AN: First time writing something like this so go easy on me. Hope you enjoy!

P.S. Apologies for any spelling mistakes, especially of names; spellcheck doesn't like me atm... :)

Rythian pulled his hood further over his head whilst simultaneously turning up the volume on his phone, drowning out the sounds of the crowd around him as he made his way through the busy school corridors. It was stupid, but the sound of his favourite band and the hood pulled tightly around his head made him feel better; even if he still caught the occasional people whispering and looking at him.

He continued walking through the crowd, dimly hearing the bell go for class through his headphones as people started to gather their bags. Rythian was always prepared though, already packed, already ready for lesson and halfway there. He was always ready for everything.

Perhaps that's why no one doubted the rumour about him.

Rythian's eyes narrowed slightly as he passed a certain group of people who looked at him unashamedly, quickening his pace slightly. A mixture of emotions were painted on their faces - anger, uncertainty... With just a touch of concern. It was really a beautiful picture as he walked past them, the group of people he had once thought were his friends.

Friends didn't turn their backs on their friends though so, really, they had never been his friends.

That's what he told himself every time he saw them, every time his chest ached, when he saw them and especially... Her. Out of all people she was the one who he'd have expected to believe him... Or even listen to him. Turns out she was the angriest of them all.

Then again... He reasoned to himself as he past them and felt their gazes pierce his back, she probably feels the most betrayed.

He angrily shook his head to himself, hunching his shoulders further as he opened the door to his class, shutting it behind him carefully and closing off the whispers and glares of the world. He was the one who was betrayed. They hadn't even listened to his side of the story. Not that he could tell them it anyway.

Sighing, he drew back his hoodie and pulled off his headphones, heading towards the back of the classroom. He was always first to his lessons, which meant he always got first pick of the desks. Once it had been used to save chairs around him for his friends... Now it was an escape to take the desk in the corner with only two chairs; one for him and one for his bag. No one cared - not even the teachers. Everyone was wary of him... he despised them all sometimes. The additional advantage was that the seat was right next to the window; this meant that those who looked towards him were half blinded, allowing him to remain half hidden by the shadows of the room.

Setting down his bag beside him, he collapsed heavily into the chair beside him, running a hand through his messy hair. He rarely took off his hoodie except for when he was alone but even his hair needed a break from the protection of the hoodie. He wanted to draw the scarf away from the lower half of his face too; but he never did that. Not even when he slept. The only time it was ever removed was to remove it and replace it with an identical clean scarf in the safety of his room; quickly and where no one could see him.

He was startled out of his thoughts by the door opening and the sound of laughter coming through the door. Hastily, Rythian pulled up his hoodie once more and turned his attention to his books, glancing occasionally up to see the various students enter, exchanging smiles and gossip. Stupid gossip. At least it wasn't about him - they wouldn't be smiling if it was.

When some of his former friends entered, however, he faced down and refused to look at them - he couldn't bear to see them laughing and chatting together without him. It was too painful. He could hear Lewis and Simon laughing at something Hannah had said whilst Kim made an innuendo that Duncan groaned at, causing Chris, Alex and Ross to laugh and further it. Thankfully some of the others weren't in this class, like Sjin and Sips; it was painful, they weren't his main friends, but there was a high majority of them in this class. Also, thankfully, Zoey wasn't in this class... Well, form. He could at least be thankful she also never took English or Science.

The bell rang again as the last of the students filled in, setting their books and pens on their desks as the door opened moments later to show a very over-enthusiastic teacher at the door.

"Good morning class!" He chuckled, not moving from the door.

"Good morning Mr Ridgedog!" The students muttered back, mostly not responding as it was a Monday morning; no one should be enthusiastic about a Monday morning. Rythian muttered a "morning" under his breath, not audible to hear but enough that he could claim he wasn't being rude.

"Now, class, I have some exciting news! We have a new student!" Ridgedog practically beamed at the class as they all shifted, looking at each other with raised eyebrows and craned necks towards the door. Rythian lifted his head slightly, glancing down again when Duncan turned around to check his reaction; Rythian saw him whisper something to Kim, who smacked him playfully on the arm but otherwise ignored him. She seemed remotely unimpressed by this piece of information.

"Yes, she has just transferred so I know you're all going to be very nice to..." Ridgedog trailed off, looking over his shoulder behind the door and his smile faltered slightly. "To... Um..." He trailed off as the class looked at him questioningly and his smile wavered as he turned back to the class. "It appears our new student has gotten a bit lost, so just stay here until I find her, okay?" He smiled before walking quickly out of the room, the door closing behind him.

Immediately the class burst into shouts of laughter and conversation as even Rythian chuckled slightly to himself. He soon wished he hadn't though, as he noticed Duncan staring at him again and this time he met his gaze, narrowing his eyes. Instantly Duncan turned away, noticing he had been caught watching, and began to chat to Kim, who was shaking her head to herself.

Unfortunately for Duncan, he didn't notice that Rythian could hear him as he no longer had his headphones on, alongside the fact the average noise level of the room had risen due to the other students talking about the mysterious missing new girl.

"So, Rythian is..." He began before being cut off from Kim.

"Seriously Duncan, drop it. We can see him if we want to!" Kim snapped at him, Hannah looking over in concern.

"I'm glad that you're keeping an eye on him Duncan, but you don't have to tell us every slight detail..." Hannah said gently, Kim nodding firmly in agreement.

Lewis looked up at this point before Duncan could answer, motioning for Duncan to wait for what he had to say. "I disagree. To be honest, every slight action Rythian takes is worth noting, seeing as he doesn't talk to anyone anymore. Every action he takes just confirms..."

"It doesn't confirm anything! I agree that it's likely but has he even admitted it yet?" Kim demanded to Lewis, looking at him angrily before her gaze met Simons and softened. "Simon...?" She asked, as everyone turned to look at the small ginger bearded guy. Rythian leaned back slightly to see his face, and he regretted it instantly. Simons face was torn and he spoke more quietly than the rest. If Rythian hadn't had all the practice of lip reading everyone from a distance over the last few months, he wouldn't have caught what Simon asked. He wished he hadn't.

Simon looked up sadly as he looked at Kim. "Has he denied it yet Duncan?" He asked softly. Lewis's face hardened at the tone of Simons voice as everyone looked away from his gaze. It was Lewis who answered him.

"No."

Simon simply nodded as the others looked away from him, giving Simon a chance to look directly across at Rythian. Rythian, who was looking at Simon and didn't narrow his eyes. How could he? Simon and Kim seemed to be the only ones to doubt his guilt, but they were never alone and too easily influenced by the others. Kim would eventually listen to Duncan or the trio, who were oblivious to the conversation as they had huddled together at the edge of the table watching Ross play a new game on his phone, and Simon would always listen to Lewis. At that moment through, no one was watching Simon or him for once. Rythian wanted to say sorry, for the pain he was putting them all through - but any apology would be interpreted as guilt, and he was not guilty. All of this flashed through his mind as Simon continued to look at him, silently begging him to do something. Rythian felt a moment of doubt pass through his mind. It had been months. Surely a small sign he was watching them, that he wasn't completely lost on them, would be alright?

Rythian did all he could. Just as Simon started to turn away, he gave a slight shake of his head. He saw Simons eyes widen as Rythjan looked away. It was all he could manage. It could be a warning to stay away... Or a denial of what had just been said about him. Did Simon know he could hear him? He glanced up again and saw Simon looking at him again; this time, Rythian looked away. He couldn't risk anything else. He was already beginning to regret his moment of weakness and promised himself he wouldn't let it happen again... Yet if Simon could just see... If only Rythian knew whether he could trust him...

"Why?" Simon asked loudly, still looking at Rythian. The room seemed to quiet slightly at the loud outburst as Rythian forced all his will power in looking down at the drawing in the notebook in front of him, knowing the others would be turning to Simon, confused.

"Why won't he deny it?" He demanded to the others, mainly Kim, looking back at Rythian. Rythian inwardly cursed himself for Simons reaction. This... He reminded himself as he saw anger start on Simons face... Was why you shouldn't talk to them. They're all too hurt. Kim opened her mouth to speak, but someone hushed the class at the front of the room as a tapping noise became increasingly louder. The class looked around, puzzled, some people automatically looking at Rythian, who merely sighed behind his scarf.

Rythian frowned as the class continued to turn to look towards him, and prepared to draw his hood further down his face when he realised they weren't watching him, for once. They were looking at the window behind him, which he now realised the tapping was coming from. He studied the faces of the people facing his direction. Everyone seemed shocked, some mouths open, some crinkled in disbelief. Kim's face looked torn between murderous and panicked. What made his mind up for Rythian though was the look on Ross, Alex and Chris's faces. The usually so upbeat and cocky trio of "Hat Films", as they called themselves, were completely silence and dumbstruck at the sight behind him. Alex's face, however, was in a slight grin of appreciation; whatever was behind Rythian was clearly impressive to him.

Even Rythian couldn't resist this. Hating himself for it, he turned around to see what was behind him; behind his scarf, his mouth dropped open. Outside, hanging onto a drainpipe with one hand and tapping on the glass with the other, was a student. Rythians' eyes widened as she motioned to him to open the window; in complete shock, Rythian stood up, ignoring the class as they muttered to themselves at his movement, and opened the window. The girl beamed at him.

"Hi! I'm Echo!" The girl called into the room cheerfully as the class remained silent. Looking back at Rythian, the girl smiled at him nervously as she sheepishly asked "...mind helping me get in?"