🌟🌟🌟

🌟🌟🌟

By the time I'm back in school, everything felt different. The second I stepped inside, I could hear the whispers, the stares and students stepping back when I walked through the corridors, my chin to my chest. God, it feels so weird.

I can't believe what happened at that house party. I don't know where that sudden burst of confidence came from. All I knew was I wanted to be up there on that stage, like Reese. Seeing him up there was something else -- something I couldn't describe.

It felt like a breath of fresh air, it was what I've been wanting to do for a while. However, as soon as I put that microphone down, my heart was in my mouth.

The look on every single face made me wonder if I made the biggest mistake of my life. What if I sounded awful? What if they thought I was just some intoxicated girl making a fool of herself?

I felt like an animal in a zoo. And for the first twenty seconds, I never felt more humiliated.

Until a gleeful Sky erupted with cheers and the whole room came alive.

When Reese took my hand, escorting me out of the energetic room, the crowd cheered for me. I loved the positive reception but I didn't like the attention as much as Reese did, so I was glad when we got out of there. We headed down a narrow hallway, into a small boxed room and I was a little shocked, to say the least. Also a little excited.

Weirdly, I trusted him. I wanted to be alone with Reese, not just because I'm physically attracted to him and his bad-boy look or his low, velvety voice that makes my knees wobble. Or even how talented he is. I knew that he wouldn't hurt me as that asshole jock did. I just know he's a good guy.

Do I have a crush on the bad boy of the school? The heartbreaker, Reese Black?

Oh no, this is not good. I'm treading on dangerous waters.

We were standing only inches from each other in a tight space of what looked like a closet while sparks flew all around us. The alcohol flowing inside my veins brought a more confident side I was unaware of until now. I was hopeful and nervous about what was happening.

Reese looked down at me with dilated pupils. Even in the dark, I could see how his eyes dropped down to my lips.

I wanted him to kiss me.

I was ready, it felt right.

When he leaned in, my heart picked up its pace. I'd never been kissed by anyone before and I wanted that experience, even if it was in a small murky closet. I've heard your first kiss is magical -- like in the movies.

My belly swarmed with butterflies, my legs turned into mush.

And then he stopped.

I stood frozen, a little confused and hurt because ever since that point -- he gave me the impression he was going to kiss me, so what changed his mind?

Suddenly I heard Sky calling my name from outside the door and I knew our moment was over. I chewed my lip to prevent an ugly sob from escaping my mouth and I ran out of that closet like my ass was caught on fire.

Why is he so hot and cold with me? Why do I feel this way?

I could tell by looking at Sky's face that she was aware of what was going on in that closet and by her smug expression -- she wanted all the gossip.

I didn't want to talk about it, I didn't want to talk about anything. That was the point I sobered up quickly, and my reality set in.

I messed up.

When I got home that night, I went straight to my bed. Flopping down on the mattress and moaned on my pillow.

Today I feel embarrassed. I just want the earth to swallow me up, or by some miracle, gain some superpower to turn me invisible. I'm exposed to all these wandering eyes. I hated it.

I run into the girl's toilets, sighing in defeat. I'm never gonna have a normal high school experience here. This is my life now.

"Hey, Marnie, right?"

My eyes snap to a very pretty girl with raven black hair and wide ice-blue eyes. I know her.

She's in the band with Reese.

"Yeah," my voice comes out shaky and uncertain.

"Hi, I'm Roxy. I'm in the band that played at the party last night." she picks up a small black bottle from her bag. "You should know you were amazing on that stage. Your voice is beautiful." she says in a soft tone.

I blink at her, not expecting a compliment.

"Umm thanks, I don't usually sing in front of... well... anyone." her eyes widen at my admission. A beautiful smile greets her lips.

"Well, you certainly made an impression. Everyone is talking about how good you sang and was that an original song?"

I nod my head, biting my lip. "You are a seriously talented, girl."

I grin, relieved knowing that this girl is being genuine. I'm scared she'll just turn around any minute and say she's joking and I sounded pathetic.

"And you made an impression on Reese, that guy is so hard to please." I slowly lift my eyes to Roxy as she paints a dark plum colour on her full plump lips, smacking them together.

"What do you mean?" I ask.

She grins. "Believe me, it took months to persuade that boy to let me sing in the band. The boys are so close and Reese wanted it to be just the three of them, but JJ begged until... well, here I am."

Her gaze meets mine in the wide, glass mirror and her eyes soften. "But with you, I can tell how much you affect him." she chuckles lightly, grabbing her bag, "Maybe you should join the band, or sing solo. Either way, you would be amazing."

I shake my head. "Oh no, that night was just a drunken mistake."

She looks at me with a thoughtful expression and then her lip pulls up at one side, her eyes sparkling.

"Maybe, or maybe it was the beginning of something."

She walks past me after saying goodbye and I'm left standing here confused. What does she mean by 'beginning of something?'

By lunch, I could feel the burning stares of students in the cafeteria and murmurs all around me. While I wait in line for my food, a few girls in front of me watch their phones intently. My body becomes alert when I look more closely and I hear my voice. Then I gasp when I see my face on the bright screen.

Someone recorded me singing. Oh no.

After collecting my food, I run to the table where Sky greets me with a warm expression. I return a smile as I hear more whispers around me.

'There she is...'

'Did you hear her sing...'

I hide behind my blonde hair, looking down at the table in front of me.

What have I done?

I'm already the school's outcast and then I make the dumbest decision I could ever imagine. What did I expect? For people to swarm around me asking for my autograph?

I just wished for friends, I wanted to be liked and to feel important to people. Also, a little part of me wanted people to hear my music and my voice.

I wanted to be heard.

Now I know what a big mistake I've made.

I glance at the one person I stupidly thought I could rely on because I somehow thought I had a connection with him. He sits at his usual table surrounded by his friends, but he looked down, lost in thought.

As if sensing my stare, his green eyes snap to mine and I freeze. He looks at me so closely, that I can feel my face heat up like a furnace as he assessed me from across the room.

What is he thinking about right now?

Does he want to talk to me again?

Does he want to kiss me?

Does he regret it?

I yearned to kiss him that night at the party. I fear it was only me who felt that connection between us. His eyes narrow before looking away from mine and focusing on his lunch tray.

Guess that answers my question.

I sigh in defeat, the blonde next to him catches my stare and a sly smirk appears on her thin lips.

Suddenly, she places her hand on Reese's neck, turning his face towards her. She angles his face to hers and then she crashes her lips to his. Pure rage burns through me as I glare over at the pair passionately making out in the middle of the cafeteria.

What surprises me the most is that he doesn't pull away from her and my heart drops from the disappointment and jealousy I had no idea was in me.

Do I like Reese?

I can't believe I have these sorts of feelings for the school's bad boy. The one boy I'm not supposed to like.

Looking over at him now with his tongue down the blonde's throat, I realise Sky was telling the truth. Reese breaks hearts.

And I don't want to be another girl to add to his list.

My heart is already broken from so much pain.

🌟🌟🌟