Silence is Golden

Chapter 16: December 2010

I began walking myself to school every morning. Every trip seemed to take longer and longer. Each time, more people stemmed to get an early bite out of me. I just couldn't take a break from these people. This made me exhausted.
My mother got up later and later each day. Sometimes, she would still be stepping by the time a good home. Other times, she was calling for me, giving me a big hug right when I walked through the door. She had almost stopped eating, and so did I. I told her that I wouldn't eat unless she did. I keep my word.
What hurts me the most is the crying. Late at night, I would hear her sobbing. Of course, I couldn't go comfort her; she thinks I'm asleep but then.
It's been a month since she's been like this. I wish I could make her laugh again. I missed my mom. At lunch today, I fouls math a nice little empty spot in the back of the school and watched as the tears begin to soak into my pants. I couldn't stop over I started crying. I wish I did when Rain came. I didn't want to look vulnerable to her.
She just stayed  there watching me as the tears continued to spoil out of my eyes. It was embarrassing. I looked at her through my tear filled eyes, eyebrows knitted with fury. What do you want?
The corners of her mouth pointed upwards, just a little, giving of a kind looking smile.
You looked lonely. She answered.
So I let her sit with me, everyday, as she accompanied me as I cried my eyes out.
Of course, I didn't tell my mother that. The same reason why I didn't tell her that Dad ended up in jail. She was in too much pain to handle the information. And so, I kept everything to myself. It was easy when I couldn't tell anybody anything.

One day, as I was just about to finish my daily sobbing and really to head to my next period, Rain showed up, holding hands with Ian. I flinched so hard, my backpack flew into the bush behind me. With wide eyes, I stared at the man in front of me.
"Aiden, I want you to meet Ian."
I've already met him.  I gestured, mad as hell. What was she doing with a bastard like him.
"Babe? Why are we here?" He asked quietly, leaning towards Rain.
"I believe you guys got off on the wrong foot. I'm forcing you to make amends."
As they continued to bicker back and forth, I sat there, shocked at what I was witnessing before me. Rain was dating... Ian. I could barely believe it.
"Ian, honey." She stained to get out, "Aiden is still a human. You got the whole school to turn against him. You need to fix this."
There was a moment of silence where they started at watch other. "Or else in going to leave you." Rain added.
Ian looked at me, his facial features filled with annoyance before smiling at me.
"Hey man, how's it going."
He walked up to me, retrieving the backpack that was stuck within the bushes. He roughly wiped the dirt off of it before handing it to me. I carefully grabbed it, as if I was scared to wake the beast within him.
"So, I'm sorry I punched you. Like a lot of times during your first week here. Truce?"
He stuck or a hand for me to shake, a genuine look of shame in his eyes. I quickly glanced at Rain. She smiled a radiant smile as if her OTP had finally set sail.
He must really like her.
I put on my best fake smile and shook his hand, excited for the peaceful future this may promise.