Touching Melody (A Forever First Novel) Read Online Free PDF Page A

her side. “I asked for it.” She rolls over, facing the wall.
    I stand there, unsure whether to comfort her or leave her alone. My homeschooling days haven’t prepared me for real interpersonal relationships. I’m not sure what she thinks she asked for, but I’m terrified for her.
    I’ve been sheltered since I went to live with my aunt and uncle. They aren’t old-old, in their late 50’s, but they act old. “Technology is not our friend” is my aunt’s motto, while my uncle always says, “Remember the Titans.” Neither saying makes any sense to me. They own one TV and one DVD player. All they watch are sitcoms from the sixties and seventies like I Dream of Genie, The Brady Bunch, and Bewitched . Occasionally my uncle will watch old movies. His favorite is Remember the Titans . He says it's “Because it’s a story of true friendship combined with football, and there’s nothing better.” Sometimes I watch TV with them, but mostly I prefer to read the dusty classics tucked away in old boxes, or practice piano.
    Finally I whisper to Gina, “Can I get you something? A coffee?” I hope that sounds appropriate. I’m astonished at the gnawing worry in my gut. But it’s there, and I’m concerned. Just because I hurt doesn’t mean I want anyone else to. 
    She turns over gently. I see she’s crying. “Why do you care if I’m okay?”
    I realize she’s flinging my words from last night back at me. My first instinct is to agree and walk out. But she’s hugging the teddy bear so tightly I feel sorry for it.
    I sigh and sit on her bed. “I think it’s because you and I are meant to be friends. And friends care about each other. If you’re sad, I want to help.” My voice sounds more calm, more sure than I feel.
    Two enormous tears drop on her pillow. “You mean it? You don’t think I’m outrageous?” I force back a snort at her choice of word. She’s the epitome of outrageous with her crazy outfits, hair, and makeup. Even her black boots scream outrageous . She seems to know it though, because she eases one hand from the stranglehold she has on the bear and picks up the edge of her dress.
    I force myself to smile. “I think your outrageousness is going to be one of my favorite things about you.” My hands are tucked into the end of my shirt, but I feel like I need to comfort her somehow. I grab a tissue from the table situated between our beds and hand it to her. She takes it and wipes her eyes, then blows. When she’s finished she chucks the wadded tissue toward the trash. It lands on the end of her bed. She reeks of alcohol and cigarettes.
    “You wanna talk about it?” I ask.
    She takes a deep breath, yanks off her boots, and lies back down. “First I need to sleep off this hangover.” She pulls her covers up and rolls over.
    “’kay,” I say softly, surprised I’m not hung over. At least I don’t think I am. I’m tired, and it feels like I have grass growing on my teeth and tongue, but it’s nothing a shower and some toothpaste won’t fix. “I’ll try to keep it down.”
    Today is the first day of classes. I feel like I should remind her about going. But she seems so broken. I can’t bring myself to speak the words.
    I quietly pick up my towel and bathroom necessities, pulling on a pair of fluffy pink slippers. I grab my keycard and open the door.
    As I’m leaving, Gina whispers, “Thanks, Maddie.”
    She didn’t call me Maddelena.  “You’re welcome.”
    There’s only one other person in the bathroom. She gives me a curt smile, takes her stuff, and walks out. The black and white checkered floor is wet. Most of the shower stalls are dripping water. I step inside one, close the bright white curtain, and set my stuff on the ledge. Then I pull off my slippers, hang my shirt on a hook, and turn on the water.
    Icy liquid sprays my body. I quickly adjust the faucet, wondering who would be crazy enough to shower in cold water. Within seconds the water warms and my body relaxes.
    I