Mutation, they said. Being mute was a mutation. An abnormality, and not many people were actually diagnosed with it. Hah, if only they knew. If only they knew.
"Maddy? Maddy, are you listening?" Zero asked. Yes, it was his real name.
I nodded my head, coming out of my thoughts.
"Maddy, what are you always thinking about? You're always staring off into space. I just wish you'd tell me," he said. He was my best friend, but even he still thought I couldn't talk.
I shook my head, grinning.
He rolled his eyes. "Women," he muttered.
I looked at the time, then grabbed a piece of paper--I always had a notebook handy--and scribbled 'I've got to go.'
"So soon? Come on Maddy, can't you stay just a little bit longer?" Zero pleaded, giving puppy-dog eyes and a trembling lip to match.
I laughed at his attempt--I had known him way too long to fall for those tricks.
"Fine!" he exclaimed, giving up. "Where are you going, anyway?"
'I've got to tutor Ashton at 3.'
He rolled his eyes. "Fun," he said, his eyes full of hatred.
I couldn't blame him, though. Ashton had bullied Zero most of his life. Even at 19, he still found a way to get into Zero's head. Ashton was one of the main reasons Zero chose not to go to college.
'Not my ideal Saturday plans, but as long as I get paid...'
"Yeah, I get it," he sighed, waving his hand. "I just don't understand why you can't switch for someone else."
I shrugged, and wrote, 'To me, that's letting him win. And I'm not gonna let him win. He doesn't like having me as his tutor, either. The look of distain on his face whenever I enter the room brings a smile to my face. :D'
I doodled the emoticon as an added effect.
He shook his head, smiling a bit. "You know, you scare me sometimes."
I smirked, giving him a look that said, "I know." I gathered my things--purse, pen, and journal--and headed for the door of the small bookstore. I waved a goodbye to Zero before I exited, receiving a goofy grin and wave in return.
I headed towards my small blue Toyota, slid into the driver's seat, and sighed.
How much longer could I stay silent?
YOU ARE READING
Living Softly
Novela JuvenilMaddy Andrews was a mute. Or, that's what everyone thought. She never talked, choosing to write things instead. So, everyone thought she did this because she couldn't speak. But, everyone was wrong. She stopped talking when she was 5 and was put up...
