2B. My Name Is Melanie Scott
Genres: Young Adult, Coming of Age, Light Romance
If you haven’t read the previous parts of this story, stop now! Go back to:
Mum never understands me. She doesn’t even try putting herself in my shoes.
Well, wearing footwear is not currently an option with a bandaged foot, but at least she could try.
And who needs homework anyways? It’s not as if writing this Cameron-dude is going to win me high marks. Why should he care about the mishaps in my life? Or what makes me tick? Or why do I think boys in general suck?
The day dad left, he showed me men held little integrity. I was a means to an end. He stole all the child tax benefits from my bank account and ran. I’ve heard he’s had a litter of kids with his new wife. I pity their ignorance. After all, it’s only a matter of time.
So now I’m paired with a pen-pal wannabe. Someone who cares as little about me as I care about him. Go figure.
Dear Cameron,
It’s me, Melanie Scott. This is my second try — letters aren’t my thing.
Our teacher, Mr. Dawson, thinks that meeting you will enrich my life. He’s part of an afterschool program for delinquent kids. I’m not a criminal or anything. Just a sassy girl with an axe to grind.
Quite frankly, I’m happy with the way things are. I wouldn’t change a thing and I certainly don’t need you to fix me.
It’s just me and mum and a family of pesky raccoons living in our attic.
I’m fifteen, currently lame, and dying — of boredom that is.
Entertain me!
Melanie
So, how’s this supposed to work? I write him, he writes me back, I pretend to care, and so on?
Caring’s not my thing. I think that’s why Mr. Dawson and mum are so worried. They think I’m depressed.
Well, I’m not!
I don’t feel anything. Although, I am accident-prone.
Mum expects me to wince with her door slamming antics, and now, she’s jarred me awake. And to make matters worse, I’m grounded.
“No TV…no iPad…no cell phone for the next three days. What if someone abducts me? Honestly, mum never thinks things through.
Thank goodness she didn’t take away my computer. If she knew my homework needed pen and paper, she would have given it further thought. But I wasn’t going to be the one to tell her.
Heck, I didn’t even want her to know about the letter. What was I thinking? She’d read it — look for dark secrets — then offer unwanted suggestions.
Mum likes to shovel her problems under the rug and live vicariously through me. She doesn’t understand me, but she sees me for who I am.
My teachers are concerned. The principal wants to change me. Even the nurse is getting too involved. Soon the doctors will weigh in. But it’s all a farce. It’s just that the after-school program needs kids to fulfil their extra-curricular schedule.
I’m a victim of their misplaced concern, and they’ve roped my mother in. And now they want Cameron, some unsuspecting boy, to swoop in and save me.
You know what? I’m going to reach out and let this crackpot care for me. What have I got to lose?
I’ll make up stories. I’ll show Cameron a side of me people want to see, even if it’s for show. I’ll make him fall in love with me, only to break his heart.
I’ll be everyone’s good little girl.
I’ll become everyone’s poster child, even if it’s a lie.
Choose path A or B.
No peeking until you’ve read the one you’ve chosen! To add to the story, read the submission guidelines and fill out the form.
CHOICE A
I’ll become everyone’s poster child, even if it’s a lie.
I’ll tell him I’m on the waitlist to donate a kidney to a child in need. That should make me sound endearing.
“Are you still awake, Melanie?” mum whispers.
“Yeah, doesn’t my light on tell you something?”
“I had an idea for your letter.”
“What letter?”
“The one you’re keeping from me. I just thought you might want to put in a good word for your father.”
[No submissions yet — submit your own!]
CHOICE B
I’ll become everyone’s poster child, even if it’s a lie.
But I hold all the cards. Cameron will be none the wiser.
“Are you still up, Melanie?”
“Barely, since you’ve taken away my phone.”
“That letter you were writing. Is it a letter of forgiveness?”
“Why would you ask that?”
“I thought maybe you felt something — finally — perhaps a tad of guilt?”
Click to continue the story on this path…
Karen Schwartz
Aspiring children’s picture book author, poet, long-form newbie, newfound lover of short-form and chocolate.
