking from the corner of my eye. “I don’t know what you mean.” His hands are stuffed in his pockets and his head is down to brace against the harsh wind that whips through the campus.
I whirl on him and stand with my hands poised on the top of my luggage handle. “Listen. You don’t like me, I get it. But I’m here and you’ll just have to suck it up and deal with it. So, stay out of my way, and I’ll stay out of yours. Deal?”
He eyes me warily, and I swallow hard underneath his scrutinizing gaze. Why does his undivided attention make my stomach want to do somersaults? “Fine,” he says after a beat.
“Good.” I turn back to the building on a mission to find myself some food. Dealing with this pain in my ass can wait for another time.