Melissa entered her room while her friends started dinner. Her eyes looked over every part of her room. She felt like she had entered the past. Her mother had kept her room the exact way she left it two years ago. �She didn�t change anything.� Samantha stated coming into the room.
�I can�t believe it. Its like I never left.�
�She left it the way it was because she wanted to be closer to you.� Samantha sat down on the bed. �It was her way of keeping you near when you left.�
�Now, I have an overwhelming feeling of guilt.�
�Don�t Mel; your mom understood why you had to leave. Both of your parents understood.�
Melissa picked up the picture of her and her dad from the senior prom. The photo that caused her mom to get upset, she looked at the smile on her dad�s face. He was more excited that day then she was. She couldn�t believe he was gone, it seemed unreal, just a bad dream that she couldn�t wake up from.
�I miss him so much Sam.�
�I�m sorry you have to go through this Mel.�
�I keep having these thoughts that are so selfish, but I can�t stop them from coming.�
�What kind of thoughts?� Melissa sat down next to Samantha.
�Thoughts like he won�t be here to walk me down the aisle when I get married; he won�t be here to see his grandchildren, selfish thoughts like that.�
�That�s not selfish, Mel. You miss him, you�re sad that he won�t be there to share those moments with you. It�s normal to feel that way.� Samantha replied reaching for her friend�s hand.
�I can�t believe he�s gone.� Melissa said softly holding back her tears. She wasn�t going to let herself cry. Melissa stood up and placed the photo back on her shelf. �Let�s change the subject before I start to cry.�
Nick came down the hallway to tell them about dinner, but found himself listening to their conservation.
�There�s nothing wrong with crying Mel.�
�It�s pointless to cry. It doesn�t make you feel better and it doesn�t change anything.� She stated unpacking her clothes, placing them into the drawers.
�Why do I get the feeling you are talking about something else? Like maybe Nick?�
�You�re just like your boyfriend.�
�Great minds think alike, but that doesn�t answer my question.�
�Nick hurt me more than anyone else has in my life.� She turned to face her. �Does that answer your question?�
�Mel, you didn�t see how hurt he was when he found out you had left. He loved you so much.�
�And he showed me how much by sleeping with someone else.�
�I admit that was the stupidest thing he did, but Mel he still loves you. He hasn�t been with anyone ever since you left.�
�Sam, I doubt that�s true. He has moved on.�
�Have you?� Samantha asked standing from the bed.
�Have I moved on?� Samantha nodded crossing her arms. �I havedated, but nothing serious.�
�Maybe because you still have feelings for Nick?�
�Sam!�
�What? It isn�t an unbelievable idea! You have known him all your life. Plus you two fell in love, true love. The kind that people hope and wish for, that kind of love is difficult to get over.�
�I did Sam.� Melissa said putting away the last of her clothes.
�Okay, then say it.�
�Say what?�
�Tell me that you don�t have feelings for Nick.�
�I don�t have feelings for Nick.� She stated looking into Samantha�s eyes, hoping she would believe her, because she didn�t know if she believed it herself.
�I don�t believe you. Be honest with yourself Mel, if you have feelings for him then do something about it.�
Nick knocked on the door. �Hey sorry to interrupt, but Brian is going to order a pizza. I thought you might want a vote on what he orders before we are stuck eating something weird.�
�Thanks Nick.� Samantha turned and looked at Melissa. �Think about what I said.�
The pizza arrived twenty minutes later and they all sat in the living, eating and reminiscing.
�Mel, do you remember Jane Minor?� Samantha asked wiping her hands with a napkin. She nodded a response of yes. �Well, she dumped her gorgeous ivy-league boyfriend for Maurice Taylor!�
�Maurice Taylor, as in the guy who would ran in the halls so he could be early to class, that Maurice Taylor?�
Samantha shook her head, laughing.
�Well, I guess a lot has happened since I left.� The phone ringing interrupted their conservation.
�Hello? Mom?� Melissa asked.
�No Mel, it�s your Aunt Rachel.�
�Oh, hi Aunt Rachel, have you heard from my mom?�
�Yeah honey, she�s here.�
�Oh thank God, is she okay?�
�Yeah, we talked; had some dinner, and then she fell asleep on my couch. I just wanted to let you know, so you didn�t worry.�
�Thank you.�
�How are you doing honey?�
�I�m better now that I know she�s okay.�
�I�ll make sure she gets back safely tomorrow in time for your dad�s funeral.�
�Thanks Aunt Rachel.�
�Sure honey, you aren�t alone, are you?�
�No, my friends are here.�
�Good, you shouldn�t be alone.� Melissa looked over at her friends, all waiting to know about her mother. �Alright, I�ll see you tomorrow.�
�Bye.� Melissa hung up and walked back into the living room.
�She�s okay; she�s at my aunt�s.�
�That�s good new Mel.� Brian stated giving her a hug.
�Yeah, she�s going to stay there tonight.�
�Okay, well then we are staying here with you.� Samantha replied putting her shoes on.
�No, that�s okay. I�ll be fine by myself.�
�No, it�s not going to happen, Mel. We are staying; it will be like old times.� Brian added handing Samantha her coat.
�We�ll just grab some stuff and be right back. Nick, why don�t you stay with Mel till we get back?� Samantha replied as she and Brian left.
�Subtle, isn�t she?� Nick asked with a grin that could always make her melt.
�That�s Sam. Look, you don�t need to stay. I�ll be fine.�
�In other words, you don�t want me here.�
�You said it, not me.�
�Fine, I�ll go. I�ll see you tomorrow.� He grabbed his coat and headed to the front door, but turned back.
�Mel?�
She looked over at him. �Welcome home.�
And with that he left. Melissa released a breath that she felt like she had held since she saw him. Seeing him again after so long, brought back all of her feelings. She had thought that she didn�t feel anything for him, but she did. He looked so amazing. He had cut his hair, showing off his beautiful blue eyes. His eyes could always take her breath away. Her mind drifted to how good his body looked, probably from working construction for his dad. She had to stop herself, she shouldn�t be thinking about him that way. He broke her heart, changed her whole future just in one night. However, she couldn�t stop all these feeling running through her body.
�This is going to be harder than I thought.�
