Chapter 2

"Come in Melody. Don't worry so much they're not here." "They?" "The guys you met at the mall." "How did you..?" "How I knew. Sit down, I saw it in your eyes when you met my grandson and your story." "My story?" "One must live their life even if it hurts a family's opinion. After hearing your story I wonder something so ridiculous although I'm certain you won't agree to it. Can I ask you something?" "Yes." "If you stood up for someone you must know how to protect yourself from others?" "Indeed, I took karate and learned other techniques as well." "Really? That's good for you, I believe people should know how to defend themselves.. Sorry I almost forgot why I asked you over." "It's fine." "I want you to do something for me." "What is it?" "Well if I ask you, you'll probably say no way. SO promise me what ever it is you'll do it." " To promise blindly.. well I suppose it won't be anything difficult or bad so yes I promise." As Grace explained her plane Melody's facial expression turned into shock. "Ms. Andrews that does sound ridiculous.. I did promise you, but even without the promise I would of agreed." "Really; well then lets tell your sister and then go shopping. I'm buying all that you'll need since it's my plan, no if's and but's about it." "Yes Ms. Andrews." As Grace explained the plan the second time to Emily, her color was turning a little pale and a shocked look. "No, I don't want Mel-" "Emily I already promised plus I want to do this. Don't worry I'll be fine, you'll still see me, and Ms. Andrews will be there." "Melody... I just don't want you to be hurt in any way." "I'll be fine." "Well ladies lets go shopping, we got lots to buy."

"Well we got all the clothes, shoes and such. Anything else?" "A wig." "I'm going to the restroom, wait here." Melody left, but not to a restroom. "Hello miss, need a trim?" "No, not exactly. Cut my hair off." "Off?" "Yes, make my hair look like this." Pointing to a picture. "Are you sure?" "Yes." The stylist did so, Melody paid him, and then hurried to the nearest restroom to change. "Sorry for the wait, I'm back." "Wow, good wig." "Actually it's not a wig. Better be safe then sorry. So do I look like a guy?" "Yes, but your beautiful hair." "Sis its fine. Since we got everything lets head back home or Ms. Andrew's house." Grace was showing Melody the house and her new bedroom which ironically had a bathroom connected to it. "Grandma we're back." Everyone went downstairs to meet the boys. "Seems someone got an ugly hair cut." "Gary this isn't Melody, its her twin brother. Melody left on a train to her cousin's house to help with something urgent. I was going to rent out that room anyway." "Really? Hiya. Name's Gary, these guys are my buddies and they also live here." "Cool..Wade." "Did you see your room already?" "Yeah, its awesome." Gary introduced everybody for only Wade to say "it spells Tiger." "Yeah we're called the Tiger boys." "Did you settle?" "Yeah, everything is finally unpacked. Well Wade I'll see you some other time." "Ms. Andrews I got go some place I don't know when I'll be back." "Alright, be careful." "Hey how about we go with ya?" "Don't care, but if you do one of y'all will have to drive. I don't have a car, saving up for one.

"Irwin drove to some starbucks, I'll meet up with you guys later." "What ever. You got our cell numbers, call when ever you want to leave." Everyone split, "over here." "Uh do we know you?" "Yes, it's a crazy story." Anthony and Cathy listened by the time Melody finished her two friends was just gazing. A ring got their attention, "sorry got go; the guys are ready to leave. Remember when ever you see me with them or anyone my name is Wade. Bye." "Be careful Wade." "Yes, please do." "I know." In unison all three said "bye." "Wade are you done here?" "Yeah." "Lets go to the mall since we're close by." "Great idea."

The mall was nice until a kid and teenager bumped into Ricky, "watch where you're going!" Wade came forward to unlatch Ricky's grip on the teen's collar. "Leave." "What are you doing?" "You shouldn't have such a temper with kids or who ever, it was after all an accident." As Wade turned to leave Ricky turned around to punch Wade, but his punch was met with a hand. "You shouldn't try to hurt someone while their back is turned.. I'm going home." "And how are you going to do that without a car?" "Well I could take the bus or you all car." "You can't take our car without keys. Right Irwin?" "Don't bother looking Irwin you don't have the keys. I do though." Wade dangled their keys, "see ya home." "Wait how did you.. what about us?" "You guys can take the bus." Wade left for the parking lot, but to be followed by the tiger boys. "Wade I'll call the police and tell them you're stealing our car." "Go ahead, I'm sure Ms. Andrews would back me up." "Why.." "You need to learn how to control your temper, all of you do if you don't I won't be surprised if you go to jail." Wade got in the car and drove off with them staring, "I wonder if they'll be alright or if they take the right bus. Maybe I was to harsh." Wade turned around, headed to the bus stop to find no one there. "Maybe at the mall still." Indeed they were, but sitting and talking. "Get in before I change my mind. No questions, just get in." All of them got in accept Gary, "you're not coming?" "No Why would I?" "Fine."

"Welcome home. Where's my grandson?" "You guys tell her I'm gonna cook dinner." "You can cook?" "Yeah. I'll tell you at dinner." BY the time dinner arrived everyone was still worried about Gary since he wasn't home yet. "You guys eat, I'll be back as soon as possible." "What about your story on cooking?" "Another time." Wade grabbed the keys and ran out. Took some time, but Wade finally found Gary sitting at the bus stop. "Gary." Looking up and seeing the car, went over. "What do you want?" "Come, lets go home." "No! As if I'll get in that car with you." "Alright." Wade got out of the car and started walking, "where are you going?" "None of your business. Take the car home, I got do something." "What ever." Gary left leaving Wade there, some minutes later Wade checked to see if she had money or her cell phone. "Great a wallet with no money and my cell phone is at home." Gary on the other hand didn't feel regret or anything not even after he got home and was questioned. "You're just going to sit there and eat what we saved for you and Wade." "Don't worry Ms. Andrews we can call him." Tony dialed, but they heard and noticed Wade's cell on the counter. "Oh dear! I'll be back as soon as.." "Ms. Andrews don't worry I'm sure he'll be back soon. He could be on a bus." "You're right. He can be on a bus; you guys go to bed. I'm going to wait up for Wade." Gary left immediately the others was a tad hesitant, but also went to bed.

It was hours later that Wade returned home, "Ms. Andrews, you.. I'm sorry for worrying you." Wade went and got a blanket for Grace since she fell asleep at the kitchen table. "Good night Ms. Andrews." Wade went upstairs and bumped into Tony "sorry." "Did you just get home?" "Yeah, Tony I'm tired. Can we finish this up tomorrow? Night." Wade went and flopped on his bed, fell asleep instantly.

"Morning everyone." "What time did you return?" "Around eleven." "Why didn't you take the bus?" "Didn't have any money, so I walked home. Wait a moment I'll have breakfast ready." "Go rest or shower I'll handle it." "Ricky.." "He's right, go. We'll be fine." "Ms. Andrews I'm sorry about last night." "As long as your fine." "I am, thanks guys." Wade ran up the stairs to shower and came back down for breakfast. "Hey what about your story?" "Right." "Story?" "Yeah he left before telling us how he knows how to cook.." "He can cook?" "Yeah. If you came home with us you would of knew, but you don't need to know since you ate yours and his dinner last night." "He made that? You made that?" "Yes.. well now the story, my parents died and Emily worked to support. I learned to cook from being home most day." "Oh." Gary left the table and went outside, Wade followed him. "What you want?" "Came out to see if something is wrong." "Nothing is wrong, just leave me alone." "Okay."