m.
There’s such instant, unexplained relief at seeing Hanna Callan’s face in a crowd. Melody places a kiss against the stubble of Justin and separates from him, rushing over in that way one does when seeing another part of oneself. The distance close and Mel is hugging the other, hair tickling her nose, a squeal leaving her throat. As if she has not seen her best friend in eons, when the opposite is true. “Killer outfit, babe,” she says, pulling back. She had not been there, when Hanna had gotten ready: a ritual they had performed so often in the years prior but had not performed tonight. No curling iron around her hair, held by Hanna, no fashion show, no exchanging eyeshadow shades. And still, they both looked stellar. ( That such a thing was possible seemed strange. )
As her hand journeys back to her side, it lingers for a second, tapping Hanna under her chin. Mel smiles, bright and all teeth, all sincerity. “Congratulations on both of our gorgeous degrees. Heard someone call it the ‘Big D’, earlier, and thought that was … well, patriarchal, but rather fucking funny too. You got a drink yet?” A hand reaches out again, feeling the fabric of Hanna’s clothing, so desperate to touch a piece of her. “I really love this outfit, is it new?”
she’s leaning against a jeep – not hers , mind you , since she spent the forty - five minute drive out here drinking in the bed of hunter’s truck – and tapping at her phone to figure out where sage went , when mel materializes in front of her . “ how was dinner ? you missed a whole show with the drakes . ” hanna’s laugh meets her squeal ; phone nearly slips from between thumb and index finger behind mel’s back as she meets the hug halfway .
“ of course they did . four years of college for the big d . basically writes itself . ” mel taps her chin , smiles / hanna scrunches her nose , adjusts one of the sleeves of mel’s top . “ nope , no drink yet . come with me to get one ? ” hanna’s paying attention , really , swear to it , but she is a bit buzzed . mel’s perfume lingers in her nose , there’s cheap beer coating the roof of her mouth , nails brushing somewhere near her ribs – “ hm ? ” she looks away then , barely sparing a glance down at the outfit in question . “ new in that i took the jeans from hunter , like , a month ago and started messing with them until i was happy with it . or got bored of painting . ” a hand toying with her shirt here , hanna’s hand settling somewhere on mel’s forearm there . “ but forget me , you look fucking amazing . ”

















