No One Hears You

Chapter 2

Three years later...

        The pesky motives of Adrian's untied shoelaces lure him to the worn floor. With his back exposed, multiple scenarios race through his mind, upsetting the tranquil emptiness he fights so hard to maintain. Despite being the only person in the room, he can't help but feel the silent presence of an unknown soul.

        "I've got to get out more," he mumbles under his breath while tightening the last loop on his hand-me-down sneakers. As he rises to his feet, a chilling stare flashes in his eyes as fierce as lightning. Without a moment's hesitation, Adrian charges out of the door, entangled in an unforgiving web of fear, guilt, and deception.

***

        On a path propelled by utter disgust, a pack of generic trail mix slides across the metal tabletop. It lands in the lap of a generous, well-meaning (albeit forgetful) gentleman who is only trying to help a friend.

        "I'm sorry, Denni," he offers pathetically, knowing the more words he says the more trouble he will create for himself.

        He carefully watches the side profile presented before him, noticing the drum of fingers on crossed arms and the slight outline her tongue produces in her cheek. If she scrunches her nose he knows he's in for a lecture.

        The silence between them grows unbearable to which he ends with a simple, "Fine."

        Denni pivots in her chair and beams at Justin, excitement dancing in her warm brown eyes.

        "Are you serious?" She inquires with a hint of feigned shock in her tone.

        Justin rolls his eyes dramatically in an effort to mirror her theatrics. "You knew I would give it to you even if you didn't stiff me the way you did."

        In contrast to her merciless sling, he gently drives a pack of Skittles along the table, avoiding the sticky syrup trap someone must have left days ago. Humored at the sight of Denni ripping the wrapper and chugging the candy, Justin struggles against the urge to skip class and spend the afternoon teasing her for having an adult tantrum.

        "You know," she manages in between chews, "I should hold you hostage for forgetting I hate raisins." She pours more candy in her hand with lady-like grace, then devours the pebbles with a savage toss of her head.

        Shaking his head with a soft chuckle to himself, Justin denies her accusal. "Actually, I brought you trail mix. There is a difference."

        "Yeah, but you're such a good guy that you would have gone out of your way to find something I would like," she casually retorts, not knowing how deep her words have cut him.

        He's always the "Good Guy." The one who brings her snacks in between classes and offers his if she's unsatisfied with the first choice. Truly, they are both bought with her in mind. He simply doesn't have the courage to admit his feelings are deeper than high-fructose corn syrup and potato chips.

        "You're right, Denise," He affirms with a nod. "I am a good guy, that's going to get a good job after getting a good grade on this test."

        Justin stands with a fresh determination to succeed in life whether his value is consistently overlooked or not. One day, the right woman will know exactly who he is and why they have crossed paths.

        Denni silently offers him the last Skittle with the slow ascension of her arm, unintentionally pouting at the thought of him leaving her. Justin locks eyes with her, attempting to express a sincere smile rather than the weak one his heart musters.

        He gratefully accepts the Skittle and flicks it into the air, impressively rescuing it from its descent with his mouth.

        "I love it when you do that," She breathily admits.

        Justin shrugs. "It's just a Skittle, Denni."

        With a single wave of his hand, he slips through the flock of students reluctantly shuffling toward the exit sign, leaving a piece of his heart with Denise that he just can't seem to pick up yet.

        "Why don't you order us some pizza?" Jessie lazily drawls, her feet teasing the wall while lying supine on her twin-sized mattress pad.

         With an exaggerated huff, Denise stops mid-fold to glare at her. "Are you even trying to make your half of the room look presentable?"

        Jessie rolls on her stomach and shoots daggers in return. "Come on, you act like they actually inspect our rooms."

        Denise rapidly taps the neon yellow paper from orientation that she has taped on her closet door as a reminder that she is here to do her best and pave a way for her family. Her brothers and sisters deserve an escape from the chaotic turmoil they endure daily under the supervision of their mother.

        "According to the Dorm Stipulation sheet they gave us last week, they do."

        Uncaring, Jessie hops off her bed and trudges toward the bathroom. "All I'm saying is, I'm hungry," she yawns.

        The thought never occurred to Denise that she possesses the qualities of an uptight roommate, due to her application of leadership skills and commitment to cleanliness being values that are second nature in adulthood. It is quite clear that she and Jessie are not products of similar home environments.

        Nevertheless, the thrilling joys of folding laundry and organizing drawers dull in comparison to the notorious elongated cheese pull of a double-pepperoni pizza from Harry's. Deciding she deserves a break for her dedication to achievement, she scoops up her phone from her bed and dances over to the coupon book on her desk. Next to the University Handbook, she finds it to be one of the most helpful resources they were given during the first week.

        She flips toward the middle of the book to find Harry's and is seized between the pages by her admiration for Justin and his ambition. Only he would enroll in four honors courses and look forward to taking a test during their second week.

        A twinge of sadness overcomes her senses and drags her heart into a stew of guilt. She remembers the aching smile he forced before leaving this afternoon and gently places her hand in her lap. No one should ever be that kind yet experience the type of emotion that would invoke such an expression. She knows deep down that it's a consequence of her lack of reciprocated affection for him, which isn't necessarily the case. Denise will go so far as to admit she has feelings for Justin, but not the type that are inappropriate when you're in a relationship.

        She makes sure to draw a firm line in the sand of her Emotional Island's shore. Yes, she is burdened with the responsibility of recreating the boundary every time waves of adoration or uncertainty assail with a mighty crash, however, she will draw the line 1,000 times in a day if it means she can keep Justin as a friend and Devon as her loving boyfriend. He treats her much too well to deserve disloyalty or disposal. There has to be a balance in maintaining both relationships and she will go to whatever lengths necessary in order to keep them both.

        "It's more than just Skittles," she whispers to herself.