Burn || 5sos (discontinued)

Chapter 4

I woke up the next morning and ran to the bathroom. I brushed through my knotted brown hair and quickly braided it down the side. I applied some foundation and swiped on some mascara.

I made my way back to my room and slipped on my ripped black skinny jeans, a white All Time Low t-shirt and my red vans. I brushed my teeth, grabbed my backpack and the notes I had taken from my research last night. I gave my mom a kiss on the cheek before running out of the house.

I walked down the road and around the corner into the main entrance of the school. I walked to my locker and saw Calum, Nathan, and Garrett standing there.

"Hey Riley," Calum smiled.

"Hey guys." I waved.

"Ready for your second day at Katport?" Nathan asked.

"Eh, I'm more interested in the history of it," I replied while the four of us walked down the hallway.

"What history? This place is as boring as a room full of old ladies knitting." Garrett laughed.

"I was interested in what happened last year.... with uh, Luke Hemmings?" I stated all though it came out more as a question. A familiar chill came over me just as Garrett and Nathan froze in their tracks.

"Who?" Nathan stuttered.

"Luke. Luke Hemmings." I said.

The two boys exchanged glances as Calum stared at the floor. I could somehow feel Luke's presence with me the whole time.

"T-There's nothing special about him. Just some nerd who got too stressed out and ended it all." Garrett said.

Not true.

I heard Luke say. Although he was nowhere to be seen.

"I don't believe that." I said.

"You should. It's the truth." Calum replied.

That seventy year old virgin needs to shut the fuck up before I break him in half.

I laughed at Luke's remark he made in some way.

"What's so funny?" Garrett asked.

"N-Nothing. Just a joke I remembered from uh yesterday." I replied. The boys nodded and I felt the urge to walk away. I needed to talk to Luke.

Tell them you have to go change your tampon or something.

"No," I yelled. Everyone in the hallway silenced their conversations and looked at me.

"I-uh- I've gotta go change my hands, bye."I yelled while bolting into the girls bathroom. I leaned my back against the door and tilted my head back.

"Great. Now everyone thinks I'm mental." I said to myself.

I closed my eyes and just sat there for a good five minutes before remembering why I made up the excuse in the first place. I stood up and yelled into the open air,"Luke you had better explain to me what the hell happened in this damn school!"

Silence.

"Luke Hemmings!" I yelled again.

I can't go into the girls bathroom!

"It's just me in here it's not a big deal."

"Yeah right." Luke said as he appeared in front of me.

"Spill it, Hemmings." I said. "I want to know everything."

"You're not ready." he replied.

"What do you mean I'm not ready? I already know something's up with you because I saw the article. Everyone in this school thinks I'm mental because of you, thanks." I said sarcastically. "And I'm apparently the only one who can see you."

"You aren't the only one." He said, his gaze on me.

"Who else can?"

"I can't tell you." He said while looking at his shoes again. He wore the same clothes as yesterday but his blonde hair was hidden underneath a black beanie.

"Luke, you can trust me-" I began while reaching to put my hand on his shoulder.

"No Riley, I can't. I can't trust anybody." He mumbled as he took a step backwards so his back was against the wall. "Nobody." he cried while sinking down and burying his head between his knees. He was sobbing, and it was heartbreaking to watch.

"Luke-" I said while walking toward him, kneeling down so I was eye level with him. "Luke look at me." I demanded.

"I can't." he said before the lights flickered out for a brief moment and returned normal giving Luke the chance to vanish, leaving me in an empty bathroom and a crowded mind.