Riley had successfully convinced Melanie to go for her music class. Actually, she had to call Mr Marcello to persuade her. It worked like magic.
"Miss Melanie, you made it," The music instructor welcomed them, scratch that, she welcomed only Melanie. It was no big deal, at least she was nice to the young miss.
"The other kids are this way," She led Melanie to the main auditorium where the other kids waited. Riley looked around for where to sit. "Um… nanny, you can sit there," The woman turned and spoke to Riley.
"Nanny?" Riley felt offended but still sat down. If not that this was her actual profession, she would have given that woman a piece of her mind.
---
[Melanie]
Music is one of the most miserable things to learn as a child, but it increases focus and sharpens the brain, that's why Melanie was here.
Melanie glanced around while the music teacher blabbed about…whatever she was blabbing about. She couldn't recognise any kid from her previous school. That was a relief, she didn't want anyone calling her a bully every now and then.
"Miss Melanie," It was that posh teacher. Melanie gave an obvious fake smile in response. She hated this woman. She had tried seducing her dad on countless occasions, in her front! Now she's acting all nice to her to enter her good books. What a fool! Her name is sealed on her black book with permanent ink.
"Do you know what type of string in a guitar makes a louder and deeper sound?"
"The long one?" Melanie deliberately answered wrongly just to show to everyone what a fool this woman was.
Everyone laughed at Melanie's silly answer. "Stop it!" The music teacher's voice rang out. "We don't laugh at anyone who gives a wrong answer," She warned the other children with a stern expression.
"Miss Melanie," Here we go again. Her expression changed to a soft one when she talked to Melanie "That is not the answer. It is the fatter string on the guitar that makes such a sound,"
"Let's all clap for Miss Melanie for trying to give an answer," The children reluctantly clapped alongside their instructor.
Melanie gaze flickered past everyone with a smug frown, and eventually rested on the instructor. This woman didn't know how foolish she sounded.
"Miss Arabella," A boy raised his hand to ask a question "Why does Miss Melanie get treated differently from the rest of us?". The instructor had made it mandatory for everyone to call Melanie, Miss Melanie.
"That question is not related to music, and therefore I will not answer it,"
"But…"
"Are you trying to argue with your teacher?"
"No ma'am,"
"Now sit!"
Melanie gave a small smile as she watched the scene unfold. A part of her wanted to stand up and ask that exact same question but she didn't want the other kids to hate her more. She could already feel their burning glares without looking.
"On with the class,"
---
It was time for recess. For Melanie, it was prank time. She walked out of the class and into the garden to pick a stone. Some of the kids were outside and the rest were inside, eating whatever snack they came with.
Melanie was looking for the perfect stone to throw at that parrot inside the auditorium. If it flies out of its cage due to fright, it'll cause such a ruckus that would be absolutely hilarious to watch.
Something caught her attention as she was picking a stone. There was a light coming out of the shed where gardening equipment were kept. Out of childish curiosity, Melanie went to check out what was going on in the shed. The shed was quite small, and she hated enclosed spaces. She'll just take a peek inside and come out. She wouldn't enter, just a peek.
Melanie did as she planned, she took a peek inside, noticed the disco ball, and turned to leave, but someone ran in her direction, pushed her inside and locked the door.
What were these morons doing, she was claustrophobic.
She heard laughter from outside. "That'll teach her a lesson. Such a swot," She heard a boy's voice. Maybe the boy who asked that 'silly' question earlier in class. After the boy spoke more laughter erupted.
"Hey, Rick or whatever you call yourself, let me out. This isn't funny!" Melanie spoke but the children laughed harder instead.
Melanie could feel the slightest bit of anger running into her bloodstream. This was obviously a childish prank, it wouldn't be long before they'll release her, right?
Melanie didn't know how long she had stood there, but it felt like hours. She could hear her heart beating fast, and feel sweat pouring down her face. Gosh, she hated feeling weak and vulnerable. She refused to open her eyes, 'cause it'll make everything worse.
When she felt like she couldn't take it anymore, she screamed, still with her eyes closed, "Ricky, you better let me out, it's not funny,"
She heard a bell ring, and the children's footsteps sounded distant though they were running. Even their laughter faded. Recess was probably over. They hadn't released her! It was not her fault that her father was more attractive than theirs. It was not also her fault that she was favoured more than them. Maybe they could advise their fathers to get plastic surgery.
The quietness of the atmosphere made reality set in.
Then RAGE!
Melanie sat down in a corner and whispered lullabies her father used to sing for her when she was little. She couldn't complete anyone she started, because not only was the memories vague in her head but… the RAGE.
They had left her! THEY HAD LEFT HER!!
She didn't know who'd look for her, but she knew that she'll eventually be found. And when she comes out…oh those children will get what's coming to them, especially that Ricky.
---
Skylar thanked Tayo for letting her stay in his home for some minutes. They had a little talk and she got to know his name was Tayo Victor Mustapha. He was a Nigerian. Very unique people she had heard of.
She knocked on Alan's flat, and sure enough he answered the door…with a frown. "Come in," His mood changed instantly to a cheerful one "I've been expecting you,"
"Do you live alone?"
"Whoa, since when did you start being careful, come in. It's me, your mate. Alright,"
"You're not my…mate Alan,"
"I'm not going to coax you to get in. If you want to stand outside, suit yourself" He left the door open. Wide enough for her to see the others inside. Alan glanced at her with his side eye. He smiled as he watched her give a sigh of defeat and step in. To think that he thought she had wisened up. Gullible Skylar, as always.