Loving The Loner

Chapter 1

~Caleb~

"Why did you have to leave me! You told me you would never leave. You lied! I need you now and you aren't here!" I cried in front of my mothers grave.

It's been 3 years since it happened. 3 years since I my entire world got turned upside down. 3 years since I lost my will to live. 3 years since I had to move in with the Cohen's. 3 years since i last spoke to another living person. Worst of all, 3 years since i lost my mom, the last remaining Byrne.

After sitting here talking to my mom who's voice will never respond, I get up off the dewy grass and drag myself back to my 1966 grey Austin Mini Cooper Mk1 998cc. This car is the only thing I have left of my mom. This was the first thing she bought with her own money after her parents kicked her out for getting pregnant by my -now dead- dad at 17. My dad's parents took mom, they died of old age by the time I reached 12, my dad died from brain cancer not long after.

8:39. I release a sigh before turning on my car. Guess it's time to go to school.

School has never been great for me, not even when mom was still alive. I get picked... a lot. I'm an easy target, I don't talk back. Why argue if I believe what their saying is true?

Walking into my own personal hell with my head down I head to my locker.

"Hey freak! Where do you think you're going, huh?" Not wanting to make it worse I turn around and face my foster brother Jake Cohen and his two goons Justin and Tristin. "Not gonna say anything, eh?" He continues. "You're the reason your mom is dead. You're the reason she killed herself."

'No, no I'm not. She didn't kill herself, your drunk of an uncle slammed into her car.' Is what i wanted to say but instead i kept my mouth shut knowing he'd just tell Fred. Fred is my foster dad. He's a cop who thinks his son is a saint. Oh, if only he knew the truth.

"Boo-Hoo mommy's dead." He mock pouts. "Go cry to your dad about it, oh wait you can't he left you too. Even your parents didn't want your worthless self. You're nothing but a burden. A waste of space. Worthless, that's what you are, worthless." Jake tells me. It's not like I disagree. "I wish you would do everyone a favour by following in your parents footst-" He gets cut off by the kindest soul this world has ever known.

With her 5'2 height, blemish free ivory skin, silky waist-length wavy light brown hair, stunning silver grey eyes, light freckles over her cheeks and nose and the voice of an angel Paisly Miller is the most beautiful girl I have ever had the pleasure of seeing.

"How could you wish that opon anyone?" Paisley asks looking completely appalled by his words.

"Can you not see he's a freak! No one would miss him. He won't make it anywhere in life, he's nothing and nothings don't get anywhere." Jake states. He's not wrong. Nobody would miss me, they wouldn't even realise I'm gone.

"How can you say that? His life means something and just because you can't see the potential of anyone other than yourself that doesn't mean he doesn't have any." She fires back.

She's defending me.

"Who would miss him, hmm? You left that part out." Jake retorts with a smug smile. She didn't answer because he's right.

She looks me in the eyes. Silver connects to Hazel. "I would miss him." She says softly, shocking both Jake and I. She would miss me? No, that's impossible. No one would miss me, no one cares enough. This is a joke. I never thought she'd help them prank me like this but I guess i was wrong. With my shock quickly turning into hurt and anger I clench my first before turning and speed walking to class.

Just before I'm out of hearing range I hear Jake. "I almost believed you for a minute there." I was right. She did help them prank me. Maybe she's not as kindhearted as I thought.

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It's the last period before lunch, also known as my least favourite subject, English.

As usual I'm sitting in the back corner by myself like every other day. Except it's not like every other day. Paisley has glanced at me 14 times since class started and that was just 20 minutes ago. I try not to make eye contact with her but I can't help but notice the distressed look on her face from my peripheral vision. I can't figure out why though.

A few moments go by before the teacher starts to talk again, pulling me out of my thoughts. "For this assignment you will be handed a sheet of questions. Each sheet of paper will have different questions on them. You will also be getting a Partner, that I choose for you, you may not complain or switch partners, these will be your partners till the end of the year. You must ask the questions to your partner and write down what they answer with." He explain's while handing out the paper's and pulling popsicle sticks with our names on them out of a can.

What are we, 10?

I don't pay attention as he calls out the names until I hear mine. "Caleb Byrne and Paisley Millers." Instant whispers.

"How will she answer, he doesn't talk?"

"I feel bad for her."

"He's a freak."

Paisley looks at me, smiles and then makes her way over to the desk beside mine. "Hi Caleb, I'm Paisley."

I know.

I just look down at my paper again not bothering to reply. I know it's rude but she was the one who made an even bigger joke out of me this morning.

"Not a people person, huh?" She tries again. I just shake my head. "We could meet at my house or a park after school if you'd be more comfortable talking there." How thoughtful.

She sighs. "I know you think I said what I did this morning as a joke, but I didn't. Every word I spoke had truth behind it. So please, will you come to my house so we can do the project?" I searched her face for any sign of a lie. When I couldn't find any I hesitantly nodded my head.

And she smiled. I made her smile.

"I will wait by my car at the end of the day for you, okay?" She asks to which I nod.