Life sucked. I knew it was ending, I was kind of relieved when it did, actually, but since my ex had broken up with me, I couldn't help but feel... Lonely.

I was having lunch alone in the teacher's room, the fluorescent lights buzzing overhead and the distant sounds of students in the hallway creating a stark contrast to the emptiness I felt inside. I moved the food in my tupperware from side to side, the smell of last night's pasta barely registering as my stomach remained closed due to what seemed to be the beginning of a depressive episode.

The door creaked open and Melissa walked in, her heels clicking against the linoleum floor. She spotted me immediately and changed direction, making a beeline for my table. When she saw me eating alone, she pulled up a chair and sat next to me without invitation.

"Hey, hon'..." she said, her voice warm and honeyed. "What's gotten into you, huh?" She asked, friendly placing a hand on my thigh that sent a jolt of electricity through my body. I blushed immediately, unable to handle having my older crush so close, her thumb gently brushing against my leg while she talked to me in that sweet, caring voice. "You seem... Blue..." Melissa added, her brown eyes softening with concern as she studied my face.