#abbott elementary

[sodiumfreak]

[janeyseymour]

The Paradox of Us

Collab with @schemmentisimpasours mwahahaah- generally written severely sleep deprived and maybe a *little* under the influence.

Summary: Soulmates. Everyone has one, or at least hopes they have one. But after years of looking, Melissa has given up. She doesn't need a soulmate- doesn't want one. Right?

Part 1 WC: ~3.15k

Soulmates. Something that supposedly everyone had from birth. Something that, when you found your soulmate roaming through this world, you felt like you were home. Something that you were assigned when born by whatever higher being there is.

Some people find their soulmates early in life. Some find theirs later in life. And some? Well, they never find their soulmate.

The way to truly tell who your soulmate is? A tattoo that you get at eighteen. When you walk into a shop on your eighteenth birthday, something inside of you tells you what you’re supposed to get. It becomes something that you are reminded of every single day- no matter how hard you try to forget. And only you and the tattoo artist are aware of what you get- nobody else finds out what your tattoo is until you find your person. And then you can shout it from the rooftops. Legend says that if you prematurely state what your tattoo is, you won’t ever find your soulmate. So, you have to be almost one-hundred percent sure that whoever you reveal your tattoo to is indeed your soulmate.

However, that has never been Melissa Schemmenti’s style. A woman of many secrets has never told a soul what tattoo she’s gotten. She’s always wanted to keep her private life private for many reasons. She knows that letting people in meant letting them hurt you. She also thinks it was absolute bullshit that the world was going to force the person she was going to be with. She was Melissa Ann Caterina Schemmenti, and no one was going to tell her what to do- which is why she is the only person to know what her soulmate tattoo is- she forced the tattoo artist out of the room and did it herself. She had given herself enough tattoos as a teen to know how to do it; now she just had the proper tools to do it professionally, somewhere far away from prying eyes.

She thought soulmates were bullshit, especially after months, years, and decades of searching. And so, she’s settled for a man who also hasn’t found his soulmate. And it’s... it’s working out. They cover their soulmate tattoos whenever they decide to become intimate, and it’s fine. They’re content. The life they’ve created together is about as good as Melissa thinks she’ll get- as good as she thinks she deserves. 

You? You’re about a decade and a half younger than your soulmate- not that you know it yet. So, while you wander the streets of Philadelphia, looking for someone around your age that may potentially be your soulmate, you come up empty. Your hope hasn’t dwindled even after multiple failed attempts. You know one day you will find your soulmate and live the life you had always wanted. 

There’s a part of you that wonders if you should expand your search. But the city of brotherly love has your heart, and so you stay to teach in the city that has your heart. Somehow, you end up at Abbott Elementary, in the heart of West Philadelphia.

The first day of professional development catches you by surprise, and the start of the day is a damn disaster. You had spent the night before talking to your friends over FaceTime for way too long and swore you had set your alarm. However, when you wake up from a nightmare- a stress-induced nightmare about how this school year may go- and glance at the clock, you only have ten minutes to get ready. You sigh, throwing your head back against the pillow, letting out a large groan. Finally pulling yourself out of bed, you scramble to get clothes on and look at least halfway presentable. 

Which is how you end up in the parking lot of Abbott Elementary, dressed in your favorite cardigan over a pair of dark jeans and a simple blue shirt - go-to comfort clothes that always help ease your nerves. You stare at the school, pushing down your doubts and fears as much as you can. 

“I can do this. I am a great teacher. The kids aren’t even here today. I don’t know why I’m freaking out,” You mutter out loud.

“Oh darling, you are going to be fine,” A voice called out, and you jump. A small laugh escapes the older woman’s lips, “I am Barbara Howard. Kindergarten teacher.”

You smile, a small blush on your cheeks, “I’ve heard great things about you from Principal Coleman," you compliment quietly.

“A word from the wise: don’t believe everything Ava says.” The woman in front of you hits you with a look that almost makes you second-guess every decision that you've made to begin your journey here.

You’re not quite sure what you’re supposed to say to that. Are you to question her teaching? Are you-

“Of course, she would be correct in saying that I am a wonderful teacher,” Barbara laughs that loud laugh that you soon realize is her norm. “I assume you at least know where your classroom is?”

You nod, lips formed into a tight line. “I came in last week to begin setting up, but if I’m being completely honest with you? Kindergarten is not the grade I’m used to.”

“And what grade would that be?”

You hold up three fingers in response.

“Well, then... let’s take a look at what you have set up, and I can help you with things that may not work quite as well for the younger kids before we have to sit through another blasphemous professional development session .”

The veteran teacher begins to lead the way, and you follow her as though you’re a lost puppy. However, this means that you miss one important thing at the other end of the parking lot: a redheaded teacher clearly infuriated that Barbara Howard has gone into the building without her. The other veteran teacher mutters Italian curses underneath her breath as she begrudgingly follows behind the pair in front of her.

You slide your key into the lock for your classroom door, pushing it open and stepping aside to let Barbara in. Your gaze immediately falls to the floor as she steps inside, taking in her surroundings. Seconds trickle into minutes before she speaks. 

“You didn’t do a bad job,” She reassures you, “There are some things that need to be taken down, but I have extra posters to replace them.” Her finger points towards the reading corner where a large number of stuffed animals are hidden amongst the books, “They are going to love that- just be ready to Lysol them consistently.”

You smile at her praise, “I started collecting them after last school year. I want to encourage a safe place where reading won’t be so scary because they have a furry friend with them. I have always struggled to read and…”

Suddenly, another voice cuts through the room, “Oh great. A woman who is supposed to be teaching our youth how to read struggles with reading. Let me guess, you struggle with writing too?”

You don’t know it, but the low voice that practically growls at you belongs to someone who has been diagnosed with Dyslexia. Her comment cuts you straight to the core. You had determined that this year was going to be the year that you were honest about your struggles. Here it was, your first day, and you were already handling bullying. 

“Melissa,” Barbara snips, a knowing look in her eye, “This is Y/N, the new Kindergarten teacher. Y/N, this is Ms. Schemmenti, one of the finest teachers here at Abbott Elementary.”

Principal Coleman had told you about her too. The redhead who didn’t trust anyone, especially those new to Abbott, but had a heart of shining gold for her little Eagles and the ones she cared about. However, when you look at her now, all you feel is anger. There is a boiling underneath your skin that forces you to clench your fist. 

Melissa rolls her eyes at you, “Look kid, I’ll learn your name if you can last the school year and if you learn how to read.”

“I know how to read,” You grit out, a red tint of anger coming to your cheeks.

“We’ll see about that,” Melissa scoffs and then looks to Barbara, “Come on, Barb. I want my morning coffee before we start these fucking meetings.”

She turns on her heels and leaves, and you can feel a knot in your throat forming. Barbara steps closer to you, placing a gentle hand on your shoulder, “I think the idea is amazing Y/N. I’ll see you at the meeting.”

She walks away from the door, closing it gently behind her as if she knows you need a minute to collect yourself. Walking over to the nearest desk, you grab the container full of pencils and throw it across the room. Pencils fly everywhere, and you want to scream, but instead you bite your tongue. 

Once you are calm, you move around the room picking up the pencils and placing them back in their container. You spend the rest of the time before the meeting with your door shut as you rearrange your room for the hundredth time.

Melissa, who had the intention of walking into the classroom with a glare, caught sight of you immediately. And while she was already in the middle of her snarky comment, her breath nearly caught in her throat at the sight of you. Still, she forces herself to be the rough and tough teacher that she’s been known to be.

She’s just barely gotten a hold of herself when your grade-level partner catches up to her.

“Melissa,” Barb tuts, “That comment was a little uncalled for.”

The redhead merely shrugs. “She’s just another newbie who will run for the hills when she sees what she's walking into.”

The woman of God bites her lip. “I don’t know... this one seems to show more potential than the others.”

“Tell me that when she hasn’t run within the first two months of school,” Melissa scoffs as the two of them waltz into the library together.

You walk into the library approximately two minutes before the scheduled time for the meeting (you are entirely unaware that the meeting times are merely suggestions for the principal at this point), frantically searching for a place to sit. Fortunately for you, Barbara beckons you over to sit with her, and by default: Ms. Schemmenti and the rest of the group. A bit out of breath, you rush for the seat next to your counterpart, and when you finally settle in, your eyes glance up and land on Melissa herself. 

She isn’t looking at you; she seems to be refusing to look at you. Her eyes stay on her phone, scrolling through whatever mindless social media app she chose for the meeting. You take a moment to study her, and there is a flutter of something. So small you almost didn’t notice it traveling up your spine. But it’s there- it’s a different feeling than you’ve ever felt before.

“What’re you starin’ at, kid?” Melissa retorts, and then her eyes finally lock onto yours. 

The whole world narrows to a point, and the rest of the room seems to slide away. The only thing you notice is the way that Melissa’s breath hitches for a moment. How her pupils grow in her green eyes, and she struggles to pull them away. You go to say something - anything at all but she is the first to speak. 

“Take a fuckin’ picture, it’ll last longer,” she sneers, “Barb, get your lost puppy away from me.”

You feel another pang in your gut as you tear your eyes away from the redhead and look towards the front, “Is this meeting ever going to start? I need to get the hell out of here.”

As if on cue, the principal of the school, who you now more or less don’t know what to expect from, waltzes in.

“Abbott Elementarians!” she shouts with gusto, hands up in the air for extra emphasis. Then she sighs, and her bravado breaks. “I wish we weren’t all here, but... my TikTok account isn’t enough to support me yet, so... here we are.”

You glance around the room, and you can see that nearly everyone is on their phones- all except the teacher next to Melissa, who seems to be eagerly awaiting Ava to say something with any meaning. 

You sigh and mutter under your breath, “This is my literal hell.” You don’t expect anybody to hear it, much less want anyone to hear the small, snarky comment you make. You don’t want anyone’s perception of you to be tarnished before you can show off your abilities in teaching.

However, you know someone hears you. It is a small sound that escapes so quickly you almost don’t hear it, but you’re positive Melissa chuckled. Her lips are quirked up, you can see the smile lines gracing her eyes... those gorgeous, green eyes... in amusement. She half glances at you, but upon seeing that you’re already looking at her, she shifts her attention back to her phone.

Nothing of importance is said at this meeting, and you almost wish you would’ve just stayed back in your classroom to continue setting up and becoming more familiar with the curriculum and your class roster. It’s not like anybody besides Barbara would’ve noticed your absence anyway- Ava never introduced you to the rest of the staff as it was.

You sigh as you stand from your chair, stretch just the slightest bit, and set off towards your classroom.

What you don’t know is that for whatever reason, that fiery second grade teacher watches as you go.

“Alright, Barb,” Melissa grumbles. “Your room, or mine?”

The kindergarten teacher hums lowly. “I was actually going to join Y/N in her room to see if she needs any assistance, if you’d care to join. All I ask is that you keep your more... sarcastic comments to yourself.”

“You know I can’t turn that off.”

“Well, seeing as you’ve already insulted her more than you perhaps intended, it may be best if I just go by myself then,” Barbara states. “But I will be seeing you for lunch, as we always do.” And then, she walks away from her work wife and down towards your classroom.

Melissa feels a burning jealousy just under her skin. How dare you come into this school, already have a good majority of your classroom set up (and it looks wonderful, aside from the few posters Barb already told you she’d help replace), and steal her best friend away from her. For as much as there’s something drawing her to you, making her want to get to know you- maybe it’s the way your eyes are so expressive, or how you can make a quiet comment that nobody would expect a newbie to make before paying full attention to the pointless meeting- Melissa decides then and there that she’ll treat you just like any other new hire: like you’ll be running out of there with mascara streaming down your face within the first three days.

You are staring at the walls of your room, sitting on the edge of your desk, when Barb walks in. You don’t notice her presence, only stare forward like you are lost, eyes clouded.

“Y/N, sweetheart, are you there?” The older woman asks gently.

You shake your head, looking at her with a plastered-on smile, “Yeah, just taking it all in. That meeting was…something.”

“Ava’s meetings always are,” Barbara says with a small sigh. “You get used to it. Think of it as one of the many perks of working at Abbott.”

“You mean I get a principal who has no idea what she is doing, a constant weird smell, and zero funding? Sounds like a dream,” You grumble out sarcastically and then immediately cover your mouth, “That was supposed to stay inside my brain.”

Barbara only lets out a loud laugh, “Oh, you have a Melissa sense of humor. We are going to get along great.”

You smile, but a pit forms in your stomach at the mention of the redhead’s name. The feeling in your spine starts again. Low, thrumming, impossible to ignore, but you shove it aside, believing it to be anger.

“So, any pointers for this first year of kinder for me?” you ask, changing the subject rather quickly.

Both you and your colleague get lost in your planning and advice to the point that you nearly miss lunch. In fact, the only reason you’re aware of the time is because Melissa herself appears in your doorway looking pissed beyond belief.

You don’t realize it, because you had been so focused on preparing as much as possible, but the redhead had been standing in the entryway to your classroom for a solid three minutes just… taking in your beauty. There is something about you- it’s like there’s a light shining inside of you. But then she shakes her head to snap herself out of her trance. She’s determined to hate you.

“Barb, lunch,” is all the woman practically barks out before walking out of the doorframe.

Your grade level partner bites her bottom lip and worries it through her teeth for a few seconds, as if she’s in deep thought.

“You’re more than welcome to come join us,” Barbara offers warmly, that calm and gentle smile appearing on her face.

You wave her off gently. “I think I’ll just eat lunch here for today- settle in more.” When you see your mentor’s face fall just slightly, you quickly add on, “Maybe tomorrow though? If it’s not too much of a hassle.”

She nods, pats your shoulder gently, and heads out. heads out the door with her work wife. When they are outside the teacher’s lounge Melissa turns on her.

“I can’t believe you invited her to sit with us,” Melissa scoffs, crossing her arms, “If you want to replace me, just say it Barb.”

Barbara rolls her eyes, “Now Melissa, we have been friends for how many years? Don’t start with the ‘you are replacing me’ stuff. I didn't say that when you and Janine got close.”

Melissa falters staring at her best friend, “This is different.”

“How? She is my grade partner just like Janine was. She is new just like Janine was,” Barbara counters, “If you give her a chance, I think you will figure out you two are more alike than you think.”

Melissa rolls her eyes, “You know all of this after one morning with her? Maybe you are goin’ delusional Barb.”

She says the last part with a little tease in her voice. Her work wife shakes her head but smiles, “Of course I am, I hang out with you every day.”

TAGS: @schemmentis @thesapphictimelady @marvel210 @itisdoctortoyousir @morgana-larkin @doesthatsuggestanythingtoyou @sweetcheeksschemmenti @megamultifandomtrashposts @lemz378 @http-sam @melissaschemmentisbranzino @imaginesmultifandoms @sexysapphicshopowner @lilfartbox1 @maybe-a-humanbean @imlike-so-gaydude @a-queen-and-her-throne @notinmyvocab @melanielaufeyson @dvrkhcld @cosmichymns @sasheemo @m1lflov3rrr @ricejucie @temilyrights @emilynissangtr @squinnchy @emeraldoceansstuff @shinyfaerielights  @blkmxrvel @marvelwomenrule @casualfoxwitch @babytakeittothehead @schemmentits @eliscannotdance @m6niacs @fragile-angell @infernumlilith @milfjuulpod

[eloiscbridgerton]

ABBOTT ELEMENTARY 4.16 – Books

[bob-belcher]

Abbott Elementary, Volunteers (S04E09)

[sourceblog]

JANELLE JAMES as AVA COLEMAN Abbott Elementary (2021–) ✦ Season 3

[rubyglasses]

so THAT'S who they remind me of!

Benslie 🤝 Teddie PARKS AND RECREATION (2009 - 2015) ABBOTT ELEMENTARY (2021- )

[morgana-larkin]

Ok I would have posted this sooner, I’ve been busy but I can’t get over this outfit of hers! Like look at her and her lil hat 😍 I mean she looks like she loves cottage life

[addictedtostorytelling]

ABBOTT ELEMENTARY Gregory Eddie + Janine Teagues episode 03x13 “smith playground”

[sophsun1]

Abbot Elementary – 1.13: Zoo Balloon

[morgana-larkin]

Her lil hat is so adorable 😍

(x)

[babytakeittothehead]

Lisa Ann Walter speaking german is every I need. And thank you, Lisa! I’m good and you? You’re my darling too ❤️

[nick-nellson]

ABBOTT ELEMENTARY 4.16 Books

[schemmentisimpasours]

A Road Divided- Chapter 1

Summary: Melissa Schemmenti - a powerful, independent, strong-willed woman - at least that is what everyone believe,s but when confronted with a choice. She makes the one that is easy. That is safe. That is eating her alive.

Warnings: Angst, Homophobic language mentioned.

A/N: My regular taglist will not be applied to this fic. This series...it is something that will hurt many... all self-indulgent piece of work to literally work out my own depression and passive-aggressive bullshit.

Masterlist (incoming)

Next Chapter

-~-

“My ex was a firefighter, and if that has taught me anything, it’s no men in uniforms.” 

A promise that Mel had made good on ever since her divorce until you walked into Abbott two years ago. A navy blue police Captain’s suit that hugged every curve and stopped short to show off black boots. In the crook of your arm, you carried your hat, and your hair was pulled back into a tight bun. Ava had convinced you to come in to give a presentation in school after multiple kids had been caught bullying each other, which had escalated to an all-out brawl. When asked how she knew you, Ava only shrugged and said you had a long history with her. It was the first red flag that went off in Melissa’s head.

As the school gathered around to listen to you, Melissa sat in the front row, tense with anticipation. She distrusted the police due to past experiences and knew that this cop wouldn’t be any different. One step out of line, and she was going to be pulling you from that stage. She thought you would stand at the podium and lecture, but instead, you plopped down at the edge and sat swinging your legs during the entire presentation. Kids were allowed to come up to you, touch your badges, the equipment along your belt, and even try on your hat. You laughed, joked, smiled, and made all of the kids feel comfortable. You laid down the rules, being realistic but also being kind and soft. You weren’t being a cop…you were being a human. It was all Melissa needed to send her over the edge. She had to get to know you. To know why you were so different than all the ones that had come before you.

After the presentation was over, you were getting ready to leave the gym when Melissa stopped you. She stepped in your path, crossing her arms, “You sure you are really a cop?”

“Well I hope so, I have been acting captain of the organized crime unit for five years now,” You replied cooly, immediately taken by the redhead. 

Melissa quirked her eyebrow, “I don’t know, cops always stand up there like they know better when they are the real bullies in the world- but you- are different. It was pretty hot.”

You laughed at her bluntness, “Glad to know you paid some attention sitting up front and didn’t just stare at my tits the whole time.”

Melissa blushed at the fact that she had been caught staring at you the whole time. She had moved past the part of her life where she was embarrassed to ask for what she wanted. So she asked bluntly, “What about drinks when you get off tonight?”

And that was how it started: drinks that turned into dates, that turned into moving in, that turned into I love yous, that turned into countless nights wrapped up in the sheets. A life that you never thought you deserved, but did everything she could to hold onto for as long as she could

“Melissa dear, did you hear anything we just said?” Barbara asks, pulling her best friend from her daydreams.

“McShanes Friday night, 7 pm for Ava’s part,” Melissa says automatically, acting as if she hadn’t drowned out the whole conversation.

“You should bring Captain Robinson,” Janine suggests, “We really haven’t gotten to hang out with him much since you started dating.”

Melissa’s back tightens as the words leave the younger woman’s mouth. The redhead doesn’t know if it is because her personal life is the topic of focus or the name in general. Sure, she and Captain Robinson were fine - the type of fine that turns boring after a couple of weeks. But Melissa needs boring, needs something that will get her family off her back for once in her damn life.  

“I don’t bring my personal life around,” Melissa mumbles.

“You used to,” Jacob points out, and a hush falls over the room.

Everyone at Abbott had loved you, especially after you started dating Melissa. You went out of your way to make sure that you were at the front doors when the redhead arrived at school in the morning, if you had time. While you waited, you discussed politics with Jacob or worked on Gregory’s garden with practiced hands. Even after the older woman arrived, you would stay helping her set up for the day. If she was far enough ahead, you would slip into the hall, finding what else you could help with. You saved Mr. Johnson from climbing a ladder more than once to hang a poster or fix a ceiling tile. Even Janine had recruited your services to open vents in her classroom or prop open faulty windows. The person you ended up with most often, however, was Barbara. Always to share a cup of coffee with her and Melissa away from “the children” before they started the day. Barbara had fallen for you almost as much as Mel did but in an entirely different way.  As soon as she learned that your mother had died when you were young, she took you under her wing, inviting you out with her daughter whenever she could. Soon, you were calling her mom and texting her about random things that happened throughout the day. Mel thought it was adorable and had caught many candid photos of you two sharing inside jokes.

Melissa had loved that her work family had fallen in love with you just as easily as she did. Her birth family was a different story entirely. The comments about her needing a man to succeed in life only amplified when she walked in with you on her arm to a family dinner six months into your relationship. But you never gave up -only gritted your teeth and did your best to work your way into the heart of the Schemmentis anyway you could. She could tell that it was taking a toll on you, even if you never admitted it. But family was important to her - after all, family you kill for - and that was a bond that was not easily broken. Which had been a detriment to her in the end. 

“Mel look, I am sorry,” Jacob says, placing a hand on her shoulder, which she immediately shakes off.

“Forget it kid,” Melissa snaps, and everyone takes it as a cue to leave the room. 

Barbara is the only one who remains still, sitting across from her friend, a soft look on her features - one mixed with curiosity and sadness, “Today is the day, isn’t it?”

Melissa remembered the day like it had happened yesterday, not a year ago. Everyone had been in on the plan, making sure the pieces fell together in perfect sync. Jacob had delayed Melissa in the morning, saying that he needed a ride to school during the SEPTA strike. Janine had spilled her coffee over Melissa’s testing papers, so new ones had to be printed out. Ava had been waiting in the office for a story about a wild weekend party to keep the redhead distracted while new papers were printed. Gregory and Mr. Johnson had worked together to string fairy lights across Melissa’s whole room and spread out her favorite flowers across each table. Barbara stayed tucked into a corner, phone in hand to film the whole thing. 

Melissa was full of rage until she stepped into her room and saw you standing there. A shy smile on your face as you were circled by flowers and twinkling lights. 

“What are you doing, baby?” She asked, setting her stuff down.

“You always said it would take a miracle for you to get married again. I am hoping that this is the miracle,” You said, a small waver in your voice. 

Melissa was already looking at you with tears in her eyes as you dropped to one knee. A green velvet box extended in your hand, opening to an emerald cut ring with clear and green diamonds around the band. Your hand was shaking as Melissa stepped closer, plucking it from the case and slipping it on her finger. 

You laughed, “Mel you are supposed to wait for me to ask.”

“Damnit, just ask me already,” Melissa said, pulling you up so she could circle her hands around your neck.

“Melissa Ann Caterina Schemmenti, will you marry me?”

She kissed you hard, then, and you lifted her up so her legs could wrap around your hips. When she pulled away, pressing her forehead against yours, she had a broad smile on her face, “Yes, I’ll marry you.”

It had been the happiest day of her life. One of her last happy days. 

Melissa clears her throat, looking at Barbara when she realizes that she had been tracing the outline of where her engagement ring should have been, “Yeah… something like that.”

“Mel… are you sure dating Captain Robinson is what you need right now?” The older woman asks gently, “It is okay to still be grieving.”

The redhead burst up from her seat, “I am not talking about this right now. I have a class to teach.”

Barbara watches her best friend storm away and only sighs. When the door clicks shut behind she whispers into the empty room, “That’s the problem Melissa. You never want to talk about anything.” 

“Ma! Y/N just asked me to marry her. I said yes,” Melissa beamed over the phone, but was met with silence, “Ma, did you hear me?”

“You marry that woman and you can expect never to be a Schemmenti ever again,” Her mother said, and the finality in her voice cracked Mel’s heart.

“Ma, you don’t mean that.”

“But I do, Melissa. I did not raise my daughter to be a dyke,” Her mother hissed over the line, “So you have to choose. Her or the family.”

The choice hadn’t come easily, but over bottles of straight whiskey and hours of tears, Melissa decided to end it. So she made a plan on how to tell you. A plan that immediately went to shit as the dark liquor flowed through her veins. 

 She did it after you came home from work one day. The heaviness was clear on your shoulders as you went to hug her, but she stepped away. She had never stepped away from you before, always falling into your arms the second you walked in. Your startled expression broke Melissa’s heart, forcing her to look at the floor as she spoke.

“We need to break up. I can’t…I can’t do this anymore,” She whispered. 

“Mel,” You pleaded, “Please don’t tell me that you agree with your mother. You can’t let her win. Please.”

“The only good thing about me is being a Schemmenti” Melissa snapped, “What am I supposed to do? She threatened to take everything away from me.”

“That is fucking bullshit Melissa. You are so much more than just a Schemmenti,’ You argue back. 

“Without them I will be all alone.”

But what about me? I would have been here.”

“It isn’t enough. You aren’t enough,” Her voice cracked over the lie, and she swallowed hard, “I can’t be with you. Just get out. Now!”

“If I wasn’t enough, then look at me and tell me you don’t love me. Tell me that you wanted this, tell you that you hate me. Tell me that this is more than just your mother getting in your head,” You demanded, stepping closer to her. 

Melissa only curled her arms around her chest and let the silence of the room swallow her. She couldn’t look at you and lie. She had never been able to, so she continued to stare at the floor. Finally, you moved away, and the bitter laugh that fell from your lips was like a knife to the gut.

“Fucking coward,” You snarled and stormed off. 

You had stormed out, then not even packing a bag, and Melissa hadn’t seen you since. A couple of days later, you sent Ava to pack your things. Ava did so in a bitter silence, refusing to answer any of Melissa’s questions until the final thing was in a box. Looking back from the front door, the only thing Ava said was, “She isn’t here anymore Schemmenti. She moved.”

Ava never called her Melissa again, only Schemmenti, a constant reminder that Melissa had chosen a family who still didn’t love her over you. Barbara had tried to hold a strong front, but Melissa had caught her crying for days behind closed doors. She had broken more than just one heart that night, and the guilt ate her life ever since then.

Melissa would never know where you had disappeared to, even after she tried your cellphone hundreds of times and tried to get her own personal detective to follow you. She even tried to go to your work, but all they told her was that you were out on a case and they didn't know when you would be back. Every day since then, Melissa had drowned in regret and all of the choices she should have made but never did. For at the end of the day, it would have been enough. You would have been more than enough.

[parineetas]

ABBOTT ELEMENTARY 2.19 | "Festival"

[avaninemyotp]