Summary: “Give me a chance to prove that I'm a good guy.” Why I was giving this boy, whom I knew to be bad, a chance to prove my powers wrong, I didn't know. All I knew was that my powers were never wrong. So why am I doubtful? Why am I feeling so much?

Reading Auras

by: butterfly-angel-babygirl

Chapter One

My name is Melody Raleigh Anderson. Everyone calls me Mel though. I'm only fifteen years old but in only about two and a half months I'll be sixteen- my birthday is March twelfth. I have one brother. He's a year older then me and his name is Andrew Johnathon Anderson. He's a Junior at our school and I'm a Sophomore. I'm about five foot three inches and have long brown hair with blonde highlights and hazel eyes. Andrew has short brown hair and hazel eyes as well but he is five-eleven (getting height from our mother's side while I got shortness from our father). He's always been pretty protective of me and I've always been protective of him. It probably had something to do with the fact that our parents are divorced (have been since I was three) and our mother isn't very close to either one of us at all (she's the one we live with). We're both the most popular people in our classes in Bonita, New York. We're also probably the two closest siblings. We've been through a lot together but those are for different days.

I have a knack for being able to tell if a person is trustworthy or not. I'm not sure how I really got it or why, but it helps a lot of times. There are two girls that I have given my complete trust to- Lily Warriner, and Jackalyn Rouse. Lily had long blonde hair and hazel eyes. She plays the flute and sings just like me. She is also only about five-three. Jackalyn, aka Jackie, has long black hair that is naturally straight and brown eyes. She is five-five and plays the saxophone and sings as well.

I trust Andrew's friends. He trusts my judgment on people and I think that that is also part of the reason he is friends with who he is. Cory Knight, and Josh Cunningham. Cory has short blonde hair that goes just above his brown eyes. He is about six foot. Josh is six-one and has brown hair and brown eyes.

Together the six of us make up probably the most popular people in our school, even though we're only Sophomores and Juniors. The boys are like older brothers to the three of us and we are younger sisters to them.

I trust most people in my small school. Our town is small and even when we had merged with another school, it was rare that we got a class with over one-hundred people. There is one person that I don't trust really though. His name is Cole Rainsford. He isn't the bad-boy type of guy, far from it actually. He is one of the popular guys in our class actually. So it was natural that I was supposed to be with him, right? I'm the most popular girl and he's the most popular guy. But I refuse to even talk to him. My judgment just told me that he wasn't trustworthy. Or at least not enough to be in a relationship of any kind with.

--

I stepped out of Andrew's Volvo and ran a hand through my hair as I pulled my large purple bag onto my shoulder. “So Mel, how long you think before the others are here?” Andrew asked walking over to me on the other side of the car

“About...five minutes, give or take two.” I said shrugging. I usually ended up being able to guess how long it was before any of the others showed up to school.

“You're going to freeze if you don't start wearing a heavier jacket.” Andrew said sighing as I shivered from the cold. It was January twentieth. We hadn't had school the day before on account of Martin Luther King Jr.'s birthday and I was actually glad to be back in school. The new semester was starting today. Which meant new schedule and new classes most likely.

“I'll be fine.” I said rolling my eyes

“Whatever. Your ass you're freezing off.” Andrew said shrugging

“Or what ass she has.” Cory said walking over, “I thought you told her to eat more Andy.”

“I did. Do you seriously think she'll listen though?” Andrew asked

“You know, I am right here.” I said sighing

“And?” Cory said, “You know I'm just teasing Mel.”

“Yeah I know.” I said, “Doesn't matter though. I do have an ass, thank you very much.”

“Hence why I want to kill half the guys in the school.” Andrew said

I just rolled my eyes. I saw Lily and Jackalyn coming over and went over to stand with them. “New semester starts today.” I stated

“I know, I can't wait.” Lily said grinning, “I wonder how much our schedules will change. We better have at least lunch together.”

“Yeah I know.” Jackalyn agreed

I suddenly felt something pass behind me and I turned around to see Cole walking passed. He smiled and nodded before walking into the doors. Lily and Jackalyn looked at me. “What?” I asked

“Was that your instinct on when he's around? About how little you can trust him?” Jackalyn questioned

“Unfortunately. I hate when it is true.” I said sighing

“Its kind of cool though. I mean, being able to tell when he's around you.” Lily said

“Not when you can't trust him.” I said

“How do you even know you can't trust him though?” Jackalyn asked

“My instinct.” I replied

“How do you know its not wrong this time though?” Lily asked “I have a few classes with him and he's really funny and nice.”

“Its never failed me and I don't think its about to now.” I said

“Whatever.” Jackalyn said. They knew how much I put on my instincts. I was right though- it had yet to fail me.

--

I looked at my schedule along with Jackalyn's and Lily's. I went through all three of our schedules. It looked like Lily and I had everything but second, eighth, ninth and tenth together. For Jackalyn we only had first and sixth together. I sighed and handed them back to them, my signature heart with wings on the classes we had together.

“Dang, this sucks.” Jackalyn said as I slumped in my chair.

“I know.” I said sighing

“Mel,” the teacher, Mrs. Cullen, said walking over to me

“Yes Mrs. Cullen?” I asked

“Would you like to sing your solo? Saturday is solo fest.” Mrs. Cullen stated

Like I didn't know that. My heart was starting to race at just the mention of that little fact. I nodded and stood up, starting the song in my head. The girls nodded to me and I entered a practice room with Mrs. Cullen.

--

I entered the lunch room and saw Andrew waving at me. I noticed immediately that the others were already there. The three of us girls had lunch at the same time and apparently this semester the guys would be joining us. I walked over and stole an apple from Cory, biting into it. I smirked as he glared at me. “So what's up? How much was your schedule changed?” I asked as I placed my bag at the table right beside their's.

“Not much really. The only thing was my half-year course got changed into a Study Hall. At least I'm out of Life Skills.” Andrew said “What about you?”

“It didn't really change thankfully.” I said “Actually, it didn't change at all.” I amended after going through it in my head.

“That's a good thing though.” Cory said

“Hey,” Lily said walking over

“Hey, lets eat.” I said and sat down at the circular table, pulling my lunch out from my bag.

“Oh, so you had your own lunch but you still steal my apple?” Cory questioned as he spotted my lunch

“Yep.” I said smiling at him, “Thanks!”

“Yeah, yeah.” Cory said sighing

I will admit, Cory has always held a soft spot in my heart. At one point I had a crush on him. It had some how faded away through the years but I knew it was still there deep down. Jackalyn sat down and we talked, sometimes getting the boys beside us into it.

As we headed up to the room for our Study Hall portion of our lunch period I straightened and Josh nearly ran into me from behind. “Yo, what's the problem Mel?” he asked as he side-stepped me. I looked around and saw Cole. Damn it. I shook my head and headed into the classroom, not answering Josh as he walked away.

--

I straightened as my instinct of someone with a bad aura kicked in. I looked towards the door and Cole entered and walked to the teacher's desk. Of course he just had to enter my Earth Science class. And because it was a new semester, we were getting new lab partners. “Mel,” the teacher, Mr. Allen, said a minute later

I stood up and walked to his desk. I really didn't want to face what this meant. “Yes Mr. Allen?” I asked

“Your old lab partner has switched class periods. So now your lab partner will be Cole.” Mr. Allen stated “I trust you will help him get settled in this class period.”

“Of course.” I said and sat back down. I could feel him following me. Of course this was the one class I had with neither Lily or Jackalyn.

“So, uh, how do you think you did on the mid-term?” Cole asked

I looked at him out of the corner of my eye. I was shocked at how deep his voice was. I was also shocked he even talked to me. “Fine.” I said raising one shoulder in a shrug. His body was turned towards me and I could only feel the aura, I guess you could call it, that told me not to trust him.

“That's good I suppose. Aren't you top in our class?” Cole asked

“Yes, I am.” I answered honestly. It was the truth- my grade point average so far was a ninety-seven point four exactly. I had done it just last weekend when we got our grades.

“Do you mind telling me something Melody?” Cole asked after a moment

“Depends.” I stated

“Why don't you like me?” Cole questioned

I was glad when the bell rang that moment. I didn't want to answer his question for some reason. I had a feeling he would bring it up again, but I would try to avoid it. For now, I was saved by class having to begin.

--

I wished we had more time in between classes. I had to quickly drop my books off at my locker and switch them around within three minutes just to make it back to lab on time. Cory was suddenly kneeling beside me, picking my books up. “Thanks.” I said as I shoved another binder in my locker and closed it.

“No problem. What do you have now?” Cory asked

“Lab.” I said and groaned upon realizing I would have to cooperate with Cole all period.

“What?” Cory wondered

“I'm lab partners with Cole.” I stated

“Oh- that guy you're somehow able to tell is around you?” Cory asked walking towards my classroom with me.

“Yep.” I said, “And he wants to know why I don't like him. How can I explain to him that something inside of me tells me to not trust him?”

“Just like that.” Cory said, “I'm sure he'd prefer it if you were honest with him. See ya Mel.”

“See ya Cory.” I said sighing and entered the room just as soon as the bell rang. Good, now Cole couldn't bug me.

I sighed as I sat down and put my Math binder and book on corner of the large lab table beside me. I felt Cole sit down beside me and I straightened. “Why do you do that?” Cole whispered so only I could hear it.

“We have a lab to complete.” I stated as Mr. Allen walked by with a lab packet. Thank goodness, I could avoid his questions. For now at least. Somehow I knew he wouldn't give up.

--

I had successfully avoided Cole after that question. When he tried to talk to me when we were done with our lab I ignored him and read my latest book. As I entered my Math room I felt him following me and he ended up being in my Math class as well. I mentally groaned and was glad he was put on the other side of the room as I was. Neither girl had this class with me either and I silently cursed myself for being put in the advanced Math class. I was glad when I had been able to get out of there and up to my locker. Andrew was leaning against it along with Cory. “Hey Mel.” Andrew said

“Hey.” I said and threw my books on the ground.

“What's your problem now?” Andrew asked raising a dark eyebrow at me

“Cole is in my Earth Science class- my partner to be exact- and he's in my Math class.” I said

“Cole; as in the guy you're always saying doesn't have a good aura?” Andrew said

“Yep.” I said nodding my head, “And I can somehow manage to tell is always around me.” I straightened. “Shit.”

I looked to my side and saw Cole walking down the hallway. He stopped when he was beside me. “Andrew, Cory.” He nodded to them. “I hope you don't mind but I'd like to talk to Melody alone.”

How is it he can be so polite and nice? I really didn't want to be left alone with him but I knew he wouldn't let this go if I didn't send Cory and Andrew away. “I'll either walk or hitch a ride with someone.” I said sighing, “Meet you two at the house.”

“Are you sure Mel?” Andrew asked. I could see him eying Cole carefully.

“Yes.” I said nodding my head “I'll be fine, I promise.”

“Alright. See ya in a while. If you're not there in half-an-hour we'll come back, okay?” Cory said ruffling my hair

“Sure.” I said and kicked his shin. He groaned in pain and limped away slightly, glaring at me hard. “So what do you want to know now Cole?”

“The same thing I wanted to know in class and in lab today,” Cole said, “Why don't you like me? I haven't done anything to you. This is pretty much the first time we've ever talked.”

I wanted to ask him why he didn't keep it that way but I knew what his answer would be- because we're lab partners, so I pushed that thought away. “Why should it matter?” I asked

“Because we're lab partners and I'd like to be able to work with you.” Cole said. I could sense him getting slightly angry.

“We were working together fine today.” I said

“No- you were doing most of the work.” Cole stated, “Why won't you answer my question?”

“Mel,” Lily said walking over

“Lily, can you please leave us alone? I have to talk to Melody alone.” James said. There was an edge to his voice but I was still shocked at how calm he managed to sound when he was most likely very angry. I could feel it in his aura.

“Where are Andrew and Cory?” Lily asked. I could sense in her aura that she was slightly worried and scared about me being with Cole.

“At the house. Head over there. I won't be long.” I said “Tell Jackie to leave me alone if you see her heading this way please.”

“All right...” Lily said. I could tell she was leaving me alone reluctantly. She knew how I could get when I'm angry and I could feel myself getting angry. I shut my locker and turned to Cole. “So what do you want?” I questioned

“Why don't you like me?” Cole asked

I took a deep breath. “Its...complicated.” I said after a pause

“What do you mean? You have no real reason to hate me!” Cole said angrily. I could see-and feel- people watching us in wonder.

“Lets take this somewhere more...private.” I said and started down the hallway. People instantly moved to the sides.

“I want to talk about it right here.” Cole said. I wasn't feeling his aura moving behind me.

“Not with this big of a crowd.” I said, “There is no reason other people need to know. Its between you and me only.”

“You will answer my questions though.” Cole forced

“Yes.” I answered. I didn't look back, but I felt his aura starting to follow me. I walked through the school and walked up to the roof through a small staircase. I sighed contently as the cold air hit my skin. I set my books on a bench and leaned over the railing. “So ask all your questions. You have fifteen minutes until Cory and Andy come to hurt you.”

“Why don't you like me?” Cole asked after a moment

“I said before it was complicated.” I said sighing and running a hand through my hair softly. “I can somehow...tell if a person is good or not. Its hard to explain it and I don't really understand it myself. Its like my gut is telling me who is a bad person and who isn't. Its been right every time so far. And this...instinct, power, whatever you want to call it, tells me that you aren't a good person.”

“So you would rather trust your...instinct, then trust what you've experienced or what your friends have experienced?” Cole questioned

I paused for a moment, shocked at his question. Sure, Lily and Jackalyn had said that I shouldn't trust it so much- that he actually was nice. But I had never heard it being said that way. I closed my eyes. “I never thought of it that way, but yes.” I said, “In this case, yes.”

I saw Cole clench his fists as he stood beside me. “Is that the same reason why you straighten when I'm around you? Even if its down the hall?” Cole asked

“Yes.” I said, “Its not so much that I can just sense a person is good or not; as to some, certain people are good but to others they aren't, I can feel their...aura would be the word I suppose, and it tells me if its a good aura or a bad aura.”

“And so in our eyes my aura is bad.” Cole said

“Yes.” I said nodding my head

“I see what you mean by it being complicated.” Cole said chuckling

“I didn't mean to hurt you if I did.” I stated. Wait- why was I saying this? I shouldn't care about him. I don't care about him.

“I'm not hurt. It feels good to know why you've never talked to me or anything.” Cole said shrugging.

“I guess...” I said

“Can you try something for me though Melody?” Cole asked looking at the sky

“It depends.” I said after thinking about it for a minute

“I know you probably won't like this idea.” he said. I had an idea about what he wanted immediately after he said that sentence. “Give me a chance to prove to you that I'm a good guy. I don't know why you're sensing a bad aura around me but I'd like to prove to you that I'm a good guy.”

I sighed and looked over at him from the corner of my eye. His aura was strong right now. I scared me. It was a bad aura. I didn't want to admit that I could have been wrong in reading his aura. I took a deep breath and looked into his eyes. I was shocked at how they looked. They were...beautiful. A hazel color, slightly golden. I nodded as I felt myself getting lost slightly. I didn't trust my voice to not break or anything. I moved away from his gaze and looked at my watch. “Well you're in luck. I've got five minutes to get home before Andy or Cory come looking.” I said as I felt myself become red from embarrassment and the strength of his gaze. I walked over to my things.

“What's the deal with you and Cory anyways?” Cole asked

“He's my friend. That's it.” I said heading down the stairs that led to the top floor of the school. I could feel him following me again.

“Do you live very far away?” Cole asked

“Depends on what you think of as far.” I said

“How long would it take your brother to drive?” Cole asked

“Five minutes at thirty miles an hour.” I answered. It was how long it always took us.

“So in other words it would probably take you five to ten minutes to walk.” Cole stated, “Which would mean Cory and Andrew would search for us. And I'd rather not be beat up, thank you very much.”

“I'm sure they wouldn't go to that extreme of a measure.” I said smirking

“I remember last year after Jason broke up with you.” Cole said, “They didn't hesitate then.”

I flinched. Jason had been my boyfriend practically our whole Freshman year. He had meant a lot to me and I honestly believe I loved him. I had been devastated when he broke up with me; completely unsure as to why he had. I had missed the next day of school even. And the next time I saw Jason he had a black eye and busted lip. “Sorry. I didn't mean to bring back old memories or anything. I know how much you liked him.” Cole said

“I didn't just like him...I loved him.” I said quietly “He meant more to me than any other guy ever has.”

“Oh...” Cole said. I could sense he was unsure of what else to say.

“That's why it hurt so much when he broke up with me.” I said wrapping my arms around my stomach as pain started to come into it. The pain I had not felt in a long time. “And I guess it still hurts...even if it has been almost a year.”

“It takes a while to get over someone.” Cole said putting a hand on my shoulder. I straightened and he took his hand from me quickly. “I'm sorry Jason hurt you so badly.”

“Its not like it can be helped.” I muttered. Jason and Cole had been close friends. I guess they still are. “Are you two still good friends?”

“Yeah. Don't worry, I won't tell him anything about this.” Cole said

“Good. I'm tired of looking weak in people's eyes.” I said sighing. I sensed he wasn't lying about it.

“What do you mean? I don't know one person that would ever consider you weak.” Cole said

“You obviously don't know anyone in my family then.” I scoffed

“Andrew doesn't seem to think of you as weak.” Cole stated

“He's the only one that doesn't.” I said, “I have a lot of expectations to meet and a lot of stress from my family. Sometimes I wonder how it is I can survive with all that they do to me.”

“What about Andrew? Do they do it to him as well?” Cole asked

“Yes.” I answered. Freeze! Why was I telling him all this? Since when had I started to actually trust him and believe him?

“So do you want a ride home or do you want to walk home?” Cole asked. He was standing in front of a silver Taurus.

“I'll walk.” I said, “I'll text Andy and tell him not to come after you.”

“Alright, thanks.” Cole said laughing as he entered the Taurus. I had to keep myself from laughing along with him.

--

“What did he want?” Lily asked as soon as I entered the living room where she, Cory and Andrew sat. She was laying across the love seat; Cory was on the couch, leaning against the armrest as he stretched out; and Andrew was in one of the recliners.

“He wanted to know why I didn't like him.” I replied

“Did you tell him?” Cory asked

“Yeah.” I said sighing

“What did he say?” Andrew questioned

“He surprised me. He wasn't hurt really at all.” I said “He said I should give him a chance though.”

“Are you?” Lily inquired

I took a deep breath and released it before making Cory move his legs so I could copy his movement on the other side of the couch. “Surprisingly. He was actually really easy to talk to. I was surprised.” I said, “I ended up telling him more then I wanted to really.”

“What do you mean?” Andrew asked. I could sense worry in his voice as he said that.

I leaned my head against the back of the couch and closed my eyes. “I ended up telling him about Jason. About how I felt and still feel.” I said

I felt Cory nudge my feet and I was suddenly wrapped in his arms. I had no idea why this was happening but it felt nice. I could feel tears starting and I could hear myself sobbing. I was doing something I had promised myself I wouldn't do. I was crying over Jason. Even when it had been a little over nine months I was crying over him. I had kept myself busy so I wouldn't think about him and the past I had with him. It scared me that just the mention of his name could send me into tears. I finally pulled myself together and leaned away from Cory. “Thanks.” I said rubbing my eyes of the tears.

“Are you okay?” Cory asked

“Yeah.” I said nodding. The front door opened. “Shit. I'm going to the bathroom. I have to compose myself before mother gets here.” I sensed it was my mother.

“Alright.” Andrew said nodding. I looked at Lily and saw that she had worry in her eyes. I smiled at her and ran out of the room to the nearest bathroom.

I shut the door and took deep breaths. I had to compose myself. Mother was always about composure. You couldn't show weakness. You shouldn't show any emotions. You couldn't get a grade lower then a ninety. So many rules with her...I shook my head to shake myself of all the thoughts. I walked in front of the mirror and splashed water on my face to get rid of the redness in my eyes. Mother would kill me if she found out I had cried. She had smacked me twice when I had cried over Jason last year. I took one last deep breath and squared my shoulders before walking back to the living room. I sensed mother there with Cory, Lily and Andrew. “Elizabeth, there are things in your room for you from your grandmother.” mother said as I entered

“Yes mother.” I said and she left the room instantly. “Ouch, bad day at work.” I said when I heard her bedroom door slam. I sensed anger in her aura. Not a good thing. “What are the things for me?”

“No idea.” Andrew said shrugging

“You gonna be okay Mel?” Lily asked

“Yeah, don't worry about me.” I said smiling “I'll be fine- I promise.”

“Its okay to do what you did.” Cory said, “Even if it has been a long time.”

“Nine months.” I stated nodding “I'd rather not think about it since mother is home.”

“Right.” Cory said nodding “So why don't you get your things from your grandmother?”

“Right.” I said and walked up the stairs. I paid no attention to the way my room looked. On my bed, was a large box. I walked over to it and picked it up. It wasn't too heavy but it wasn't too light either.

“So what's in it?” Lily asked as I entered

“I don't know.” I said and placed it on the coffee table in front of the couch.

I opened the medium sized box. In it were four books- the complete Twilight series (I had recently told her that I wanted to read it), two new notebooks (she knew my passion for writing) and a some-what large box. On top of the box was a note.

Melly,

Hi there sweetie. How are you doing? I hope you're doing well. Things here have been going well. There isn't much to say since I've retired. I hope to be able to visit you all soon. How is your brother? Tell him his own package is on its way.

I recalled you saying you wanted this series and it was on sale. And you had said you also were running out of notebooks to write in. The final thing is something I hope you'll enjoy. Its your grandfather's old camera, as I remember how much you used to love taking pictures. I hope you'll like it. Send me some pictures if you can!

Write back soon. I love you.

-Grandma

I opened the box and sure enough there was an camera. It was an old-fashioned one. There was no digital part to it at all. I turned it on and was glad I was able to figure out how to work it rather quickly since it had been a long time since I had used a camera like this one. Lily was looking over the books and Andrew was reading the letter. I aimed the camera lens at Cory and when it was at the perfect angle, hit the shutter button. I could instantly remember how much I had loved to take pictures. To be able to capture any moment. I took a deep breath and grinned. I had stopped after Jason had broken up with me. Cory twisted his head to me and I smirked. “Why couldn't you have done that on Andy or Lily?” he asked

“Because they don't take as good of pictures as you do.” I stated

“Sweet! Grandma is sending me stuff soon!” Andrew said happily

I laughed and took a picture of him grinning as he held the paper tightly. He stared at me and started laughing. Lily just rolled her eyes and leaned back, laying the book against her legs. I snapped the picture. “Looks like you're back to being behind the camera instead of in front of it.” she stated

“Yep!” I said grinning

“Good.” Lily said smiling

I couldn't help but smile as I headed outside. Memories of running through the town with a camera, just taking a picture of anything, ran in my head and I couldn't help but grin even wider. This was what I had needed for a long time. Something from when I had been happy. Something that actually gave me a reason for being happy. Something that wasn't forced.

Something that didn't have an aura to scare me.

--

The only difference I put on here, if you've already read this, is that I changed the name. Hope you liked it! Please review!

-Butterfly Angel