Silence || Dreamnotfound Omegaverse

Chapter Three: Quiet

George POV

I don't know how long we stayed like this, but eventually, my body remembered that there was absolutely zero food inside of it. My limbs slowly released their grasp on the alpha's clothing, and he did the same.

However neither of us moved to sit back down, instead, we just stared at one another, taking in each other's changed features.

He was a lot taller than me, taller than everyone in our friend group in fact. His sandy hair was longer than it used to be, his bangs hung loosely over his eyes, it was a lot messier. I liked it.

He had earned more freckles on his face, probably from his love of being outside without sunscreen on. His eyes were still as yellow as ever, although I've been told many times that they are apparently green. They were striking no matter what color they were.

My lips pull upward into a smile. "I missed you," I almost whispered, although it was loud enough for him to hear, seeing as he too smiled. He grabbed my hand and pulled me back to the table for us to sit.

Clay must've been making a face at Nick because he suddenly starts talking to Clay as if he had said something.

"Don't look at me like that dude, he didn't tell any of us that he was back. We didn't know until this morning. It's not my fault you were with the principal," Nick said. Clay sat down next to him and began making movements with his hands.

Wait. Is that sign language? Why does Clay know sign language?

"Ok yes that's true I could've told you during AP Lit, but I thought it would've been nice for it to be a surprise, like it was for the rest of us," Nick replied to whatever Clay had said.

It felt like my head was spinning. Why wasn't Clay talking? Why did Nick know sign language enough to be able to talk with Clay? I don't understand.

Karl must've noticed my visible confusion because he cleared his throat loud enough for it to have been on purpose. Nick and Clay turn to face me, and I can see the realization hit both of them.

Nick opened his mouth to speak, but hesitates, unsure of what to say. Clay pulls out his phone and begins typing. Karl and Nick remained silent, picking at their food as we all waited for Clay to finish.

Clay hands me his phone, it's opened to notes, with a small paragraph written down.

*i know this seems weird to u since we haven't seen each other in so long but i've been like this for a while now and everybody is fine with it. it started a couple of years ago and everyone learned asl so we could talk properly :)*

I looked up and handed Clay his phone back, my expression unreadable to even myself.

I don't know what to do right now. I don't know how to react, or what to say back to him. Everyone had just accepted this without a second thought?

This is so different from the Clay I knew when I left.

That Clay was loud, out-going, and charismatic. His laughter could light up a room and make everyone around him smile. That was not the Clay that sat across from me.

Why did they let him slip away?

He offered a smile as he took his phone out of my hand, I returned a forced half-smile, unable to do any more than that.

Alex finally arrived at our table, saying something about how he was held back after class for trying to start a debate on the first day. I don't really listen to what he's saying, I only stare at Clay who signs something towards him, making the other three burst out in laughter.

I watch as he smiles with them, but no more than that. Not even a snicker. Nothing. He remains silent as the rest of the table continues in their fit of giggles.

And how the rest of lunch went. They continued to talk about random things that had happened during the school day, whether it be complaining about teachers or seating arrangements. Clay was actually quite involved in their conversations, his hands rarely stopped moving.

I was not participating. I couldn't.

The bell finally rang, I nearly jump out of my seat and start walking to the exit, slinging my backpack over one shoulder. That is until I feel a firm hand on my shoulder, the smell of orange soda washing over me.

I turn and see Clay standing behind me, holding out his phone having typed something on it.

*what is ur next class?* was all he had typed.

"Calculus with Mr. Bomb," I replied, short and to the point. He grinned as he pulled his phone back, typing out a new response.

*me too :D* I couldn't help but smile at the stupid emote he had put at the end. At least something hasn't changed about him.

"C'mon then, let's not be late," I said tugging and his arm sleeve.

We left the cafeteria together and entered our class, picking seats next to each other towards the back of the room.

We sat in silence for the entirety of the passing period before the final bell rang. The teacher started to go over the syllabus, which both of us had heard several times already today. I had zoned out, not staring or thinking of anything in particular when I felt a light tap on my arm, and a phone nudged in my direction.

I looked down to see what he had typed.

*i can't smell u*

That's what he was thinking about right now? Not the fact that he couldn't give me a better reason for him becoming mute but the fact that he can't smell my scent.

"Yeah, I'm on scent suppressants dummy," I respond in a hushed tone.

*why?*

"It was a compromise with my mother so I could come back to school. She doesn't really trust alphas to behave themselves."

I see his expression shift, he probably took some small offense to my mother's opinions with his dynamic. I don't blame him, alphas have a poor reputation for the actions of a small few.

He doesn't type anything else after that, thankfully.

I can't take this much longer.

It's clear that Clay doesn't want to go into any form of detail with him now being mute. So I need to talk to someone who won't put talk with a filter over their mouth and knows what happened. I need to talk to Nick

I stare at the clock, literally watching the seconds tick by. I can see Clay taking notes on the lesson, I can't be bothered right now.

Finally, the bell rings. I shoot up from my chair, backpack already around my shoulders. I don't give any form of goodbye to Clay, not even a look back.

Will I regret that later? Probably.

But right now I need answers. I need to know what's happened to my Clay. 

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1190 words

this is getting reads apparently???

thanks to those who have somehow found this in the span of >24 hours since i published it lol

we're finally getting into the meat of this bad boy

ily <3