Melody’s POV
The boys had adapted to being my friends again and I was relieved that I didn’t have to worry about them suffocating me with their overprotectiveness.
“Where should we hang out during break time?” I asked them as we saw one another in the morning and moved towards the school entrance.
“Take care of yourself, kids.” Uncle Liam said and waved as he turned and walked away from us.
“Should we hang out in the garden?” Neo suggested. “I love the smell of flowers.”
“Me too.” I agreed, smiling at them. “I also love flowers.” I also loved being in the garden with the boys. They knew so much about flowers that I always learn something new from them. I wondered where they had learned about flowers from.
The bell rang to signify the start of the classes and I watched as our homeroom teacher walked in, with a new student by her side.
The girl seemed shy and I felt my heart move towards her. I remembered how nervous I had been on my first day here as well, wondering what my new classmates would be and hoping they would like me. It was unnerving being in a new place and I hoped that I could help this girl to relax.
I glanced at her and smiled, hoping she realized that she was welcome here. My classmates were nice and she didn’t have to worry about anything else. She caught my smile and smiled back at me.
Miss Selena, our homeroom teacher, stared at us before speaking. “Class, there is a new student with us.” She glanced at the new girl. “Introduce yourself to your classmates.”
She looked at us, her voice tiny as she spoke. “Good morning, class. My name is Eve. I’m happy to meet you.”
We all clapped when she was done and chanted the usual response. “Welcome, Eve.”
She smiled and bowed one more time. I sighed, hating that she was still nervous despite the reassuring smile I had given her. She didn’t have to keep bowing to us. This was a classroom and not an audition center.
Two classes afterwards, I took permission to use the restroom and was surprised when Eve followed me.
“Do you also need to pee?” I asked her when I saw her, feeling like I just asked a stupid question. I had just heard her tell the teacher that she also needed a bathroom break.
“Yes. Do you mind telling me where the bathroom is?” She replied.
I shook my head. “I don’t mind. I’m also going there.”
“Good. Thank you.” She smiled, moving closer to me.
“No problem.” I nodded, glad that we had almost gotten to the bathroom. I was pressed and it was evident in the way I was walking faster than usual.
I glanced at Eve, noticed she was also walking fast and felt guilty that I was making her walk faster. “That’s the bathroom so you don’t have to walk too fast because of me.” I said and pointed out the bathroom to her.
She shook her head and smiled. “It’s no problem. I walk fast too. You are not the one making me walk faster.”
I frowned, wondering if that was right. I didn’t think that she was used to walking fast. She had walked slowly as if she didn’t have much strength in her after the teacher when she had first walked into the class. She had moved with careful sluggishness as she moved to the chair the teacher assigned her. She had seemed like a weak person which was why my heart had been moved towards her, making me feel like someone I wanted to care for.
Now looking at her and how much she was filled with energy, I wondered if she was the same person I had seen and judged earlier or if I had been wrong about her.
I let it go though and didn’t voice out any of my opinions.
We got to the bathroom and I rushed into one of the stalls, knowing she was right behind me.
I got out and was surprised to find her waiting for me. “Why didn’t you get back to class?” I asked as I washed my hands by the sink.
“I was waiting for you. I thought we should go back together.”
“We don’t have to. A class is going on. You shouldn’t miss the lessons because of me. Moreover, you are a new student and you have a lot to cover up. Don’t waste time on me.”
Her lips started quivering and I wondered if I had said something wrong to offend her. I hoped that she didn’t start crying as I didn’t want anyone to think I bullied her.
No one would think that I did that though as they knew me and what I was capable of but I still didn’t want her to cry.
“Are you going to cry? I’m sorry.” I apologized, hating myself for saying anything. I should have told her to let’s go instead of telling her off.
“I only wanted to repay the kindness you showed to me earlier. Your smile made me feel comfortable earlier.”
“Thanks for staying behind for me, Eve. Let’s go to class.” I nodded. “Don’t cry, please.”
She nodded and cheered up, walking towards the door.
“I was only trying to be friendly, Melody.” She smiled at me as we walked back to our class.
I wondered how she knew my name. “I didn’t know you knew my name.”
“Someone said it.” She replied.
I didn’t think so. I hadn’t raised my hand in class to answer any question so no teacher had called my name yet. I didn’t think any of my classmates had called my name as well. The boys who could have called me because they had something to say to me were the boys and they had been tapping me on the shoulder if they needed anything from me or had something to say to me.
I let that go as well, deciding that she didn’t have any reason to lie. It was possible that someone closer to where she was had muttered my name under her breath and I didn’t hear her.