No Rain

She made me forget. The shit going on else where. My lips fought a smile. I felt good around her. Like things were going to be ok.

Johnny: shut the fuck up Melly.

Melly: I'm serious.

Zacky: you've got to be one of the funniest people I know.

She grinned. The same one the day we ate ice cream and she made me smile. The one she gets when she makes anyone laugh.

Jenn: Mama.

Matt: yeah?

Jenn: I got you a water.

Matt: thanks.

Jenn: what's on your mind?

Matt: your friend.

Jenn: duh. I should have seen that.

Matt: thank you for coming with me today.

Jenn: don't mention it.

Matt: I know its not really shit you want to get to involved with.

Jenn: its you know.

She shrugged. I nodded.

Matt: yeah.

Jenn: you're my Mama.

She hugged me.

Matt: it just sucks.

Jenn: those kinds of things do.

A sigh left my lips. She patted my back and gave me a sad smile.

Jenn: her loss Mama.

Matt: and mine...

Melly: what you two talking about?

Jenn: nothing.

Melly: sharing secrets I see.

Jenn: yes. We're spies.

Melly: oh sweet.

Jenn: very sweet.

Melly: ewwww Matt. What's that on your shirt?

I looked down and she flicked my nose lightly.

Jenn: oOoOo...she got you son.

I shook my head and smiled.

Melly: its great that trick never fails.

Jenn: I know.

Matt: I can't believe I didn't see that coming.

Melly: somethings aren't anticipated.

Jenn slowly took steps away from us.

Matt: nice shirt.

Melly: thanks Zacky gave it to me. I told him I'd pay for it. He wouldn't let me. Crazy kid.

Matt: that's Zack.

Melly: he's pretty cool.

I nodded.

Melly: don't be sad love. Its ok, life isn't so bad.

My brows furrowed.

Melly: you look upset.

Matt: I'm that obvious.

Melly: yup.

Matt: I'm-

Melly: hey man you don't need to explain yourself. Unless you want. But I don't need answers.

I smiled.

Melly: tell me if and when you're ready. There's no rush I'm not planning on going any where.

She linked an arm with me and rested her head on it.

Melly: cheer up. You've got your friends. Things are never as bad as they seem.

Matt: it doesn't always feel that way.

Melly: I know. We got to appreciate the bad just as much we do the good.

Matt: listen to you. Giving me, someone older, wise words.

Melly: I talk to much.

I shook my head.

Matt: I don't think so. Its nice to have a break.

She laughed.

Melly: Jenn can be a little quiet. Its why me and her get along so much.

I watched as her free hand picked something off my shirt. A sense of ease came over me. I shifted so my arm was now around her shoulder. I listened to her words. They made me smile. All her stories had so much enthusiasm in them. Like she was actually there again.

Melly: funny thing is. Jenn makes it seem she's more quiet than she actually is.

She shook her head.

Matt: she's just amazing.

Melly: yeah.

She said with a smile.

Melly: I love that crazy girl.

Matt: her friendship means a lot to me.

Melly: same here. She's nice to you. She calls you Mama. Usually she calls me bitch or slut.

I couldn't help but laugh.

Melly: its all in good taste though. I'm not really a slut. Cause that would call for many dicks. Its more like I've got the mentality of a slut.

Matt: dirty.

Melly: you're right on the money. I can't help it. I've got an active imagination.

Matt: what? Sexually active.

Melly: oh ha ha Matthew. Sooo funny. In a sense though I guess you could say its sexually active.

Matt: do you like create sexual scenarios in your head?

Melly: no that's weird. I just I don't know. Say what comes to mind.

Matt: how does that tie in to an active imagination.

She thought for a moment.

Melly: not sure...huh.

Matt: what kinds of things do you say?

Melly: just shit like I would so suck that dudes dick or damn I'd fuck him. I've no filter.

Her shoulders shrugged. Very whatever type thing.

Matt: and you say this about anyone?

Melly: hell no.

Matt: then?

Melly: mainly good looking guys...and you.

Her brown eyes looked up at me from behind those lashes. Untamed. Bold and not afraid.

Matt: that was clear the other day.

I slightly stammered out, I'm not sure why. Her lips tugged at the corners.

Matt: when we met up with you and Brian. For the tv.

Melly: that was a joke. He told me to say that.

Matt: oh.

I was a bit confused. She snuggled closer.

Brian: beer Melly?

Melly: hell yes.

Brian: Matt?

Matt: thank you.

Brian: Melly. Do it.

He said with a wide smile then walked away.

Melly: you know he's kinda irritating.

Matt: he's just Brian.

Melly: he's dumb.

Matt: then why do you hang around him.

Melly: cause he's dumb and my friend. What were we talking about?

Matt: you finding me.

Melly: attractive?

Matt: yes.

Melly: I don't get it.

She frowned with a smile.

Melly: before you were never so awkward with me.

I shook my head.

Melly: no? No what?

Matt: just...

I shook my head again. I didn't know how to or what to say to her. Her lips met my cheek.

Melly: you are so cute. I'm not sure why you get awkward. Its cute though. You bring out the shy in me.

Matt: kissing people is not a shy move, Melly.

Melly: I speak without thinking with you. I act on impulse. I didn't want to tell you you're attractive but I did. You make me want to not hold back with things...feelings. Words.

Matt: no filter must not help.

I smiled and she returned it.

Melly: no it doesn't.

Matt: that's not entirely a bad thing.

Melly: its not entirely a good thing either.

Matt: we'll find out, right.

Melly: right.

I stared at her. Once again I found another like with her. She began to tell me a story. Something about how Jenn and her went to some party. I listened.

Matt: you guys went through all that. Just to go back home?

Melly: bullshit right?

Matt: yeah. I'd be pissed.

Melly: it was a little frustrating.

Matt: you want to go out with Brian and Jenn sometime?

Melly: double date?

Matt: yeah. For them. Just so they can get closer or whatever.

Melly: I don't know. I told Brian he needs to be a grown up and do his dating solo.

Matt: oh...

There she went picking something off of me again.

Melly: he needs to do things on his own. I don't mind helping him a little but.

She shrugged.

Melly: Hey Johnny! I'm gonna go...

She pointed at Johnny. I just nodded and she walked off. Her arms engulfing him in a hug.

Matt: hey Bri.

Brian: hand me that beer please.

I did.

Brian: thanks.

Matt: Melly just told me she's shy.

Brian: PSH! That brawd is a liar. Please tell me you don't believe that.

Matt: I don't.

Brian: good.

I watched him flip a steak.

Matt: she's a little touchy.

Brian: Melly? No. She's not sensitive.

Matt: I meant literally. Very hands on.

He frowned and thought.

Brian: I don't think I've noticed. Maybe she's only that way with you.

He shrugged.

Matt: maybe.

I could be over thinking it. Wouldn't be a first.

Matt: she makes me feel good.

Brian: what do you mean?

A smirk laid across his face.

Matt: not like that. She...

I wasn't sure. I knew what but how to say it was the problem.

Brian: I know.

I looked at him. His smirk turned into a smile.

Brian: she's just Melly. Its the only real way to describe her.

Matt: yeah.

Brian: what did Jenn say when you asked her about working for you.

Matt: loved it until I mentioned the moving in. She doesn't really want to move in and she said leaving Melly is a bitch move.

Brian: Melly told me I'm retarded and she can't leave Jenn like that.

Matt: they're just watching out for each other.

Brian: I know. Just like we would.

Matt: but we're watching out for them too, if you think about it.

Brian: we are. Why? Melly is a bitch.

Matt: she's your friend. And you're the one who brought up the moving in with us part.

His shoulders sagged a bit and he shook his head.

Brian: why did you listen.

Matt: because we care.

He groaned a bit.

Brian: it has nothing to do with that.

I frowned.

Matt: what do you mean.

Brian: we don't care about their well being...I mean we do. But its a more obvious reason.

I kept my frown. Shaking my head. He looked over his sunglasses at me.

Brian: its really really about the boobs...

Pause from both of us...then both our chuckles filled the silence.

Matt: you're right.

Brian: I know man. I know.

There was silly serious tone to him.

Matt: but you can't forget the ass.

Brian: no you can't. No you can't.

Matt: man...we can't let them know that.

Brian: nope.

We looked at each other trying to keep straight faces. Only to falter into laughter.

Matt: they make us laugh.

I said after a few minutes.

Brian: they make us remember its ok.