I paced my dorm room as Quin followed me with her eyes. “What’s got you all wired up?” She asked. I froze as Liam’s ringtone played through the room. “Are you gonna answer that?” I shook my head frantically.

“No, no, no.”

“Why not?” Confusion layered her voice.

“I think he knows.”

“About?”

“Mitch.” I said as the music stopped. I continued my pacing.

“What? How?”

“He saw my arms.” I mumbled. How could I have been so careless as to let something like that show? I was always so careful. God, I was so stupid!

“Okay, Mels, sit down. You’re gonna make us both dizzy.” I walked over to my desk and sat down and began bouncing both of my legs.

“How could I be so careless as to let that show? Everything was going so smoothly, and then I pushed up my damn sleeves.”

“You’re beginning to get comfortable around him.” Quin shrugged.

“Yeah, too comfortable.” I sighed. “Maybe I should stop being his friend.” Quin’s eyes widened dramatically as she shook her head.

“No, no! Liam’s the best thing that’s happened to you… besides me of course. You can’t not be friends with him.”

“I have to stop!” I groaned, standing back up and pacing the room once more. “If I get too comfortable, then he’ll find out, and if he finds out…” I shook my head. I didn’t want to drag Liam into my mess.

“What would happen if he found out?” Quin asked, standing up off her bed. “He might get you out of something that could put you in the hospital? He could save you?” I shook my head, looking at the ground. Guilt washed over me as I stood there in silence. “Exactly.” Quin walked out of the room.

I sighed, taking a seat back down at my desk and ran my fingers through my hair. Why was I being so careless around him? The bigger question was how I became so comfortable around him. I mean, he was my friend, but I feel like there could be something more between us… but Mitchell.

Wait.

No. There couldn’t be anything more between us. Who was I kidding? He was just another guy friend who just happens to like me. I mean, it’s written all over his face. He looks at me the same way Mitchell used to look at me in the beginning of our relationship.

Maybe I liked him too.

But that wouldn’t matter. I still loved Mitchell and he loved me.

I stood up from my desk and walked out of the room. I needed fresh air and I needed it now.

Liam’s POV

Why wouldn’t Melody answer my calls? I could see that she was reading my texts (thanks to iMessage), but she would never reply. Why? Did I scare her off? Did I say something wrong?
I don’t think I did…

Maybe when I asked her about her boyfriend, it made her mad.

Gah, why would I do that? That was such an idiotic move.

“Hey man, you okay?” I looked up at the sound of Zayn’s voice and nodded.

“Yeah.” I tossed my phone to the side and sighed. “Have you ever asked Perrie a question and she just… ignored you for days on end?” Zayn took a second to think before shaking his head.

“No, why?”

“I did that to Mels and I think I screwed up any kind of relationship with her.” I shook my head and ran my hands over my head.

“What did you ask her?” Zayn asked, taking a seat next to me.

“It’s a long story.” I sighed. “But it involved something in her relationship now and I think it pissed her off.”

“Man, you never talk to a girl about her current relationship when you like her.” Zayn rolled his eyes. “It’s a bad idea.”

“Where were you to tell me this two days ago?”

“She’ll come around, mate. Don’t worry.”

“I dunno.”

Melody’s POV

“You like him!” Quin said for the millionth time. “Just admit it! You have feelings for him and you know it.”

“I don’t, Quin!”

“Yes you do! I know you do!”

“How could you possibly know what I’m feeling?” I crossed my arms and raised an eyebrow at her.

“I see how you light up when he texts or calls you—and don’t try to deny it. Even though you’re ignoring him, you still get excited when his name comes up on your phone.” I took in a deep breath and sighed heavily.

“Quin—“

“Just tell me! I swear I won’t tell a soul.” I shook my head. “Mels. Come on. I’m your best friend.” I stood silent. “Melody…”

“No.”

“Mels!”

“No!”

“Please!”

“Fine! Fine I like him! Just a little bit, though. Not enough to answer his phone calls…” I looked down at my phone as Liam’s ringtone rang throughout the room. Quin looked at me and dove for my phone in less than a second. “Quin, no!”

“Hey Liam!” She smiled at me innocently. “No, Melody’s here… oh you’ve noticed she’s ignoring your phone calls? Tsk, tsk. I keep telling her to talk to you, but she won’t listen to me.”

“I hate you.” I muttered under my breath.

“Oh she’s not available at the moment. She’s… peeing.” My eyes grew wide as my palm smacked against my forehead. “Of course I’ll let her know that you called.”

“I won’t call him back.” I whispered.

“Alright. Bye!” Quin smiled as she hung up the phone and tossed it onto my bed. “See? Taken care of. Now don’t have to worry about him calling back because he’ll be waiting for a call from you instead. You’re welcome.” My best friend took a bow. “I can’t promise he won’t text you, though.” She shrugged and walked out of the room.