Chapter 7

• "Special. And I get it, I really do. I went through the same thing when Trevor died, remember? You helped me get through it so I'm gonna do the same thing for you." Bailey reminded her. It was true. They had been secretly seeing each other for awhile. But she was torn apart upon hearing the news of his demise. Melissa was the one who helped her through the rough patch. Made her believe she might be able to find love again. "So, get your ass ready and let's get up on this. I love you girl."
• "I love you too. Get off my phone, will you?" Melissa said teasingly. Her spirits have been uplifted. She hangs up the phone and tears roll down her cheeks. After a moment, she stares at the mirror as she begins to remember what happened three months ago.
• The memories came back to her in a terrifying flood. It was the end of Summer. Dylan and Melissa had gone to a ridge on a beautiful mountain just across a lonely highway that stretched out for miles over a steeply hill. It was so beautiful and grandeur. But just before their arrival, they stopped at an ice cream vendor shop.
• "Can I uh - get two of your peppermint double scoop?," Dylan asked. He had a sly look but quickly covered it up with a smile.
• Once the plump, bald ice cream man in his forties hands them over the two cones of ice cream. It was Melissa's favorite. Some would say she was addicted to its flavor. Dylan suddenly grabs Melissa's hand and they start running down the street. She wasn't aware that Dylan didn't have a dime on him and since the ice cream man thought he was smart, he was willing to give him a run for his money.
• "Come on, we gotta go!" Dylan exclaimed.
• The ice cream man, who wore an apron comes out of the ice cream vendor shop and chases after them with a bat like a prey on a hunt. He was tremendously fat and there was no way he would catch up with them in time.
• "Hey! Hey, stop right there! Stop! I said, stop!," he screamed on top of his voice.
• "What are you doing?," Melissa asked curiously.
• "Making a run for it," replied Dylan.
• Melissa looks back but Dylan smiles back at her. She was appalled by his response because all her life she had been a good girl. Done everything by the books but all of that was about to change.
• "Hurry up! Don't worry about him." Dylan reassured with utmost certainty.
• Melissa was a little afraid and wrinkled her nose. "But he's gaining on us?"
• "Look at him, he looks like he's gonna fall flat on his face. Just give it a second. 1,2,3,4..."
• Melissa turns towards Dylan who holds her hand, smiling as the man continues chasing after them. And in that moment time froze still. As her hair blows in the wind. She wished in her heart that this would last forever.
• The man still chases after them through the busy street filled with cars and people passing. Then he stops near a vendor shop and bends down, breathing heavily. He was short of breath and collapsed to the ground just as Dylan had predicted.
• "I told ya," said Dylan. He smiles at Melissa once again.
• At a nearby alley, it was getting dark now. Dylan walks towards their car parked at the edge. Melissa is behind him. There is a lingering thought in her mind. She wanted to tell Dylan something but didn't know how or where to start. She pondered if it was right or not cause she didn't wanna lose him.
• "I hate you," she said.
• Dylan was unsure if he should smile at this or not. "I'll take that as a compliment."
• Melissa replied her own question with gritted teeth and a sense of disappointment. "No, it wasn't."
• Melissa turns back and begins to walk away from him. She folded her arms and shook her head gravely with concern.
• Dylan approaches her tentatively. He knew something was bothering her. "What's going on with you?"
• Melissa looked up and finally came out with it: "My mom says you're not good for me."
• It was the first time Dylan was hearing this. Even though it didn't come as a surprise to him.
• Melissa's mother, Madison Bryan was an agile woman in her mid thirties. A surgeon to be exact. She had been married once and was divorced with a kid, Melissa whom she single handedly raised. Being a single mom was tough. The late night shifts and hours that she had. But she always found a way to make it work and be there for her daughter.
• Even though Melissa didn't like to talk about it, she constantly missed her Dad. Most times wondered how or where he was but whenever she remembered he was having another family with a different wife, it would really piss her off in a major way.
• After Dylan remained silent for thirty seconds, he decided to speak up, "And was she wrong?"
• Melissa raised her eyebrows and looked at Dylan calmly: "No. You're arrogant and -- and --"
• Dylan walks over to Melissa who takes a step back. "Maybe she's right. But we'll figure it out together. We always do."
• Dylan kisses Melissa softly on her lips. She breaks apart, not wanting the kiss to happen.
• "Stop - stop!," Melissa said and paces around. "We should take things slow. We don't wanna be the cliché couples that's just gonna make out right in front of a freaking mall publicly."
• "Yeah. You're right. We don't wanna be cliché. We got it under control?"
• Dylan watched as Melissa tried so hard to control herself by not giving in.
• She nodded, "Yes. Yes, we do."
• "Probably... Or probably not. Screw it.."
• Dylan and Melissa run towards each other at the same time. He grabs her by the waist and they kiss for a long moment. They were consumed in their love, it was like the DNA in their veins told them. I bet they knew right from the first sight. As if they have been calling for each other.