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-A Twist of Fate-
Chapter 1
“It was…really weird. I felt like I knew him.” Melanie leaned back against her pillow and twirled the phone cord with her finger.
“Maybe he was an old classmate. Any forgotten Kindergarten boyfriends?”
Melanie laughed and began to unwind the phone cord. “I don’t think so, Chris. Jake was my first boyfriend, remember?”
“Oh…that’s right.” Melanie could just see Chris rolling her eyes. “How could I ever forget? Melanie Gansey and Jake Pauls, high school sweethearts. How adorable.” Melanie bit back a laugh while Chris’s voice changed into a whine. “Mel! What’s your problem? What could you possibly see in Jake? He’s moronic, unreasonable, boring, and…a complete dolt.”
“I’m turning on my tape-recorder and sending him a copy of everything you say.” Melanie replied with a grin.
“Don’t bother. He already knows how I feel about him,” Chris responded crossly. “Mel, marriage is a big deal. You’re only 20. Think it over, please? Look, I spent 18 years of my life getting away from the imbecile and you’re planning on spending…spending…the rest of your life with him?” Chris choked.
Melanie laughed. “Chris, he’s really not as bad as you make him sound. He’s really sweet and caring and…”
“Yeah, I get the point. But he’s so annoying and stupid and—oh shit he’s calling me on my cell. He’s probably going to tell me again to make sure you take your medicine. Hang on one sec, kay Mel?”
“No problem,” Melanie replied with a smile, listening as Chris set the phone down and pulled out her cell.
“No she hasn’t taken her medicine yet and yes I’m going to remind her and no she hasn’t mysteriously died in the night and yes she’s STILL ALIVE AND IN PERFECT HEALTH! I think that answers all the questions you were going to ask. Can I hang up now?”
Melanie laughed, a faint blush rising in her cheeks.
“…I was talking to her…no, she hasn’t taken her medicine yet…yes I will remind her…yes she’s fine…didn’t I already answer all of these questions?! …excuse me? I do not whine. And I do understand what love is, humph. I think you’re the one who doesn’t. Calling up your sister at 6 am every morning just to make sure your fiancée hasn’t died isn’t very loving…NO I WAS NOT SAYING YOU DON’T LOVE MELANIE! I was saying your methods of showing your supposedly unconditional love to me—me—were very faulty…what? Oh, no you don’t. I’ve been an amazingly wonderful little sister…no, I don’t remember the time I took your baby pictures and hung them up all over the school, and even if I did, it wouldn’t be my fault you were such an ugly baby…no, I don’t remember the time I replaced your hair gel with glue…”
Melanie laughed again and checked her watch. It read 6:05. “Chris, I think I have to go.”
“…no, I don’t remember that time either…”
“Chris!” Melanie raised her voice a little. “I have to go.”
“Jake, I think Mel’s trying to talk to me…Yes, I will tell her you’ll call her later…YES I will remind her about her medicine.” Chris slammed the cell shut. “He is such a dumbass,” Chris hissed to Melanie. “Break up with him please.”
“Sorry, can’t do,” Melanie said apologetically with a smile. “Especially now that we’re engaged.” She looked down at the diamond ring on her finger with a reminiscent smile of when Jake proposed and twirled it around. “Well, I gotta get to work…talk to you later?”
“But, oh, you just barely started telling me about the mystery guy!” Chris moaned.
“Sorry…well, want to meet up for lunch? Pizza Hut okay for you?”
“Pizza Hut?” Chris sniffed. “Alright…I forget you’re a poor college student who doesn’t have a multi-million dollar father.” Chris sighed dramatically. “It makes eating with you such a drag. But that’s okay. What time will you be out?”
“Hm…I can probably sneak out by 11:30.”
“Okay! Meet you then. Oh, wait, Mel, remember to take your medicine. Jake would kill me if you missed a single day.”
Melanie grinned. “Okay, I’ll take it now. See ya, Chris.”
The connection clicked and Melanie replaced her phone, smiling contentedly. Standing up and stretching, she proceeded to open her medicine drawer and take out a bottle of heart strengthening pills. Walking into the bathroom, she pulled out a cup and filled it slightly, tossing the pill into her mouth and gulping it down easily.
3 pills a day, every day of the week, every week of the year. At first it had been a pain. The side effects were severe, and she constantly forgot…or chose to forgot. Had it not been for Jake and Chris (mainly Jake of course) she wouldn’t have gotten through the first few weeks. But in time, it had become habit…not that that made Jake worry any less.
Jake. Melanie smiled to herself as she opened her closet. Despite Chris’s constant complaining, Chris knew just as well as Melanie did that Jake was the best fiancé anyone could find. He was sweet, adorable, good-looking, well-educated, and more than anything else, exceptionally loyal. He had eyes for no-one except Melanie.
In high school, he had a fan club. Preps in skimpy outfits chased after him 24-7 and tried every method in the book to win him over. It was to no avail—Jake would not budge from Melanie’s side. Melanie’s classmates didn’t understand what Jake saw in her. He was a senior, the most popular senior at that, and she had been a shy sophomore. It was a match no one had foreseen, but a match made in heaven nevertheless.
And when Melanie’s heart problems grew extreme, it was Jake who hunted down the doctor and begged him for the heart transplant. Melanie owed Jake more than just her happiness—she owed him her life.
Melanie picked out a pair of jeans and a light green V-necked sweater from her closet. The green matched her eyes—emerald eyes, Jake had called them. Brushing through her long blonde hair a couple of times, she let the tresses fall loose on her shoulders and decided that she looked satisfactory. It was her first day at work, and she wanted to make a good impression.
Jake had found her the job. It was a substitute position at the local elementary school—an fun job that wouldn’t be too hard on her, and would pay well at the same time. Not that she needed the money. Jake more than supported her…after all, Chris hadn’t been kidding when she mentioned her “multi-million dollar father”.
After brushing her teeth and washing her face quickly, Melanie headed out. She wasn’t familiar with the subway station (having always ridden the bus), but it was the fastest way to the school. And besides, it couldn’t be too confusing a place, right? A moment later, Melanie changed her mind. The signs were impossible to decipher. Biting her lip and holding back her pride, she finally decided to ask the guy at the counter.
“Excuse me?” She pushed past a couple of people. She was definitely going to be late at this rate. “Excuse me? Which subway do I need on to get to Prarieview Elem—”
“Red. Forward to your left.”
Melanie smiled with relief. “Thanks so much!” The train was just arriving, and she entered it quickly. She hadn’t realized how tired she was until she sat down. Leaning her head back, she closed her eyes. She would rest for a second…just a second…
Melanie opened her eyes drowsily, just barely taking in her blurry surroundings. “What?” she murmured.
The guy laughed. “The train’s finished its route. You might want to get off.”
Melanie started rubbing her eyes. “I don’t understand you.”
“The train’s going to stop at Prarieview Park in a minute or two. Is that your stop?”
Prariview…Park? The train stopped with a jerk and Melanie went flying. A moment later, she was suddenly in the arms of some stranger.
Strong arms. Warm as they cradled him towards her. Melanie’s heart started beating rapidly and she looked up, confused. Dark hair…green eyes…a familiar smirk…She gulped. It was the guy from the airport. Confused, she tried to pull herself together. This wasn’t right. He was a complete stranger, and she had a fiancé.
But when she stuttered out, “I think I got on the wrong train,” and he grinned down at her, his green eyes catching hers, she could have sworn she had never been so breathless before.
