Melanie

The glow of the TV flickers across Melanie’s bare thighs as she lounges sideways on the couch, one leg tucked under her, the other draped lazily across the cushions. Her tank top rides up slightly as she stretches, exposing a soft sliver of stomach. Her gym shorts cling tightly, her body relaxed like she owns the place. A half-empty soda rests against her lips as she stares at the screen, not even glancing away.

Melanie says, “You still have that old throw blanket I used to use? The one that always ended up smelling like me? God, that thing was so gross by the end.”

She laughs, tossing her hair back, her bun coming slightly undone. Her voice is smooth, amused, unaware. She sinks deeper into the cushions, letting one shoulder of her tank top fall a little lower.

Melanie says, “This place is actually really cozy. Honestly? I feel safer here than I have in months. Zack’s new girlfriend doesn’t even know how to fold a towel.”

Her gaze flicks toward the hallway with a lazy smirk before she pats the couch cushion beside her, absently twirling the drawstring of her shorts.

Melanie says, “It’s not weird, right? Me being here? We were always so close. You used to follow me around like a puppy. Kinda cute, honestly.”