Mute

Prologue

Five Years Old

 It was July 25th, Audrey's fifth birthday. All the family was over and they were having a huge barbecue. Audrey was playing around with her cousins. Laughing, singing, and dancing around. Being the bossy little girl she was, even though all her cousins were older than her. This had been the last day she talked. This had been the last day her mother had seen her happy or actually smile. Her mother wasn't sure what happened to her bossy little girl. All she knew is that she gradually stopped talking that night and over the months she stopped looking happy. She was only a little girl how could she become depressed.

 Before school started Audrey's mom took her to a therapist. She wasn't sure if she would talk to them, but it was a try. "Audrey can you at least draw something. Anything to help me help you." Audrey took the pen and paper from his hand. Setting it down on her lap and drawing the picture. When she was done she handed it to the therapist. When he tried to show her mom she snatched it away. "Mrs. Bradford can you please wait in the waiting room for a minute." She looked hurt, but she went anyways.

 "Now show me the drawing again Audrey." Audrey set the drawing up on his desk. Smoothing out the wrinkles she created earlier. "Is that you?" She shook her head at the body with a black hole. "What does that mean Audrey? Are you being 'sucked' into a black hole? Are you feeling lost in the inside? Do you not know who you are anymore?" When did she ever know who she was. She was only five and later was going to be diagnosed with Selective Mutism. Audrey shook her head to all three.

 She felt like a part of her was missing, maybe her soul. On her birthday she felt as if she lost her self. Wasn't sure where she went and without that little girl she couldn't talk. Audrey wasn't sure if she ever knew who she was. She was just starting to learn and then it was all taken away from her. Fast and quick. One minute she was having fun and talking, and the next she was out of her body.

 Audrey had gotten her first friend that year. His name was Bradly Stevens. He had just moved into the neighborhood. Audrey and her mother went to their house for dinner once they were settled. Ryan thought it was weird that she didn't talk. His mom tried to explain it to him, but he never really understood. It was weird to find a little kid that was mute. He learned to love it though. He would talk for hours and she would just listen. Giving him signs that she was listening. Sometimes she would give him a smile. One of the first that were actually real. She never audibly laughed though. He had never heard her voice. Something he wanted to hear. He just wanted to know what she talked like.  

 "Audrey I love you," he told her after a few months of friendship. She smiled big and gave Bradly a huge hug. "Do you love me too?" She let go of Bradly and shook her head. Audrey then gave a Bradly a kiss on the cheek.

The most affection she could show at the age of five, but they knew this was friendship love. They had a bond that Audrey hadn't had with anyone since she became mute. They hung out every day after school. They spent time at each others house, eating dinner and watching silent films. It was a thing to watch silent films. It was like a joke they had. Sometimes they'd watch the same ones over and over. Playing records that Bradly's mother had and dancing. Micheal Jackson was Audreys favorite and Queen was Ryans.

Seven Years Old

 Audrey and Bradly have known each other for two years. They're never out each others sight unless Bradly is at school. Audrey is still home schooled. Not having any other friends other than Bradly. She didn't mind though. He liked her quietness and she liked his voice. Sometimes he would sing to her. He wasn't good, but she loved to hear it. Sometimes she loved to hear it more than Micheal Jackson.

 Audrey still has her therapist. She's been diagnosed with Selective Mutism. Her mom doesn't think she is. She never talks. There's nothing selective about it. Her therapist just wants to be able to put a name on whatever it is. Audrey draws a picture every session. Trying to explain her self without telling exactly why she is mute. She didn't want anyone to know. Especially her mom.

 "Audrey can you draw down your feelings," Dr. Holden ask? He hands her her pad and a pencil. She starts to draw another big black hole. She'd done this since she was five. Drawing big black holes on every paper. Some would have another person in the background, but she never told who it was. "You feel empty?" Audrey shook her head. "Can you give me any hint why you feel empty?" Audrey shook her head 'no'. She then gave him a look, one that she gave every session. It read 'I'm sorry for wasting your time'. Audrey then got up out her seat. She went to find her mom in the waiting room. Leaving the therapy session.

Fifteen Years Old

 Audrey's mom is desperate to hear her daughters voice again. It's been exactly ten years since her daughters voice. She's pleading for her to talk. Tears are streaming down both their faces. Loud sobs come from her mom, but none from her. She can't do what her mom wants. She's trying, but she's scared the first thing she says will be why and she doesn't want to tell. "Please Audrey, please," her mom cried. "Just tell me whats wrong. Why won't you talk to me?"

 Audrey doesn't know what to do. She hugs her mom tight, but her mom pulls away. She doesn't mean to hurt her daughter, but she can't hug her now. Before walking to her room she gives her a daughter a kiss on the cheek. "I love you baby girl."

 Audrey has started school this year. It's her sophomore year in high school. Bradly and her go to the same school. She's still not talking and has no friends. The teacher is informed of her disorder, so she is never called on. Audrey makes straight A's. If she could talk she would be considered the teachers pet. Audrey likes being in school even though people think shes weird. She learns new words every day. Words her mother would never teach her like cuss words. At lunch she sits with Bradly. Listening to him talk about her day and she looks around at the people. Their clothes, smiles, hair, faces, and their body language. "I'm glad you decided to go to school." Audrey just shakes her head, giving Bradly to thumbs up. "I'm going to go talk to Jason." Bradly gets up from the bench and gives Audrey a kiss. "Love you," he whispers into her ear.

 People at school thought they were dating, but they weren't. No one understood the bond they had. Bradly also had a girlfriend, but she lived in a different state. She's extremely sweet to Audrey. Audrey could almost call her a friend, but decides not too. She likes Bradly in an intimate way, but knows he'll never like her that way. She's close to loving him and in a matter of years it will be exactly that.

A/N

Hello. I deleted all my other stories and decided to start with this. It's something new and I really hope you like it. Please give feedback because that would be helpful. Nothing on my long paragraphs though because I love long paragraphs. Sorry, but not sorry. Anyways I love anyone that will read this and  just keep reading until it's done.