shattered•5•hearts

INVISIBLE NO MORE

It's Monday.

It's Monday and for the first time in my life, I am dreading school. Everyone must have heard by now. I have no doubt. First, the nobody, AKA me,is chosen over the elites, by an elite like themselves. And now, they are returning to school.

The Elite 4 that chose me, are returning to school. London Morse, Luke and Brendan O'Connor, and Ken Longstruum are returning to school. Crash Course Rebellion is returning to school.

It's currently 6 am and I'm already dressed for school which doesn't start until 8. I could barely sleep after the events of last evening. I was dreading walking through the beige halls of Greenhall and seeing the disdain on the faces of hundreds of elitist kids.

They already despised me, who knows what they'll do to me now? Of course, Jackie will never let anything happen to me but just how can she protect me from the messages I've already begun to receive?

My usual dull Messenger app is now pinging off the hook. How the students of Greenhall found me is beyond my understanding but they are angry, very angry.

I've followed CCR's accomplishments from the very first single they put out two years ago. I've idolized their music, I've watched all their virtual concerts. Heck! They're even my ringtone. Well, more specifically London.

Sadly, I can't even bask in the happiness and honor I've been given to be able to sing with them.

I sat on my bed as the minutes pass by, listening to the increasing speed of the pinging from my phone as the sun rose. My mind is blank. It's the only way I can ignore them.

Finally, I heard the insistent honking of my best friend's car. A smile instantly plops itself on my face and I sigh. She knows how to brighten my day. Thanks to the band rules, she will now be picking me up; until I get my car.

I stood from my bed, slinging on my backpack, and reached for my phone but my fingers suddenly stopped, hesitating to pick up the still vibrating phone.

Deciding against it, I left my phone where it was on my nightstand and hurried down the stairs.

Jackie noticed my nerves immediately but chose to remain silent about it, instead, she was trying to cheer me up. The moment we entered Greenhall, everyone's eyes stuck on me.

Though some looked away when Jackie glared at them, most stared and whispered. The prickle at the back of my neck, as we got to my locker, was almost unbearable.

"Where are the boys?" I hiss quietly to Jackie as she helped me pack my books.

She shrugs nonchalantly, "Same as ever, I guess. Late."

Groaning, but a little thankful I slam my locker before grabbing her arming and marching to our first class. Physics with Mrs. Wilkins is by far one of the most tedious tasks to sit through. She is by far the strictest of all my teachers and I am her favorite student.

Sighing, I push the door open and walk in only to stop in my tracks. The band is already here. Brendan waved to us and gestured to two free seats in from of him and London. Behind them sat Luke and Ken, who were too caught up in an argument to even see us.

As for London, he regarded us with nothing more than a nod before turning his face back to his phone. Taking the hint, Jackie drags me in their direction and pushes me into the corner seat, right in front of London.

Mind you, I was highly aware of the eyes crawling over my skin. Why won't they stop staring? Whispers surrounded the class but immediately stopped when Mrs. Wilkins enters the class.

Her dark brown eyes were sharp behind her round-rimmed glasses as she scanned the class. Her glare landed in my direction or so I thought.

"Mr. Morse," her shrill voice greets with disdain, "I see you and your little band of misfits have returned."

"Nice to see you again, Mrs. Wilkins," London replies. I heard the smirk in his voice, his accent thick and poised.

"Oh come off it!"

Her sharp eyes then focus on me before she breathes out, "I am at least glad that Melany is now part of your circle. Maybe you boys will learn a thing or two from her."

The boys chuckle as she turns around my heart starts pushing on my ribcage as I feel a very particular stare on my back. It's the same stare from the audition. Shit! London is looking at me, isn't he?

For the remainder of the class, I tried to remain focused but it was easier said than done. London didn't take his eyes off me. The next three periods passed by in a flash and turns out London is in almost all my classes.

~

Once the lunch bell rang, I let out a deep breath before packing my stuff away. London was sitting next to me, leaning against the wall. For the entire four periods of the morning, he has not said a word.

I got up from my seat on shaky legs and slung my backpack over my shoulder. I give London a small smile before leaving and heading to lunch. I took notice of his lack of response but I didn't let it bother me. After lunch, we have practice during the two-period general school meeting that takes place every day.

Jackie waved to me wildly as I entered the restaurant-style cafeteria that our school proudly possesses. Even our seating arrangements have changed. Jackie usually sits with me in the underprivileged section but today we're sitting with the band in the overprivileged circle; smack in the middle of the entire space.

I make gingerly steps, my anxiety slowly raising as a mix of curious looks and harsh glares are thrown my way. I gulp as I sit next to Jackie who chuckles at my discomfort.

"Hi guys," I greet with a smile before twiddling my thumbs. What am I doing? Why am I sitting here? I don't belong here.

"Where's Lon?" Luke asks to which I scrunch my eyebrows. Ken sighs, "He meant to ask if London left class with you."

Oh. Lon must be his nickname. I shake my head, my teeth chewing on the inside of my cheek. "He didn't even acknowledge me when I left," I admit. I tried not to sound dejected but it came out like that anyway.

Ken and Brendan share a look before coming to some kind of mental agreement. "Huddle," Brendan hisses and the five of us drop our arms to the circular table and lean down.

This was something we practiced at yesterday's meeting. It's a requirement for sensitive topics.

"What we're about to tell you, is confidential information," Ken hisses quietly. Jackie and I nod once.

"Jessica didn't leave our band 2 weeks ago," Brendan continues in the same quiet tone, "She's been gone for almost two and a half months now."

The revelation shocked me and I couldn't help the silent gasp that came out of my mouth.

"Lon's been taking it pretty hard," Luke adds finally. My heart suddenly aches and my chest crushes within itself. Poor London.

"I've been taking what pretty hard exactly?" The sound of London's ashy voice makes us break the huddle. I didn't notice the band leader standing right next to me bent down and as I sat up, the top of my head knocked into his chin.

"Ugh," he grumbles as he stands to full height. My eyes widen, panic taking over my cells as my hands fly to cover my mouth.

"I'm so sorry!" I squeak out, my eyes finding his. He glared at me, the rage in his eyes leaving me speechless. For the first time since I first saw him, I felt something other than admiration for London Morse; fear.

"It's fine," he grits out, his eyes shutting tightly. That is when my brain decided to acknowledge the silence in the room. Everyone was looking at us.

After taking a deep breath, London pinches the bridge of his nose, "Grab a sandwich or something and get to the music room. All of you!"

"Sure," Brendan retorts, jumping from his seat, "No one here's a picky eater right?"

"Nah," Jackie answers while the rest of us grab our stuff.

London storms off ahead of us and Jackie shoots Luke a questioning look, "Should we be worried about that?"

He chuckles, "Nope. This is typical London."

"But," Ken interjects throwing a reprimanding look to his friend, "be prepared to face his wrath in the music room, Melany. He's not particularly happy with you right now so he will push your limits."