Seen Not Heard || BOOK 1

Up In Flames

^Idina's voice and ukulele playing^

Chapter Nine ~ Idina

I run until I reach the music room, my favorite place in the entire school. Where my writing merges with music to create a beautiful piece. Today, though, I need someone else's words to express my feelings. I grab a ukulele that sits on top of a stool and sit down as I strum and sing.

Oh, oh, our love is running into a burning building
Oh, oh, our love is scattered ash with a burnt up feeling
Feel the heat so we started running
You know you saw it coming
But the memories are still in my mind
Burning like smoke and fire

Rumors spread like wildfire
I held a strong ground
But I've been burning down
Cause it's like fire
Is all I hear about
And we are fading out
Don't wanna turn out the light
But it's like...

I'm no firefighter
I just need to breathe tonight
So sound the alarm
And there goes the night

Oh, oh, our love is running into a burning building
Oh, oh, our love is scattered ash with a burnt up feeling
Feel the heat so we started running
You know you saw it coming
But the memories are still in my mind
Burning like smoke and fire

Secrets in a small town
They always get around
But the flame has been put out
And I am hearing
All this small talk
They whisper as I walk
In a house, that's boarded up
So good luck

I'm no firefighter
I just need to breathe tonight
So sound the alarm
And there goes the night

Oh, oh, our love is running into a burning building
Oh, oh, our love is scattered ash with a burnt up feeling
Feel the heat so we started running
You know you saw it coming
But the memories are still in my mind
Burning like smoke and fire

Smoke and fire
Smoke and fire
Don't you know that
If there's smoke there's fire
Smoke there's fire
Smoke there's fire
No, no
Oh, oh, and now it's over
Oh, oh, I'm getting colder
Oh, oh, so tired
Burning like smoke and fire

By the end of the song, I'm crying. I feel someone's arms wrap around me in a hug and place the ukulele to the side. I don't care who it is, but I just wrap my arms behind me and around them, pulling them in tighter. I feel their hair stroke against the back of my neck. I cry into their arm which is covered by a black jacket. After I'm done I turn my head around to see Farkle looking down at me, almost crying as well.

"Farkle..." I sniffle out. He shushes me, then continues to hug me until we both can feel my breathing and heartbeat returning to a semi-normal pace. He comes around the front of me and sits on a stool next to me.

"You're voice is amazing you know... Idina I'm so sorry," he whispers, "If I had known what Missy was going to do I never would have told Mr. Matthews to call on her."

"How could you know she had stolen my journal," I start, "how could you know she would tear apart my life in seconds?"

"I should've known better and that she was up to no good. I should've known those were your words, and I should've known to stop her during the moment. I should've known to protect you," he says. I chuckle.

"Why would you protect me? You barely know me. She's right I'm invisible. I don't deserve you or Maya or Riley or Lucas. I deserve to be alone. I deserve to not be alive," I cry he puts his hand on my shoulder.

"Don't ever say that again," he says, "You deserve everything in the world. I'm just sorry I can't give it to you." I stand up and start frantically pacing as I feel a panic attack coming on.

"No, I don't! I don't deserve such a kind friend like you!" I shout, "Just leave me alone! Go live your life. I'm a freak!" I throw a piece of sheet music to the ground, "Nerd!" another one flies, "Weirdo!" more music meets the ground, "Awkward!" the stool I had sat on is now on its side, "Geek!" I'm at the window staring out as I turn around to Farkle, "I..." he swiftly but gently wraps his hands around my face, pulling me in closely. Our lips almost touching, I can smell his skin.

Then we hear the door creak open.