Five

Melody's POV:

Birds were chirping beautiful melodious songs. The swish swish of leaves against each other providing a comforting sound. The smell of fresh leaves and grass and mint. It was just so comforting.

Wait...what? Did I just say mint?

I opened my eyes quickly only to freeze at my spot completely.

Not because of the place I was or the numerous amount of those beautiful birds.

Because I was completely snuggled against Asher. With no exaggerations whatsoever.

He smells like mint.

I mentally slapped my brain so hard it almost popped out of my skull.

He was leaning against a tree while I was leaning against him as one of his arms was wrapped around me. My inner self was begging to forget it and close my eyes and enjoy it till I can. But I couldn't.

I pulled away his arm slowly and stepped out. He stirred in his sleep but didn't wake up. I moved back trying to keep as much distance between us as I can.

I can't help it! I was freaking out.

Why? Well, because I, Melody Pierce, never had ever slept with a boy before. Secondly, it felt so good that it was scaring me of the reality that's soon going to slap me hard.

I know it's definitely not a big thing. It wasn't. But we weren't close. We weren't supposed to be this close.

All I could wish right now was to disappear. To vanish. To just be out of here. Or maybe right now would be the best moment for the ground to open up and...well, swallow me.

I took a deep breath, running my hands through my messed up hair. I straightened out my red sweater taking a deep breath.

To divert my mind off this I started thinking about last night as I sat down on another log near the car.

Tyler had called.

Would he have told mom that he talked to me? Or maybe Alyssa? Did he really mean when he said he cared about me?

No! He said he did care about me. In the past.

Why did he have to say that? Why could he have not said this before? Before I ran away? When I needed him?

I rubbed my hands up and down my arms not because of cold but because of the missing warmth I just had few minutes ago.

I was such a pathetic person.

I was so lost in thoughts until I heard a crunch of leaves from right behind me. I jumped up in fright and turned only to find Asher looking at me confused.

"Do you get scared so easily?" He asked with a hint of tease in his voice.

I couldn't believe how he could act so calm and casual right now. Did he just not know that we slept together? How can he be so calm while I'm freaking out only looking at him?

I, on the other hand, was deep down a nervous wreck. My heart was beating wildly.

Wasn't I just thinking about Tyler? And now him?

I must've gone pale because his face changed into a worried one as he stepped closer.

"Hey-" He started but I quickly interrupted him.

"Shouldn't we get back in the car?" I asked looking anywhere but him.

The thought of getting out of this embarrassing situation was appealing even if it meant going back in that car and look out the window for the rest of the ride. I wasn't complaining of the car though. It's just I hated the uncomfortable silence.

He opened his mouth in confusion then shut it close when I stepped away from him.

I don't know why I was doing this. But it was feeling strange being this close to him. It was like his warmth was enveloping me. I didn't want that. Because such situations are destined to fail.

Or maybe I was hyperventilating. That's one of my talents in such awkward situations.

I felt his stare following me.

"Yeah, you're right." He said going towards the car.

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Orlando.

That's where we had come.

I, never in my life, had imagined traveling a beautiful city like Orlando. Not just beautiful, it was beyond any words. I mean, I know there might be more beautiful places like this but this was the first place I'd seen out of New York. And it was beautiful.

Beautiful lakes surrounded the city with tall buildings. It almost looked like a dream. You could almost make out the shimmery line of calm blue water just at the end of those lush green trees.

Asher had told me that we were here because he had some work to do with his studio and stuff. And I wasn't objecting. I mean, I get to look around this city. What more could I ask for?

People in rich business suits entered buildings or roamed around in their cars. I was too awed that I was just looking out the window all the time until the car stopped in front of a really big building.

A guard came out and went over to Asher's side as they both talked about something.

This must be his studio. I couldn't help myself but think about how tall and big that building was.

Now the only thing that was bothering me was, where I was staying? I barely know this place or the people here. I only knew...Asher.

"She'll be staying in the studio." I heard him as if answering my thoughts.

But of course he didn't answer my thoughts. He was just talking to the guard with that black suit who almost looked like a guy from a serial killer movie.

Now, that was my queue to panic. I mean, I could not just do that, right? I am most definitely not going to stay with him and ruin...whatever is left.

"No!" I jumped in.

Both of them looked at me with confusion. I ragged my brain for the exact words as I blurted out as fast as I can. I mean, that guard was staring at me too. I most definitely do not like when strangers like him stare at me.

"I...uh, I'm staying at a hotel." I said looking at no one in particular.

I know it was the most lamest and stupidest thing out of my mouth. Because to be honest, I barely knew this place. How could I even think about a hotel? But I did it anyway.

The guard who still looked confused went away when Asher asked him to. Asher looked at me with a serious expression.

"No, you aren't." He said with a raised brow.

He isn't the one to decide that.

"I am, Asher. I am living in a hotel for now. I can't live in your studio." I tried to make some sense into this situation.

Even thinking about it made me nervous all over again, you know, living in his studio.

He looked at me with a curious expression. His eyes were trying to figure out something.

"Fine." He said at last, making it very hard for me to control the relieved sigh to escape from my lips.

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Right now I was laying on a comfortable white bed which was too soft. I cannot even imagine getting out of this right now. Or ever. Until I decide what to do.

The room was extremely big with white walls and a big mirror just in front of the bed.

And yes, this was where I was going to stay for I don't know how long. This is the hotel I'm staying in. After agreeing, Asher had dropped me off to this hotel.

He hadn't been too eager but I had thanked him.

"You can stay at my studio." He tried again for the tenth time.

He was trying to persuade me again and again but I couldn't bring myself to say yes.

How could I?

"I'll be fine." I said with a reassuring smile as we entered the room where I was going to stay.

Believe me when I say this, it was way bigger than my room at home. I loved it the moment I entered it.

I heard him sigh behind me but he didn't press further.

It seemed like I was the only person who was happy right now. Why wouldn't I be? This place was like my dream which I never thought would be true.

"Fine then. I'll leave."

Just like that.

Those were his last words before he turned and left, passing me a last glance.

I know, I should've stopped him. But I didn't.

Why should I? He's finally getting rid of me. How can I stop him?

Who knows if he would even want to stay? And anyways, what would I even say if I stopped him?

It's fine, Mel.

So I watched him disappear down the hallway before getting in my senses and closing the white door behind me.

He didn't even say goodbye.

I'm here now. A new start, a new life. Escaped from that shitty one.

I took a deep sigh and laid down on my bed. And that's what I had been doing since, looking at the white ceiling which glowed like a handful of pearls.

It's not like I have much luggage to open except the bag I had with me.

I finally stood up, taking out my clothes and arranging them in the big closet. The money I had right now was enough for staying in this hotel for a week. Maybe.

But I would think about it later.

Right now all I needed was a cold shower.

Making sure the door was locked, I went inside the huge bathroom. White tiled floor with a big bathtub.

I opened the shower and went under it. My head still ached where the big mean guy had pushed me on the tree but I was used to this.

It would fade away.

Pulling myself in a large white bathrobe, I went towards my bed and sat down.

This was the moment where anyone could truly see the real Melody Pierce. Without the concealed scars. This was me.

The one I hated. And was used to.

I looked down at my arm to see a purple bruise almost covering my elbow.

I took a huge sigh, wrapping my arms around my knees.

Who knows what this new start might bring?