Lack of a Better Thing

By Neko

The music blared from the speakers. Melody looked over at her friend. It had been awhile since they had last seen each other and a lot of things had changes between them since Melody had moved away. Sara used to always say she would keep in touch but never seemed to get around to it, so Melody was very surprised when Sara showed up on her steps just a few days ago.

Naturally the first thing Sara wanted to do while in town was to check out the nightlife. Melody agreed to show her around, figuring the two could hit her favorite hot spot for a drink and catch up on old times. After all Melody we in need of a friend right now and Sara had always been there. But Sara seemed to have other plans. “So, How’s school?” Melody asked yelling over the music. Sara turned to her and smiled. “I’m sorry I wasn’t listening.” Sara said. “I asked how school was.” Melody repeated. “Oh, I dropped out, too much work.” Sara explained. Melody just looked at her blankly. Not sure what to say.

“What I’m here aren’t I?” Sara snapped. “I’m starting to doubt that.” Melody said softly but Sara didn’t hear her, she had drawn her attention to a young man that walked by. “He’s cute; do you mind if I go talk to him?” Sara asked. Melody shook her head she knew there was no stopping her any way. Sara smiled and then ran up to the young man. Melody watched her closely. They talked briefly then she grabbed his hand and pointed to the dance floor. The young man smiled and turned to his friend. His friend seemed mildly disappointed as she pulled his blonde friend on to the dance floor.

Melody turned back and sipped her drink. She felt some one brush up against her as they took Sara’s place at the bar. “It looks like you could use a friend.” A man said. She turned and looked at him. She recognized him right away as being the young blonde's friend. “ I had one.” Melody said softly. “Well I think you may have lost her.” He replied. “I think I lost her long before tonight.” Melody explained. “Oh, sounds bad, my name is Chris, what’s yours?” He asked. She smiled. “I’m Melody.” She said. “That’s a pretty name.” He said. She almost blushed. The two of them shook hands.

She gave him a good look over for the first time. He was a funny looking man with interesting designed crafted into his goatee, but he was still ever cute. “I’m sorry about your friend leaving you.” Melody said. ‘It’s okay I’m used to it, he does this to me all the time any more.” Chris explained. “Sounds like you could use a friend too.” Melody said with a laugh. Chris looked at his hands. “I have friend, lots of them, but Lance asked me to go out with him tonight, he promised not to leave me alone at the bar again, but I guess he forgot.” Chris explained. “You not alone, I’m here too.” Melody said trying to make him happy again.

“Let me buy you another drink.” Chris said pointing to her now empty glass. “Thanks.” Melody said as the bartend got her a new drink. She looked him over again. “I haven’t seen you here before, is this your first time in town?” She asked. “Yes, and no. I’ve been here before just not in the last year. You would be surprised how many things have changed. I’m in town with friends on business.” He explained. “Oh, I see.” She said sipping her drink.

“You want to dance?” He asked finally working up the nerve. Melody looked at the bust dance floor and then at him. She bit her lip. “I’m not very good.” She said. “It’s okay, I’ll show you, and you’ll be fine. Please.” Chris begged as if he was going to die if she didn’t dance with him. ‘Poor guy.’ Melody thought to herself. “Okay.” She said, then Chris led her on to the dance floor.

They started to move to the music. Melody wasn’t sure what to do at first but soon she felt Chris rub up against her and place his hands at her hips to help her move them in time to the music. She liked this for once it looked like she could actually dance. But she knew it was Chris doing it not her. Chris was smiling the whole time and this made Melody smile; it seemed the only thing he wanted was some one to dance with. Melody was happy but she really didn’t want a boyfriend right now she just wanted a friend. She got really close to him, he smelled so good. She whispered in his ear. He smiled more and then the two of the darted for the door with out another word said.

Once out side they stopped. “I should go back in and tell Lance I’m leaving.” Chris said looking back at the busy club. “Forget them, they ditched us, remember.” Melody reminded. Chris smiled again and then two of them took off down the street. “Where are we going?” Chris asked when they were about a block from the club. “I don’t know any where, I just had to get out of that place.” She explained. “I know a place we can go, if it’s still here.” Chris said taking her hand and pulling her. Melody smiled and then took off running down the street.

They stopped at a small cafe. “I didn’t even know this place existed.” Melody said as they took a seat at the tiny table. “It’s small I know but the have the best serves in town.” Chris said flipping through the menu. They ordered a midnight snack and the sat and talked while they waited for their food. It had been a long time since she had some one just to sit down and talk to. All her friends were too busy and yet here she was having a friendly conversation with a man she had only know a few hours, she started to wander if she was that despite for a friend.

But at the time it didn’t seem to matter, Chris seemed like a really nice guy and she was having a great time with him. “So what’s next?” Chris asked with his mouth full of food. “I don’t know.” Melody said. “So you don’t do this often?” He asked. “Do what?” She asked looking up from her plate. “Take strange guys out to eat and talk about everything under the sun.” Chris explained. Melody laughed. “No, this would be a first.” She said. “Me too, but I have to say I’m having a great time.” He said licking his fingers.

“Do you want to go down to the river; there’s a really pretty beach there.” Melody asked. “Sounds great let me pay and we’ll go.” Chris said paying for her dinner. The two then left the tiny cafe and headed for the water. When they reached the beach it was almost 2 am and the beach was completely deserted. “Boy this place is dead.” Chris said leaning on the railing. “Yeah well, look at the time, come on let’s go.” Melody said taking off down the beach. Chris watched her wandering what she was doing then he quickly gave chase. He chased her down the beach and right to the water’s edge.

“I think I am going to have a heart attack.” Chris huffed finally catching up with her. “Sorry old man, I thought you could use the exercise.” Melody said jokingly. “Very funny.” Chris said standing up straight. He smiled slyly. “I think you need to cool off.” He said then pushed her so she fell back in to the water. Melody huffed angrily then started to kick and splash, getting Chris soaked. “You want to play we’ll play.” He said and then took off after her. They to started splashing each other and tackling each other.

About an hour or so later they found them selves sitting alone on the beach. “Well I’m soaked how about you?” Chris asked looking down at himself. “I think you look good wet.” Melody said looking at him. “I better these were nice clothes.” He said laughing as he spoke. “Not any more.” Melody said. Chris just smiled and shook his head. “Do you know what time it is, we killed my watch?” Chris asked draining the water off. “Nope, we killed mine too.” Melody said holding it out; the hand stuck at 3am.

“I guess we should go back soon.” Chris said. “Do we have to?” Melody asked sprawling her self out on the sand. “We have to go back some time.” Chris said looking at her; she looked to be at ease there on the sand. “I know, but I don’t want to, I want to stay here forever.” Melody said. “Okay, but you may get ran over when the beach goers come.” Chris said. “Good point, that would ruin the thought of staying. You’re right though we should go.” She said. Chris helped her up and the two of them headed back to where her car was parked.

It was late when melody walked into her apartment. She set her things down carefully not to make too much noise. That’s when Sara walked out of her room. “Where were you and what on earth happened to your clothes?” Sara asked. Melody looked down at her clothes, which were still wet from the beach. “I went out with a friend.” Melody said with a smile. “A friend?” Sara asked. “Yeah,” Melody said softly and then walked past her friend and right to her room, “Good night.” Melody said as she disappeared into her room. Sara just stood there stunned, not sure what had just happened.

The End