Charcoal Hearts

1

Melody’s POV

Gosh! What have I gotten myself into? I can't believe I agreed to this! What was I even thinking?

I mutter under my breath as I step down the aisle of the large single-decker sleeper bus already filled with a lot of students.

I feel my hands and legs tremble as I sense stares from the people already seated on either side. With a thudding heart, I scurry to the back of the bus, keeping my eyes on the dark vinyl flooring.

Finally, I spot an empty seat toward the back. I quickly haul my luggage off my shoulder and slump down on the window seat, placing my bag beside me.

Once I fish out my phone and check my hair and face in the front camera, making sure everything looks alright, I let out a long sigh and lean back against the seat.

I think I look enough like Elena now. But the wig feels itchy and the makeup’s too much. I told Johny I didn’t want those fake lashes and heavy foundation. But he said it was perfect—I looked exactly like her.

Still, this is so uncomfortable. How do Elena deal with this every day? Anyway, I can’t change it now. I have to bear with it for the next three days since everyone’s already seen me like this.

I just hope no one finds out I’m not the real Elena Griffin. Gosh.

And I really hope we all get single rooms. At first, I thought sharing a room might be fun, but now the idea makes me nervous. What if my roommate figures out I’m not who I say I am? Then everybody will know. The teachers. The principal. My classmates. I don’t even want to imagine what would happen.

No. Okay. I can do this. It’s just three days. I’ll pull it off.

Right now, I just hope no one comes to sit near me. The bus has more than 50 seats and only one student from each of the 36 schools in our state is participating in this camp. So, I guess I don’t need to worry just yet. There are lots of empty seats in the front. No one’s going to bother me back here.

Oh—right. Me. I’m Melody Reigns. I’m 16, about to start my junior year once summer break ends. But, honestly? At this rate, I might not even make it back to school, considering I’m impersonating Eastwood’s best student artist, Elena Griffin, at this elite three-day art camp for next senior batch students. If I get caught… well, let’s just say I’ll probably be homeschooled for the rest of my life.

I’m not really great at school. Just average in most subjects. Not in any sports or clubs either. But there’s one thing I am good at—something no one at school knows. I draw. Comics. Digital art. I illustrate for a few broke authors online, and that’s what got me into this mess in the first place.

I transferred to Eastwood in the middle of 9th grade. Before that, I lived in Japan with my mom. Everything felt different when I came here. People were cold, and I didn’t really try to connect with anyone. By the time I wanted to make friends, it felt like nobody was interested. So, I stayed alone. Probably will be until I graduate.

Anyway, my cousins Johny and Esther go to Eastwood too. They’re both a year older than me and starting senior year next year. But they are  nothing like me. Esther's beautiful and popular. Johny's tall, loud, athletic. He’s on the basketball team. Both of them barely acknowledge me at school, unless they need something—like help with homework or art projects.

I know they uses me. But I still help them. Maybe because I’m scared they’ll turn on me if I say no. This time, though, I agreed to this insanity because Johny promised me something I really need. I just hope Johny keeps his word.

Suddenly, my phone vibrates in my hands. It’s Johny.

'Hey, is everything alright?'

'Yeah, but everyone was staring at me,' I text back.

He quickly replies. 'It’s only ‘cause you look gorgeous. Even better than my girlfriend.'

I roll my eyes at that. He’s been saying it ever since I put on Elena’s sweatshirt, jeans, blue lenses and the brown wig that matches her hair. His girlfriend even did my makeup.

I still don’t know why I’m letting them do this to me. Maybe because I thought it’d be fun—an adventure. But now that I’m here, all I feel is nervous.

Another text from Johny pops up. 'Nobody will find out, Mel. Don't worry too much. Text you later.'

I sigh, plug in my earphones, and look out the window, watching the shops and buildings blur past.

Suddenly, the bus jerks to a stop at a roadside station. I see a girl and a guy standing there with big luggage bags. I quickly lean back into my seat and close my eyes, pretending to be asleep.

A few seconds later, I hear giggles and whispers ripple through the bus. “Gosh! He’s so handsome,” one of the girls behind me murmurs. My curiosity flares, but I keep my eyes shut.

Then I hear footsteps coming down the aisle.

“Hey…”

It’s a girl’s voice.

“Hello…” says another girl across the aisle. “I know you. You’re from Cypress Girls’ High, right? Andrea Sharpe?”

“Yeah, how do you know me?” the first girl responds, surprised. “Have we met before?”

“No, but I saw your picture on the notice board when I came for a competition last month. You were listed among the school toppers.”

Before I can hear more, I sense heavier footsteps approaching—and more excited gasps from behind me.

A second later, a low voice rumbles beside me.

“Hey…”

I realize he’s trying to wake me up. Then I feel a gentle tap on my shoulder. My heart races.

I don’t open my eyes.

He taps my arm again, then starts moving my luggage bag beside me.

Ugh, please sit somewhere else. There are empty seats everywhere. Why here?

Then I feel him lift my bag—like it’s weightless—and I finally open my eyes to see him easily placing it on the rack above. He’s so tall he barely needs to stretch.

“Oh, you’re awake,” he grins down at me.

That’s when I finally look at his face—and my jaw nearly drops.

Wait… is he really Adonis Elsher?