Authors note:::: hey, so make sure you read the preface before this chapter, other wise it wont make as much sence... thank you! xoxo

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I looked around the class room, watching. Watching as everyone talked wildly. The room, as usual, was chaos. I’ve never been in a class as rowdy as this one, and for some odd reason whoever thought up the classes thought it was a fantastic idea to put all of the loud and annoying people into the same room as me.

I was one of the quiet people, the observer, always the outspoken, never giving my opinion. Like now, I could tell everyone that they're being obnoxious and annoying and if they were any louder they would wake up the other side of the world, but I won't; I can't.

My sister on the other hand, Harmony, is the opposite of me; she is just as rowdy and outgoing as the rest. I sat and watched as she ran from group to group, socializing. She always seemed to be better than me at everything. For example: art, music, drama, sports, and of course-boys.

She may look exactly like me, but we’re complete opposites. I have never had a single boyfriend, she's had multiple. I don’t play a single instrument, she plays four, and she can sing to top it all off. I can't act to save my life; she's been in five play productions. Oh, and did I mention I can’t draw? Yeah, well, she’s basically everything I’m not.

The class slowly quieted down as the teacher walked in. It was about to start and I heard someone come and sit down next to me. It was Harmony.
"What’s wrong, Melody? You look down," she stated. I glanced at her quickly.
"It's nothing," I whispered as class began.
"Hun, there is definitely something wrong, I can tell."

"Whatever," I mumbled under my breath.

She was quiet after that, which was good. It means I can pay attention now.

As the day pressed on, I realized that it was going to be a very long day. My sister, of course, was with her other friends. Her sister apparently wasn't as important as her buddies that she only ever hung out with at school. Luckily, she made time for me during the weekend. We would often go to the movies or out to supper at a fast food joint. She would even sometimes introduce me to guys that she sometimes flirted with. I know, I’m lucky to have a sister who at least hangs out with me during weekends. Normally, her friends would ask her to hang out on the weekends, and every time she would turn them down. Yes, there are moments when I love my sister. More than life itself sometimes...

I walked to the cafeteria slowly, because I was looking at the fliers on the wall, just another one of my sisters many accomplishments. I hadn't bought tickets to it yet, I’m sure Harmony expects me to go and listen to her violin concert. I’m really not sure I want to go to be honest. It’s just one more reminder that she's better than me.

The bus ride home was a quiet and peaceful event. Harmony goes to the library after school every Wednesday; thankfully...

My friend Mathew came and sat next to me half way through the ride home.

“What’s up?” he asked happily.

“Not too much,” I smiled.

“Same here. Are you going to Harmony’s violin concert this weekend?”

I stared at him blankly for a second. He just stared back and I think he finally got the hint. He was quiet for a second, thinking of what to say next.

“I could buy you a ticket if you want, we could go together!” he smiled a big toothy grin. I wish he knew how silly he looked right now.

“I suppose we could,” I laughed as I felt my cheeks go red.

“Okay, I can’t wait to go. This is your sister’s first violin concert, right?” he asked.

I nodded my head slowly; disappointed that he would continue to talk about my sister like that. If you haven’t noticed yet, I like Matt a little bit more than I should. But unfortunately, he only see’s my sister as a suitable girl. I’m just like his little sister to him... I wish he could see me as more though.

For some reason, all guy see me as their little sister. I mean, me and my sister look identical, right? Why am I not as pretty as her? She wears more make up than I do. Perhaps I don’t hide my flaws as well as she does?

 But don’t guys like the natural look on girls? I mean, I’ve read that in so many magazines, so why don’t I get all the guys? My sister’s had so many boyfriends already... she once even had three at once!!! And when they found out about the fact that she was cheating, they weren’t even angry at her. In fact, they all fought each other for her and all ended up in the hospital. It wasn’t long before she had broken up with all three of them because she was suddenly dating the captain of the football team.

Yes, I’m incredibly jealous of my sister. I know I shouldn’t be. After all, I have better friends than she does. All of her friends want something from her, whether it’s to be popular or to get some guys to even give them a second glance.

My friends on the other hand, like me for who I am. I know this because I am rather unpopular and there’s nothing that any of them could possible want from me.

“Wow, I wonder what songs your sister will be playing,” muttered Matt. I shrugged; I hate it when he talks about her...

Luckily my bus stop came sooner rather than later. I got up, shoved my way past Matt while muttering a good bye, and hopped off the bus.

While walking towards my house I noticed that there was a cat sitting near a tree that was placed by my sister’s downstairs bedroom.

It looked like it thirsted for something to drink. It was a scrawny little thing, and it looked up at me with the saddest eyes. I walked towards it slowly, holding out my hand forward so it knew I meant it no harm.

As I drew nearer, almost touching it, its eyes grew wide.

It swatted at my hand and hissed loudly. It stood up arched its back and jumped at me with all of its power. This wasn’t much because it was so weak already.

I stepped back in surprise. I definitely didn’t see that coming.

It kept coming at me so I booked it in side. Wow, that cat was demented... cute, but demented. I sighed a breath of relief as I opened the fridge to look for an afterschool snack.

While I ate quietly I could feel my arm start to sting. The stupid cat had clawed me. I looked down and it was bleeding. I hope it gets run over.

The door opened and my mom walked in.

“Hey mom,” I smiled, “how was work?”

“Tiring,” she sighed, “do you know whose cat’s outside?”

“Nope,” I mumbled, “it scratched me though...”

She looked at my arm and at the large scratch that resided on it. She started rummaging through the cupboards. She pulled out some peroxide, some cotton, and bandages. She dipped the cotton in peroxide and stuck it to the bandage and placed it on my arm. I let out a gasp. Peroxide stings like crazy.

            Mom laughed and then rummaged through the fridge herself to find something to eat. I looked at the clock to see when my sister would be back. About an hour or so...

            “Mom, I'm going for a walk...” I mumbled. 

            “Okay, be back in an hour,” she said.

            “Mhmm,” I replied rolling my eyes.

            I stepped into my shoes and quietly opened the door. I looked around as I stepped onto the ground outside. I had to make sure that mentally insane cat wasn’t around, nope- what a relief.

            I walked down the almost empty street, the only living things I could see were squirrels running up trees and a few young girls playing hop-scotch on the side-walk.

            I continued the walk, taking in my surroundings as I past them. This is a small town, nothing particularly special nor exciting going on around here; especially this part of town. As ugly as it was, it was peaceful. It didn’t really matter to me if most of the lawns were yellow or that everyone drove really ugly cars, it was quiet- and that’s the way I like it.

            I continued looked around at everyone’s gross yards and didn’t realize that there was a girl in front of me who wasn’t paying attention either. We bumped into each other, not a soft little bump where you just kind of nudge each other’s arm, but it was the kind where you clash heads hard enough that you end up falling to the ground and getting dark bruises on your rear ends.

            “Ouch,” I muttered, getting up. She sat there on the ground, wincing in pain. I held out my hand, offering to help her up. She looked at me for a second, but grabbed my hand tightly.

            She was light; I could barely tell that she was even there. As she hopped up to her feet she smiled at me.

“My name’s Veronica,” she introduced.

“Nice to meet you, I'm Melody.”

“Do you live around here?” she asked.

“Yeah just around the corner,” I replied, “how about you?”

“No, I'm just visiting, I live in Kentucky.”

“Oh cool,” I smiled.

“Anyways, I have to go,” she said quickly. I nodded understandably, “alright, I’ll see you around maybe.”

She smiled and nodded. We walked around each other, making sure not to clash heads again.

And like that- she was gone. No trace or sign of her anywhere. I looked around the streets looking for a way she could have left without me seeing her do so. She disappeared into thin air.

I shivered as a cold wind blew over me, there was a storm coming; I could feel it. I headed back home slowly, watching as the dark grey clouds began to roll in.