Melanie hasn't smiled since that day

Hey there. I was trying out something new, I haven't even edited it yet, and I really need help with it. One of my first attempts at a short story. I hope you'll enjoy it!Every review will be appreciated. Thank you!

Melanie hasn't smiled since that day

Melanie didn't smile that day. I still don't fully know why. But I do know that she was sad.

There was a ruckus outside the house that day; there were a lot of people wearing the same shirt in different sizes, right under the willow trees, and they were yelling. And Melanie cried a lot.

Papa had a very serious face on, and he kept pacing around in the living room, muttering to the phone. Mama was in their bedroom, and she wouldn't come out, not even when I came in and sat next to her. She didn't even look at me, she just continued staring at her hands, curled together on her lap. But I didn't especially care about that, because Melanie didn't smile.

I was worried, so I dragged our favorite game to her bed, brought our favorite treat. Mama and Papa don't know about that one, because they say that normal food isn't very good for me.

But Melanie didn't smile, and because of that, I felt myself become sad too. Every minute that passed, I felt as though someone was pulling the energy out of me, bits and bits of it. After a few minutes, she noticed I was there. Melanie ruffled my hair. "Aria, are you hungry?"

It was the first time I heard her voice all day. It sounded so lonely. But at least she talked to me; I was so glad I didn't make a sound.

"Katy's not coming today," Melanie continued to say.

I put my head on her lap, trying somehow to be of comfort. Katy wasn't coming? I've never liked that girl. She was untrustworthy.

Melanie's hand paused in the air above my head. Her blue eyes were filling with tears again, her voice sounding slightly choked. She pushed back her dark hair from her eyes. "She says Papa's a liar. She says that's why all those people are out there." She twisted her delicate fingers together. It took me a moment to realize her whole little body was shaking. "Aria, tell me that's not true," she pleaded softly.

I closed my eyes tightly in response. What could I have said? I wanted to make her feel better. I wanted my Melanie to smile again. I didn't open my eyes when I felt the drops of salty water fall on my face. I cringed away, though, out of instinct. I could feel the warm rays of sun fall from the window and onto the both of us. Melanie'd always liked the sun; I'd hoped it helped, but was too scared to check.

Melanie remained silent for a little more while as I rested on her lap. Outside the window, the people were still jeering, their voices blending in together in such an ugly way.

The door opened, and I opened my eyes halfway to check who it was. Mama walked in with a hurry, grabbing clothes from the shelves. Her red hair was in disarray all over her face, and her make-up smeared. It made me feel uneasy. I turned to glance at Melanie. Her mouth was slightly open as she observed her mother's actions. And, just like with me, her mother turned around and left with the clothes in her hands. Something wasn't right with her expression. Her hazel eyes were hazy, almost as if she hadn't noticed us.

Melanie ushered me off of her lap and climbed under her covers. I waited for a full minute before squeezing myself in there too. In the darkness under the covers, Melanie sniffled, trying to hold back the tears. I settled by her side, and closed my eyes, feeling sadder and sadder as the minutes ticked.

Why did she deserve this? I wondered with my eyes still closed, as Melanie's breaths came out in short gasps. She didn't. Melanie's small face was twisted with the tears. It was heartbreaking for me to watch; I turned around. I hated that situation. I hated everything about it. And most of all, I hated myself for not being able to turn back to help her. After a long time, Melanie's breath eased. I made sure she had a venting hole somewhere under the covers before falling asleep myself. Dimly, I was aware of the sound of police cars, and another sound; the sound of a normal car, driving away.

Melanie hadn't really smiled since that day. Not really. The occasional twitch of the mouth doesn't count. The hollow grin that other people buy is even worse.

We moved in with her grandmother the following day. 'Just for now', she'd reassured me. Her grandmother towered over me when we arrived, her mouth bent downwards. Her hazel eyes scanned me disdainfully.

I didn’t like her. She had a dog.

I still don't fully understand why Melanie is so sad. I think she's sad because of what happened, though I don't understand it all. Is she sad because those two people didn't come back again after they left that night? I don't understand why she keeps crying. Mama and Papa always came back, even if it was late.

But the days keep passing, and they aren't here. I kind of understand that now.

Melanie made a good friend here, someone who I like, too. The two of them seem to get along together. It's as happy as I ever thought I'd see Melanie ever again. She doesn't smile, but she seems more at ease, and I owe it all to that friend.

That friend is named Leila, and she has red hair, like Mama does, but she cut it really short, because she says it's a bother. Leila smells really bad sometimes, and from the corner of my eye, I see her shoving a cigarette package deeper in her pocket. Lately, Melanie's smelled awful, too. Somewhat like Papa after he finished smoking in the yard. He'd always kick me if he'd find me hiding behind the willow trees. And she smells a little bit like alcohol, too, every now and then.

I'm worried about her, but I can't tell her anything. I'm just a cat, after all. But I still have my wishes. I just want to see Melanie smile. But then, she hasn't really smiled since that day.