The Quiet

Chapter 2

Chapter 2

*Nathan's point of view*

            My footsteps caused the small twigs and leaves to crunch under me as I traveled through the woods. It was a warm day, I was doing nothing so I decided to go for a quick walk. It helps clear my head.

            The farther I walked, the clearer the lake was. It was about a 15-minute walk away from my house. The lake was large, very clear and clean. If you looked closely, you could see the small fish swimming around. The land was very quiet except for my footsteps. I stalked the perimeter of the lake, something caught my eye. There was something propped up against a large rock. It was a person

            I placed my footsteps very carefully, making sure to make the least amount of sound I could. The closer I got, the better I could see the person. It was a young girl. I hid behind a nearby tree, trying to get a better close. It was Athena.

            She had earbuds in her ears, the music was full blast. You could hear her music from far away. She was listening to Pierce the Veil. There was a pencil in one hand, paper in her lap then something she was smoking in the other hand. From the smell, it was most likely weed. The view was breathtaking. Athena seemed so very content with what she was doing, no worries in the world. My heart began beating faster, my anxiety was going through the roof. I moved away from the tree and made my way toward her. I guess she saw my feet and looked up.

           Before making any sort of eye contact, she pulled a gun out and pointed at me. I held my breath, not knowing what to do. She put the white roll in her mouth, pulled her earbuds out while still pointing the gun at me. Right as I made eye contact with the gun, I made eye contact with her.

           My heart nearly stopped. Her eyes were so amazing. One of them was sapphire blue, the other hazel. Now I understand what the fuss was about, they were so unique. I was already getting lost in them. I was too focused on her eyes and not the fact that there was a gun in my face. I was brought back to reality when I hear the gun cock.

           "I'm not here to hurt you, I was just taking a walk," I explained briefly. She looked at me very suspiciously. She did not speak. "I'm sorry I scared you, I just saw someone and came over."

            Athena lowered her gun, putting it back in her waistband. She placed the paper and pencil back in her hand. She pulled the joint out of her mouth, she moved it toward me. "I don't smoke," I said. She shrugged and continued her work as if I was not there. "What are you working on?" I asked.

           She showed me her paper, it was Algebra 2, a whole level higher than me. There were some things that did not click in my mind. In this school, if you were a genius you could skip certain classes, but only accelerated students. Beautiful and smart. She leaned back against the rock, trying to finish her work.

           "Do you not speak?" I asked. She shook her head. "Why not?" She shrugged. She began writing something on a different piece of paper.

           Life is better if I don't, was written on the paper.

           I nodded my head, "How does not talking make anything better?" Athena took a long hit from her blunt then blew the smoke into the air above her. She just seemed very calm and satisfied with her actions.

           "Do you know who I am?" I asked. She nodded. In a quick minute, Athena put all of her possessions away except her blunt and phone. Which was in both of her hands.

           "Do you talk to other people? Like your family?" I questioned. She took out her phone and began typing. Her phone was suddenly in my face.

           "It just depends, I don't speak to people who I don't know or trust. Past issues caused me to be mute. I speak to my parents and some family. Why do you care?" The small black font read on the white screen.

           "I guess I'm just curious. You know, you look pretty sketchy. With hiding in the woods and all, then the gun." I admitted. She let out a small chuckle from her throat. She began typing again.

           "You think this sketchy, honey you have a lot to learn. Especially in this town."

           "What do you mean?"

          "More than half of this town's population is a part of something bad. Either drugs or alcohol. This town isn't all smiles and sunshine."

           "What makes you think I'm not sketchy?"

          "I never said you weren't. You do have a bitching lip piercing though, kinda hot ;)"

         I looked at her comment and smiled a little then shook my head. "I drink but don't smoke. I lost a lot of family to lung cancer."

           "I'm sorry to hear that. Just saying, weed isn't that terrible in my opinion. Takes the edge off. But do what you want Sunshine."

           "It seems I might have to get used to it."

           "No one will force you to do things if you don't want to do them. It kinda just happens. You get too bored in this town, you need some fun."

           "I guess you have fun by drawing on your arms?" I pointed to her little drawing and words that were scattered on both her arms. I stared at one very bold writing. The words "Ay Papi" were writing in very precise cursive. She saw what I was staring at, then looked at it herself. She laughed. The sound was so angelic and loud.

           I was about to say something else to her but her phone rang. She smiled at the screen, a gorgeous smile. She clicked something and typed to whoever called her. She showed her phone to me. "I need to go, I guess I will see you around, Sunshine." Without doing anything else, she walked away from me.

           I finally spoke to the mystery girl, well, somewhat. She knew who I was.