On Mute

Chapter 22: I Need You

Everyday went the same, with him staring forward and me setting my chair as far away as possible. There was a tension in the air, I could sense it. His whole body was ridged and his jaw was set at a strange angle. I wonder if he noticed I could see the stress in his posture? He saw me staring and the temperature fell around me.

                 "Can you stop?"He snapped.

                 "What's going on with you?" I spat in anger. His eyes shot from the board again.

                 "What do you want me to say? Dad gave me the gears that night and made my life a living hell. I hope you're fucking happy."

                 "How was that my fault?" I counteracted.

                 "I'm done talking." He growled under his breath.

                 Well... fine then.

                 "Marc and his Dad had a falling out?"

                 "Yeah," I respond into the phone cautiously. Who knows how many walls have ears in this house?

                 "Jeez, that is rough." Said Brie.

                 "I am worried about him."

                 "Well I guess you should be; he seems to be rather close to you." Close...

Then his chin took up my whole spectrum and I felt something soft compress against my forehead then release. "Thank you, thank you for everything."

I can't lose him, not after that.

                 "I think I should talk to him."

                 "Talk to him, where? Didn't you just tell me he is giving you the cold shoulder at school?"

                 "He can't keep it up forever, I will get through to him, I have to."

                 I cut the line.

~X~

                 Fridays here always seem to be hot, no matter the season, or time of day. The sun is cutting through the pre-winter overcast, its heat seeping through my clothes like a ghost through a person as I ran at top speed down the path. I actually tripped, falling into the manicured flower patch that lay at the edge of the gate. I lifted myself, breathing heavily as I looked at my scraped and mud caked knees.

                 "Marc Alders to the office, Marc Alders to the office, you have a phone call." said the receptionist over the P.A.

                 "What's going on?" I heard someone whisper behind me.

                 "I heard that Alders guy is going to a major surgery or something?" Responded another.

                 "Where did you hear this?"

                 "My teacher, last period." I raised my hand.

                 "May I go to the washroom?"

                 My shaky hand found a good hold on the gate as I found myself back on my feet. My muscles pumped and flexed as I raced up the hills and leaped down the steep greenery. Every tree seemed to pass; bending in my vision like it was trying to block me.

                 The gravel felt like knives under my converse, my feet turning raw as they were brutally pounded against the ground. He can't leave, he can't leave yet. He would never... he could never...

                 "Marc, when were you going to tell me?" He stepped from the office, his bag and coat poised to be put on. He was not staying.

                 "What do you mean?"

                 "You're going to surgery, that really dangerous one." He backed up, his sneaker bumping the wall.

                 "Who told you?"

                 "What does it matter?"

                 I rounded the corner, the creek coming into full on view. Not much longer now. My eyes darted wildly, trying to find that large steeple which could be seen just above the canopy of trees.

                 "What matters is that you kept it from me, why?"

                 I heard a car engine, and suddenly a pair of headlights appeared from behind the crowd of bushes.

                 "I kept it from you because I didn't want you to worry, I thought if I kept you at arm's length... severed ties... you wouldn't be troubled."

                 His head turned as he looked my way through the window.

                 "Marc..." He came closer, leaning down some to see at my level.

                 "I am scared Abigail, and.... I don't think I can do this without you."He turned, throwing his bag over his shoulder.

                  They passed, but those black eyes never left my mind... even when they disappeared.

                 "I am with you!" I screamed finally, falling to my knees as the tears welled up. "I'm with you... I'll always be."