“Sweetie?” Mum’s soft, cautious voice wafted in from behind my bedroom door “Oh…you’re up.” Mum said – shock coating her words – creaking the door open preparing to get me out of bed as she lit up my dim bedroom. Instead I sat staring at the computer screen, a blank and unreadable expression of my face, numb.

Scattered all over Facebook was status updates and ‘R.I.P Georgie Walker’ groups, them becoming more threatening and depressing than the next. Facebook was scattered and full of nothing apart from Georgie Walker related posts, some a simple thinking of you like post others getting more so angrier and twisted as they voiced how sickened they were of a local murdering a local teenager in the sanitation bin our local school. Other were talked up, people that I knew to be jealous or even hated Georgie – after all she was a spoilt and most popular girl in our year and school – even had the nerve to act as if they were best friends. I guess that’s what death did to you, no matter who it is it still shocks you no matter the circumstances.

What unnerved me more though was my Facebook inbox that held over a hundred messages, I didn’t read any of them but just the first few words I could see I was already petrified. I knew what the majority of those messages would be about; they’d be nice and sympathetic but underneath it all it’d be utterly fake because those messages – from people I’d never even spoken to – were after one thing; the inside scoop. Some of them though were utterly blunt and to the point, there was no sympathy or asking me if I was okay, it was just solely what happened?

I was adamant to even turn on my mobile.

“Mum.” I said strained my voice choked.

“Yes?” she asked softly, her soft cautious footsteps walking towards me as she rested her hands on my shoulders, giving me a reassuring squeeze. “What is it my munchkin?” she murmured softly kissing the top of my head.

I pointed to the screen and the room fell dead silent as if the oxygen was all sucked out of the room.“So they know?” I asked finally my voice rising as I thought of the possible scenarios of what I will face at school today.

She sighed sadly “No, Mr. Vincent was going to address the school this morning.” She murmured softly “Yet someone has obviously let it escape and word has gotten around.” She said, her hands massaging my shoulders soothingly.

My hands shook with nerves as I clicked on the pile of notifications; I clicked on it with feat at over the fifty notifications. All of them took me to my Facebook wall; there covered all over my wall were messages from a bunch and variety of people. They didn’t even have the decency to at least make it a private message, how disgusting can people get?

The snarky voice in my head was happy to point out that luckily and obviously my school wasn’t full of morons. At least they could put two and two together and solve a jig saw piece puzzle.

“C’mon sweetie.” Mum urged soothingly placing her warm hand on my shoulder squeezing it encouragingly as the other reached around me and clicked out of Facebook for me, saving me. “You have school my little munchkin.”

I groaned letting my head fall onto the keyboard “This can’t be happening.”

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To say I didn’t get down on my knees and begged to say home for the rest of eternity would be an utter and complete lie. I had begged the two of my parents to let me stay home for the day, hell even the week. Yet the next second I was begging my parents to not let me cave, to not let me be this weak girl that hid in my bedroom for weeks.

A part of me strongly didn’t want to be a weaker person yet the main reason behind not wanting to stay was because I knew as soon as I was in the house alone with only my thoughts, everything would catch up on me and I’d finally break down and fall apart.

I was still avoiding that.

So it was how I turned up sitting in Dad’s car parked in the schools parking lot with the school’s front office in view. I eyed it for god knows how long, looking at it warily because I knew as soon as I stepped foot into the schools ground I couldn’t turn back.

Was it empty or packed in there?

“Have fun.” Dad said and I shot him a look “Wrong words?” he said obviously feeling guilty and absolutely clueless of how to go about this.

It wasn’t as if I hadn’t noticed it with the both of my parents; they were being as cautious as possible, treating me as if I was some estranged and wild creature that was about to break and fall apart. Dad was trying to give me the feel as if nothing had happened and to continue feeding me humor and acting carefree, Mum was cherishing me and more loving than ever – if the chocolate chip pancakes I had for breakfast was any evidence – she was as gentle as any mother is towards their own babe.

“Bye.” I muttered swinging my bag over my shoulder and shoving the door open and trudging out into school grounds.

I avoided the bus by getting a lift of dad but avoid school? Sadly not going to happen.

Sighing I took off into the school grounds, my arms instantly wrapped around my waist and I looked down hiding my face behind my hair – a protective stance.

That was one of my many pluses of my hair. My hair was long, very long and a banana blonde, it was surfy hair; scrunched up into waves with volume. The beach wasn’t even here; the closest is like over a four hour drive and there were no surfy people in my family let alone blondes. I have never even surfed before. My hair was like swapped at the last second or something, a mystery to everyone. But like I said my side fringe and the rest did an ace job at hiding and making me invisible.

Reaching my roll call room early I sighed in relief as I had got away unspotted. Groaning I realized the sign taped to the door ‘Go to the hall for assembly’. I groaned, I should have taken it to be suss or too luckily – especially for me – for me to get my way to the roll call room without seeing anyone.

Trudging off I made my way over to the hall, walking around the corner it was pure instincts that made me freeze and look up. I caught the eyes of the entire school; all of their eyes were on me with open curiosity, their hushed voices trailing off to fall dead silent.

I was waiting for the sound of a cricket or the sight of tumble weed rolling by.

My heart was hitched in my throat, my breath broken and at any minute threatening to choke and smother me. Nevertheless I could still hear the heavy and harsh beating of my heart in my ears, my hearing obscured. My mouth went dry and I could taste the bile on my tongue as their eyes pierced into my body.

Pivoting harshly on my feet and I strode off, long strides with the pure fear and adrenaline, with the pure need to get the hell out of there.

That is until a hand wrapped around my wrist tightly, halting me and drawing me close “C’mon honey.” Kate cooed softly, soothingly as she turned me to face her.

I looked her right in the eye “Kate,” I began my voice low and tense “I can’t do this.” I stressed my voice straining.

Out of the corner of my eye I noticed James Oliver step forward, a guy from a year “Hey Steph?” he asked.

I grimaced at the question about to come, dreading it but knowing it was bound to happen.

However at the exact moment the metal hall’s door opened with a loud slam making a lot of people jump and turn to see Mr Vincent “File in.” he instructed pointing through the door as the people walked through, filing through begrudgingly and talking in low hushed whispers at what this was about.

It didn’t take a neurosurgeon to have a fair idea of what it’s about.

Kate and I were last to file through, purposely so we weren’t stuck and jammed in the throng of the crowd and stampede. Yet also so I didn’t have face those looks since then they’d be glancing over their shoulders and so we could have some privacy, stalling time was another reason.

Mr. Vincent caught my eye – another reason why I waited ‘till last to go through, I knew he’d talk and I’d prefer he’d talk to me when everyone else was ahead, right? I tried avoiding eye contact but it didn’t stop him from forcing our eyes to meet as he spoke “You can sit up the back if you would like Steph, if it’d make you feel more comfortable.” I nodded back curtly “Also, I don’t know if you were told or not but there’s couns-“

“I know.” I cut off too sharply and pushed through the door and away before I could allow the guilt to get to me.

I stood leaning against the wall next to the door as Kate joined me as the rest of the students took seats their backs to us as they faced the stage. I gathered the door would be the safest place to escape and to avoid the probing eyes of everyone else.

The hall grew dead silent and still as Mr Vincent walked up the front every eye on him, every breath held “Students,” he began as my stomach instantly jumped into my throat and goosebumps erupted all over my skin “yesterday we received the most horrendous and upsetting news possible.” he paused as eyes still somehow found me “As many already know…Georgie Walker was found dead yesterday on school grounds.”

And although everyone knew by now – apart those who lived under rocks – the hall broke into gasps and cries as all eyes fell on me now as a hum filled the room as all talked to those around them in murmurs, half of them not even talking softly. Before I could even look away I caught the eye of Cindy Crawford; Georgie’s best friend and my heart cried out with sympathy and pity. Surprisingly she seemed calm and more composed that what I had pictured; there were little red puffy eyes or running makeup and that made me pity her more; it still hadn’t sunk in for her.

“…counseling will be on hand all week.” Mr. Vincent continued talking, his voice a distant waft.

I however wasn’t listening, maybe it was all the open staring or the sound of Mr. Vincent talking about the issue faced or maybe it was just everything finally hitting home. I didn’t know – or care – what it was because all my body could do was shake and quiver, my body suddenly freezing as goosebumps scattered my skin in the still and heady room. My breath was slightly ragged and shaky, my chest constricting where my eyes stung, the sight of all the pupils before me blurring my vision at the tears welling in my lids.

“…If you know anything. Anything about this please…”

The last sign to run sank in; I couldn’t breathe.

Without another thought I pushed the door open and ran out and with a slam the door shut behind me. taking a deep breath I sat my head in my hands hearing the door click again I began to walk avoiding it until Kate appeared before me her pale green eyes full of concern.

“I can’t do this.” I warned.

She pulled her brown hair from her eyes as she stretched her hand out towards me “Hey its okay, it will be okay, sweetie I'm here.” She cooed “Do you want to come with me? We can go somewhere?” she asked her eyes pleading for me to talk.

I after all hadn’t talked to her since I had told her yesterday at lunch that I was going to the toilet.

Growing more hysterical I backed back until I slammed into someone, looking up I breathed out raggedly “Oh I so can’t do this.”

Tearing my eyes from Gavin’s beautiful brown eyes and without another word I streamed off.

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I found myself curled on the bathroom floor in a cubicle crying my eyes out. It was there that I sat curled up in on myself crying right through ‘till second period, letting my body unleash he held in fears and horrors kept deep within me.

By second period I had enough courage to creep into my geography class, my teacher Mrs. Mathews didn’t comment on the fact that I slid into class fifteen minutes late and took my seat up in the back corner.

The class sat in utter silence, zombies even. The entire lesson all you could hear was the scratching of pen against paper as we all read from the textbooks. The mood of the classroom was utterly so somber that no one even had the courage or the want to speak, to even listen to their iPods. It was a dismal and dreary mood and all I wanted to do was go back home or even go back to that toilet cubicle and stay there.

I don’t know exactly why it impacted me so much, it wasn’t as if Georgie and I were close. True, she was a girl in my year and I knew her and everything else and sure any death in our local town or in general with such morbid circumstances shocked you. But what I was feeling, this utter and complete desolate numbness wasn’t something that was leaving anytime soon and it sat heaver with me.

Could this feeling solely be this awful because of the fact that I had come across the crime myself?

Our teacher Mrs. Mathews had also been dead still and silent, that is until she got up to answer the door. It was as she came back with a sheet or something in her hand, she paused leaning against a vacant seat. That vacant seat being Georgie’s seat, I gulped my eyes staring at that open seat vacantly as she had absentmindedly bought attention to something awful.

The fact that the seat was always going to be vacant of Georgie now.

The rest of the day went on the same, I kept to myself – especially since Kate wasn’t in any of my classes for the day and I was avoiding her when needed – and I kept my head down and eyes averted. My arms stayed wrapped around my body, keeping me glued together as if my stomach was about to fall out and how I felt sickened I wouldn’t be surprised if I did so. I was grateful for my hair covering my face as the perfect shield.

No matter though how much I tip toed about the school it didn’t stop the piercing eyes that stared into me sharply, like little needles stinging me with every glance. I could taste bile on my tongue constantly and my mouth was utterly dry and parched, my skin was constantly tingling with raised hair on my skin, my back and spine constantly tense under the harsh glances. The hushed whispers didn’t go unheard of at all, no matter where I talk I could hear them talking in hushed tones about yesterday of me walking out of the toilets, each version getting more and more extreme to the point I was leaving stumbling and covered in blood. Than the stories of today of what Mr. Vincent spoke of and who they thought could do such was another topic, coupled about my dramatic fleeing of the hall.

Nevertheless the somber, shock, numbness settled into and sat heavily in all of their stomachs and the school never looked, felt or sounded so depressed in my entire life. Because at the end of the day it affected everyone, so what if Georgie wasn’t friends of all she was a local in our small close knit community and went to our school and the head on the school’s student council. No matter it impacted us because our class mate was murdered in a horrendous way.

It only left us all with on question; was someone next?

Ƹ̵Ӝ̵̨̄Ʒ

“Okay, so it’s already tuned, so it’s all yours ‘till the end of lunch.”

I clapped my hands together excitedly “Thank you so much Mr. Sing!” I cried.

He smiled, his eyes crinkling at the corners and his mouth doing the same, his smile small, soft and held with sympathy and understanding. He slid the classroom keys to the music room in his pocket before nodding and biding me farewell before leaving me in one of the small rooms in the back of the music room, the small room for solely the school’s piano.

It was lunch and since geography I had accomplished in having to talk and avoid Kate and other’s gazes and questions. I had decided to continue the accomplishment by heading into the music room. Sliding behind the bench my stomach soared with butterflies as my fingers hovered just above the keys.

Taking a deep steady breath my fingers pressed down the high note echoing in the silent room bouncing off the walls. I smiled and then my fingers danced along the new piano’s keys.

The school’s music department was great except one major detail; their piano was old and constantly needing repairs, after many complaints Mr. Sing, the music teacher gave in and scrounged around for a new one. And it was beautiful, a huge black piano that was so shiny just the slightest of touch would leave fingerprints.

My smile grew as the song progressed, singing quietly along with the song. The music I played was from my own selection not the boring older music Mr. Sing suggests all the time. I had taught myself and chose my own selection based on taste. Very few people were able to listen as I was a bit self conscious of people watching me as I played and judging me, not many people listened to me.

I was in my zone all other sounds distant, in the back of my mind I could hear slightly the sounds next door in the only other music room as some students helped Mr. Sing move around some instruments. Yet it didn’t matter as this was exactly what I wanted; to play the piano alone. I knew it would calm me and brighten my day and I couldn’t wait ‘til I got home so I could play some more. Playing the piano was my one outlet that I let myself express through and was our way of counseling ourselves.

It was the pure beauty of musical instruments.

Looking up I could see people walking out of the other room carrying a drum set looking in my directions and instantly I looked down blushing slightly as I continued playing., wishing I hadn’t left the door slightly ajar.

Finishing silence filled the room as I paused to grab a drink, unscrewing the lid I looked down at the music sheets left on the stand as distantly I could hear a voice say “I’ll be right back.” Taking a sip I felt better, leaving the lid off I kept hold of the bottle whilst one handedly playing.

I wasn’t showing off, there was no one even to show off to, it was just that if I wanted another sip I could accomplish it whilst still playing. So when someone accused me of being one at that moment I was slightly startled “Show off.” They said smugly.

I looked up startled stopping abruptly; there against the doorway leant Gavin Bickim, someone I had constantly embarrassed myself in front of twice in two days.

As Gavin was from year twelve and someone a lot of girls would drool for and I must admit drop dead gorgeous. I was curious as to if he was expecting me to flirt dramatically back.

Instead I looked down embarrassed and smiling slightly as I put the bottle away, a red blush spreading up along my cheeks. During that he crossed the room and sat on the end of the bench. Where did he get this confidence from? I mean sure we’ve met and been introduced but no full on conversation, I avoid people like him as it only ends in disaster. I can’t lie though, my heart flew and I blushed deeper.

He kept his eyes on the keys “I know we’ve already met, but Gavin.” He said looking up smiling.

I couldn’t help but smile timidly back “By now you should know my name.” I mumbled glumly at the thought, a blush still on my cheeks.

He nodded slowly “I knew you by the name Steph a fair while before though.” He said softly leaning in more.

I smiled; at least he doesn’t know me because I was just some girl who found Georgie. He claims to know me when I was invisible; it bought a rush of heat through my body.

“I think everyone knows me by the name Steph now or her.” I said lightly – or tried to –as sighing he watched me carefully and calculating my words with curiosity.

“And you don’t like the attention because…?” he finally asked, softly his voice a gentle tenor hum that was beyond warming as it lit something deep within me.

I brushed my fingers along the keys timidly “I prefer to be invisible to people.” I said shrugging, trying to act indifferently.

He nodded slowly as if it was easily noticeable or understandable “What were you playing?” he asked after a pause of silence.

I looked up still startled; startled as to why he was here and interested in what I was playing and just me in general. Why was he suddenly sitting beside me on a seat as I played the piano?

“What this?” I said playing a verse from the last song I had played as he nodded “My Immortal by Evanescence.” I said continuing playing again, loving the lull of the keys, the song utterly beautiful.

It fell silent except for the piano’s beautiful tune. Reaching the end of the song I decided to make talk and be bold “Thank you by the way.” I said softly, my eyes on my fingers.

He was so induced into the song that he had to shake himself awake making me smile faintly “For?” he asked finally.

“Catching me yesterday.” I said biting my bottom lip guiltily.

He shrugged “You didn’t look too good, it was actually kind of scary. I'm just happy that you’re okay, well physically.”

I nodded “I also have got to say sorry.” I continued ignoring solely the fact that he had hinted to my emotional problems “I mean I didn’t want to put you in the position of having to play doctors.” I smiled as I pictured Gavin in a white doctor’s robe. Gavin chuckled beside me making my heart flutter, the sound was rich and wasn’t in the slightest fake “And also for my behavior you witnessed this morning, it wasn’t attractive either.”

It was silent making my nerves grow and making me feel queasy, a pile of fearful and anxious questions attacking me. Was it the wrong thing to say? I mean I didn’t think I’d see him after this so I may as well have gotten it over and done with, right?

“I can’t imagine what it’s like.” He said his voice in a low murmur as I bit my bottom lip and ran my fingers through my hair, his body warmth was so warm that I honestly hadn’t felt since yesterday this warm and peaceful “So I’m not going to try and relate.” He said looking down at me smiling softly and I couldn’t help but smile back, I mean who could resist?

His short but scruffy black hair had that just got out of bed look, he had a soft but then also angular face which his curly yet spiky straight hair tangled and framed his olive skin complexion face. And his eyes were… captivating, they were a soft but warm brown, they were beautiful and something you couldn’t look away from. He was utterly enticing, his body was of perfection, a body of a Greek God, his body was structured to perfection – the sports he played paying off – and he just took your breath away.

So why was he sitting here, beside me?

I felt sorry for him though I mean all he got to look at was my baby blue eyes. That’s when I realized he probably had other eyes to look at, my heart was unable but to not feel deflated by that thought, yet the protective part of me was content with that, almost glad. Because let’s face it, it prevented me from falling hard from the Greek Goddess before me if he didn’t pay the slightest attention to me.

Looking down I pulled my hair behind my ear and out of my face for once as I could feel his gaze on me warming me and causing my heart to flutter. I could feel his body close to my side, his body warmth tantalizing and his lush scent tickling my senses. Gavin smelt of pure heaven, it was a male scent that was musky and yet spicy, it left me drooling.

“Hey Gav wanna help?”

Our heads both snapped up to see Phil; a friend of Gav’s from his year. Phil had dirty blonde hair and he was short but buff, a stocky man that was flashing Gavin a questioning look with his usual carefree smile, he was a laid back guy that was utterly opposite to his stiff and serious appearance, that smile canceled everything out.

“Yeah in a sec.” he said simply, Phil gave him a nod than left us alone, how alone we were suddenly putting me on edge. My heart fluttered and my breath caught with a mixture of emotions. “Uh” was all he could say and I smiled knowing what was to come “I better help him; I’ll see you around though.” He said smiling as he stood up his towering height overshadowing me and felt in a way nice, in a protective manner.

“Kay.” I said smiling shyly knowing he wouldn’t, I mean I was invisible, he wouldn’t notice; I doubt he even actually knew my name before I was invisible. And soon I’d be back to being invisible and I doubted I’d ever talk to Gavin ever again.

“Okay, well I’ll see you around, yeah?” He asked, glancing into my eyes with those gorgeous brown eyes and offering a smile before crossing over to the door.

“Bye.” I called out softly as he left.

It took moments for me to realize what had just happened and who I had a half hearted conversation with. None of it made sense in the slightest; it left me with a hard thudding heart still and even more troubles.

I turned to the pianos playing again waiting for it to take my troubles away.

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I know I'm late with uploading this story again, I don't know what it is. It's not writers block since I've got this whole story already set out and all. I had an epic migrane and was sick so I have been in bed watching Supernatural episodes. Sorry for the delay and I hope you liked this upload!

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