Danny Hacker.

Chapter 2: The Power Of Kindness.

I made my way to my seat in enrichment before the bell rang. I glanced up to see that Walker had already made herself comfortable and was finishing homework. "Well hello Bones Jones" I heard a voice say. I looked up to see Shawn Bradley leaning into Walker's face with a cruel smile. I wondered why he had called her that, what an odd nickname. I suppose it was because of her thin frame. She was a really thin girl, her collar bones were very prominent and you could usually see her ribs through her tight fitted tops. Walker didn't look up at the boy, barely even acknowledging his existence which made him aggravated. "Boneees Joneeees" he sang trying to get her attention while waving his hand in front of her eyes. "That's enough Mr. Bradley!" The teacher snarled with her arms crossed and her eyebrow raised. He rolled his eyes but finally took his seat. For the remainder of class Walker's eyes were practically glued to her homework. It was astonishing to watch in all honesty. 2 minutes before the bell she slid her work into her folder and organized her things neatly onto her desk with a smile. It was like nothing could pull her out of her happy place.
We walked to art together again and I didn't really know what to say to her. Honestly I never knew how to talk to her she was so incredibly intimidating— but not in a bad scary way. As we walked, out of no where Walker was shoved forward a little, almost tumbling down but catching herself. She turned around looking a little stunned. "No one ignores me bitch" Shawn Bradley's voice raged through the hallway. Shawn was a very big guy. Not fat, but extremely muscular and he could make any other guy look like a small toothpick, he could break them in half like one too. Now Walker on the other hand, as I said before, was also intimidating. But not in the same way. She was almost always smiling and her voice was sweet and gentle. And compared to a toothpick, she looked merely like a speck of dust.
Everyone, including me, was surprised when Walker's stunned face turned to a sweet smile. "You can walk with us if you'd like Shawn" she replied sweetly. I couldn't believe she wasn't trembling in fear. I looked over at Shawn to see his reaction. It went from angry to completely bewildered. "I..uh I" he stuttered rubbing the back of his neck awkwardly. She smiled and tugged on the sleeve of his letterman and said "c'mon", nodding her head towards our art class. After that Shawn was a lot less harsh towards her.
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When the final bell rang I practically sprinted out the door. I was excited to go to the Grease Garage because I heard that there was a brand new convertible there they were fixing up.
I heard the sound of bicycle tires and a small bicycle horn beep behind me. "On your left" a familiar voice called out. I shifted to the right to get out of the way and watched as Walker passed by before slowing down to a halt ahead of me. She climbed off and turned to me smiling. "Where are you off to?" She asked as I caught up to her. "The Grease Garage." I said nervously as her and I walked together. She was wheeling her bike beside her as she walked, smiling at all the trees. "You smile a lot." I said breaking the silence. She looked over at me a little caught off guard but then blushing she said, "a smile a day keeps the bad vibes away." I chuckled and looked down at my feet. Then she said "well.. since we're pointing out things about each other, you don't talk much." She said, now catching me off guard. "I know." I said awkwardly smiling back at her. Then she got back on her bike and shifted the weight from foot to foot before saying "Don't worry I'll get you to talk more someday." And with that, she smiled and pedaled away.
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"Ain't she a beaut?" Ronnie asked grinning proudly while pointing at a sleek black convertible with white wall tires and tan leather seats. "Yes. I like it." I said walking around the car, moving my finger along the smooth black paint.
"Well hey there Walker!" I heard Ronnie shout and whirled around quickly with surprise. Walker was holding a bouquet of white roses in her arms wrapped in thin gold paper. "I've got the roses you asked for!" She said sweetly smiling down at the flowers. "My momma's gonna love these! Y'know her birthday's comin' up Ben?" Ronnie said grinning at me. "Yup" I replied before looking back at the car. "He don't talk much" Ronnie said rolling his eyes. "So what do I owe ya?" He asked fumbling with his duct tape covered wallet. "It's on the house Ronnie. I hope your mom has a wonderful birthday!" She responded smiling. "Well ain't you just the sweetest little peach!" Ronnie said excitedly seeming to be slightly surprised by the kind gesture. "It's no problem at all! I'll see you boys later." She called as she climbed onto her bike and raced away.
"What a sweet girl." Ronnie said smiling at the flowers before laying them on his workbench. "Well you're welcome to stay as long as you like but I gotta head home to give these to my momma. You mind lockin' up before you go?" He asked dangling the garage keys and throwing them to me. "Sure thing." I said as I caught them and waved him goodbye. I liked to hang around in here because of the quiet. Silence has always been my favorite. It's like a medication for my stress and anxiety. No one talks to me expecting me to answer. Nothing to distract me. Nothing except my thoughts. Usually my mind was as blank as a freshly unwrapped canvas, but lately it's been overflowing with thoughts about one thing. One person more specifically. Walker Jones.