Silence

Chapter 3 - Runners

We parked in the student lot and made it to our classes. Same old boring classes and teachers who aren't the nicest. I️ have been in this school for 3 years now and this will be my fourth because I️'m a senior. The teachers at this school never bother with me, and I don't think I've ever spoken to a single one of them. Ever. They don't even ask me to stand up for presentations, they know I'll either write a paper on the topic instead or just take an F.

Once the bell rang ending my last class I went to my locker and took out my bag with my running clothes and tennis shoes in it. I walked over to the girls bathroom and entered a stall to change clothes. I heard the bathroom door open while I was changing and abruptly stopped. Two girls walked in and started talking about their last class. I can see them walk past through the crack from the stall door. One has blonde hair and one has short brown hair with glasses. Both I don't know but have seen around school. They are "popular" as you'd call it.

"Did you see what she was wearing?" The first girl asked in amusement.

"She tries so hard to fit in when she doesn't even have any friends," the one with glasses said.

"No Kaitlin your forgetting about mute girl," the blonde one said back to her. I rolled my eyes, realizing that I'm mute girl, which means they must be talking about my best friend Lauren. And of course I'm mute girl.

"Hannah, you saw her makeup today? She wears so much. Like, It's just school. She must be trying to impress someone," Kaitlin said.

"Well I heard she's depressed because no one likes her and that she cuts herself, but I mean look at her, if I looked like that I probably would hate myself too," said Hannah. My eyes widened.

That's part of the reason how me and Lauren became friends. People spread rumors about us that are completely untrue. I don't really care when they're talking about me, but it hurts a little when it's about Lauren. They left the bathroom after reapplying their lip gloss. After all of that and they are wearing lip gloss. Hypocrites.

Poor Lauren. She is so beautiful, slim and average height. Not the best grades but she tries. So what if she likes to put effort into the way she looks. She likes it. Lauren loves makeup and I️ don't get why they care. She doesn't need anyone else to like it. And she is not trying to impress anyone. She's happy and not depressed and she does have me as a friend no matter what.

I shrugged off the girls disgusting opinions, finished changing my clothes, and put on my running shoes once they were gone. I lifted my hair up into a ponytail and left the bathroom.

Once I got to the sidewalk in the front of our school, I lifted my foot up on the bench that said "Star Cove Public High School." I stretch my legs and then my arms before plugging ear buds into my phone. I have one text message.

MOM: r u running today?

Same message everyday. She doesn't seem to understand that the only time I don't run is when it's raining. In the morning for breakfast and a text about running, that's our conversation most days. She doesn't talk out loud to me much either. It's been awhile since she's tried I guess. I look up at the sky. You never know what the weather will be like in Louisiana. It's definitely sunny today. It's mid September, but it's still very warm. So I am gonna run because it's something I enjoy. I love it.

I send a quick text back. Yes.

I put the ear buds in my ears but leave the music off. I like the sound of nature, and if people believe you are listening to music, they tend to not bother you. I feel very rude to have someone talk to me and I️ just stare not able to speak back to them. I start jogging on the sidewalk for walkers and runners. Not many people run anymore which is a good thing for me but not for them. Some people from my school should really consider exercising instead of lounging in their bedrooms snacking on greasy foods and sugary drinks.