Page 24 of Finding a Melody
My phone’s alarm went off, letting me know I really needed to get moving now to make it to school on time.
I practically crawled out of bed and into the bathroom, not even bothering to look in the mirror. That was a nightmare better left unseen. I felt like absolute shit. I turned the water on scalding hot, letting the shower door fog up. After brushing my teeth, I hopped into the shower, letting the water burn my skin as I tried to wipe away this past week.
Exhaustion rattled my bones but I managed to finish up and then get back out of the shower. I grabbed my bag, glad there was a change of clothes in there. After throwing on the shirt and jeans, I headed out, checking out of the hotel room.
I took my time getting to school and still managed to get there earlier than I wanted to. I kept glancing around, searching for the others. When I didn’t see any of them, I hid out in a stairwell that seemed to have been forgotten since it was on the other side of the school and away from most of the classes.
When the bell rang, I sighed and shuffled to calculus class. Bryan wasn’t there yet so I grabbed my seat and put my head down on the desk, closing my eyes.
The final bell rang, and still, Bryan wasn’t there.
I frowned, a little concerned, despite also being relieved. The guys weren’t the type to skip school or classes, and I knew they were fine yesterday.
I shook away the concern and tried to focus on the lesson.
The lesson ended earlier than expected, the teacher giving us time to start working on our homework instead. I pulled out my textbook and stared at the pages, unable to focus. My thoughts kept running a mile a minute.
Where was Bryan? Did something happen?
I tapped my pencil softly against the book.
Should I text them?
“You’re alone for once,” Lillian said, taking the empty spot next to me. No one said anything even though a couple of students were watching us. “I never thought I’d be able to talk to you in our classes. The guys are always around you.”
“You can still come talk to me.”
She snorted as she opened her book to at least make it look like she was getting work done. “Maybe. But I learned a long time ago to keep my distance from some of them.”
I frowned at how ominous that sounded. Lillian’s eyes got bigger briefly before she laughed, though it wasn’t as happy sounding as it normally did. “Not that bad. I promise. They’re all good guys. They like to do volunteer work. We run into each other often during those times.”
I thought back to when Bryan had a negative reaction to Lillian. I had meant to ask him about that but had forgotten all about it. “And Bryan?” I let the simple question slip out.
Lillian didn’t respond right away. In fact, her cheeks got a little red. “Um. My family isn’t as well off as his, but we do have some heft to our family name. We run in the same circles, know the same people.” Lillian briefly glanced around the classroom before lowering her voice. “I had a good friend who liked Bryan. I didn’t know the full story. I just knew one day she was in my arms, crying, practically broken hearted, and she said Bryan used her. Dated her secretly, got what he wanted, and dumped her. Again. I didn’t get the full story, but I was pissed. I liked her a lot. So I went after Bryan. And made a massive fool out of myself when I realized it was her who did that to Bryan. He did keep it a secret from everyone, wanted it that way, but she used him. And hurt him. I didn’t understand that until I made a massive stink about it around a lot of people at a party. I wanted to make a fool out of him.”
I frowned as I listened. “But you made a fool out of yourself instead,” I said, feeling like there was more to that sentence that needed to be said.
She grimaced. “Exactly. Before that, I got along pretty well with Bryan, but now?” She shook her head. “No fixing it. And of course that ex-friend has also been snubbed by everyone.”
Now it all made sense. One solid fact I knew about Bryan was that he’d never ever forgive someone for doing something like that to him. And he already had all those preconceived ideas about girls.
Lillian sighed and leaned back in her chair. “Is everything okay? No one has spotted any of the guys this morning and rumors are already spreading about what’s wrong or if they’re skipping. Though they aren’t known to skip, at least not like this.”
“So you’re trying to get the scoop from me?”
“Yes and no. I am curious, but I’m also just using this chance to bug you too. It’s hard to approach you when the others are around.”
That drew a smile from me, and for the rest of the little bit of time we had left, Lillian was more than happy to talk to me while we pretended to do work.
When the bell rang, I collected my things and headed to British literature, giving Lillian a wave goodbye as she took off out the door. Apparently her next class was all the way across the school, not giving her much time to get there.
Again, none of the boys were there. I frowned, settling into my seat. The bell rang and class started without Paxon and Justin.
I bit my lip, definitely worried now. I may have been mad at them, but it didn’t mean I couldn’t care about their well-being. Did something happen to one of them? Was there an accident? I checked my phone, but there were no text messages from any of them. Frankly, after I walked out on them, no one tried to contact me, which didn’t feel right. I had expected my phone to blow up, but that never happened.
Something heavy and hard settled in my stomach. I shifted in my seat and tried to focus, but I grew worried as time passed. Then the bell rang and I found myself rushing to music analysis.
Toby wasn’t there.