Gavin and Melody, not yet Melovin, are sitting at opposite desks on their computers. They are the last ones left for the day, It remains unclear if this was intentional or not.
They’re both silent. Until Gavin looks up at her.
G: Like the town in Florida?
M: …What?
Melody just stares back at him.
G: … Your name.
M: …
Still nothing.
G: …Clearwater…?
M: OH!
She laughs.
M: Yeah. Like the town in Florida.
G: Are you from there?
M: Not from Clearwater but I grew up in Key West…
G: Key West! Wow… I’ve always wanted to visit.
M: It’s nice. I loved the beach…
G: You should relocate this whole operation to the north sea
Gavin laughs and so does Melody.
M: Maybe. But the north sea is nothing like the gulf or atlantic…
G: yeah. well, i wouldn't know.
They return to silently working.
M: Is Newmaker a place too? Or just a name?
G: Just a name. It’s too old, my dad can’t remember where it’s from.
M: A few hundred years ago you could have just made your own village and named it Newmaker.
G: Yeah. If I did that I would definetly settle by the beach.
———
M: I’m not actually American though.
G: No?
Melody enjoyed conversations with Gavin, mainly because she
1.never had to repeat herself
2.Could just continue their conversation right where they left off
M: My parents are Iranian but… I moved to America for a more secure future.
G: Ah. Have you been back since?
M: No. Maybe someday.
G: … You’ve been so many places. I’ve never even left the country.
M: Really? Never?
G: Nope.
M: Oh wow.
G: It’s embarassing.
M: How? It must be nice to have some place you can really truly call home and not just… "this is where i live"
G: i suppose.
———
M: Have you been to the ocean at all?
G: No.
M: …
———
It's another late night. Gavin works alone, at least he thinks so. Melody opens the door to the office
M: Gavin?
G: AH! you scared me.
M: Oh sorry i didn't mean to.
G: … how come you're still here?
M: … I wanted to show you something. If you arent too busy.
G: I'm not.
He gets up and smiles
M: I appreciate your work ethic Newmaker-
G: Gavin
M: Hm?
G: You can just… call me Gavin.
M: Oh. alright. Yeah. I will.
They keep walking, the lab building seems endless.
G: Where are we going?
M: You'll see.
Melody seems to have a content smile on her face
G: …… whats… your first name. If you don't mind me asking.
M: … just call me Clearwater, ok?
Gavin seems a little dissapointed. But oh well. What can you do. He really isn't one to overstep boundaries.
the two reach a heavy metal door that melody opens with ease. It leads to a short pebble covered walkway, right into a perfect and massive lake. Gavin is speechless
G: …what?
Melody smiles
M: The lab was built around the lake, but the windows are placed in such a way that you can never really see it. Its my secret spot.
She starts walking to the water and Gavin follows. It's a perfectly clear night and the moon is shining as bright as the sun, reflecting on the still lake water.
M: I know you've probably been to a lake before but I figured its the closest thing to an ocean…
G: … I… wow. This is…
Melody takes off her shoes and starts wading around in the water
M: its so cold…
she indicates for Gavin to join her, and he does
G: … thank you.
Melody looks out onto the lake
G: … i… ive never been to a lake. so. This is… yeah.
M: oh.
G: …
M: Do you like it?
G: I love it! I can't wait to tell literally everyone in the office about this!
M: What! No! This is just-- this was--
G: I'm joking
Gavin laughs and so does Melody, with a sense of relief
M: Seriously, don't tell anyone about this.
G: I wont. I promise my lips are sealed.
He motions throwing a key into the water
M: …
G: …
M: And it's Melody.
G: Melody?
M: Yeah. But dont call me that in the office.
Gavin nods
G: Its a pretty name.
M: Thanks I chose it myself.
G: So did I.
both of them laugh
G: So this is where you hang out after hours?
M: Yeah.
Gavin kicks the water, and a little bit splashes on Melody. She splashes back and eventually the two are throwing water at each other nonstop, until Gavin slips and falls face first into the water. Melody can't stop laughing as sopping wet gavin crawls out of the water.
G:W-we s-should head b-b-back inside
Melody helps him up and the two navigate through the building, Gavin (And Melody, too) leaving behind a wet trail. The two can't stop laughing