Page 3 of Shattered Melodies

That’s when I spotted Jake and his crew, holding court at a central table. Jake’s eyes locked with mine, and a slow, predatory grin spread across his face. He leaned over to whisper something to his friends, and they all turned to look at me, snickering.

Panic clawed at my throat. I couldn’t do this. I couldn’t sit here and be a spectacle for everyone to gawk at and whisper about. The walls seemed to be closing in, the noise growing louder by the second.

Without conscious thought, my feet carried me towards the exit. I burst through the doors, gasping in the cool autumn air like a drowning man finally breaking the surface. The relative quiet of the outdoors was an immediate balm to my frayed nerves.

I looked around, desperate for somewhere - anywhere - to escape to. That’s when I spotted it - a massive oak tree at the edge of the school grounds. Its branches spread wide, creating a canopy of red and gold leaves. It looked like shelter, like safety.

I made a beeline for the tree, my feet crunching through fallen leaves. As I got closer, I could see that the trunk was thick and gnarled, perfect for leaning against. The grass beneath it looked soft and inviting.

With a sigh of relief, I plopped down at the base of the tree. The rough bark pressed against my back, grounding me. I closed my eyes for a moment, just breathing, letting the quiet seep into my bones.

When I opened them again, I surveyed my surroundings. From here, I could see other kids scattered across the lawn, enjoying the unseasonably warm day. They were laughing, tossing frisbees, sharing snacks. All of them seemed so comfortable. So at ease with each other.

I pulled my slightly squashed sandwich from my bag, taking a half-hearted bite. As I chewed, I couldn’t help but think about my old friends back in Colorado. We used to have lunch like this sometimes, sprawled out on the grass behind the school. Trading snacks, cracking jokes, planning our weekends. God, I missed them.

Now, here I was. Just some random new face in the crowd. Invisible. The realization hit me like a punch to the gut, and I had to blink hard against the sudden sting in my eyes.

I picked at the crust of my sandwich, my appetite suddenly gone. The oak tree’s branches swayed gently overhead, dappling the ground with shifting patterns of sunlight and shadow. It was peaceful here, sure. But peace wasn’t the same as belonging.

As I sat there, I couldn’t help but wonder if I’d ever find my place in this town. Or if I’d always be the outsider, watching from the sidelines as life went on without me.

I was halfway through my lunch when I noticed someone walking towards me. It was a guy with messy dark hair and a guitar strapped to his back. He had this chill, confident vibe that made me sit up straighter, my heart rate picking up a notch.

“This seat taken?” he asked with a friendly grin, pointing to the spot next to me.

I hesitated for a second, my brain short-circuiting. Was he actually talking to me? My palms grew sweaty, and I had to resist the urge to look behind me to make sure he wasn’t addressing someone else. “Uh, no. Go ahead,” I managed to say, my voice coming out slightly higher than normal.

The guy plopped down and set his guitar aside. “I’m Caleb,” he said, sticking out his hand.

“Liam.” I shook his hand, trying not to be awkward and praying my palm wasn’t too clammy. “Nice to meet you.”

“So, you’re the new kid everyone’s been talking about,” Caleb said, leaning back against the tree trunk.

My stomach clenched. Everyone had been talking about me? What were they saying? I swallowed hard, fighting the urge to bolt. “Yeah, that’s me,” I mumbled, focusing intently on a blade of grass by my shoe.

Caleb must have sensed my discomfort because his tone softened. “Hey, no worries. Small town, you know? New faces are big news.” He paused, then asked, “What brings you to our little slice of paradise?”

I couldn’t help but snort, some of the tension easing from my shoulders. Paradise? More like purgatory. “My dad’s job. We’re always moving around for his work.”

Caleb nodded, his expression understanding. “That’s rough, man. I can’t even imagine. How’s Oakwood treating you so far?”

I shrugged, picking at the crust of my sandwich. “It’s alright, I guess. Just takes some getting used to.” I didn’t mention Jake or the disaster in homeroom. No need to come off as a total loser right off the bat.

“I feel you. It’s not easy being the new guy.” Caleb glanced at me, his eyes full of empathy. “But hey, at least you’ve got great taste in lunchtime hangouts. This is my favorite spot too.”

A tiny smile tugged at my lips. Maybe Caleb wasn’t so bad. “Yeah, it’s nice out here. Quiet.”

“Definitely beats the cafeteria chaos,” Caleb agreed with a chuckle. He nodded towards my lunch. “So, what’s on the menu today?”

“Oh, just a boring old PB&J,” I said, holding up my sandwich. “Nothing special.”

“Hey, don’t knock the classics!” Caleb grinned. “PB&J is a lunchtime staple. You can’t go wrong.”

I laughed a little, feeling some of the tension drain out of my shoulders. It was weird, but talking to Caleb felt easier than I expected. Not completely natural yet, but not as terrifying as I’d feared.

“So, tell me about yourself,” Caleb said, stretching out his legs. “What do you like to do for fun? Any hobbies?”

I hesitated, not sure how much to share. I didn’t want to sound lame. But something about Caleb’s open, friendly face made me want to open up, even as my anxiety whispered that I’d probably say something stupid.

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