Shattered Melodies

Prolouge

Jake's POV

The echo of the music room door slamming shut hit me harder than any punch I'd ever taken. The laughter, the voices—all of it was gone. I was alone now, with only the silence around me. It was heavy, suffocating, like it was pressing down on me, mocking me. The music that once felt like an escape, a sanctuary, was nothing more than a memory now, tainted by my own choices. I let out a bitter laugh, hollow and empty.

Jake: (to myself) What did you expect, Jake? That they'd just forgive everything?

They knew what I'd said, what I'd done, and they made their choice. My own words haunted me, the memories swirling around: trying to win them over, wanting to belong, and then...betraying their trust. My gut twisted as I thought of Hailey, Zander, Luke...all of them. I'd messed everything up. I clutched my phone tightly, desperately wanting to call someone, anyone, who'd tell me things weren't as bad as they seemed. But who could I call? Who would even pick up? My so-called friends, the Jomies, had been drifting away ever since I joined the music club, but maybe they'd understand. Maybe they'd get it, even if no one else did. Then, as if in answer, my phone lit up. It was a call from Drew. For a second, relief surged through me. Maybe they were still my friends. Maybe they could see past everything, and I wouldn't be alone. Drew's name on the screen was like a lifeline. I picked up quickly, too quickly.

Jake: Hey, Drew,

I managed, my voice sounding as cracked as I felt.

Drew: Jake. Meet us on the rooftop. All of us.

Drew's voice was flat, emotionless. A side of him I hadn't heard before. I hesitated. Something about his tone gnawed at me, made my pulse quicken.

Jake: Uh...yeah. Okay. Sure.

The words felt like lead in my mouth, but I forced myself to move, gripping my phone tighter, clinging to whatever hope I had left. The climb to the rooftop felt endless, my thoughts racing as I rehearsed what to say. Maybe they just wanted to make sure I was okay. Maybe they had a plan to make this whole nightmare go away. 

Jake: (to myself) Maybe, you still have a chance to fix this.

But when I reached the top, the looks on their faces told me everything I needed to know. They weren't smiling, weren't even looking at me like they used to. They stood together, a united front of five faces that were once my closest friends. Drew, Liam, Zoey, Lia, Henry. I searched for even a hint of understanding in their eyes, but all I found was cold distance. I swallowed hard.

Jake: So...what's this about?

Drew crossed his arms, his eyes narrowing.

Drew: We talked. And, well...we're done with you.

The words were like a knife, sharp and brutal.

Jake: What do you mean, done?

Zoey: It's simple. We don't need someone who's just going to ditch us whenever he feels like it.

Jake: Look, I didn't—

I began, feeling the panic rise up.

Henry: We don't care, Jake, we're tired of making excuses for you, tired of pretending you're the same friend you used to be.

Jake: But...but I am the same!

My voice cracked, but I pressed on, desperate.

Jake: I know I made mistakes, but that's all they were—mistakes.

Drew shook his head.

Drew: Doesn't matter. We talked, and we're done with you.

For a moment, I thought I'd misheard him. Drew had been my closest friend since middle school, the one person who'd stuck by me even through all the mess I made.

Jake: You don't mean that.

Lia: We do.

Lia said, her voice low but resolute.

Jake: Did you guys ever care?

My voice was shaking now, a mix of rage and desperation. I need to know.

Drew's face hardened, and he looked away.

Drew: No, Jake. We didn't.

Each word felt like a stab straight through me. They didn't care. They never did. As they turned to leave, I was left standing there, helpless, my please stuck in my throat. And then, one by one, they walked away, leaving me behind on the cold, empty rooftop. When I finally found my way down, my legs felt like lead. Part of me was still reeling from the Jomies, but another part clung to the hope that maybe Daisy would understand. Daisy had always been kind, always looked out for me. She wouldn't turn her back on me like the others. She'd get it. She had to. I searched the halls until I found her just outside the main building, standing by herself, her back turned as she typed something into her phone. I cleared my throat, and she looked up, her expression shifting from surprise to something more unreadable. The warmth I'd usually felt when she looked at me was nowhere to be found.

Jake: Hey, Daisy.

I forced a smile, tried to make it seem like I hadn't just been abandoned by everyone I cared about.

Daisy: Hey, Jake.

She said, her voice tentative.

Jake: Look, I...I know things have been weird lately. But I thought...maybe we could hang out? I could use a friend right now.

Daisy looked away, her expression hardening.

Daisy: Jake, I don't think that's a good idea.

The rejection was instant, sharp as a slap.

Jake: What...what do you mean?

She sighed, eyes still averted.

Daisy: I think it's better if we don't talk anymore.

My heart sank, disbelief flooding every part of me.

Jake: But Daisy...I thought we were friends.

She bit her lip, then looked at me with an expression that made my stomach twist.

Daisy: I'm sorry, Jake. I just...can't anymore.

And with that, she turned and walked away, leaving me alone for the third time that night. That was it. No more music club. No more Jomies. No more Daisy. Everyone I'd ever cared about had left me. My mind spun with all the things they'd said, with every way they'd broken me tonight. And suddenly, the pain shifted. The sadness twisted into something sharper, colder, until all I could feel was anger. A deep, all-consuming rage clawed its way to the surface, burning hotter than anything I'd ever felt. They would all pay. The Jomies, the music club, Daisy—all of them. I'd make them feel what they made me feel. I'd show them what it was like to be torn down, abandoned, forgotten. As I clenched my fists, something dark whispered in my ear, filling me with a power I hadn't known before. And I welcomed it.