mute. - Phan

one.

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[Dan] -

I shuffle my feet, stumbling onto the bus for the first day of school. I was new to this school, the whole state really, and I wasn't very excited for new experiences.

The whole town was decent sized, pretty big actually. I love the food. I moved to the United States when I was little from here. Not exactly here, but pretty close to where I live now. I grew up there. Everyone liked me because my accent. Then, when I was 15, so, two years ago, I was hit by a decent sized car. That damaged much, leaving scars, not too big though. My brain needs time to develop when I'm in school, so I don't get everything right away anymore. Sometimes I can't write notes or anything really because my hands got a bit wrecked since then.

That year, after I got hit, it became really hard for me to keep living with myself. In class I couldn't focus. So, I've learnt to hate myself instead of loving myself. I used to cut, I finally quit that. I still suffer from depression and anxiety though. I have nightmares and anxiety attacks. I get all shaky. I get nervous easily. And the only thing that I don't do, is talk. I don't speak. I don't laugh, I will smile but it's pretty rare actually. That's why I'm here now.

I look around and the brand new faces and struggle finding a seat. My head drifts up and I sit next to a boy with ruffled hair, as to he was the only one who gave me a smile.

'Sorry, can I sit here? ' I wrote on my board and he read it with a nod. "So, are you like sick or something? " I shook my head and chewed on my bottom lip. I opened my marker once more, erasing the words I jotted down before. 'I'm mute. ' He looked at me concerned and nodded again as if he couldn't talk, or in my case, wouldn't talk. "Well, I'm Chris. " he gave me a warm smile and I wrote down underneath my words, 'Dan. '
"I'm so lucky it's an easy name! " he winked and patted my shoulder, "so, you're new right? " I nodded. "I'll show ya around the school, help you with your classes. Can I see your schedule? " I handed him my schedule, he looked it class by class and nodded each time. "Okay, I can help you. All of our classes are like right next door, but I have only one class with ya. " Chris had a bright smile on his face. This kid seemed nice. Maybe one day I'd say a few words to him. Who knows?

We got off the bus, me waving at the bus driver as I jumped from the last step onto the floor. Most people think I'm childish ever since the car hit me, but I just likes to think that my brain brought out the cute part and moved it to the front. Yeah,  maybe I am childish now.  Eh. 

We walked to the main hallway which also held the cafeteria. I looked around,  no one interesting.

Chris walked me to my first class.  His voice was soft when he spoke,  "I'll meet you at these exact doors when class is over and the bell rings,  okay? " I nodded and gave him a small smile.  I was only being nice,  same thing he was doing.  "Bye. " I watched as his body grew smaller and smaller as he walked further down the hallway.  His first class had been passed the main doors but not too far down. 

I walked inside,  opening the door slowly and shot my new first period teacher the first look. 

"Hello! You must be Mr.  Howell! " she pauses,  looking at her desk which then laid a paper as she read,  "Dan!  Dan Howell.  Welcome! " she pointed at the board,  "We'll be writing notes.  It looks like you'll b where for two hours instead of one like everyone else! Uhm..  You can take a seat in the back. " her voice grew louder as she announced to the class,  "Everyone welcome,  Dan." everyone shot him a smile as he made his way to the back.  Some people even waved. 

I sat in the seat she directed and pulls don't a notebook and a pen.  I looked at the board and squinted,  the view was too small.  I usually had no problems seeing things far away but the words were just too tiny.