Silencer

Chapter 4

Sara-Beth remained silent for the rest of the day into the next morning. She
was silent when her alarm went off in the morning, when she was in the shower, when she brought her breakfast into her room to eat alone, and when she went on the bus to go to school; her bandages now accompanied by a red wool scarf.
She was silent on the outside. But in the inside, all Hell had broken loose.

'It's not that bad kid, you just have to look on the bright side of things!'
'Really Salem, like what exactly?!'She snapped back.
'You could be dead.' Was all he said.
'Yeah, I know. Jane died instead, remember?' Sara internally frowned. She felt like he was thinking on what so say, because he didn't talk for a long time.
'Everything happens for a Reason, remember that.'
'But why does it all happen to me?'
'I don't know, but just keep your head up and we'll get through this.' She could feel him smile at her. But she didn't join him in the act.

She hated everything about her current situation. Her face was ruined, her mind was a tattered mess, and her best friend and main source of protection from her classmates was gone. The only gleam of hope that she could hold on to was the thought that Jasper and Jack would be waiting for her in the main hallway, ready to welcome her back and get her through the day.

The song 'Partners in Crime' by Set it Off was filtering through her electric blue earbuds; the fast paced music was matching to the rapid movement of Sara's eyes. It was strange, the accident hadn't necessarily made her A.D.D. worse, but she was becoming less reactant to the medicine she was currently taking. She was back to the constant distract-fullness in her mind and senses, never being able to focus on something for more than a few seconds at a time. When she had told her physiatrist about this; she had said that she would prescribe a new medication if this continues. Hopefully that would be soon because she didn't know how long she could stand this for.

SARA'S POV
The bus pulled up to a group of brick-walled buildings, defaced with graffiti drawings of peace and love, almost in an ironic sense.
The bus slowed to a halt in front of the largest building. The students quickly filed out, I being, as usual, the last one off the bus. Before I hopped out, I was stopped by the bus driver.
"Good to have you back kid." She gave me a warm smile. I replied with a genuine look of thanks before exiting the yellow school bus.

As soon as I got off, Jasper's head could immediately be seen from the crowd due to his height. I got a sudden feeling of nervousness while standing in the middle of the hall. I stared down at my feet, wondering what they would think of me.

'What could I say to them? They'll probably hate the bandages. Oh God, what if they bring up Jane. Well obviously they would, she was their friend too. But-'

My thoughts were shattered like glass when a hand placed itself on my shoulder. I looked up to see Jake smiling at me at eye-level, with Jasper looking down at both of us.

"Hey." Jake spoke softly
"H-hi." I internally winced at my stutter. My voice was hoarse and cracking, which shocked me. A single tear roll down my cheek, being absorbed by the scarf when it reached that far down my face. I looked up and met Jake's eyes; they showed sadness and sympathy.

"How ya' feeling?" It was Jasper that spoke this time.
"G-good. I-I guess." I replied
I can no longer meet their eyes due to the fear that I would burst into tears.

I was shocked when I felt his arms wrap around me. He was taking shaky breaths like he was about to cry too. Without thinking I let the thin wall of composure dissipate and I cried an abundant amount of tears. All three of us sank down to the floor, Jack holding me in his arms and Jasper holding on to my shoulder. We sat in the middle of the hallway as hundreds of students passed us. I was sad and depressed but I also felt safe.

It was the first time in a long time.

I had my friends at my side, ready to
keep me safe as we faced all of our demons and helped each others with our own.

I was happy.