Soundless

"Jake, how was your summer?"

"Jake, meet any new ladies, man?"

"Jake, have you seen Caroline?"

Various voices dive into my eardrums and all cry out at once as I stepped off the hot bus and out into the September breeze. I resist the urge to cover my ears and smile to them instead. These were my people; I couldn't act like I didn't care about them. I said a couple hello's and waved in all directions. Everywhere I looked faces were crowding me and fighting for my attention.

This aspect of my everyday life made me laugh. What about me made everyone put me on a pedestal and practically worship me? Whatever it is, I'm glad I have it. It was kind of fun being able to look down on everyone.

My eyes scanned the now thinning crowd and one face in particular caught my eye. A girl that looks to be about my age was sitting alone on one of the many benches surrounding the school. I had never seen her before; she must have just moved here. She raised one slender hand and flipped her long brown hair over her shoulder, concentrating hard on the book that lay on her lap. I watched as she silently mouthed the words she was reading; bringing them to life.

My thoughts were rudely interrupted by a screeching Caroline flinging herself onto me. I made a face and attempted to push her away from me, but to no avail.

"JAKEY BABY! So glad to see you! Did you miss me? Of course you did!" she rambled on in her irritatingly shrill voice. draping her arms around my neck and popping her stiletto dawning foot into the air, she leaned in for a kiss.

"Could you not, Caroline?" I leaned away and attempted to look around her head to catch a glimpse of that brown haired girl, but Caroline mirrored my movements.

"Something wrong, Jakeykins?" she asked, playing innocent. Just because she's Queen Bee here at South High, doesn't mean she is entitled to be all up in my bubble whenever she wants.

"Don't call me that." I snapped at her, nudging my way through the crowd. People tended to swarm and clump together the first few days of school. They'll fan out soon enough.

"But it's cute when couples use pet names, Jakey-Wakey!" she screeched.

"We're not a couple! We never were, and we never will be." You'd think that after telling someone that three hundred times they would take the hint and go away.

"But Jake-"

"Just go find your friends, Caroline!"

With a huff, she spun on her heel and strutted off towards the other populars.

I ran a hand through my hair and let out a sigh, shaking my head. I looked over at the girl. She was wildly flailing her hands at what I took to be her friend that was now seated beside her. Must be a secret handshake or something. The bell rang, and I joined my friends to head to home room.