A piece of cake by the ocean

 Melvin really felt like the fifth wheel lately. He'd showed up with pizza for Tori's little party. But there was no Caitlin. Immediately, he felt out of sorts but he didn't say anything. Naturally, she hadn't taken any of his calls. She ignored his text. He felt he was in the middle of a very sad video. He didn't know if he had the energy to endure it. But at least he showed up.

"Where's Cait?" He finally asked.

"I think she's at the library," Cori told him. Melvin was certain Cory was the only one on his side now. He wondered what Caitlin said about him to Megan. Of course, he knew she didn't like him very much. She never had from the get-go. 

He found himself in a huff trying not to be angry with anyone. But what if it was Megan all along who was against him. Still, she didn't harm his friendship with Cori. Yet the silence was killing him.

"Did you need me to work a few nights?" Cori said he looked a little tired. Maybe he needed some time off.

"What? No." Melvin winced, wishing not to have a sour face, but he couldn't help it. He didn't know why Caitlin was like this.

"Look, Caitlin's not talking to any of us," Cori assured him it wasn't just him. "She's serious about school." Cori nodded as if they all had to respect her wishes. 

Melvin only sighed as he watched Dylan and Tori together. He didn't think Dylan was the problem now. Melvin sensed Dylan and Tori were tight, especially the way they laughed. They were cute together, a tiny pair in fact. Still, Tori made Dylan more manly somehow. Melvin found it quite funny.

"Did the honey water help?"

"What?" He wasn't expecting a question from Tori. He stared at her wondering if she'd actually spoken or was he only imagining it. "Oh, so that's what you gave me that night at the concert."

She nodded. She said it always helped when she used to sing.

Suddenly, Melvin felt parched as if a good drink would help. Of course, Megan made margaritas and the stiff drink just about knocked him out, but he still stood his ground.

"So, Halloween was your birthday?" He said just to say something.

"Um," she nodded, but she looked terribly sad. Maybe she was crying as she hugged herself more. "It's the day my mom died."

Melvin looked at her wide-eyed. There was something ghostly about her big eyes and her pixie face. It was as if she was a model for gothic paintings.

"The day I  was born."