Total pages in book: 28
Estimated words: 25313 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 127(@200wpm)___ 101(@250wpm)___ 84(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 25313 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 127(@200wpm)___ 101(@250wpm)___ 84(@300wpm)
My parents were both hesitant about Melody. Her father had a bad reputation and shadows that followed him. I didn’t care. Before Melody, my Neverland girl, I was unsettled. She gave me a purpose. I wanted to heal her broken heart. She was my Neverland. A place I didn’t know was an option for me.
All my life, I played by the book with what society and my parents wanted, but with Melody it was different. I no longer felt as though I needed to please everyone, becoming filled with resentment. Her resilience in life showed me that none of those things mattered.
I resented the life that had been forced upon me. I felt like I had no other choice, but the truth was I had nothing I craved. She grounded me.
I don’t care if other people think it is young, naïve love. Melody is full of dreams. If they’re her dreams, that makes them mine too. And I plan on making every single one of them come true.
When I see the passion she has for something, it doesn’t compare to anything I’ve experienced. Her heart goes into everything she does. She’s unstoppable. It’s the most beautiful thing I’ve ever seen.
I want to be her perfect storybook, the ones she doodles about in all her journals. She thinks they’re her thoughts. Stories she crafts so easily in her mind. One day the world will hear them.
Her mind is sprinkled with magic that others can’t see. Not even her. But I see it, I see her. Melody has a golden sweetness inside of her that one day the world will get to taste. All I can hope is to be on the sidelines cheering her on when they do. Knowing that she is still mine.
I’ll follow in my family's footsteps. A path that’s been set for me since I was born. I’ll do it, knowing it will allow my Neverland girl to have dreams at her fingertips. I can’t wait to see what she gives the world. All I care about is that my girl lies down in bed each night with me. I want to be her home.
“Easton.” She beams at me, her legs wrapped around my waist. “I missed you.” Melody kisses me again. I groan.
“Baby!” A few cat calls ring out in the parking lot.
“Sorry.” She gives me a mischievous smile, and I know she’s not at all. “What’s the plan?”
“I have to take you home.” I glare at the fuckers staring at us.
“What?!”
“I promised your dad I would. He wants to take you and your sister out to dinner. Then you’re all mine.”
“Fine.” She relaxes in my arms but doesn’t let go. When it comes to her father and sister, Melody can never tell them no.
Melody has taken a bit of a motherly role when it comes to her little sister. It shouldn’t fall on her shoulders, but Melody can be as headstrong as I am. They also share a birthday, so I know they should have their moment together even if I don’t want to let her go for it.
“Two hours. That’s all I’m giving you up for.”
“Promise?” She smiles against my mouth.
“Promise.”
I should have never let her go. I wouldn't have. Not even for a second if I had known what was to come.
3
MELODY
Many years later
I stare at my little sister, not sure what to say. If Elsa wants to walk around half-naked, that’s her choice, but we are supposed to be keeping a low profile. She is nowhere near low profile, but then again, she’s not a little girl anymore. I’m sure no one would recognize her now. Over the past few years, she really has blossomed into a woman. Still, I’ve never seen her dress this way.
I miss her curly hair and wide-framed glasses. Elsa was always wicked smart. This wasn’t what I saw coming from her, but as she and I both know, you never can predict the future, no matter how hard you try to lay a path toward what you want.
Elsa was barely thirteen before our lives were once again tossed on their heads. I suppose I should be happy that no one died this time, but I don’t often feel that way. When I lost my mom, a part of my heart was taken. When I lost Easton, it was as if my whole future was ripped away from me in the blink of an eye. My mom was truly gone, but even though Easton was still out there, he was unreachable.
I’m not even sure who I am anymore. I’ve just been going through the motions for the last five years. Putting one foot in front of the other, knowing I needed to stay strong for Elsa.
Trust me, I understand through way too much therapy that some people believe a person should stand on their own, but I know in my soul Easton will always hold my heart. I can try to move on, but nothing will match him.