Justina

Just when Melody thought that all the celebrations they had been doing for her were too much, they did a bigger one. It was like a big but small party since only Hunter and his family, then the girls and Morgan were invited.

Melody, who has never been celebrated like this, had a hard time keeping the tears at Bay. Yes, she did cry, but she spent the rest of the time floating in a bubble of happiness.

Now it was time to resume school, and Rebecca said they were going shopping. According to her, Melody needed new clothes, and she needed to have her hair done. All the other things she needed for school would be provided by Hunter. They did not show her the list or the things she needed for her registration, so she did not know what exactly it was she needed before resuming. She thanked him profusely and ticked it down in her more book.

Another debt to pay back.

Melody was already getting used to the fact that she was now their family, like his grandparents had told her times without numbers. Still, sometimes she found herself stopping them from doing some certain things for her, not that they would budge. All the Winthrop's were as stubborn as a mule.

Melody was surprised that Hunter was going along with them. It was Monday morning for God’s sake and he needed to be at the office, but he insisted. Rebecca cheekily waggled her brows at Melody and told her that Hunter was falling in love with her. Melody's cheeks were the brightest red they have ever been when she blushed after Rebecca's words.

Melody had checked the magazine she took from her library at school in county Zee. Just as she thought, Eleanor was the woman with Hunter. They wrote that Eleanor was his girlfriend, but Melody would like to think that they have broken up.

She has not seen Eleanor after that first day she came to Hunter's house. Maybe Eleanor wanted to settle with Hunter, but he refused. Could be Eleanor was the one that caused the breakup, but Melody couldn't be so sure.

Melody kept turning the phone Hunter just gifted her in her hand. She had collected everyone's number except for his. His number was already in the phone when he gave it to her.

He had saved it with his name, but Melody quickly changed it with a red face; Hunter, my crush. She said it out loud and thought that it sounded odd to her ear. She quickly changed it back when her mind reminded her that anyone could check her phone and see it. She could not sleep the night before she was to resume school. She was giddy with anticipation.

Hunter dropped both she and Rebecca off on her first day at school. Rebecca and the girls took her round the school for a tour. The girls were going to be staying in their house, which was outside campus, but Rebecca and Melody would be staying at Hunter's mansion.

When Melody found out that Rebecca used to live with that girl and that she was the reason Rebecca would be staying home, she tried to convince Rebecca not to do it. Rebecca disagreed. She said that Melody would be needing a ride to and from school every day.

Rebecca was going to suggest that Melody come live with both her and the girls, but she knew that it would keep Melody from Hunter. Hunter would disagree. They agreed to do sleepovers at the girl's house once in a while.

“How was your first day?” Rebecca asked Melody as they both walked out of her class.

“It was great except for where I had to introduce myself as one of the winners along with the other's” Melody hated that part. Most of the lecturers wanted them to come out and introduce themselves. Talk about how they prepared for their competition, what was their inspiration and how they felt about being one of the winners.

They did it more than five times and by now, everyone in the class knows her name and what she looked like. She had seen the way some other students stated at then in envy. She recognized some of them from the competition. She hated the attention it brought to her, as she was used to staying hidden in crowds.

Melody would have made for the door if she was the only one who had to speak. She stuttered so many times and the students laughed at her. Melody wanted the ground to open and swallow her in those moments, but she survived until the end.

The other winner's liked it. In fact, each of them had a huge smile on their faces as they bragged about their win. The winner was a girl and Melody did not like her immediately she set eyes on her, and her dislike for the girl became intense when the girl started speaking. The winner, Justina, reminded Melody so much of Madeline, who had bullied her in school when she was still with her father.

Melody was sure that this girl was also a bully because one time Melody had walked past her to speak, she had whispered to Melody that she was not truly a winner. Justina told her that she was only among them because of the two slots that were opened towards the end of the competition. Justina looked down on Melody and the fifth winner.

Melody felt the same way when she found out that she was the fourth winner, but she told herself that a win was still a win. She got in and that was all that mattered. God must have heard her cry and made the school add the extra slots.

“It will pass soon”. Rebecca assured her.

Arianna and Zain were waiting for them outside. Arianna raced towards them when she set eyes on them.

Arianna grabbed Melody's hands in hers, “everyone in our class wants to meet you. Remember how I told them that my student would be among the winners? They would like to meet you”.

Before Melody could think of a replay to turn her down, Rebecca stepped in.

“She doesn't want to see them” Rebecca slapped Arianna hand off.

“ Why not? There are some of the boys who already like her too. She can make her pick. We have to show off our winner” Arianna told Rebecca exasperatedly before looking at Melody," you want to meet them right? They are also wonderful chef's. Don't listen to Rebecca, she…”

Melody was already shaking her head. She was exhausted as it was. She was already tired from all the introductions she did and all the eyes that stared at her today. She could do without meeting another bunch and having to smile and not squirm under their scrutinizing eyes.

Arianna's shoulders slumped down, “the both of you are boring. We need to show you to the whole world. It's jot easy being a winner, especially in this school”. She grumbled and Melody laughed as they made for the school gate, where Samantha was waiting for them.