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“You don’t even care that I hate them! You don’t care that I’m TELLING YOU something is wrong with that lady who brings them.

You love me until you eat them, then suddenly I’m selfish and terrible.

You punish me for things I didn’t even do.

” I wiped my tears away as she gaped at me along with everyone else.

I usually just ran away in tears, but not today.

I shouted, “It’s not fair! I’m sorry about what happened to that little boy, and I’m sorry about our own family members that rogues killed BUT I AM NOT THEM! I’m tired of being punished for YOUR fear. Everyone gets to meet the allies and your friends BUT I DON’T!”

“I get to live a half-life, hearing about everything from everyone else. YOU are the one who isn’t FAIR AND YOU ARE THE ONE WHO IS SELFISH AND HURTFUL! You look into EVERYTHING Jase and T say is off EVEN WHEN THEY ARE WRONG BUT YOU WON’T DO IT FOR ME!”

My dad growled, “MELANIE JANE!” I asked her, “Are you happy now? When is it exactly you’ll be happy? I told T you wouldn’t let me go. Ask him. I told him before I took a nap it wasn’t going to happen because you wouldn’t let it.”

“He said I needed to be positive, but I knew the second you all ate those mom monster cookies I’d be staying behind.

AGAIN. Blame yourself for Mrs. Dutton not getting to go to the picnic.

She doesn’t need to stay since plenty of people could guard the prison cell you CLEARLY think I belong in. ” I didn’t wait for a reply.

I ran into our house, but I didn’t stop there.

I was done with this. I ran out the back and went down into the cells.

They could all panic wondering where I went.

That was mean, but they were mean too. I got down here and NO ONE noticed.

I could cross the border without them noticing too. They thought I was stupid.

I wiped at my tears. I didn’t do anything and now I wouldn’t meet my Xander again.

I went into one of the cells and burst into tears after I closed the door.

My dad linked me, “Melanie Jane, where the hell are you?” I replied, “Exactly where she wants my hurtful, selfish self. It should give you ALL pause no one knows the answer of where I am except me. Because I AM A GENIUS! I can get around people.”

I laid down on the dirt floor and hit the ground.

It wasn’t fair. Tristan linked, “Ladybug, this isn’t funny!

Where are you?” I retorted, “Who said it was funny? I’m not selfish!

I would never throw their pain in their faces.

I’m not stupid!” They all just thought I was when it came to emotions, but they were wrong.

It hurt that my mom would never do any of these things unless she ate those cookies.

She’d never hurt me this way. I heard a sigh I knew well.

Peter said, “Melanie Jane, you don’t belong in there.

” I whispered, “Please leave me alone, Daddy Peter.” He practically threw the door off the cells.

He picked me up and I cried into his neck.

I sobbed, “I didn’t do it.” He hugged me tightly and rubbed my back.

I was near hyperventilating, “They think… I’m a bad person… that I would hurt them… and I wouldn’t… I would never hurt them… I… No one would cross a border after what just happened… why does everyone tell me how smart I am then act like I’m an idiot?”

My dad growled, “Why the FUCK was she in a cell?” Peter said, “You know why.” My mom sighed, “Melanie Jane, this was not an appropriate response.” I muttered, “Sure it is. If you think I’m that bad of a person, then I should be in a cell.

” She jolted back as if I slapped her when she was the one who kept hurting me.

She whispered, “That is not remotely what I said.” It was but maybe the cookies made her not understand that.

Something WAS wrong with them. I scoffed, “So, intentionally causing your family pain because you are not a person with feelings no longer makes on a sociopath then. Because that’s what you think I am. ”

Mom gasped, “MELANIE JANE, I DO NOT!” I disagreed, “You do if you believe that I or anyone else crossed the border today or for the next month. I’d be longer than a month but on a statistical average a pup would forget the pain and terror of yesterday in a month.”

She growled, “I never said you were a sociopath nor do I think it.” I told her, “Maybe ask the Princess Luna, since she’s your friend, the definition of the world. Because is the person you are describing. A lack of empathy and disregard for social norms is a sociopath.”

She asked, “Can you really think I believe that?” I replied, “Your statements say that you do.” She started crying but I was right. She basically called me an emotionless robot. Peter said, “No one called you an emotionless robot.” I grimaced, “Did I say that out loud?” He nodded. Great.

Jason announced, “I’ve got this. You guys go.

Jared will pop me in.” My mom said, “We aren’t leaving like this.

” Sure, they were. I actually laughed. Mom asked, “What now?” I said, “You always leave me like this….maybe not in the dungeons…but you meant emotionally….So, why would today be any different?” Her jaw dropped.

Jason whispered, “Mom, it’s only going to make it worse. She literally threw herself into a cell without anyone noticing. Just let me work some of my big brother magic. You can talk to her when she’s calmer. Go to the picnic.”

I muttered, “Like you know you have to because you’re the Beta Female of this pack and dad’s the Beta.” Peter winced. My dad said, “I don’t give a shit about that.” I shrugged because it was one of his duties to the pack so he should care. It didn’t make sense that he wouldn’t.

My mom touched my shoulder saying, “You, T, Jase, and your dad are the priority to me. Your dad feels the same way.” I didn’t even look at her.

She sighed, “Ok, we’ll go. I love you, Melanie Jane.

” I knew she’d go. I also knew she’d love me again in an hour or two, but I didn’t believe the mom monster loved me.

My dad hugged me whispering, “We love you so much, Ladybug.” I hugged him tightly and heard my mom sniffle. Peter kissed the top of my head, “We will be back.” Jason clearly linked Jared who popped down to us and popped us to my room.

I whispered, “Just because it’s nicer doesn’t make it not a prison cell.” Jared winced then popped out. Joy. Another day of everyone feeling sorry for Melanie and claiming I don’t understand human emotions when it was them that didn’t understand.

Jason walked past me and turned on my bathtub. He came back out, “Why don’t you take a relaxing bath?” I took a shower before I went downstairs. Did he not hear me say that? I snarked, “Why don’t I go prove I could cross the border, so people FINALLY believe me when I say I don’t?”

He growled, “Mel, no.” I cried, “Why not? Give me one reason why not. I’m already accused and convicted.

My words protesting my innocence do not matter.

I am convicted with no trial or evidence.

Only eye witness accounts are about fifty percent inaccurate…

I could cross the border and not get caught. ”

Tristan answered from behind us, “The reason is because you would never be that cruel and you’re not a sociopath.

Plus, you were right. No one would cross after what happened yesterday.

” I cried, “Then why don’t they understand that?

” He said, “I’ll talk to mom. You know that shook her yesterday and she’s not thinking clearly. ”

I knew that because she was eating mom monster cookies.

I nodded to them. Both came and hugged me.

Tristan said, “You are beyond loved.” It didn’t feel like it today.

I muttered, “I will be in a few hours when someone asks mom at the party and they call her on this insanity. Then she’ll bad, bring me a piece of cake, and act like nothing happened. ”

Tristan said, “You can’t know that.” I replied, “Statistically speaking, I can. It’s what happens every single time. Just watch. I’ll be right.” They both glanced at each other but left. I went and got into the tub since I might as well.

I took a deep breath and went under. I came back up and grumbled, “I should’ve just convinced Elise to come home… which wouldn’t have been fair… she got to see EJ… but I just want to see Xander.” I got out, towel dried my hair and put on comfy clothes.

I grabbed my Xander wolf and cried into its fur. It was probably filled with my tears at this point. A soft knock came, and Mrs. Dutton came in. I sobbed harder apologizing, “I’m sorry you always have to miss out and watch me and miss out on everything.” She came over and sat down on my bed.

She took my hand saying, “I’ll let you in a secret, I volunteer if someone needs to stay with you or anyone else.

I have serious social anxiety, and I keep that very well hidden.

I’ve been working with the Princess Luna on opening up about it.

Your parents don’t even know, only Luna Chelsea does.

I don’t mind staying back with you, and it’s not a punishment for me like it is you. ”

She hugged me, “I don’t know what’s going on sweet girl, but I know your mom was just scared out there. She heard you crossed the border, and she went to her knees in a panic. The Beta calmed her down, but she was scared.”

She rubbed my back saying, “That doesn’t excuse some of the things she or you said. Just keep it in that brilliant mind, words can’t be taken back. My mom always said words are like toothpaste, once out of the tube you can’t get them back in.”

She paused then added, “But I have to say that’s the first time I’ve seen you get upset like that. It tells me a lot since normally you just run back inside, and I find you here with your stuffed wolf.” She kissed my head and went back downstairs.