Melody and Hilary headed out to the store to get ice cream and juice. They sat on a bench and talked about bits of nothing.

"This is nice and such." Hilary started. "But I wonder why you changed the tone so quickly."

Melody glanced and questioned. "I didn't think it was quick."

She looked over and noticed something caught her eye. She got up from her seat and rushed to press her head against the glass, looking down at the jewelry on the display case. Without looking, Melody motioned for Hilary to come over as well.

Hilary went over to follow her and spot the jewelry herself. She furrowed her eyebrows and wrinkled her nose, not as impressed upon the scenery.

"Doesn't that look lovely?" Melody asked.

"I suppose so," Hilary replied. "I'm not a fan of jewelry."

"Oh."

Hilary looked over and spotted a magenta hat on the display case next to the jewelry, pressed her face against it, and inspected the item. "Ooh."

"Do you like that hat?" Melody questioned.

"Yeah, it looks pretty, but I'm not sure how much money it costs," Hilary muttered.

"Why don't I get it for you?"

"Really? But you—"

"Don't worry about me and my wallet. Be right back." Melody went into the store for a moment before coming back with the hat in her hand. "Here you go." She handed Hilary the hat as she accepted the item and tried it on.

"Thanks so much." Hilary chirped. "So, how do I look?"

"Great." Melody gave her a thumbs up.

Hilary glanced over at a shadow from the corner of the streets. "Huh?"

"Something the matter?"

"I thought I'd seen someone over there." Hilary pointed.

Could that be Cody? "Go on ahead; there's something I need to do." Melody ran off to follow the shadow.

.-.-.-.

Melody walked around the dark and damp streets near the alleyway, feeling unease. The hairs on her body grew and got goosebumps. Where could that guy be?

"Hey." A voice called out. Melody jumped and turned around to face Cody, who stood with his arms crossed. "Can you stop following me?"

"What?"

"Why are you acting weird?" Cody didn't let up.

"Why did you leave your work post?" Melody asked. "You were supposed to do overtime."

"Oh, is that so?" Cody leaned over with a smirk. "Let me clarify it for you." He whispered, "Simply put: I quit."

Melody's eyes widened, and her mouth gaped open. "Wait; what?! But why?"

"I've got big ambitions and dreams, and I'm sick and tired of dealing with you. Now leave me alone; I never want to see you again." Cody finished rudely and stormed off.

Melody glared at him and squinted her eyes. Why that little...! He'll pay for that!

.-.-.-.

A week passed since then, Melody slept in as time ticked by slowly. She woke up to the sound of loud knocking on her door. Melody got up and went over to the hole in the middle of the door to see who it could be. She peeked through and saw Hilary, standing there waving happily. Melody got dressed, went to unlock the door, and let her inside.

"Hi there." Hilary greeted.

"Hey." Melody greeted back. "How did you—?"

"The Landlord told me," Hilary explained. "Isn't it a coincidence, though?"

"What is?"

"That we happened to be on the same floor and have rooms next to one another?"

"Oh yeah, that's, like, cool." Melody sat on the rug in the center of her room. "Mind if I ask why you're here?"

Hilary sat beside her as her legs crossed over on the ground. "Well, I made something last night and wanted to give you this." She reached into her pocket and took out some small, colorful bracelets.

"This is a friendship bracelet," Hilary explained as he gave Melody a yellow and red bracelet.

"Aw, thanks, you shouldn't have." Melody put on the bracelet and looked at it for a while.

Hilary put on her green and blue bracelet and smiled back at her. "I know it's not as pretty as that jewelry, but I wanted to make up for that hat you bought me. Even though I don't have much money."

"Hold up, could you teach me how to make one of these?" Melody inquired.

"Well, maybe when we have an off day, we could always work on one together." Hilary offered.

"But why not now? When do we have to work?"

"Um, about an hour, I think?"

Drat, I didn't think I had work today. "Why don't we try it when we get back from work then?" Melody suggested.

"Sounds like a good idea.