One

Melody's POV:

I am going to runaway.

"Melody! You bitch. I told you to wash these plates!" Alyssa shrieked from downstairs.

I shut my eyes, covering my ears with my hands.

She screamed a bit more, but then stopped. I think she got tired shouting so much and getting no response.

Alyssa is my step sister. My mother married my step dad when Dad left her. No, actually she left him. I was so broken by the divorce that I just chose to live with Mom.

And I guess that was my biggest mistake. She was mostly out of city or country as she was always working on her clothing boutique. That left me with my step dad, Jordan, and stepsister, Alyssa.

I used to have fun in my life. I thought Alyssa would be cool as I never had a sister. I thought we would have fun, laugh, maybe braid each other's hair. Be best friends.

But she wasn't a sister. She made my life a living hell. Made me wash clothes, dishes, cook and everything a maid would do.

You must be thinking why I even agree? I agree because I have no choice. When I don't do anything Alyssa says, Jordan makes sure I do it.

Well, the red marks on my back are the evidence. I don't like being kicked and punched but I don't have a choice. Even if I try to tell Mom, either she won't listen or Jordan will make my mouth shut.

And the truth was, I was way too pathetic to stand up and complain to any other person. A neighbor or probably police.

Here was I. Today I didn't wash the dishes. And I wasn't scared of my step dad too. Today I'll escape. Because today, I was running away.

Mom used to give me pocket money each month. Saving it since we moved here, I had enough money to get away from these people. Because I can't stand this all.

Today was my eighteenth birthday. People celebrate this part of their life with parties and friends. And I'll celebrate it by running away.

I looked at my bag in the corner with my stuff inside. My clothes, phone, pictures. Everything was in there.

My mom doesn't know what I was doing. And I think she probably wouldn't care. I do not know what will happen when they will find out. I do not know what excuse Jordan will make out of it. I seriously didn't care.

I heard footsteps coming towards my door.

Jordan.

I leaped up towards the window and without a second thought, jumped down with my bag. Soon my feet hit the ground as I heard Jordan's loud voice booming through my room which was just a bit higher from me.

"Where did she go?" He yelled.

"I don't know, Dad." Probably Alyssa.

Without waiting for anymore yelling, I turned and walked away.

I walked past many neighborhood houses. It was already night. And darkness lurked everywhere. I walked past the shopping mall as people went inside chattering how nice it would be to buy this and that.

I envied them. All of them who had great families.

I looked away and kept walking. I looked over at the big stadium wondering why there was so noise. And what was this much security for?

I thought as realization hit me.

They must be having one of those concerts.

Here, in New York City, this may be the most biggest stadium where most singers came for concerts and of course, only rich people went to see it.

I sighed and walked forward only to slam in someone. I looked in front of me and saw Sam.

I picked up the bag which fell from the push and was about to step away when he stopped me by gripping my arm.

"Look who's here, guys. Where you going, Mel?" He asked leaning closer.

From beside him came out his two best friends. Mark and Kim.

These three were probably the bad boys of our high school. Which made sure my life became much heller than it already was.

I jerked back my arm and glared at him.

"Mind your own freaking business, Sam." I said stepping away.

I was seriously in no mood chit chatting with him. I hated him and he knew that.

Instead, he laughed and got closer.

"Oh really? I thought you wanted to be my business?" He smirked.

I ignored him and tried stepping aside but he blocked the way.

"Now, isn't that dangerous to be alone at night?" He asked innocently.

He came forward pulling me through my waist against him. I started fidgeting but he just tightened the grip. I had finally found a way to escape that house and here's where I get trapped?

Don't cry, Melody. Not now!

I willed myself not to cry and pushed him with force.

What is he made of?

His hand traveled down my back making me shut my eyes in disgust. Why the hell can't I just have a normal day?

Why?

"Leave her." Somebody said from behind me.

He sounded so calm and angry at the same time that it almost made me believe this all was a joke.

But Sam's grip on me loosened as he backed away.

I didn't turn away. I couldn't. I hated being so helpless like always. I wanted to push him myself. But there was no denying how weak I was. And I hated that.

Sam, on the other hand, did turn away and left with his minions giving me an odd look.

I slowly wiped my tears still not looking at my saviour. I picked up my bag with trembling fingers. I took a deep encouraging breath collecting myself.

Maybe he thought how disgusting I was and already left. That would be much better than seeing disgust in his eyes.

Instead, I felt someone's presence behind me.

"Hey, it's fine." He said tensely.

I turned slowly and finally looked at him.

Hazel eyes, brown hair and that smile...and that voice!

Is that...Asher Martinez?

He looked at me concerned probably because of my tearstained face. Or maybe he looked kind of tired? Maybe exhausted?

What would you have done when you find a famous singer just saving your life?

Get an autograph? Of course.

But that's not what I did. I guess I was still so relieved of getting saved from Sam, that I threw my arms around his neck and hugged him. Literally.

He staggered a bit, surprised by my sudden contact, but wrapped his arms around me hesitantly.

"Thank you." I whispered meaning it.

I don't know why, I mean I barely know this guy except he is a really famous singer and all, but I felt more relieved and comforted in his embrace. After all, he was the first person who actually saved me.

Because he doesn't know you.

It felt so unreal. Imaginary. But it was real.

He laughed as if he really couldn't believe I was hugging him. His anger subsided as he relaxed.

"You're welcome." He replied slowly, probably not sure what to say.

And then what? We just stood there like that. He didn't pull away and neither did I. Because I didn't want to.

This was the first time I felt safe, comforted and maybe a bit happy. I didn't want to let go of this moment. I closed my eyes thinking how embarrassing it should be. After all, he was the person every girl in my school talked about.

Suddenly, I heard loud shrieks of people coming out of the doors with excitement.

How could I forget it? It was his concert, and those people weren't just people. They were the fans.

I pulled away abruptly as people, mostly girls, came running towards him. He groaned and shut his eyes as if he didn't want to deal with this right now.

I was somehow expecting a relieved expression on his face of getting a way to get out of this embarrassing situation, but all I found was disappointment.

His eyebrows were furrowed as he looked at me in confusion.

I backed away as more people and security came.

Come back to your senses, Melody. Get out of here before somebody sees you from school. You were running away, after all. What if Jordan sees you?

I picked up my bag and turned.

It was just a hug, it won't matter to him more than a thank you gesture.

I was walking away when somebody pulled me back by my wrist.

Please don't be someone from school! What would I say if its Cleo? Or anybody else?

I turned expecting worse, when all I saw was the hazel eyed boy.

"Where are you going?" He asked with a frown as he looked behind him.

Where am I going? Is he seriously asking me that? Or am I dreaming?

I glanced behind looking for a familiar face.

"Shouldn't you be giving autographs right now?" I asked looking behind him worriedly.

Where did all his fans go?

"Oh, leave them. How about we take a walk?" He asked pulling me along with him towards somewhere.

He didn't even wait for my permission, just dragged me with him. It looked like he would do anything to get out of there.

I thought looking at your fans going gaga over you was the most exciting part for singers like him.

I looked at his back, dumbly trying my best to ignore the tingly feeling of his hand around mine. What was I even doing with him? I wasn't supposed to go along with him.

"You really are ditching your concert?" I asked nervously.

He nodded slightly as I came beside him.

"Why?" I asked.

He just shrugged.

He was looking ahead as we walked towards a hill. He looked like he didn't want to talk.

So I changed the topic.

"I really can't believe what today is bringing." I looked behind me cautiously.

He didn't ask me anything, instead continued walking. I was the one who kept on talking. It was my habit when I was nervous.

"Why aren't you saying anything?" I asked suddenly.

God! Why am I being too nosy?

Instead he just shrugged and placed his hands inside his pockets.

"A bad day?" I asked as we sat down on the edge of the hill, dangling our legs in mid air.

I thought I was running away, for God's sake!

He just nodded.

"Well, your day won't be as bad as mine." I laughed.

Seeing him so silent was kind of odd. So I just started blabbering.

"Well, my name is Melody and I love to spend my time with animals like cats. I did had one but she died. That was devastating. I also love reading books especially the fantasy ones where you could go anywhere anytime. I'm the person you won't find hanging out with friends in Starbucks because firstly, I don't like making friends and secondly, I'd rather spend my time alone reading a book. I like to go around the library. The librarian isn't friendly though but she is nice with me despite the fact that I always manage to stumble with books and create noise. It was always my talent. Clumsiness. But even though it's embarrassing, I love being clumsy as it allows me to be myself and not care what others think and rather be..." I stopped realizing he was still looking ahead.

I literally just did that.

I was probably hoping he would stand up and leave, telling me what a freak I'm, like others.

But instead he looked at me confused.

"Did you just tell me you love being clumsy?" He asked biting his lower lip, probably controlling his laugh.

Why did he have to look so cute right now?

He was paying attention? I thought he was too busy tangled in his share of thoughts.

"Don't laugh." I muttered mostly only to myself.

Because just as the moment I said it, he burst out laughing hard. I rolled my eyes but still a smile formed on my lips. The first smile in this whole day.

"Did you just make me forget what I was so angry about?" He asked with a breathtaking smile.

I kept silent embarrassed at my habit of blabbering.

"I'm gonna hang around more with you, Melody. You're such a talented person." He said looking ahead at the stars.

Even if those words were sweet a hollow pain in my chest made me realize everything. We both fell in a comfortable silence. Well, at least he did.

The sudden happy atmosphere was not what I was used to. My mind drifted off to Jordan. At that moment, it just felt like I had to tell him. I can't say here. All these thoughts in my head were engulfing me. It might've suffocated me.

This person beside me might be the only person ever here in New York who gave me importance even for a second. I might just as well do the most stupid thing. What could be the worse that could happen?

"I'm running away." I whispered as my eyes stung a bit.

His head snapped in my direction. Even if I didn't see his reaction I know he was shocked. Who wouldn't be?

"What? Why? Is that about that boy before?" He asked turning fully towards me.

I hated attention. I never liked people asking me questions. Because it made me cry more. And I'd rather cry alone than with somebody.

I looked down at my hands nervously as a tear trickled down my face. I shouldn't be crying. Not here please.

"Well, not exactly. But you can count him in." I said laughing but failing miserably.

I felt him getting tense beside me.

Geez, what am I doing? Why am I still here?

I sniffed slowly and quickly wiped the tears. He was a stranger after all. And you don't go around telling your griefs to a stranger.

"Uh, well, isn't your concert more important?" I asked, still not looking at him.

I felt him move.

He was really leaving.

"I heard, when you're sad...you just need a hug." He said. "And you're sad."

I would've stopped him but he was already reaching out to me. He pulled me in a hug.

"I cannot believe you just said those words." I whispered.

Maybe he smiled but I couldn't see. I felt his arm around me. The reality of actually making a friend felt really good. It just made me more teary.

I cannot believe I'm doing this with a guy I just met.

I had always shushed my tears myself when Mom hadn't been around, but it felt so good when he rubbed my back and comforted me.

"You see, Melody. I don't have good experiences when people cry, especially girls. So if I'm, you know, being too awkward, just push me away. I just end up making them cry more." He muttered, nervously.

I laughed between my tears and felt him getting relaxed.

After about fifteen minutes of us sitting like that, I pulled away and wiped my tears.

Wasn't this strange? I just met this boy! How can I break down in front of him?

The truth was, I had been holding on my tears for so long inside me. He just broke the barrier. I couldn't help myself.

"You're a nice person." I concluded. "Thank you."

He smiled.

"Melody?"

"Yeah?" I asked wiping my eyes.

"If it's really hard for you to stay here. I think running away is best for you." He said slowly.

It almost warmed my heart how he was supporting me. He was a great friend. Only for few hours.

I was about to thank him when he interrupted.

"But, I'm coming with you." He said looking at me.

I looked at him in confusion, waiting for him to add something more. Only when he didn't, I felt my eyes widening.

I guess it wasn't just a hug, now was it?