I Love You, I Hate You: Part 1

Melody leans in for a fake kiss on the cheek and stares me down, gaze unwavering as she makes the kissing sound with her lips. I narrow my eyes on her, fully prepared for a battle of wits if necessary. Although it would be more of a massacre than a battle. Melody is about as sharp as a bag of cotton balls.

“Rumor had it my favorite Harris was going to be wandering around somewhere. So, Rachel and I thought we’d do a little shopping.”

I roll my eyes and walk over to a display of purses I can’t possibly afford, pretending to find one that I like. I need a job. Better yet, I need a new school where things of monetary value don’t make or break you socially. Because if I’m being honest, I care what people think of me. I want to be liked by my classmates. I want to

look back at my senior year and smile. I can’t say that for last year.

“EEEK!” Melody squeals. “It’s here!” She looks around and spots the only employee on the floor. “Ma’am! Ma’am! This isn’t a social hour over there. You’re on duty and I want that purse.”

The sales associate says an apologetic goodbye to her customer and walks over to us with a forced smile. “How can I help you, ladies?”

“Are you dense?” Melody snarls, pointing up at the new-arrivals display. “I want that purse. The sign says it was released last week.”

The woman’s forced grin turns into a sly smile as she says, “I’m sorry but all the ones we have were sold as pre-orders and at this time the company isn’t releasing any more. Perhaps try eBay.”

“Well un-preorder one and give it to me!” Melody demands with a stomp of her foot.

“I’m sorry Miss, but that’s not possible. If there’s anything else I can get you please let me know.” The sales lady turns her back to us and saunters to the counter.

“That bitch has more,” Melody insists, digging through her purse for her phone. “She just doesn’t want to sell one to me. Wait until Daddy hears about this, he’ll have her job and she’ll be sorry.”

“For crying out loud, Melody. Not everything is about you.” From the look on everyone’s face, I said that out loud and not in my head. Oops. Oh well.

Melody squares her shoulders and steps towards me. “Excuse me, bitch?”

I put down the purse I was pretending to look at and turn towards everyone. Melody’s fuming to the point I’m surprised smoke isn’t coming out of her ears. I fight a smile, loving how riled up she is and amble over the jewelry display. “I’m just saying, that’s not how retail stores work. If the woman had one available, she’d sell it to you. You shouldn’t try to mess with someone’s livelihood just because you didn’t get your way.”

‘Listen here, you little—” Melody doesn’t finish her sentence. The movement of a silhouette catches her eye and she immediately rearranges the snarl on her face into a smile.

Of all the people in this tiny town and all the stores in the mall, Logan Harris walks into this one. Perfect.

“Oh. Em. Gee. Logan!” Melody squeals in her over the top, fake voice. “What are you doing here?”

My whole body tenses as Logan draws near. He’s ignored me all week but hasn’t gone out of his way to avoid me like before. In fact, it’s the opposite. I see him everywhere, each time locked onto a different set of lips. The kisses are always hungry, with roaming hands. My cheeks heat just thinking about them.

Logan ignores Melody and walks past us like we don’t exist, heading straight for the clerk’s counter. He and the sales lady have a quiet conversation before the woman disappears into the back. She returns with a bag, probably holding a pre-order purse, and he hands the woman his credit card.

Obviously frustrated that nothing in this store is going her way, Melody turns her attention back to me. “That’s a pretty necklace, Danika. Are you going to buy it?”

Without bothering to look at the tag, I put the necklace back on the display. This wannabe boutique is overpriced and way out of my league. Even if the necklace is beautiful, I don’t have the money to waste on it. “No.”

Melody arches her brows at me, her lips curling into a sinister smirk. “Why? Is it too expensive for you? Maybe the thrift store down the block is more your speed.”

“Anyway,” Sarah interrupts, stepping between me and Melody, using her body as a shield against Melody’s harsh words. “We should probably get going. If we’re going to make it down to West Palm before rush hour hits.”

Melody juts out her bottom lip, fake pouting. “Awe, is pretty little Danika too good to watch her boyfriend play football tonight?”

I hate this bitch. If I was a lesser woman, I’d fire back and spit more nastiness in the air than Melody would know what to do with. But I was raised better, and this is a testament to Melody’s character, not mine. Instead, I tuck my long chocolate strands behind my ear and say, “Gunner is not my boyfriend.”

“Of course he’s not,” She smirks triumphantly. “He doesn’t do monogamy or have you not realized that yet?”

A blanket of heat covers my skin, and the tiny hairs on the back of my neck react to Logan’s proximity. I close my eyes, breathing in the scent of his cologne, letting myself get carried away by how heavenly it is.

“You’re not coming tonight?” He asks from behind me, his voice devoid of emotion, because he couldn’t care less what I do anymore. “You used to go to all of my games.”

“You used to be a better friend.”

“Um.” Melody crosses her arms. She glares, likely trying to figure out what’s happening between Logan and me. It seems like most people forgot that we have history. I would to by the way he treats me.