Two.

Melanie stared at her notebook until she heard the door open, indicating someone stepped in the class.

She looked up and was met with a pair of hazel eyes.

They looked like honey,and although he wasn't looking at her,she was looking at him because he just interrupted her reading and she didn't like that.

"Class,this is Damien Brooks-" the teacher said and was interrupted with a round of roaring applause. "I'm sure many of you met him yesterday. He's new here,and when I went through his records,I was so impressed. This is his first English class, so please welcome him once more"

The whole class applauded,well except for Melanie.

She didn't get why one student had to get so much appraisal.

Of course,his eyes went to Melanie. She was easily spotted because despite being at the back,she was on a wheelchair and that already intrigued the interests of people who saw her for the first time.

Damien stared at the seat,he didn't know what to do because it was right next to Melanie and he felt awkward because he didn't know if it belonged to her.

He tried to communicate with his eyes,but this girl with round glasses wasn't even sparing him a glance.

"Are you sure you wanna sit at the back, Damien?" The teacher asked with concern.

"It's where the only empty seat is" he shrugged

"Well,that seat is for Melanie," he said and pointed to her. "She doesn't need it as we all can see,so Damien. Feel free to claim it"

Damien nodded and sat on the seat.

His fresh scent hit Melanie's nose,and she turned to her left to check what was going on because honestly,she wasn't paying attention.

She saw Damien in her seat,but she didn't argue because she didn't need it.

She felt like she could get swallowed by a hole because the proximity between them was so much for Melanie to handle.

They weren't so close,but y'all know the normal space between two tables in class.

She took a deep breath as the teacher's voice interrupted her thoughts.

"Shall we move on to concord?"

Melanie wheeled forward a little, because she couldn't concentrate.

She was so familiar with Hudson's scent,his proximity and every other thing.

Boys didn't approach her much,so she didn't know what to do if any one asides her brother did.

*** ###

"Did mum book you another session today?" Hudson asked as he wheeled his sister towards his car.

Actually,it was theirs to share but he pretty much owned it because Melanie was an introvert.

"She did" Melanie mumbled as she tried to open the pack of avocado biscuits.

Hudson helped her into the car and drove to Melanie's therapist.

As he drove,he noticed her quietly chew her biscuit.

"How was school,Mel?" He asked

"School was alright" she shrugged as she focused on the biscuits in her hand.

"I'll be there to pick you up by 6"

"Six?" She asked quietly

"Yes," he threw his head back. "I have a date with Dawn"

"I don't wanna stay there till six" Melanie said.

"I'm sorry,but you gotta chill"

"But what if you come drunk?" Melanie asked

"I won't"

He pulled up into the parking lot and he went to Melanie's side of the car to help her out of the car.

As he wheeled her inside,he noticed Melanie didn't say anything.

"What's wrong?" He asked her as they went down the hall and towards the familiar door Melanie found herself behind almost everyday.

She shook her head

He knocked on the door twice,and a lady's voice came from the other side.

When she opened the door,she smiled at them both.

"Hey Mel,hey Hudson" the beautiful lady said.

"I'll be back by six"

"Isn't that too late? Or is it that serious-" she bent down to ask Melanie.

"No, it's not" Melanie shook her head.

Hudson sighed.

"I'll try to be back earlier," he said and gave Melanie a peck on her cheeks. "Bye Doctor Mich" he said and jogged down the hall.

As they got in, Doctor Michelle sat down on the sofa and watched Melanie stare around the office.

"What's the problem? You seem uneasy" Michelle said as she got a book from the table next to her.

"I'm just admiring the office," Melanie shrugged. "I see you've got new frames. They're aesthetic by the way"

To be honest, Michelle's office looked nice.

It had a table with a professional chair behind it. It had a huge glass window to the left, giving people a good view of the flowers and peaceful estate.

There was a blue sofa across the room and a smaller chair across the sofa.

Two flower vases on each side with perfectly growing flowers.

It had a shelf consisting of varieties of books.

There was a water dispenser by the right.

"Don't avoid the question"

Melanie sighed.

"For how long do I have to live like this?"

Michelle was obviously taken aback by her question,but she kept her composure.

"Can I ask you one question," Michelle asked and Mel nodded. "Did you choose this?"

"I didn't"

"Exactly,so don't go around thinking you've got a defect when you don't. You're not living the wrong life. You're living YOUR life,so why don't you add some colours into it, alright?"

Melanie nodded and took off her glasses as she felt her eyes prick her,the tears threatening to escape.

"I don't have any friends. Not one"

"Do you still have the teddy bear I gave you?" She asked

"Yes, she's the only one that understands me. That's because I enforce my opinions on her simply because she can't talk"

"Have you tried making any friends?"

"I tried in my sophomore year but they all ignored me"

"And you're in your senior year,right. Have you tried at all in this new class?" Michelle asked.

"I don't want to be disappointed again"

"So do you think friends are vital?"

"I think so," Melanie shrugged. "Hudson told me a friend could save you from making that life claiming decision"

"He's right,but friends differ," Michelle sighed. "Some lure you into that life claiming action,some prevent you from taking it,some just simply ignore you"

Melanie nodded.

"I think you should try making friends. And this time,try being friends with people outside your school because definitely,the students at your school see you as a castaway which you're not"

"That's what I don't understand," Melanie said as she stared at her shoes. "People are so cruel. Just because I can't walk,they think it's nice to-" she stopped as she caught her breath, trying to stop the tears.

"Remember what I always tell you," Michelle said. "As long as you're here,you can create a sea of tears. Because sometimes,tears let out the hidden fears,they let out emotions that cannot be said with the mouth so feel free to cry because I know sometimes,you question what you've done wrong"

*** ****

It was a few minutes to six,and Melanie had swollen eyes.

Michelle was usually busy,but today was a weekday so many people were just arriving from work.

Some would arrive in a few minutes and some would come in the morning.

Melanie grabbed her bag as she heard a knock on the door.

Michelle walked to it, opened it and poked her head out

"Dami-"

"It's urgent! I had a very bad day" the voice groaned.

"But you didn't book a session and I'm kinda in the middle of something" Michelle said.

"Please" the person pleaded.

Melanie was trying to remember where she heard that voice from.

It sounded so familiar.

"Give me a few minutes. Wait in the reception. I'll give you a call once I'm ready" Michelle said and closed the door.

The door opened, revealing Hudson with his his shirt no longer fully buttoned.

He looked handsome as usual,but he had obviously had something to drink.

"Hudson," Melanie whispered as Hudson wheeled her towards the door.

"Bye Michelle!" Hudson said as they got to the door. Michelle waved to him with a chuckle.

"What did you drink?" Melanie asked as they got to the reception.

She got a glimpse of the back of someone going upstairs with the other staircase. The hair looked familiar.

"Dawn is so lovely" Hudson said.

"What did you drink?"

Hudson was in his normal state,but he was excited.

Hudson was the not-drunk-easily type.

He got very excited and hyper,but before he could get drunk,then he must taken something very alcoholic.

He got that from Mr Martins; their dad

Melanie? Never tasted Alcohol.

She imagined it tasting like poop.

Or herbs.

Whatever.

"I just had some vodka. I'm fine"

He cautiously propelled her towards the car and hugged her from behind.

"How was the session?"

Melanie chuckled

"It was cool" she replied.

Thanks for reading guyss. Lysm,

Melanin3000!!