Page 41 of Finding a Melody

“Really?” I asked.

Principal Calgary nodded. “Really. You better get back to class.”

I thanked her and slipped out of her office, staring at the ground as I went over our conversation. It seemed like an innocent enough meeting with her checking in on me. Since the beginning, Principal Calgary had always been hands-on with her students.

“Cadie?”

The name from that familiar voice confused me and my head snapped up in shock. A boy about my height with curling brown hair, dark eyes, and tanned skin threw me off. I blinked, drawing up my memory. Only one person could match with this boy, but that was impossible. He should still be on the other coast.

“Micah?” I squeaked out, almost too scared to ask.

He smiled, confirming my question. “I wasn’t expecting to see you so soon.” He chuckled as he glanced around. “I was hoping to surprise you, but I guess this isn’t so bad either.”

“What are you doing here?” I almost thought he was a dream. The last time I saw him was two years ago.

He lifted a piece of paper. “Just enrolled.”

“What?” I said, it coming out more like a squeak. “You’re coming here? Did you move here?”

“I did!” He held his arms out. “Can we hug it out now so we can move on from the shock.”

I let out another squeak and then I was in his arms, squeezing him tightly. Holy crap. Everything about him was still so familiar even though two years had passed. Still the wild curly black hair. Still the boyish face soft with kindness. Still just Micah.

“I can’t believe it. Why didn’t you tell me? I could have helped you move in?”

“While you were dealing with your own moving?” Micah asked, squeezing me just as tightly. “Knowing you, I bet half your place is still unpacked.” He wasn’t wrong about that either. We stayed in our hug, giving me a moment to bask in his familiar scent. Even that hadn’t changed. Micah always smelled fresh to me, like being near a waterfall.

Finally, I pulled away. “Is that your schedule?” I snatched it from him before he could keep it away from me. I looked it over closely and pouted.

“Aw, no classes together?” he asked.

“Unfortunately not.” I gave it back to him as the bell rang. “Damn, I need to get to class.” I pointed at him. “No disappearing from me. Wait for me after school.”

“What? No offer of showing me around or walking me to my next class? Is this the depth of our friendship?”

I snorted and pointed at the map. “If you can’t find your way to the next hallway over, you are a lost cause. As for me, I still need to get all the way over to the other side and up a floor.” I pulled him into another quick hug before taking off.

Holy crap, Micah was here. For school. Around for me to see every day. How was this going to change things? Micah and I were thick as thieves during camp each summer. From six years old up until we were eleven, we couldn’t be separated. And while he lived across the country, we had emails and text messages, and even good old fashioned letters. We’d send each other gifts during holidays, video calls, everything. It had only been the last year or so when communication became a little less frequent.

I grinned big, not caring about the rumors around me at all as I thought about Micah living so close to me. I nearly wanted to giggle like an idiot.

Chapter Twelve

As promised, Micah waited for me. I almost thought I had a desperate dream in a sad attempt to not feel so lonely in school with the guys. But he was there, looking cute as ever as he leaned against the wall by the main school exit with his bookbag at his feet while he looked down at his phone. His curly hair fell forward, hiding his face. Others walked by him, giving him curious looks, but no one approached him.

It was their loss, really. Micah was such a teddy bear. I took a moment to really look at him. The last time I’d seen Micah, he’d surprised me at an event I couldn’t get out of from my mother. I had been having a shitty time, hurting from a bruise along my ribs, and then he was just there, smiling big, all too proud of himself.

His dad had to go to New York City for business and Micah talked him into letting him fly over too. Then he talked his dad into coming to see me. I stayed with him at his hotel after, preferring it there than back at home. Then I nearly cried when it was time for him to go.

We were both going through things at the time.

So to see him now, to know he was going to be sticking around... my chest was swelling, excitement building. He was my person. Had been for such a long time, and now he’d be right here with me.

Shit.

Realization dawned on me.

I hadn’t exactly told him everything that had gone down. He knew Lindie hurt me, just not all the details of my injuries. I made it out to seem like I walked away with minor injuries. He knew that she was in a hospital now, getting help. But anything after that, I hadn’t talked to him about yet, like meeting the guys or the break-in.