Mute (ImmortalFox)

Chapter 1

You woke up for yet another dreaded day at your school. Picking yourself up out of bed, you trudged over to your ajacent bathroom. You tried to avoid your own eyes in the mirror, but failed.

Oh your stupid eyes.

You brushed your tangled, brown hair out of your face and looked at your cheek. Your everlasting scar lay upon it; a stripe from your ear to the edge of your eye. You pretended to ignore it and finished dressing yourself for school.

After cleaning yourself up, you walked downstairs where your drunk uncle was passed out on the old battered couch. His limbs lay loosely over the sides. He had a puddle of drool slipping out of his lips. His clothes that hadn't been washed in weeks revolted you.

'He's better than Dad. At least he pays for my shit,' you thought to yourself, opening the refrigerator to examine the contents. The shelf in the door was filled with partially emptied beer bottles. You grabbed one and took a quick swig before placing it back in the door. You've never liked the taste of beer, but you would drink it occasionally. It masked your pain.

There was nothing else of interest in your fridge so you closed it and returned to your room. You picked up your bag and slung it over your shoulder. The bag was filled with homework that you didn't do. You exited the house, not bothering to wake your uncle like usual. Your 2 mile walk was long and you knew you weren't gonna make it in time. Holding your jacket tighter around you, you battled the cold, January, Colorado wind.

~~~~

When you arrived at school, no one was outside; class had already begun. You walked to your locker in the empty hallway. You opened it and placed your belongings inside, except the necessities for your first class. Your routine was interrupted when an unexpected individual slammed your locked shut. You turned to be greeted by a familiar, unwanted face.

"Hey Mute. You gonna talk to me today?" Your bully, James, greeted you with a smirk.

*

It was true. You were mute. You hadn't spoken a word since your mother died 9 years ago. That was hard as a 7 year old.

Never to talk.

You never had any friends in school. No one wanted to play with the quiet boy. You always sat alone; not because everyone hated you, but because no one liked you. Except one boy, Eddie. Your only friend.

*

When you didn't answer, James started up again. "Come on. Just say one little thing to me," he teased, pushing you forcefully against the row of lockers and pressing his body up against yours. You winced at the new bruise on your back and looked at him again. He was smiling at you.

"Oh you in pain?" He asked, grabbing a fist full of your hair and pulling hard. You winced and followed his hand, as he sucked your neck; sure to leave a mark.

When he let go of your hair, you grabbed your head and sank to the ground, several strands came away with him. James just stood and laughed at you.

"I bet you're in more pain now," he snickered. You closed your eyes, wishing he would leave you alone. He did the opposite. He slapped you right over your scar. Your clenched your teeth, a cry threatened to escape your lips, but you didn't dare make a sound. You weren't gonna break the promise to yourself. Especially not over him.

You lay with tears streaming down your face as he walked away. He just left you there to feel sorry for yourself because no one else would.