"Hey... are you okay?"
A boy touched Melissa's shoulder.
The sudden contact made her flinch violently.
Without looking back, she ran again.
"Hey, lady... wait!" the boy called after her, but Melissa didn't stop.
"I'm sorry about that!" Ginny huffed, chasing Melissa while holding two spilled drinks.
"Lisa! Wait for me!"
The boy watched them, amused and curious.
"Lisa..." he muttered.
"Why... why is he here?" Melissa gasped to herself as she ran. "Why am I running?"
"That's what I want to know," Ginny said, catching up. "Why are you running like a mad dog — oops, sorry — like a mad girl?"
Melissa finally stopped, offering Ginny a weak, apologetic smile.
"Oh no, don't fool me with that innocent face," Ginny pouted. "Tell me — what was that?"
"It's nothing," Melissa mumbled, avoiding her gaze.
Ginny softened.
"Lisa... I don't know what's going on. But I'm here for you. Maybe not today, but someday, you'll trust me enough to tell me everything."
She smiled warmly.
"And next time, don't run like that! Look — the drinks are wasted!" Ginny pouted again.
Melissa chuckled at her dramatic expression.
"I'm sorry," Melissa whispered, pulling Ginny into a hug.
"I won't run again," she promised, over and over like a mantra.
"Welcome to the music club!"
Around 20 students filled the room.
Melissa and Ginny sat at a bench tucked in a corner.
While the club secretary rattled off rules, Melissa rested her head on the desk, disinterested.
"Hi, ladies. Mind if I sit here?"
A boy smiled at them.
"Oh, we met before — on the ground, right?" Ginny asked.
"Yeah," the boy laughed. "I saw you chasing her. I saw her too... well, kind of — didn't catch her face though."
Ginny giggled and grabbed Melissa's chin, turning her toward him.
"Well, that's Melissa — or Lisa, for short. And I'm Ginny."
"Nice to meet you. I'm Dayne. Dayne George."
Ginny nudged Melissa.
"Come on, be a good girl. Say hi."
Melissa rolled her eyes but managed a cold, distant, "Hi."
Dayne laughed under his breath.
"Wow... coldest 'hi' I've ever received."
Ginny raised her eyebrow. "Excuse me?"
"Ah, nothing," Dayne grinned. "So, what's your major?"