Grandfather Clock

*Author's Note: Any and all persons engaging in any sexual activity are at least eighteen years of age.

*Disclaimers: This story has been edited by myself, utilizing Microsoft Spell-Check. You have been forewarned; expect to find mistakes.

**..**..**

"Aw come on Melly. Huh? It's the Alpha Zeta Rho party! You know how many people are just dying to go to their Halloween party?" Melanie Daniels' roommate begged.

Melanie looked at Courtney Brown and shrugged her shoulders. So what if it was the Alpha Zeta Rho party, or a state dinner at the White House? Or a weenie roast in Connor Park? She and the morbidly obese girl would be ignored, shunned, shoved into a corner and, after enough alcohol had flowed, would be paraded around and mocked and ridiculed for everyone's amusement.

"Court, you want to go, then go," Melanie said, wincing as her voice came out in its usual annoying squeak.

"Oh come on! I, I don't want to go by myself," Courtney begged.

Eventually, as she'd known she would, Melanie gave in to Courtney's whining, wheedling, bargaining and pleading. Flopping off of the small cot, Melanie pulled her Myndee University sweatshirt on over her long sleeve Blue Jays tee shirt. She then pulled on her MU baseball cap, covering her few bald spots from view.

"Where you going?" Courtney asked.

"Phone says there's a costume store couple blocks away off Burke Street," Melanie said. "Guess I'll go see if they have an elf costume or something."

Melanie Tamara Daniels was the product of a fairly petite crack whore and an unknown customer. While pregnant, Melanie's mother had continued to drink excessively and smoke crack cocaine. Upon birth, Melanie's mother occasionally remembered to breast feed her baby, remembered to change the infant's diapers, but most of the time, Melanie's mother left the infant unattended in an alley behind the bar while she turned tricks or used drugs.

By the time CPS of St. Ann Parish discovered Melanie, the damage had been done. The child was severely malnourished, deformed and much smaller than the average seven month old infant. One doctor was shocked to discover that the infant was not a premature newborn.

Growing up, Melanie was always the small, ugly child. Her scraggly brown hair did not cover all of her head. Her eyes were two small slits above pronounced cheekbones. Her nose was a large lump in the center of her face and had a tip that curled under. Her lips were thin and on the few occasions that she smiled, her teeth were mangled and discolored.

Looking at her, most people assumed that the eighteen year old woman was a nine year old boy. She had no breasts or buttocks and her limbs were spindly. Her height of four feet, three inches helped to solidify her appearance of an ugly little boy and her manner of dress did not help change anyone's impression of her.

Courtney Brown was the first person the unfortunate girl had ever believed was her friend. Courtney too was quite short, only four feet ten inches. And Courtney was overweight; morbidly obese. The girl pushed the scales at two hundred and sixty seven pounds and, in just the few months into the school semester, had been dubbed 'Oompa Loompa' by most residents of Stuebbens Dormitory.

But Courtney's genuine smile when Melanie introduced herself had made Melanie feel a curious warmth in her heart. And, Courtney declaring Melanie's name was now Melly had caused one of Melanie's very rare smiles to crease her face.

"Turn left onto Tagma... Then right on Burke..." Melanie read the walking directions to the costume shop from her cell phone.

The strip mall had not fared well in the thirty odd years since its construction. A nail salon, a tax preparation office, a seedy Adult Bookstore, and a costume shop were the only businesses Melanie could see. There were at least four empty shops and if the grimy doors and windows were any indication, these shops had been empty for a long while.

Twilight was approaching fast; Melanie hoped to be out of this neighborhood before nightfall. The two streetlamps she could see looked broken and the security lights she saw at either end of the mall looked to be in ill-repair. One was dangling from its wires; it was doubtful if it would work.

"Hi! You are just in time," an old man that looked like he could play Santa Claus at Vokine's Department store greeted Melanie when she entered the shop.

"Just in time?" Melanie asked, looking at his long, lustrous white hair and thick white beard.

"Yes! Just in time to spend a bunch of money here," the man chuckled. "And hmm, let's see. For a young lady of your size... Hmm, what, what do I have?"

"I, you can tell I'm a girl?" Melanie asked, truly shocked.

"Of course," the man stated, urging his bulk from the stool he was perched upon. "Anyone looking at you would be able to tell that."

"You'd be surprised," Melanie mumbled, now looking around at the vast selection of costumes and theater props the store held.

"Sadly, no. No I really wouldn't be surprised," the man said, pulling a black witch's costume from a rack. "No. No. Most people? They're just too much in a hurry to see the people all around them."

He placed the costume into a bag, even though Melanie had not agreed on that particular costume. He found the matching hat among the hundreds of hats on pegs along the wall.

"Or, they're just too busy looking at themselves to notice anyone else. Course, those looking so hard at themselves? Don't even see themselves. Not the way they truly are," the man said. "You're just renting this for the Alpha Zeta Rho party? Or you think you might need it for a couple days more?"

The man rang up the costume, showed Melanie where to swipe her card, then suggested she might want to go to the nail salon and have them do her fingernails for the Halloween party. Just before Melanie left the store, he slapped his forehead.

"Well, no good witch would ever be without her wand, am I right?" he chuckled his odd laugh while rooting around in a drawer.

He produced a long black wand with a black star at the tip. Holding it up, he smiled his beatific smile.

"Ssap ot emoc llahs tsac uoy lleps yna," he recited, then handed the wand to Melanie.

"What? What was all that?" Melanie asked.

"The black star? It's the most powerful star in our universe," the man smiled, then disappeared into the rear of the store.

Stepping out of the shop, Melanie was relieved to see that the street lamps were brightly lighted. The security lamps also illuminated the walkway.

A plump, matronly looking woman greeted Melanie when she entered the nail salon. She clucked over the ragged shape of Melanie's well-chewed fingernails but did her best to shape them. Then she applied very shiny black polish to the nails. Her artistry was evident when she used white polish to create black cats, jack-o-lanterns and witches on broomsticks on Melanie's fingernails.

"And, make sure they don't chip before the Alpha Zeta Rho party..." the older woman mumbled, coating Melanie's fingernails with a clear coat of polish.

Melanie was nearly to Stuebbens Dormitory before she asked herself how the two proprietors had known what party she was going to be attending. As was her custom since early childhood, Melanie had spoken very little. And, since early childhood, Melanie had learned, the less you disclose about yourself, the less the other person knows, the less the other person can use to hurt you.

"And how'd that guy know I'd even take the witch's costume?" Melanie asked herself as she climbed to the fourth floor of the antiquated dormitory building.

"Oh, wow!" Courtney giggled, delighted at Melanie's fingernails. "If they have a contest for best hands you'll win, hands down."

"Best hands; hands down, haha!" Melanie chortled.

"Best...oh! Oh, I didn't mean, well, I guess I did mean it like that," Courtney laughed happily. "And wait 'til you see my costume. I'm not showing it to you until though. You'll just have to wait."

The evening of the party, Melanie and Courtney ate dinner in the cafeteria. They sat with some classmates; Melanie knew Brad Tanner from their English 114 class and Courtney knew Susan and Rodney from her Western Civilization 110 class. But, the three other students did not pay any attention to the two girls.

"So, um, Susan, you going to the Alpha Zeta Rho party tonight?" Courtney asked.

"Yeah. Of course," Susan said, voice thick with sarcasm.

"What?" Courtney asked, confused by Susan's acerbic response.

"Uh? Like only ten, fifteen people ever get invited?" Susan sneered.

"And you can't just show up. You have to be invited," Brad sneered.

"Court. Think about it," Melanie hissed as they made their way back to the dormitory. "Only ten or fifteen people ever get invited."

"Right?" Courtney asked, becoming short of breath as she tried to keep up with Melanie's frenzied pace.

"Only ten to fifteen people. So, why were you and me, why were we invited?" Melanie asked, becoming even more agitated.

"I don't know," Courtney shrugged. "Maybe they like us?"

"Court, please, please get your head out of the clouds," Melanie implored. "No one likes us."

"That's not true," Courtney declared, coming to a full stop.

"Name one. Court, name one person that even says 'hi' to us," Melanie challenged.

"Then why would they invite us?" Court asked, defenses beginning to crumble.

"To make fun of us? It's Halloween; maybe they need a human sacrifice?" Melanie suggested.

"Now you're just being silly," Courtney said and began walking again.

At the fourth floor landing, wheezing from the effort of climbing the stairs, Courtney declared she was going to the party. With resignation, Melanie agreed to attend the party as well.

"You're my only friend. They sacrifice you, they'll have to sacrifice me too," Melanie grumbled.

"That's the spirit!" Courtney cheerfully enthused and Melanie actually laughed out loud.

In their room again, Courtney excitedly pulled a bag out of the closet. Melanie slid the doors to the other side and retrieved her own bag.

"Now remember, you can't look until I tell you. I, I couldn't believe they even had it in my size, we bigger girls have a hard time finding anything..." Courtney babbled happily as she put her bag onto her cot. "No peeking, hear?"

"Uh huh," Melanie said, dumping her own bag's contents onto her cot. "Oh wow!"

She'd not remembered the man putting any shoes into the bag, but there was a pair of black patent leather pumps alongside the skirt and blouse and cape and hat. Picking the shoes up, Melanie saw they'd not been worn before; there were no scuff marks on the soles of the shiny shoes.

"Oh wow, they fit!" Melanie whooped, slipping the new shoes onto her feet. "The shoes I mean."

The witch costume was also an exact fit. Plopping the hat onto her head, Melanie fished around and found the black star wand still in her bag.

"Ready?" Cortney asked, breathless.

"Uh huh," Melanie agreed.

"Okay, you can turn around now," Courtney bubbled.

The two witches looked at one another, mouths open in surprise. Then both Melanie and Courtney squealed in laughter.

"You peeked!" Courtney accused, laughing with delight. "How else you would have..."

"Nuh uh," Melanie said. "That old guy at the costume shop said this was the only thing he had in my size."

"But you look perfect," Courtney enthused, hugging her friend.

"You too," Melanie agreed.

"And I love the wand," Courtney said. "Mine didn't come with a wand."

"Um..." Melanie thought for a long moment, then let loose with a witch's cackling laugh. "Eh hehehehehe! So...my pretty, a spell you say? Um, oh! Your inner beauty shall always shine but your beautiful heart is the real find."

"Oh my God, you do that perfect!" Courtney squealed.

Then Melanie flicked the black star wand in Courtney's direction. A plume of black smoke emitted from the star and landed in Courtney's face. Melanie and Courtney let out surprised squeals.

"That a trick wand?" Courtney laughed happily, waving away the smoke.

"I don't know," Melanie said, flicking the wand again.

Nothing happened. Melanie tried flicking the wand a second time but still no smoke appeared. With a shrug, Melanie made sure she had their room key on a wrist band. Courtney picked up the embossed invitation and they left the room.

"Gawd, those are just perfect," Kelli Bernard, one of the prettier girls on the fourth floor sneered. "Two ugly little witches."

"Give me your wand," Courtney demanded of Melanie.

"Here," Melanie sighed, all happiness leaving her small form.

"Beauty is only skin deep but soon all will know you're just an ugly creep," Courtney chanted and flicked the wand in Kelli's direction.

"What. Ever, Ooma loompa," the girl sneered, waiving away the cloud of black smoke.

"And, let's see," Courtney said as they halted by the stairwell door.

"Come on, let's just go," Melanie said dejectedly.

"Your inner beauty shall shine through and no one can take their eyes from you," Courtney chanted and flicked the wand in Melanie's direction.

"Uh huh," Melanie said, waving away the black smoke. "Come on, let's go."

Arriving at the Alpha Zeta Rho sorority house, Melanie's trepidation increased. Courtney's excitement increased and she bobbed her head along with the music they could hear bleeding from the large house. Courtney read the invitation and followed the instructions.

"Knock once, count to three then knock once more. Announce yourself when the hostess opens the door..." Courtney read aloud.

The door swung open and a beautiful Cinderella stood in the doorway. The slim blonde stood, waiting.

"Courtney Brown and Melanie Daniels," Courtney said, voice an excited squeal.

"Paula! Your guests are here," the girl called out and ushered them into the dark front room.

"Hi! Oh! Oh my goodness! You two are just perfect!" Paula Lacombe gushed, greeting her two guests with quick hugs.

"Uh, yeah, you, you look great too," Melanie said, seeing the sexy witch costume the beautiful brunette wore.

"Courtney, your hostess was Patricia Howard but she's got a bad cold so, if it's all right with you, I'll be hosting both of you," Paula said, clutching Courtney's pudgy hand in hers.

"She's DYING!" Bat Girl insisted.

"Rach, shut up, she is not," Paula laughed. "She just thinks she is."

Paula escorted the two awestruck girls around, introducing them to a myriad of super heroes and heroines and sexy Disney characters and video game vixens. Melanie noticed the glowing words the gorgeous Myndee University senior used as Paula introduced them to the other students.

"I, why? What, what's in it for you?" Melanie finally asked after Paula had a young pledge serve them some punch and miniature cupcakes.

"Well, it's simple really," Paula smiled warmly. "I graduate next semester. But I need to make sure Alpha Zeta Rho will be left in capable hands."

"Okay," Melanie said, still confused.

"Um, who tested out of Algebra and is currently taking Calculus?" Paula asked. "Oh. And who tested out of Biology one hundred? Who went right into Organic Chemistry?"

"Well, I did, I do, but..." Melanie admitted.

"See? I knew you was a genius," Courtney declared.

"You tested out of Algebra as well, Ms. Brown," Paula smiled teasingly.

"So? Who's the genius?" Melanie taunted Courtney.

"So, I figured, I would show you our house, show you the loving, nurturing environment you two could expect to find here and next semester? When you two are eligible to pledge? You would select us," Paula concluded.

"And that's it?" Melanie asked, unable, or unwilling to accept such a simple declaration.

Sororities get a bit of a bad rep; just a bunch of party girls, just a bunch of fluff, a bunch of air heads only interested in having fun," Paula stated. "And, yes, some of them? That might be true. But Alpha Zeta Rho? Our focus is and always has been on academics."

"But we still know how to PAR-tay!" Elsa from the movie 'Frozen' whooped.

"Bridgette, go away," Paula laughed when Elsa/Bridgette kissed her on her lips.

"So, so, I, I'm wanted? I'm here, because I'm wanted?" Melanie asked, then burst into tears.

She was sandwiched by Paula and Courtney. After a moment, Paula was called away to attend to some AZR official business. Wiping at her eyes, Melanie watched the young woman walk away.

"I was gay? I'd be so in love with her," Melanie whispered to Courtney.

"Shit! I AM gay and I'm so in love with her," Courtney admitted.

"I, you, wait, you ARE?" Melanie asked, mouth open in shock. "You're gay?"

"Oh come on, Melly, seriously? You, you really going tell me you didn't know?" Courtney laughed happily.

"I, I just never even thought about it," Melanie said, staring at her friend.

"Well, I am," Courtney confessed as they then found the snacks table.

"Oh," Melanie said, grabbing a handful of the Chex party mix.

"That's all right, huh?" Courtney asked.

"What's all right?" Melanie asked, then smiled as another girl joined them in raiding the table.

"That I'm..." Courtney said, then clammed up as the new arrival showed Melanie that there were cups for her to scoop the party mix into.

"We are so joining this sorority when we can pledge," Melanie enthused when the new arrival walked away.

"See? And you didn't want to come," Courtney giggled happily.

"I'm so glad you're my best friend," Melanie enthused, impulsively hugging Courtney.

Courtney's reaction shocked Melanie; Courtney kissed Melanie squarely on her thin lips. Melanie stepped back and looked at Courtney in disbelief. Then she turned and scurried away.

Part of Melanie's brain told her to leave the Alpha Zeta Rho house. But, where could she co? If she returned to the dormitory, Courtney would sooner or later find her; they were together, in the same room. She was in a witch's costume; she couldn't go to the library, or the Student's Union Hall, or the cafeteria.

"Problem?" Elsa/Bridgette asked softly as Melanie wedged herself into a corner of the large common room.

"No," Melanie lied.

"I'm a pretty good listener," the pretty girl offered, taking Melanie's hand and leading her into a small alcove.

"I, I just don't know what to think," Melanie confessed.

"Has anything really changed?" Bridgette asked after Melanie told her of Courtney's revelation then hug and kiss.

"You mean, other than finding out she's gay?" Melanie asked.

"She was your best friend before," Bridgette reminded Melanie.

"Well, she kissed me," Melanie offered.

"Okay. And, that made you feel..." Bridgette prompted.

"Weird," Melanie said and Bridgette smiled.

"And from what I know about you?" Bridgette said, placing a friendly hand on Melanie's hunched shoulder. "You're pretty used to feeling weird."

"Yeah but not weird like that," Melanie protested, then giggled as Bridgette smiled wider.

"Look. I'm not going to tell you how you should feel," Bridgette said.

"Hey, are you stealing my guest?" Paula playfully demanded, encroaching on their hiding space.

"Absolutely," Bridgette said.

"No, no, no," Paula said, grabbing Melanie's hand.

"Yes, yes, yes," Bridgette laughed, grabbing Melanie's other hand.

"Tug of war?" Paula suggested.

"No!" Melanie squealed.

"But, seriously, how do you feel about her? Is she still your best friend?" Bridgette asked, giving Melanie a gentle hug.

"Come on; I want you to meet Tracy; she's the representative from our Norwill chapter," Paula said. "Where's Courtney?"

It was a few hours later that Melanie and Courtney managed to intersect one another's paths. Looking over to the couch, Melanie saw Bridgette give her an encouraging nod. Melanie grabbed Courtney's hand and gave the worried girl's hand a gentle, loving squeeze. Then she stepped up and softly kissed Courtney's lips.