Silence

Chapter Thirteen

Oakley

That night I barely slept at all. I lay in bed, staring at the ceiling, overthinking everything that was happening with Cole. I really liked him. Too much. So much it would crush me if it all went to hell.

I prayed he felt the same. His actions suggested that he did, but I was so out of my depth here I didn't really know what to think. If he could be friends with me for nearly eleven years without us saying a word, my silence wouldn't matter to him if we were actually together, right? Sighing in frustration, I turned on my side and squeezed my eyes shut. Second-guessing myself every two seconds was driving me crazy.

I woke up about an hour later to my phone alarm beeping loudly. Quickly turning it off, I forced myself to get out of bed and not hit the snooze button for five more minutes. I was still tired from barely sleeping and felt like crap. Today wasn't starting great, but I had a feeling a certain blue-eyed boy could change that.

After a long, hot shower, I got dressed and went downstairs for a much-needed hot chocolate. I rarely drank tea anything else. Hot chocolate was the drink that turned me into a human in the mornings.

"Good morning, sweetheart," Dad chirped, looking up from behind his paper. Why was he so cheerful? I smiled meekly, waving at him sleepily, grabbed the biggest mug I could find and made a hot chocolate. "Didn't sleep well?"

Sleeping well wasn't something I really did anymore, but last night had been better and worse. I got even less sleep, but my mind had been filled with something else. Something good.

I shook my head and sat down opposite him, wrapping my hands around my boiling drink. Dad's eyes bored into me, but I pretended I didn't notice and focused on flicking through one of Mum's Better Home magazines.

"Hey, Oaks," Cole sang loudly and cheerfully as he walked into the kitchen. I grinned, so grateful he was with me now too. I didn't like being alone with Dad. I could never quite predict his behaviour and how I should act.

Cole grinned and sat down beside me. He took my mug and stole a sip of my hot chocolate. How was he up and out so early? I guess he slept properly last night and hadn't spent hours stressing over what was happening between us. I frowned and pressed my head against the table, making Dad and Cole laugh.

"Hurry up and finish your drink, Mia said we're leaving in fifteen minutes." He gave me the drink back.

Why did I agree to go shopping again?

Taking two large gulps, I handed the rest to Cole and made myself go and get dressed.

I had always wondered if Cole would believe me if I ever did manage to tell him everything or if Dad was right and everyone would believe him.

As much as I wanted to believe Cole would choose to have faith in me, I could never risk it. In just over two years, I would be eighteen and could leave home. There was no point in ripping my family apart and hurting so many people when I'd leave soon anyway.

I quickly got ready and sprinted downstairs. Cole stood as he saw me enter the kitchen.

"See you later, Max," Cole said as he made his way towards me.

"Bye, kids. Have fun," Dad called after us.

"Ready for this?" Cole asked, scrunching his nose up.

I nodded and smiled. Well, sort of anyway.

Mia was waiting for us in the car outside my house, tapping the steering wheel impatiently. I jumped in the front seat and stuck my tongue out at Cole. He raised an eyebrow suggestively, which set my bloody face on fire.