Deviation Actions
Literature Text
“Melinda! Professor Payne!” calls Ned a bit later as he, Delia, Eli, and paramedic/firefighters went through the rubble. Jim was nowhere to be found.
“They’re more over to the right!” Yells Anna-Lee in Eli’s ear.
“I think they’re more over to the right.” Says Eli to the rescuers, rubbing his ear.
They were pulled from the rubble. The bullet broke through Rick Payne’s collar bone, he had 3 broken ribs, and a broken leg, but, Melinda had broken her left ankle and had concussion. They both had many scratches, bruises, and some dirt in they’re lungs. Delia rode in the ambulance to the hospital while Ned rode in front with the driver.
Later the doctor came in to talk to Delia and Ned, “It seems most of the damage was taken by your friend, Professor Payne, we believe he shielded your other friend, Melinda. So, she has more minor damage. He probably saved her life. When they wake up we’ll need to keep them for a day or so before they can heal in their own homes. Is there anyone to take care of them?”
“We’ll take care of them.” Says Delia quickly.
Both Ned and Delia stayed at the hospital for 2 Days despite Delia’s demands for Ned to go to school. Since Ned was now taking some of Professor Payne’s classes his argument was there was little sense in doing that. So, they both waited. Melinda and Payne finally awoke on the 3rd day around the same time.
“Delia? Is that you?” Melinda’s voice was rough as she awoke.
“Yes.” She said happily standing up to be at her side.
“Is he okay?” She asks.
“Rick? Yes, the doctors say he saved you’re life.” Smiles Delia sweeting.
Melinda just smiles back.
“Who did this to you?” Delia asks needing to know the truth.
Melinda starts to look upset. “It was Jim.”
Meanwhile, in Rick Payne’s room Ned was there to greet him as he woke up.
“Hey, kid.” He says roughly in a slightly joking tone. “Skipping school?”
“Hey, Professor Payne. How are you feeling?” Ned asks.
“Wonderful. No, really. The pain stuff they’re giving me must be opiates.” He smiles. “How’s Melinda?”
“Much better than you.” Ned jokes. “So, who did this to you?”
“You mean you don’t know?” He asks suddenly seriously.
“No. They didn’t find anything other than Melinda’s cell phone and your blood.” Says Ned confused.
Payne grabs the sleeve of Ned’s shirt with the arm that wasn’t hurt and says, “Keep Jim away from Melinda. Promise me!”
“I promise. I’ll go talk to them right now.” He says a bit shocked.
Payne just runs his hand through his messed up hair.
The next day they all went to stay at Delia’s house, which was a tad small, but it worked out.
“How did you know where to find us?” Asks Melinda as they got out of the car.
“A ghost wrote ‘Save Melinda! Save Rick!’ on our walls in mom’s nail polish. Then started moving things around to freak us out. Then when we asked where you were and your phone texted, mom.” Explained Ned.
“After all that’s what teenage ghosts do.” Smirks Payne.
Melinda looks at him a bit annoyed.
“And I don’t have to be obnoxious somewhere else for a week. This is going to be great.” He says happily.
Later around after dinner they are all in the living room. Melinda on the couch and Rick in a recliner. He picks up a crystal bell that’s used just for decoration and rings it. “More lemonade?”
“Hey. Don’t talk like that to Delia.” Snaps Melinda.
“What are you going to do about it, Ghost Girl?” He laughs and Melinda throws a pillow at his face.
“Hey! I have no pillows over here.”
“To bad.” She laughs.
The week seemed to go by fast in some ways and slow in others. Soon Payne could go back to his Job with a temporary wheel chair as well as Melinda with a boot instead of a cast. But, Melinda couldn’t get herself to go home and temporarily moved in with Delia. The police were always nearby and have yet to catch Jim and try to get him treated for whatever had happened to him before they put him in a psychiatric facility for life most likely. It was very hard to deal with, so, Melinda tried her best to completely ignore how she felt.
One day at the store they got some really nice jewelry in, including a few good jewelry boxes. Melinda was trying to pick one up.
“Let me get that for you.” Says Delia.
“No, I can…. Yeah. You get it.” She sighs, “I don’t feel very productive.”
“You’re cleared to drive, right?” Asks Delia.
“Yeah. Why?” Asks Melinda.
“If you want something to do I’m sure Professor Payne has some light weighted papers he needs help with.” Suggests Delia.
“Good idea.” The truth is she had wanted to talk to him ever since what happened in the tunnels.
As soon as she gets to the campus. She sees Anna-Lee standing around a corner. Melinda goes over to her and picks up her cell phone to make it look like she’s talking to her cellphone.
“You’re still in danger.”
“What do you mean? Is he here in Grandview?” Melinda squints in the sunlight.
“No. Not yet. But, be careful.” Anna-Lee disappears.
Melinda then puts her phone away and heads inside.
“Damn it!” Is heard after a crash of papers from Professor Payne’s office.
“Need help with that?” Melinda asks stepping in his office as he glares at the floor in front of his desk.
“Yeah. I’m a little too handicap to argue. I was supposed to be getting a temporary assistant. She never showed up.” Payne complains. “I can’t carry things very well with for legs. How do dogs do it?”
She picked all the papers up, “Where do you want them?”
“On my desk, thanks.”
Melinda leans past him and set them down.
“Do you have class anytime soon?” Asks Melinda.
“Not for another couple hours. It’s my last lecture of the day. Why?”
“I wanted to talk to you.” She sits down and folds her arms.
“Lucky me.” He snickers.
“I need to know if you were telling me the truth.” Says Melinda seriously.
He just looks at her seriously for a moment, “About what?” He asks finally, as if he didn’t already know what she meant.
Melinda is sitting now and looks down at the floor saying nothing.
“Of course, I was.”
Melinda doesn’t move.
He continues, “Though I’m not sure I believe you. Despite you’re slightly fiery personality and comfort with all things dead you’re not emotionally invincible, Melinda, and-“
“I was serious.” Says Melinda looking up emotionlessly.
The office of Professor Payne become silent. No, one knew what to say. It seems, not matter how impossible it felt to Payne before, that they actually loved each other. It was wonderful sure, but, terrifying…. Very terrifying. Melinda didn’t a muscle. Her eyes on him didn’t help his feelings in that moment. Feelings to stop himself from kissing her. But, it was too late. He had his hand on her cheek and Melinda just looked in his eyes calmly. Not fighting, not thinking of Jim for the first time in a long time, just sat there. When Payne actual did kissed her everything thing changed.
