A Mute John

The mute boy (edited)

When I wrote this before I was 14 and not that great at putting stories into words so this is now edited and slightly changed. I hope you all still like it!

John's eyes opened to fresh light on his face but was only bitter to it. It and the world. The world was supposed to be magical but it wasn't the other night. It was sharp like a knife and as cold as ice when he saw the body. His own dad's body. He already was upset at the world when his grandpa past away a week earlier but now.. Hate was practically an understatement.

The room was decorated with boxes that had labels saying "shoes" or "misc.". John got out of bed and could feel the clothes he was wearing the day before cling to him, and the tears from last night soak and stain his face. His feet felt like rocks, scraping against the floor and grabbed the clothes for the day. Outside his room he went and as he trudged, boxes were pushed and so was the door to the bathroom.

Jade, the not too skinny, black haired, dork face, was peeking at John. " Hey John," she gave an almost smile to him, hoping he would speak now. But to no avail, John looked at her, gave her a stare, and went into the bathroom.

He turned on the water and let his shorts fall off and tried to pull his shirt off, only to get it tangled on his neck. He recovered as the shirt was thrown down to the floor and he hopped in the shower letting the heat in case him.

The heat crept through the small room, fogging the mirror and giving heat to every crevice. John just wanted to evaporate like the water and just "disappear". Maybe I am like it right now.. I'm here, but I feel like I'm not.

The heat drains out of the dense room with a boy, damp and clothed. This was the eventful and depressing day. The day they left for Houston. Their dad had saved for years to go see John and Jade's pin pals. They didn't want to move really but they had to. Two teens were not going to cover the bills for the big suburban home.

The door was pushed open and John stepped in the empty room. He stared for a moment at everything. Where his desk was, the wall that had held the posters, his bed, all spooky and stuff. But now it seemed so.. Hollow.

Jade interrupted his thought process with a small voice, " While you were in the shower I got the moving van. I was thinking I'll drive it and you drive the car. Jake gave me a pair of old walkie talkies to use for when we need to stop or something," she shrugged her shoulders and bit her lip. He just gave an eyebrow rase that said alright.

He started down the stairs to bring out the heavies like his bed frame and desk. They loaded for an hour till it was almost finished. Jade gave out a sigh that could only mean she wanted a break. John knew and they both headed for the car. The closest fast food place was their destination. Subway was the chosen one and Jade ordered for both.

John knew what was so close to this time. In just another two hours and we won't come back here for maybe ever.. Even if we do it would be to visit Jane and Jake. Everything just feels like it's slipping through my fingers even though I'm trying to keep it in my hands...
"John? Are you okay? You've been staring for a bit.." She could see his eyes snap out of the trance and started to nod almost as if uncertain. She didn't believe but knew she couldn't actually do something.

The subs were now history and the house was in present view. An engine stops and keys are turned out of the ignition and two almost normal looking teens step out of the car. Everything can seem so normal to the eye but it really never is.

John heads straight in and immediately grabs the last of the things. Small boxes heading into the car as there was no more room left in the Uhaul. Jade pitching in and making sure everything is secure. The packing was finished so fast after their past brake they both just did the most casual thing in their past routines that was so non casual now. They walked their way to Jane and Jake's and those two saw them before a knock was needed.

"Hey John and Jade," Jane's voice stayed soft, to not trigger them. "Hello guys," Jake was naturally a bit louder but still comfortable. You could just see in their eyes the sympathy and the want to just give them an eternal hug. The younger two knew these were the best of best friends one (or two) could ever have.

"We just finished packing everything and have to leave sometime soon," Jade slightly trailed off "and we couldn't leave without seeing our two best friends," she managed a smile. Jane and Jake gave their saddened expressions and knew it was time.

"Hey John," John's eyes looked to Jake, "I want you to have this. It's not a joke or anything on you but these kinda mean a good bit to me. When we all became friends and I mean Dave, Dirk, Rose, and Roxy too, all at the same time, this was what really got me into all the nerd stuff you people have dragged me through. And I'm glad you especially have!" He handed John a box a bit bigger than both of his hands and started to tear up. John looked surprised and hugged Jake tight.

After the long hug, they pulled away and John started to open the box. He could not believe it. It was the cat ears that had came from Dirk. It was a joke but it truly was what pulled them together. Another hug was in order and indeed received. The water flow had started from John and Jake while there was even more in the background with Jane and Jade.

"I'm going to miss you with every ounce of my heart!" Jane had started crying after revealing a sending out cake with the words "We already miss you!" on it. They were now presently hugging and talking of how they won't lose touch.

Time finally had to pull them away as they gave their goodbyes. John and Jade now gave each other the knowing and scared expression and started to get into the separate vehicles. The keys inserted and turned. Two engines start up next to each other.

"Alright. Let's go John," sounds through the walkie talkie.