Mute Songbird (boyxboy) -Complete-

Dinner Party

I stormed out of the restaurant and went to wait in the car.  I was LIVID and refused to sit and listen to them throw out any more ideas of how to 'fix' me, or ask if my parents had noticed any other 'weird' behavior, or if they were worried I would become a psychopath.  Seriously, aunt Mary actually asked my mother if she felt she could trust me.  What the hell does that even mean?  Like I'm going to murder them in my sleep? 

And then the whole 'who will take care of him once you're gone' conversation was really the last straw.  I couldn't sit through one more minute of that dinner, cheesecake for dessert or not.  What if I DID need permanent help?  What was it to them?  My parents would have moved mountains to get me any care I needed but luckily I didn't need it.  Yet.  As if I didn't worry about having another stroke and getting worse?  Who did they think they were?

Mom tried to talk to me on the way home but I just kept my headphones on and locked myself in my room once we were back.  My aunt and uncle were following right behind us and there was NO way I was going to venture back downstairs until they had left.  The state.  I was good at hiding and waiting; they had to go back to their hotel sometime.

After awhile I changed into my pj's and tried to get some sleep.  This day had been pretty much a huge bust and I figured that the sooner it was over, the better.  I was just getting relaxed when I heard the doorbell.  I was awake then, and cracked my door open to see if I could hear anything. Dan's deep baritone drifted upstairs and I sat up, then quickly slipped a shirt on.  I couldn't go down there but I couldn't leave him with them either.  Granted, Dan was pretty much a freak who got along with adults, so maybe he would be okay?  I crept into the hallway and perched at the top of the stairs.

"I don't understand the question, Sir.  He helps me a lot more than I help him.  We don't have many classes together but he helped me pass the last math test.  I definitely wouldn't have scored a high B without him" I heard Dan say but his voice wasn't melodic and chipper like I was used to, it was lower and almost... angry?

I couldn't quite make out who was talking, my mother and aunt Mary had very similar, quiet voices.

"How is it KIND of me?" Dan asked.

Must have been Mary; this was not going so well.  I had to cross my fingers and pray that my mom would save him and send him upstairs.  Quickly.

My uncle's voice rang out but I only caught about half of it.  Something about volunteer work?  Or college?

"No one!  Are you really asking me that?  I don't mean to be rude Sir, but are we talking about the same Asher?  Because the one I know is great.  He's funny and kind and absolutely amazing."

A woman's voice, then a pause.

"We communicate just fine.  If you'll excuse me?" and then I heard Dan's footsteps. 

I jumped up and made it back into my room without being seen.  When he knocked I opened the door and pretended that I hadn't heard anything.  I never claimed to be mature.

"You didn't answer your phone.  Are you okay?  I was just worried" he said, running his hand through his hair nervously "and after talking to those, your, um, THEM, I get it.  Are you okay?"

I let him in, obviously, but wasn't sure how to answer.  I wasn't really fine but I sure as hell didn't want to talk about it.  'Fine.  Sorry.'

"What's that second one?  The circle on your chest?"

I grabbed my phone, realizing sadly that it was dead, then threw it onto the bed and grabbed my notepad.  Sorry

"No problem.  What was it?"

Sorry you dumbass.  "Sorry"  I guess it wasn't really clear, maybe the quotes would help.

"Oh, the sign is sorry.  Got it.  So obviously you didn't get my messages because your phone is dead but you were supposed to text me, remember?"

Dinner sucked, sorry didn't text.  Came back, music then try sleep.

"You're getting lazy.  It's fine, I get it.  Well, I guess I should go.  I um, I should warn you that your aunt and uncle, and maybe your parents too probably aren't real happy with me.  I really didn't mean to cause you any trouble."

Didn't.  Don't worry.  I heard the door close and then a car start and looked out my window.  I had never been happier to see a car leave.  I moved closer and he pulled me into a hug.  His arms felt amazing wrapped around me; they were warm and strong but gentle and really comforting all at the same time.  I didn't want it to end but I did want a kiss.  I got it too, and then one more.

"I really need to go.  Charge your phone and text me tomorrow?"

I nodded, then watched as he headed down the stairs.  Would I have been brave enough to go check on him if our positions had been reversed?  Probably not.  I had just climbed back into bed when there was a knock on my door.

"Asher?" my mother asked.  "We need to talk.  First thing tomorrow, before church.  Okay?"

I grabbed my flashlight and flicked it on and off towards the bottom of the door so she'd know I heard.  The question was, what in the world was so important?