Silence

1

The bike idled between my legs as I stared at the gray school building in front of me. I could feel the stares from the students as they wondered who I was. It had been almost two years since I had last seen any of them. I felt my body tense as the memories tried to escape, but I pushed them back down. Only three people knew about that summer and one of them was dead.

With a sigh, I turn my bike off and quickly slipped my helmet off. My short hair flew in the wind but I didn't mind. Making sure to lock my helmet in the box, I pull oh my shades and slowly make my way towards the front doors. I could hear their whispers as they tried to figure out who I was, but my face was well hidden.

It hadn't taken me long after that summer to learn how to mask every emotion I had felt. I had become a convincing liar and after a while, everyone started believing me. The sun bounced off my black leather jacket and I smiled inwardly. I've never fully been warm since then, and it could never get hot enough for me. "Is that her?" I heard a familiar voice ask but I didn't turn to look.

The girl that they knew from then was dead. She no longer existed. "It looks like her."

"She looks different."

"Mandy!" I heard my name and I couldn't stop the flinch that crossed my face. His voice caused the memories to struggle harder to surface and it took everything I had to keep them at bay. My body tensed and I didn't stop. It hadn't been my idea to return for my senior year. I was content spending my time away from everyone and everything, but my father hadn't agreed with me.

He thought it would help if I saw people that knew me before the "accident". He thought they would help bring the old me back. But what he failed to understand, that me had been murdered two years ago. But I couldn't blame him, he had no clue about what happened to me. I felt a hand on my arm and I froze. Roughly I tore my arm out of their grasp and turned around. When I saw that it was Ashley, I almost caved. She had been my best friend since birth.

"Is that you Mandy?" She asked her voice uncertain as she watched me. Slowly I pulled my shades off and stared at her. "It is you." She whispered almost as if she couldn't believe it. I didn't want to, but I made myself glare at her. It would be best for everyone if I was left alone. No one could help carry the baggage I came with now. She moved towards me as if she was going to hug me and I flew backwards.

Hurt flashed across her face, but I made sure my face was a blank page. "What's gotten into you Mandy? And what's with the get-up?" She eyed my all black outfit and I wanted to laugh.

"I don't know you." My voice was cold and hard. I had to tell myself that I was doing this for her sake. She had to be protected along with everyone I ever cared about. "And my name's not Mandy. You must have me mixed up with someone else." A gasp left her surprised face. Slowly I put my shades back on and continued towards the doors.

Never in my life would I have hurt her like that, but then, things weren't the same as they had been. Now, I had to make sure that everyone who knew me back then was protected. I would only bring them pain and hurt. Just as I opened the doors, I heard her cry. And what made it ever worse, was knowing that I had caused it. Some friend I was.

After I got my schedule, I slowly made my way to class. I didn't care if I was late or not, nothing mattered to me anymore. My eyes drifted towards the doors and the greenery of the woods. For a second, I was tempted to skip. But I knew that my father wouldn't be pleased. With a heavy sigh, I threw open the door to English and stepped in. Every eye was on me and I just glared at them through my shades.

Every teacher that saw me told me to take them off, but I wasn't planning on it. "Who are you?" The teacher asked his voice sharp and clipped. He was probably upset that I interrupted his class. Slowly I drag my eyes towards him and I almost smile when he takes a step back. Now, I would never hurt another person unless in self defense, but that didn't mean I didn't give off that vibe. And I liked the rep it brought me. No one messed with the biker chick that looked like she could break you with one touch.