Silence is not Golden

Vol 2 Part 5

Cole

11 February 2017

Monday 8:00 am

"So you are friends with Riley Mount." A girl says, coming up to me.

Why does this keep happening to me?

"Yes." I say patiently.

"How?"

Excuse me?

I try to think of a response but that automatic one is repeating itself.

"Excuse me?" I ask.

And she repeats herself.

"No. I heard you. I just can't believe you would ask. And repeat it too. Wow."

She glares at me.

"You have no right to speak to me like that." She argues.

"You have no right to ask what you did."

She looks down, suddenly seeming sad.

"I'm jealous." She states plainly.

"I don't even know your name." I reply, dumbly.

She looks at me wide eyed.

"It's Sarah. I don't know why I was truthful with you. Bye." She walks away.

Now I understand Ri's reaction to her on Saturday.

----- ----- -----

Ri

13 February 2017

Wednesday 1:30 am

I hear the door chime and look up. Making eye contact with Cole. He smiles and I smile back. I hear a whine and look at Jude.

"Mind if we sit with you?" Cole asks, walking up.

"Not at all." I reply, still smiling.

He hands Jude to me and walks away.

"Where'd your friend go?" Lyla asks.

"I imagine to get a high chair."

Cole comes back.

"See," I say, gesturing to the piece of furniture.

Lyla winks at me.

"What can I get you?" She asks Cole.

"Chocolate chip waffles combo and plain waffles combo."

Lyla writes it down and winks at me again.

"Does she think I can't see her?" Cole asks.

"No. She's just teasing me. I'm usually alone when I come in. Unless Anya can't sleep either."

"Right. Your Irish twin. Tell me more about her."

Jude starts playing with my necklace.

"She's cool. She's into photography, especially candid photos." I grimace.

"Don't like having your picture taken?"

"Don't like having my picture unknowingly taken. She quit cheerleading this week."

"How do you feel about that?"

"Uneasy. She loves cheer. I feel like it has to do with solidarity to me."

"Why?" He asks, confused.

"Because I cheered until last semester."

"You were a cheerleader?"

I smile at Jude.

"Your daddy doesn't believe me."

"I believe you. You're super flexible. I just can't imagine you hanging out with the cheerleaders."