Mr. Silent Boyxboy

Chap 14: Old Friend

The Bold Italicized Text is Oliver's writing

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I reluctantly lift my shirt up to reveal the discolored bruises on my stomach and back. I hope that he doesn't get up and walk away, that's usually what people do. They see my bruises and cuts and think that i'm some type of trouble, not wanting to be bothered with me. He runs his hand through his hair and hugs me tightly, "God, Ollie. I'm so sorry." I nod swallowing hard, trying not to break down. I back away from him and scratch my head. Trying to think, trying to remember.

He sounded exactly like him....like the kid in my memory, except his voice was deeper. I take the frozen vegetables off of my eye to see clearly. His eyes flash blue and I gasped. His eyebrows scrunch together, confused.

Another forgotten memory enters my head. It was the same kid from before. He had the same confused look on his face as I was explaining to him why I wouldn't talk. When I see that he doesn't understand, I erase the board and try again.

I'm afraid I might sound like my daddy. He's a mean scary man and I don't wanna be like him at all.

The kid wraps his arms around my waist and hugs me close to him, "Don't worry, Ollie, you won't turn into your dad, I won't let you," I sigh and wrap my arms around his neck, playing with his soft, brown hair.

I look towards Mitch's short brown hair. He follows my eyes, quickly putting his hand on top of his head, searching for something that isn't there.

"Is there something in my hair?" he questions.

I chuckle and shake my head. You just reminded me of some kid from a memory.

His eyes light up and he beams from ear to ear. What?

"Nothing," he moves my legs off the couch and sits in their spot, putting my legs back on his lap. "What's his name?"

I think for what seems like forever trying to connect a name with the face in my head. I don't remember.

His smile tones down to a frown. He mumbles under his breath, "So you don't remember everything,"

I sit up straight with my back against the arm of the couch. What are you talking about?

"It doesn't matter. Do you need more ice?"I groan in frustration and pull Mitch back down to the couch.

No, I don't need more ice. You are going to explain what you meant. What don't I remember?

He wipes at his eyes with the heal of his palm and looks at me slowly, "That kid in your memories...well that kid was me..."

I scoff at him and shake my head. Don't lie to me. Tell me what you really meant.

"I'm not lying to you!" he barks, "When you looked in my eyes earlier you thought of something. What was it?"

I was telling him about why I wouldn't talk.

"You were in sixth grade sitting on a bench after school; right?" I nod slowly, "The first time you explained it to him he didn't understand so you had to erase your board and say it again. Am I getting close?"

How do you know all this?

"Damnit, because I was there, Ollie! I said that you were never going to end up like your father and then I hugged you like this," He pulls me towards him and wraps his arms around my waist. My arms slowly make their way to his neck. Why i can't remember him? He was my best friend but I have no memory of him....

His shoulder accidentally nudges my swollen eye and I recoil backwards. "Oh, I'm sorry. Are you okay?"

Numerous images hit me like a ton of bricks and I nearly fall over the arm of the couch. It's the kid again, except we were younger, maybe fourth grade. He and 4 other kids were standing around me, was on the floor looking up at them.  

"Take his lunch," the biggest one commanded. Mitch stepped forward and reached for the bag that i clenched tightly in my fist. 

When I didn't show any signs of letting go, he kicked the side of my stomach. My hand let go and drooped the bag of food to reach for the now pained side of my stomach. Mitch leans down laughing. He grabs the bag and runs off with his friends as I hear a teacher approaching. The man leans down next to me. 

"Oliver, are you okay?" I nod, ignoring the tear streak down my cheek. He nods slowly, "Ok...then come with me," He helps me to my feet and we walk towards his office. I turn back once more to see Mitch and his group of friends glaring at me from the playground. He stuck his tongue out of his mouth and raised his fist. 

I refused to tell the teacher who hurt me, so they sent me home instead. I remember coming home and writing to my father about Mitch and what happened. This resulted in him beating me and putting me in time out for not standing up for myself. 

I shake my head roughly, trying to get out of this memory. It takes a while, but Mitch's living room slowly reappears in front of me. Mitch is holding me against his chest. I guess he's been doing this since it started. I push away from him and a look of confusion crosses his face.

You bullied me! Don't you think i'd remember that also!?

He sits up and shakes his head quickly, "No, wait. I didn't mean that we were kids. It was just fun,"

I shake my head, not believing what i just heard. My face grows hot and my hands ball into a fist. Why would he do that? Fun! How could you call that fun? You made my year miserable!!

"Fun wasn't the right word, Ollie. Look I--" I lift my hand up. 

Fuck you, I'm leaving. Anger is overpowering me and it's taking a lot in me not to punch him right now. I limp towards the door, but he gets up and follows me.

"Ollie, you can't go back to your house," He reaches for me and I snap around to face him. I push him back and he trips on the bottom step of the stairs. I grab my shoes from the ground and run out the door. My body is screaming at me to stop but I keep going through the unfamiliar neighbourhood. I finally reach a park near by and collapse into the grass underneath me. Forgotten memories flood my head one after another. Some were happy with Mitch and I jumping on his bed. We played football in his backyard and had the best times at his birthday parties. The other memories were drowning those out. Pictures of him punching and kicking me on the playground. He reminded me of my father. 

I clawed and the grass below as my tears soaked the ground. My chest ached and it took all my strength to get up and trudge towards the bench a few feet away. It wasn't the most comfortable bed, but it will do. I lay on my back and put my hands over my eyes. I didn't remember anything....for years. I fold my arms over my chest as a cold breeze flies past me. Why couldn't I remember anything? What happened to me? I don't remeber anything..... 

I break down again and sob into my hands. It's all coming in so quickly and fading away at the same time, I can't handle this. Today's events hit me fast and my eyelids become heavy. I turn to my side and rest my head on my hands. I need to sleep after today. 

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A/N: WWWhhhhaaaa this story already has almost 1.6k reads. Thank you so very much. Have a terrific day/afternoon/night whatever time it is, have a good one- MJ <3