Page 1 of Wilde Abandon
Prologue
SecondGrade—Fox’sBirthday
Fox Bridges waited by the tree he and Melody met at each morning after they were dropped at school.He spotted her mom’s car as they parked in the lot, confused that she didn’t just drop Melody up front like all the other parents did.Melody’s mom climbed out, then helped Melody out of the back.She held a gift bag with colorful balloons all over it.
His heart beat faster in his chest.She remembered.It surprised him, though it shouldn’t.Melody, Dee to him, was the only person who really cared about him.
His mom had dropped him off in a huff this morning without so much as a goodbye.Not even aHave a great day.Certainly notHappy birthday!Not when she was mad about him waking her up.He didn’t want to be late again.She didn’t want the principal hounding her about it.
“Happy birthday, Fox!You’re seven now!”Melody called as she rushed toward him, her pigtails curled into spirals on either side of her head.
Mrs.Wilde rushed to catch up to Melody, but she stopped short a few steps away, her gaze narrowing.“Goodness, Fox, what happened to your lip?”
Fox froze.He didn’t know what to say.
Melody turned to her mom.“Yesterday we played catch during recess.I accidentally hit him in the face with my fastball.”
Mrs.Wilde’s eyes filled with concern.“Oh, Melody, you have to be careful.”
“I know.I said sorry.”
“I’m okay,” Fox assured Mrs.Wilde as he took Melody’s hand.“I know she didn’t mean it.She’d never hurt me on purpose.We’re best friends.”Which was why Melody had lied about what really happened.She didn’t want him to get into trouble.
She was keeping his secret.
Mrs.Wilde stared at his lip.“You should ask the nurse at lunchtime to give you some ice to put on that.”
“I will,” he promised.The sooner it healed, the sooner everyone would stop asking about it and looking at him funny.
Melody held out the gift bag.“Open it.Open it.I picked it all out just for you.I used my allowance.”
He set the bag at his feet, pulled out the dark blue tissue paper, then found the red Hot Wheels Mustang Mach 1.“I love it.Thanks.”
“There’s more.”
He pulled out a Batman Pez dispenser with a whole thing of assorted candy flavors and a coloring book with a box of colored pencils.It would give him something to do when he was alone at home in his room.
He looked at Melody.“Thank you.”He hugged her tight, letting her know he appreciated it.He had no idea if his parents had anything planned for him later when he got home.His mom hadn’t said anything to him when she shoved him out the door this morning.
Melody gave him one of her big smiles.“You’re welcome.”
Mrs.Wilde held out the plastic container to Melody, who took it, popped the lid, then pulled out a ginormous chocolate cupcake with vanilla frosting.Mrs.Wilde pushed a blue candle into the center and lit it with a lighter.
Melody held it out, presenting it to him.“You gotta make a wish.”
To his utter astonishment, Melody and Mrs.Wilde sang him “Happy Birthday” right there in the front of the school with everyone watching.A lot of the kids and the crossing guard sang along with them.His cheeks felt like they were on fire.
“Make a wish and blow it out,” Melody coaxed.
There was only one thing he wanted.I wish that Melody and I stay best friends forever.
Later that afternoon at recess, he sat with Melody, coloring in the book she got him.Some of the boys from their class walked by.Brian turned and asked, “What are you doing with her?”He gave Dee a dirty look.“Don’t you want to play soccer?”
Fox shook his head.“Not today.”He liked hanging out with Dee a lot more.
Brian shook his head, then grinned.“Fox and Melody, sitting in a tree…” The others joined in.“K-I-S-S-I-N-G!”They all pointed, like they thought he’d actually kiss her.
He liked her.But gross.