Chapter Nine

It had been a month since her uncle had moved in, and the taking Julie to the hospital incident had happened.  The doctors still couldn't find anything seriously wrong with her. But Julie's health continued to fluctuate since then. This frustrated Martin greatly, and that bothered Melissa a lot. But what could she do? She was a 15 year old girl! She continued to overlook things. One things Melissa didn't understand, though, was why Martin hadn't moved in earlier. He lived alone, a bachelor, in a tiny studio apartment, where he had to pay rent. He wouldn't have to pay rent if he lived with them. Perhaps, he enjoyed his freedom. She suddenly remembered how he probably took girls to his place, and the idea of it made her blush. Besides, even Melissa didn't like living in her old and broken house, and she had grown up here.

 

Her thoughts were interrupted as she felt the coolness of a liquid being spilled on her hand.

 

"Oh, don't worry about that. It was almost used up anyway. I have another one just like that." Olivia assured her. Melissa looked down at where she had accidentally poured nail polish. It was one of those quick-dry colors, and was now a solid purple layer, making the back of her hand shine. "Here, have some remover."

 

Melissa took the soaked cotton ball from her, and got rid of the nail paint. She was at Olivia's house, having a Girls' Day, where they were giving each other facials and mani-pedis and such.

 

"Soooo, how's your mom doing now?" Olivia asked her.

 

"Oh, she's OK. Not completely better, though." Melissa informed her, hoping her friend would drop the subject at that.

 

"When she gets better, can I finally come over?" Olivia's face got bright with hope.

 

Crap!

 

"Umm, I don't think she's going to get better..."

 

"I'm sure she will."

 

"Uh, no...you see, she's been like this for the past 3 years, or so."

 

"Oh." Olivia's expression darkened, "What's wrong with her?" Melissa saw genuine concern in her eyes.

 

"I don't really know. The doctors keep saying they haven't found anything serious in her. But I think that's bullshit. I mean, if someone's sick for this long, there's obviously something wrong with her!"

 

"Aww, don't worry, I'm sure she'll be fine, eventually! My dad's a doctor. He could take a look at her, if you want." Melissa couldn't help but admire her good nature.

 

"Thanks, but we've switched doctors thrice already. I'll ask my uncle though. Anyway, let's not discuss this anymore. It's a bright happy day." Melissa said, changing the topic.

 

Olivia glanced outside of the window. "It's winter." she said, nodding her head.

 

"Well-you get what I meant!" Melissa giggled, and joined her new best friend on the couch. Their nails being done, they were now watching movies. Olivia had insisted they spend the entire day together, as they were the only girls in their group. She got there in the afternoon, but Olivia's condition was, she had to stay till dinner. They would spend the rest of their time watching romanctic comedies.

 

"So. How's it going with Tommy?" Olivia asked, with a really gossipy face.

 

"He's umm, really sweet...I uhh like him a lot."

 

"It doesn't sound like you do."

 

"I do, it's just...he's been saying that I'm keeping things from him. What would give him that idea?" Melissa laughed, rolling her eyes, as she did that.

 

"I can see that happening." Olivia told her.

 

"Really?" Melissa asked, surprised.

 

"You tend to be a little secretive. I mean none of us really know much about you."

 

"Oh...I honestly hadn't noticed it. Well, I don't want Tommy to be mad at me."

 

"Well, I think you should tell him something personal about you. Let him into your life a little more. He probably thinks you don't care about him enough."

 

She wondered how she could possibly let him in. He barely knew her. Realizing that was exactly what Olivia was talking about, she decided that would have to change. That is when an idea sparked in her mind. But her plans would have to wait. She continued to look at Ashton Kutcher holding a bouquet of carrots, facing Natalie Portman in No Strings Attached, on the TV screen, while she and OIivia chewed on popcorn.

Reviews

[Racy Daniel]

Wow great work. Go ahead.