Hidden Melodies

Chapter Three

Copyright Joelle Blue ©

Ellie

            The next couple of days go by as they normally do. My parents are absent, I'm invisible at school, but Charlie has been texting a lot more than normal. Little jokes, asking how my day is going, sending me pictures of his food. I mean the last part is weird, but it seems like all that kid does is eat, so it might be all he has to share.

            Our school is massive, so not seeing him while I'm here doesn't surprise me, but I wish I could. I wish we could spend our lunch hours together and talk, but I'm too scared to ask. I don't want to push him away, but I wish I knew where he stood. No one scares me like he does. If he were to ever reject me or treat me like everyone else, I think that would be worse than even how my parents treat me.

            He works at his dad's business that customizes classic cars and motorcycles, and it's not just a regular old mechanic's shop. They've actually been hounded to be on a reality show, but his family wants nothing to do with it. Celebrities from all over come to them for their work and it keeps them busy. Charlie works on the mechanics and metal side of it with his dad while his uncle does the painting and custom interiors.

            I've never been to their shop, but I've looked them up and the cars are absolutely beautiful. I'd love to buy one, but that would mean going to the shop and I don't know if Charlie would want me going there. I know he kissed me, but he might not want me to just show up at his work.

            Once I get to school Thursday morning, I can see everyone is just as ready to be done as I am. I have my last final today and feel prepared. I'm not the best at school but I'm not the worst either. Today is my physics exam, and without a doubt my hardest. Luckily, it's my second class, so I can study a bit in first period then get it over with.

            The test goes as well as I expected. I know I missed a few things but think I did okay. But I am definitely ready to go decompress with a little piano session. I've had a few lyrics floating through my head and need to get them written down.

            I head through the hallway and see a bunch of people looking at a bulletin board, probably the results of a test, but they are completely blocking the walkway, so I decide to just take the longer way which goes around the other side of the building. I'm about halfway there when I hear a bunch of voices in the next hallway, and they're talking loudly. I don't really want to have to see them and walk around them, so I decide to wait until they've walked by. But then I hear my name being mentioned.

            "God, that girl has no style. Did you see what she was wearing today? Fucking awful. And that band tee? Who listens to fucking Blink-182 anymore?" whines Brandi. Uh, me, cause Travis Barker is fucking amazing. If it wouldn't make noise, I would face palm. I'm so used to her shit, that I just roll my eyes. But then my heart stops at the next voice.

            "Yeah, trying living next to her. She's always blasting that shit," Charlie replies. What? He always said he loved my taste in music. Why would he say that?

            "Oh, fuck, I forgot you lived next to her dude. Have you looked through her window yet? I've always wondered what she's hiding underneath those clothes," another guy laughs.

            "Why would you wonder that? You can tell she's such a pig. And you know what they say, can't put lipstick on a pig," Brandi laughs.

            "Well, I mean, yeah, her face isn't that great, but I would do a lot for all that money she has to have. I don't mind leaving the lights off," the unknown guy jokes, making the tears I didn't know I had well up more. "You've never tried to sneak a peak? Not even once?"