I've been in melee-range before, book slapping as a Scholar.

But, I've been told it only autoattacks you if it's facing you, and when I was on my Scholar, I was on its side. And because all it does is spam meteor, it won't actually take time to turn to hit you.

Regardless, next time, I'm just not going to stand in melee range unless I absolute have to because I'm running out of time or something. It's just not worth risking the 10+ hours of grinding for...