Deaf Wish

Chapter 21

I couldn't help but stay close to him, I didn't want to let go, nor miss the feeling of his comforting touch. His hand was still on my back, and the movement has not yet subsided. He was still there for me. Claire caressed my leg, exchanging a few looks with Nathan. "Do you want to go upstairs and lay down?", she asked, her eyes slightly wet as well. I just nodded, still clinging onto Nathans shirt, not even intending to let go of him. He lifted me up in one go, holding me against his chest like a baby. Claire took the lead up the stairs and towards the back of the house, entering her room.

I could feel his heart beating rather quick, as he held me close to him, sitting down on the bed with me half on his lap half on the mattress. "Skylar, did you panic because of him?", she kneel in front of me, taking one of my hands into hers. I don't know, I guess I did at first. But after a while, I realized he wasn't going to hurt me or anything. Nodding, I lean even closer to him, seeing him as some sort of protection. That's right! He didn't do anything.

"Do you want to talk with him about it?", she smiled a faint smile, trying to build up my courage. I don't know if I should. I never really intended to do so anyway. I shrug, watching her, as she stood up. "Do you want me to tell him?" Why does she want me to tell him? It's not like I actually know him. I shake my head, loosening the grip of my hand at his shirt a little.

"So, you don't want to talk about it, after seeing for yourself that he won't do the same?", her blue eyes looked tired and exhausted, yet full of care and worry. I shrug, not really wanting to say anything at the moment. "He asked about what happened to you.", she looked back and forth between me and Nathan.

I don't know... I don't know anything! On whether I should tell him or not, or if he'd even care about it. What if he'd use it against me? Or do the same?

"Sky, stop fighting with yourself, let go of it.", she gave me a light kiss on the cheek, before sitting down next to me. I take a few deep breath, feeling the soreness of crying deep down my throat and shift a little closer to him, as I start my story. The story that changed my life for the second time.

"Soon after I lost my...hearing... there was this group... of guys... They constantly harassed me, until one day they found out... about it... me being deaf... and then... then." more tears dripped down my chin, I felt awful and sick, still shivering in his embrace as he started to pet my head. I breathe for a second than I continue. "They blindfolded me, taking me to their place. I... I couln't do ... anything... with no hearing and no sight... I was completely defenseless. They started..." why do I have to tell him about this? It's so embarrassing! I tightened my grip around him. "They started to touch me. I... told them to stop... but... but... they didn't listen. At one point, they even choked me. After a while... the parents of one of the guys came home, seeing what they were doing...they called the police... they... they were... arrested... they-",my voice broke again. I felt better after telling him, even though I was crying more than before, I felt protected, while he held me in his arms, gently stroking my hair.

Claire was still beside me, trying her best to make me feel more comfortable than I already was in his embrace. She turned to face him after a few seconds, talking to him. Too lazy to look back and forth I keep my focus on her lips, not wanting to see Nathans expression. "He had to let go of it...No, you're the first... I want him to feel better when he's with other people... But he can't cling onto me forever... I know you want to help him and I really appreciate it, he needs to learn...Make sure to take it slow though, his body easily shuts down as you may have noticed.", she smiles at me, reaching forward to wipe away some tears that were stuck on my cheeks.

"I'm going to entrust him to you Nathan, do not hurt him, you hear me!", Claire playfully hit his arm, laughing slightly.

My mind was pretty much blank, the only thing I was thinking about, was the boy sitting next to me. For the first time since the blackout, I look up at him. His face tainted with sadness and pity. Pity for what I had just told him. I didn't want him to pity me, I wanted him to smirk at me like he always does and I also want him to pet my head.

"I'm going to get you some water.", she brushes away some hair out of my face, before leaving me alone with him, still standing next to me. "I'm sorry you had to find out about that.", I whisper, not quite daring to look at him. But I guess I don't have much of a choice, since I already started a conversation in the first place.

"What are you sorry for? I should be the one apologizing, after all the things you had to go through, the least I could do is stop forcing you to do things you are afraid of. I understand now. I understand your fear and I will leave you alone from now on if that's what makes you feel better." Tears started to well up again, close to overflow.

"I don't want you to leave me alone! I still can't figure it out, but I want you to be close to me. Please don't think of this as weird, I really have no idea what I'm talking about, but you seem different! You didn't do the same things they did!", I was practically yelling at him, covering my mouth after realizing what I just said. At first he looked at me in shock, but his facial features soon smoothed into a grin as he leaned forward and patted my head gently.

I can't help but laugh quietly, I'm so glad he's not turning away from me after what has happened to me. The door opened again and a crying Claire entered the room, three bottles of water tugged under her arm. "You guys are so adorable, I can't even! Please take good care of him.", I look at her in pure confusion as she breaks into tears, running towards me and hugging me tightly. Nathan rubs her back in irritation still having a satisfied smirk planted on his lips.

After another minute or so, she finally lets go of me, rubbing her eyes a last time. "Sorry about that, it just makes me so happy.", her blonde hair was all over the place as she took a sip of the water, smiling at us.

After that, Nathan drove me home, we didn't really talk much, thanks to me falling asleep dozen of times. He brought me to my door, saying a quick good bye before leaving for his own place. But next to this weird warm feeling inside me, there is also fear and confusion. I have never felt like this before, not even with Claire. It was an awkward mixture, making my thoughts run wild sometimes or just smiling like an idiot.

But in the end we had to delay our rendez-vous to next week, since I already have plans for the next day. He seemed kinda disappointed, although he did understand that I was in no condition to go in public.