Melanie

3 months ago

Under the scorching sun, I lie on the warm sand, completely at ease. The rays kiss my skin, and with my eyes closed, I let the sunlight seep into every pore. It's a sensation of pure bliss, a moment of utter relaxation. Nearby, Evie groans, and I can't help but chuckle at her discontent.

"You're so lucky, Mel. I hate you," she mutters from her spot under the beach umbrella. I open my eyes, propping myself up on my elbows to get a look at her. Evie, fair-skinned and prone to sunburn, is doing her best to avoid the sun's relentless rays. I can't blame her; a few extra minutes in this heat, and she'll be the color of a lobster.

I wink at her playfully. "Gotta soak up that Vitamin D, Evie."

Her response is a scoff and a playful middle finger. Classic Evie. I can't blame her, though; her porcelain skin demands protection. Meanwhile, my olive complexion craves the sun, transforming into a golden tan that makes me feel alive.

Reclining again, I close my eyes, sinking back into the serene sounds of the beach. The waves provide a soothing melody, and the rhythmic lull of the sea sets the perfect backdrop for my midday relaxation, when an intrusive ringtone shatters the tranquility. I groan, sitting up abruptly. "Who the hell is it?" I mutter, slightly annoyed at the disturbance.

I retrieve my phone from the beach bag, squinting at the screen against the bright sunlight. As my eyes focus on the screen, my heart skips a beat. I blink at the display, momentarily unable to comprehend the name glaring back at me—Daniel.

"What's up?" Evie asks, sensing my sudden change in demeanor.

I'm momentarily lost in thought, staring at the name on my phone. "It's Daniel," I finally manage to say, my voice carrying a mixture of surprise and confusion.

Evie furrows her eyebrows. "Daniel? Like, Daniel Daniel?"

I nod, still staring at the screen. "Yeah. Daniel Daniel."

Her eyes widen in realization. "Melanie, you shouldn't answer it!"

I hesitate, uncertainty gnawing at me. It's been a while since I heard from him, and I can't shake the surprise of his name appearing on my phone. Taking a deep breath, I swipe to answer, bringing the phone to my ear.

"Hello?" I say, trying to sound casual despite the whirlwind of emotions inside me.

"Hey, Melanie," his voice, though familiar, feels foreign after all this time. A flood of memories rushes back, threatening to overwhelm me. I can't escape the magnetic pull of his tone, the echoes of a past I've tried to bury.

I manage to find my voice, attempting nonchalance. "What do you want, Daniel?" I ask, a defensive edge to my words. The beach seems less inviting now, the sun less warm, as the weight of his presence looms over me even from miles away.

There's a brief pause on the other end, as if he's searching for the right words. "I just wanted to talk," he finally admits, and I can almost picture the casual shrug accompanying his words.

I sigh, torn between the desire to hang up and the curiosity that keeps me on the line. "Talk about what?" I press, my guard up, yet a part of me still yearning for closure.

He hesitates, the silence stretching between us. "About us, about everything," he says, his words laden with a weight I can't ignore.

I glance over at Evie, who's watching me, looking pissed off, with her arms crossed in front of her chest. She gives me a quizzical look, her lips silently forming the words, "What does he want?" I raise a finger to signal her to hold on, my focus now solely on the call.

"I don't think there's anything to talk about, Daniel," I assert, my voice firm. I can sense his sigh on the other end, and he pleads, "Melanie, please. Just give me a chance. If, after we talk, you still want nothing to do with me, I'll accept it."

I bite my lower lip, my hand unconsciously lowering to my side. My gaze drifts to the vast expanse of the sea before me. What's the harm in meeting him, right? I mumble an uncertain "Okay" to Daniel, my hesitation evident even in the simplicity of that response.

Daniel sounds genuinely pleased, gratitude lacing his words. "Thank you, Melanie. I'll text you the time and place."

"Okay," I repeat, and with that, we hang up. My eyes shift to Evie, who is now wearing an expression of disbelief mixed with anger.

"What the fuck was that?" she demands, her frustration evident.

I take a deep breath before explaining, "It's Daniel. He says there's something he wants to talk about."

Evie's eyebrows furrow as she processes the information. "Talk about what? And why the hell did you agree to see him?"

I sigh, grappling with my own conflicting emotions. "I don't know, Evie. He said there's something important. What's the harm in hearing him out?"

Her eyes narrow with disapproval. "The harm is that he hurt you, Mel. Remember? You don't owe him anything."

"I know," I respond, my gaze now fixated on the horizon. "But maybe closure... I don't know."

Evie's frustration intensifies. "Closure? You don't need his version of closure. You've moved on, Mel."

"I just want to hear what he has to say," I mutter, my voice barely audible over the crashing waves.

Evie throws her hands up in exasperation. "You're too forgiving, Melanie. He doesn't deserve your time."

I offer a weak smile, acknowledging her concern. "Maybe not. But maybe this is something I need to do for myself."

Evie throws up her hands in surrender, her frustration evident. "I can't believe you're letting him back into your life after everything he put you through, Mel."

I meet her gaze, determined. "Evie, I'm not letting him back into my life. It's just a meeting. Let's drop it, okay? What's done is done. I'm meeting Daniel, and that's it."

She lets out a sharp breath, shaking her head. "Fine," she concedes reluctantly. "But don't say I didn't warn you."

I toss my phone back into my beach bag and lie back down on the towel, attempting to return to my sun-soaked serenity. But now, the anxious undercurrent lingers beneath the surface. Evie's right; Daniel did hurt me. But meeting him doesn't mean anything. It's closure, I tell myself, a chance to put the past behind me.

As I stretch out on my towel, my mind drifts away from the sound of the sea and the warmth of the sun. I try to push the unease aside, focusing on the practical. What will I wear? A mischievous grin crosses my face as a newfound determination replaces the anxiety. I want him to eat his heart out.

"Alright, enough of this," I declare, sitting up and looking at Evie. "Help me pick an outfit that says 'I've moved on, and I look damn good.'"

Evie raises an eyebrow, her initial annoyance shifting into a reluctant smile. "Fine, but this better be the last time you let him mess with your head."

I nod, appreciating her concern. "Deal. Now, let's make sure I give him a visual reminder of what he's missing."

The next hour unfolds in a whirlwind of outfit discussions and laughter. Evie's initial bad mood slowly lifts, and I'm relieved to see her returning to her usual self.

"How about my teal mini strapless dress?" I suggest. It boasts a heart cutout on the side, giving it a playful edge.

Evie raises an eyebrow, her expression skeptical. "Too provocative, Mel. You're not trying to seduce the guy. What about your yellow sundress? It'll look great with your tanned skin."

I consider her suggestion, nodding in agreement. "Yellow it is, then. And I was thinking of keeping the makeup very subtle."

Evie grins, her eyes lighting up. "Smart move. But don't forget the highlighter. It'll make your skin glow even more."

I chuckle, "Got it. Subtle, but glowy."

But then she groans dramatically, snatching a towel and tossing it my way. "Ugh, I hate you and your glowing tanned skin."

I catch the towel with a laugh, playfully draping it over my shoulder. "Come on, Evie, it's just a tan. You're beautiful just the way you are."

She rolls her eyes, but a genuine smile tugs at her lips, but then it fades away. She looks at me with a hint of concern in her eyes. "Mel, just make sure he won't draw you back into whatever messed up games he's playing. Be careful, okay?"

I meet her gaze with a reassuring smile. "Evie, don't worry. I'm not letting him back into my life. This is just closure. I'll be careful, I promise."