Chapter 44 Best Friends

Chapter 44 Best Friends

William's POV

There was excitement in the air by Friday. Bree’s party was the talk of the school. I ddint care much for parties but I couldn't deny I felt the anticipation as well. Although it had nothing to do with the celebrant.

Girls were talking loudly about their hair appointments and the dress they got and who they were bringing as a date. You'd think they were talking about prom.
I wasn't expecting Melanie to join the conversation but I also wasn't expecting her to look so glum. She sat at a table in the farthest corner of the class and stared out the window.

“Penny for your thoughts?" I tapped a pen on the desk and she flinched.
“Oh. Hi." She didn't smile.
“Excited for tomorrow?" I asked, propping myself on her desk.

She gave a panicked look around the class, checking to make sure no one was looking at us.
“Our plan can't work if you keep doing this you know?" I smirked.
“Right. The plan." She raised her fingers to make air quotes.
“What's with the tone? And face? Is something wrong?" I asked, leaning to give her a closer look. Her eyes were rimmed red possibly from crying and she was trying to hide it.

“No, nothing's wrong ok." She looked around wildly again. “William , I don't think i can take any jesting or taunting from Bree and the gang today so can we just…like talk later? Please?”
I felt a sudden wave of rage and I clenched my fist as I asked, “Did they come after you? Who was it?”
“No one came after me. I'm fine. I'm just not in the mood to talk, ok?"

She was trying to sound firm but I could see the despair in her eyes. I opened my mouth to protest but she gave me a look of distress and I backed down.
" Fine. But I'm giving you a ride home after school today and you're gonna tell me what's wrong then.” I hopped off the table.
" Honestly, there's nothing….”
" It wasn't a suggestion, Mel.”

The school day went by slowly and Melanie's mood remained the same. She wouldn't make eye contact with me or anyone else. What was going on? Was she rethinking attending the party tomorrow? That was the entire point of the coaching and everything so far, to make Conner want to be with her.
Or maybe she didn't want Conner anymore?

The thought made my heart lift for a bit and I caught myself.
No. I wanted her to want Conner. That was the only way to break the bond. A bond I did not want.

“It's getting harder to say, isn't it?" Rhys whispered in my head.
“No, it isn't. We don't want this." I answered.
“She's our mate. We want this. Need it." He groaned. I decided to ignore him.
At the end of the school day,I caught Melanie trying to slip away without me noticing. She left class before the bells stopped ringing and was speeding away on her bike before I got to the parking lot.

Now I was a hundred percent sure this was about Conner. I got in my car and went after her. She was pedaling furiously, trying to put as much distance between her and the school. Or me.
I pulled up beside her and kept pace.

" You know it's pretty silly trying to make a bicycle outrun a car.” I said as the car windows came down.
She speared me with a look but said nothing in response. She also didn't stop.
"Come on Mel, what's going on?”

She slowed down and came to a stop," I just need to be alone, William. Is that too much to ask?” She snapped.
"Well yeah seeing as we had a plan in motion and tomorrow is the big day.”
She turned away from me angrily.
" We're still on for tomorrow right?” I asked but she said nothing.

Well shit. I drove forward a little to park the car properly and hopped down.
" Melanie?” I asked as I walked over to stand in front of her.
" I just…..I mean, it's not really necessary is it?” She shrugged, " It's just some dumb party. We don't have to go.”
I sighed, " I understand if you're nervous about….."
“I'm not nervous. I'm just trying to be….rational. I don't have to win Conner's affection at the birthday party. There's always some other time. Or maybe…never.” She mumbled the last part and looked away from me again like she was trying hard not to cry.

My chest constricted with anger, " What did Conner do?”
" He didn't do anything….."
“Yes he did. You had a tutoring session with him yesterday. What happened?"
She stayed silent for several seconds. Then folded her arms around herself as if trying to stop a cold. “He said he doesn't want tutoring anymore. It's no big deal really, he has every right to refuse being tutored and I guess I was way in over my head…..” she trailed off and stared into the distance.

I didn't know my brother very well. But I knew he didn't just calmly tell her he didn't want to be tutored anymore. He must've added a few colourful words to drive the point home. Words colourful enough to make her an emotional wreck for days.
I wanted to rant in anger, ram my fist into the car, yell out with indignation at the absolute asshole my brother was. But I knew none of that would help. Melanie didn't need that right now.
So instead I exhaled to calm myself, lifted a finger to her chin and turned her face to me. Tears glistened within their depths and the rage I felt pushed to the surface again. I clamped it down and thickened my accent to movie caricature standards,

“Would you care for some tea and crumpets,miss?"
Her eyes widened in shock. I'm sure it was the last thing she had been expecting to hear. And then her eyes twinkled as she began to laugh. Slowly at first, then louder, holding a hand to her mouth to stifle a snort.
" Oh God, don't ever talk like that again.”
"I have no idea what you're talking about." I huffed in my most convincing British butler accent, " Perhaps you'd prefer some blueberry muffins ,miss? Or mayhaps a slice of lemon cake? I do have just the most exquisite recipe. It is to die for!"
She swatted my arm as she laughed harder and then suddenly went all serious and turned her nose up in a snotty pose,
“Why yes, kind sir. I do have a hankering for some butter biscuits and your exquisite lemon cake.”

" Indubitably!” I proclaimed and bowed with a flourish, " After you my lady.”
She held her head high and sashayed away to the car, nailing the walk we'd been working on perfectly.
When we both got in, the laughter resumed.
" You have a respectable British accent.” I said amidst chuckles.
“Respectable indeed." She snorted and wiped a tear from her eyes. She turned to stare at me, eyes shining. “Thank you, William.”
I held her gaze, every cell in me screaming to reach forward and kiss her. My eyes strayed to her lips for a second. I could do it. But there would be no going back if I did.

"You're welcome. Anything for my best friend.” I said instead and smiled.
" Best Friends. I like that.” she smiled back and reached over to squeeze my hand.
As I started up the engine,I could hear Rhys in my head screaming the word " stupid “ over and over.