Chapter 1

Clouds are a symbol of many things. The sky, Heaven, love, angels, all that jazz. For me, those clouds weren't really dependable right now. I was 10,000 feet up in the air. If I fell, the clouds wouldn't catch me. I'd descend, right through the fluff. I turned my head to the side, and I whispered to this man that was in the aisle. I said, "Do you know how long it takes before we die?" He stared at me in horror, and then he was gone. All of it was. The cracked leather seats, the noisy engine, the always-smiling stewards, the seatbelt signs...Even the clouds. And then, I rolled awake.

My eyelids felt heavy, but I forced myself to detect the sight my glowing, baby blue room. I kicked my sheets off, and set my bare feet onto the scratchy carpet. I rose, and gazed out my window. It was the usual scene for Las Vegas- past my backyard wall, there were speeding cars and some occasional bike riders. I sighed as I thought of the stereotypical, rushed, business man- Driving incautiously, with a doughnut stuffed in his mouth and his tie uneven. His cellphone rings, and as he goes to grab it, his arm accidentally knocks over that piping hot coffee he just ordered from the drive-thru Starbucks. This is just his luck.

Fortunately, I knew I was going to have a much better morning. Today was the first day of autumn- my favorite season. It was just going to be a regular school day, but who knows what little surprises would catch me today.

I always dressed according to how I felt that morning. Today, I felt a bit lazy, but happy that my favorite season is now here. I pulled on some lightwash skinny jeans, a black tanktop, and a gray cardigan. I pulled my hair up into a bouncy ponytail, lined my eyes with black, and laced my chucks. I glanced in the mirror once last time, and decided that I looked a little plain, I threw on a white necklace, that had a horizontal, porcelin feather that rested above my collar bone. Perfect.

Feeling pleased with my appearance, I rushed downstairs to toast a pop-tart, scarf it down, and complete my breakfast with a glass of milk. I giggled as I was brushing my teeth, because I forgot that today was also the day my best friend comes back from his vacation from California. Now, today was going to be a great day.

While walking to school, I started thinking about my best friend. Everything about him. He was the complete opposite of me, just like everything that matches. Peanut butter and jelly. Rain and umbrellas. I was tall, but he was tall and lanky. I had blue eyes, he had hazel. He had light brown, layered, messy, "bed-head" hair; while mine was dark brown, medium-long and casually styled. I had an oval-face, and he had a round-face. I smiled showing teeth, but he had a very coy smile. I'd rather read and write, while he would rather draw and sketch. We did have things in common, though. We craved adventure. We loved to laugh. We understood each other with just a glance. We both acted a bit like each other- I ate, and had an appetite like a guy, and he had quite a feminine side. (I didn't worry though, he's straight.) Our biggest passion though, was music.

After hearing many of my footsteps crunching on the falling leaves, I realized I was already on school grounds. I smiled, and headed towards the building furthest from the school- which was our meeting spot.

"Why, isn't it Mademoiselle Melody!" He shouted, and tipped his imaginary hat.

"Good morning, Monsieur Alexander." I pretended to curtsy. He opened his arms and I jumped into them.

"How was life without me?" He smiled, and used his hand to tousle his hair.

"Veerrry boring. And how was the perfectly weathered Cali?" I said tightening my ponytail.

"Fantastic, as I expected. You were right, San Francisco gets better each time. Oh, I got you something too," He rummaged through his backpack.

"Alex, no! I told you not to!"

"Well, you know me, Mel. I don't like listening to you sometimes." He smirked, and held out a blue striped bag, with a curly ribbon on the top corner, and tissue paper peaking from the opening. Before I could open it, that nasally sound that indicated the start of school had alerted us.

"I'll open it after school. But Alex, I feel like I should be giving you something," I commented as we subconsciously walked to the main corridor where our lockers were.

"We'll talk about it later. I'm not excited for all the makeup work that's about to drown me." He groaned.

"I'll see you at lunch, Mel." We did our trademark handshake, which was when his fingers wiggled and intertwined with my wiggling fingers(we called in 'sprinkles'), and then we parted.

I put the present and my backpack in my locker, and got out the needed textbooks for the day. Finding myself the first person to arrive in English class that morning, I started thinking about the characteristics of my best friend again. The main difference between us, was one of the reasons why I admired him so much. He wasn't afraid of anything. Alex Burwell was fearless.


**


I hated being bored in class. After what seemed like endless class periods, lunch finally came. Alex talked about what he did in California, how he wished I was there to see it, and occasionally, he stole some food off my tray. We ended up bartering, and I traded my chocolate milk for his apple juice. I looked at his fattened binder. (Which was usually neat and slim.)

"Jeez, it's only half a school day. How much homework do you have?"

"Alottt. And I only have a week to get it all done. Hopefully these next few periods won't be as much," He shook his head and popped a fry into his mouth.

"I could help with some of it, if you want." I offered looking at the tall stack of paper.

"Really Mel? You hate doing work. Any kind of work."

"Really. Plus we can spend more time together. It's been a long two weeks, Alex."

"Agreed. It felt weird not talking to you on a daily basis. Come on over after school today. I'll give you the easy stuff to work on," He teased.

"I'm capable of doing hard work," I insisted.

"Alright. You asked for it."

"Don't worry about it. I don't think I have alot of assignments today anyway."

"Thanks Mel." He smiled that shy smile, and I just had to smile back.

"Anytime,"

My last class of the day was geometry, which was my least favorite subject. It was pretty much equivalent to middle-aged torture. I focused anyway, and learned another damn theorem. As soon as the bell rang, I dashed to my locker, excited to open my present. But I knew I still had to wait until I arrived at Alex's house.
Alex lived two streets down from me, which was very convenient. When we got to his house, we were both starved.

"Mom! We're home!" Alex yelled.

"Hey kids! Mac and cheese will be done in just a few," She chirped. Alex and I went upstairs and put our stuff in his room. When we came back to the kitchen, the cheesy aroma made our stomachs growl.

"Melody, it's so good to see you again! I know you guys are hungry, so come here and grab a bowl." I loved Alex's mom. She and Alex looked so much alike. Light brown hair, hazel eyes, and they both had such a kind face. She was a friendly, and caring housewife. She was always there for Alex, and supported him in everything. She loved having me over too, so that was nice.

"Mm, that was delicious, Mrs.Burwell. Thank you." I said putting my dishes in the sink.

"Oh, Melody. You're so polite. Alex, you should really pick up some manners from her. Don't leave your dishes there, go put them away." Alex immediately shot a dirty glance at me, and I just stuck my tongue out.

I found myself in Alex's room again. He was going through my backpack.

"So how about that present?!" He exclaimed.

"Hand it over," I pulled all the tissue paper out, anxious to see what was inside.

"Oh, Alex! I love it!" I cried.


Disclaimer: I do not own the lyrics used in the first paragraph. They belong to the band A Rocket To The Moon. I own the characters & plot.