The Mute

Chapter 10

Tyler's P.OV.

After U.S History, I meandered my way through the halls. I needed to find her. She was so different from any other girl I've ever encountered.

The fear in her eyes, and the quiver of her lower lip when she meets my gaze, enticed me. I don't understand why these people passing me in these halls taunt her, and make it all worse. Her anxiety, her pain, and her sadness only grows deeper by each passing day.

I observed all this from her body language since I ran into her. I just want to help her.

My eyes bounced around the hall, continuing to search for her. I followed along a long line of students and utilized my height as an advantage to see over them.

By the time I reached the science wing, I felt a tap on my shoulder. I turned around to see a friendly face.

"That girl you were staring at-her name is Ashley. Ashley Hathaway." Beth stated blatantly.

I chuckled, and replied, "And my debate partner. Do you know where she went or has class next? I wanted to talk to her about an assignment." I lied.

"Of course," she replied politely while grinning. "Let me show you."

I followed Beth down the crowded hall. It was easy to find her with the clinking of her red heels.

When we turned the corner and passed several classrooms, we met a dead end. Last room on the right was hers. I stepped inside, and realized I didn't have much time to talk to her.

I sought her out to the back of the room and there I found her.

Her face was flushed with worry, and fear. However, I felt her relief when our eyes met.

I realized I didn't know what to say to her, but still continued walking to her side. I looked at her beautiful brown eyes only a few feet away from me, and I said to her, "Hi... I'm Tyler. We didn't get to really talk since you ran out of there like that... I'm sorry that they treated you like that." I was gonna keep rambling like a buffoon but I held my tongue.

Her face curled to a smile and she opened her notebook on her desk to a clean page. Inside she wrote a seven digit number and tore it off to give to me.

She bit her lip. Looking at me with hopeful eyes, and suddenly we heard the bell ring.

This wasn't my class.

Yet again I was going to be late to my next class. I sped out of there while I looked back her. I saw her pearly white teeth and one hand covering her chin.

Gosh, she is so beautiful. I know this would be the start of where trouble was going to begin.

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After school, Gabe and I went to go talk to the football coach. I apologized to him for even asking about the possibility of joining the team late into the season but explained the circumstances.

Coach Dean, a wide builded man with a mustache, responded to the request, "Well, we did have a soldier twist his ankle today. He should be fine, but he's whining like a princess. I don't tolerate whiners. If you can show me your strength in practice today and your speed, maybe I can allow it."

Gabe and Eddie described coach as ,"one who is stuck in war." He feels as if we are at war with other teams on the field. His enthusiasm with the Patriot theme seems overkill to me. But I really need to butt kiss if I want to get on the team, and impress Ashley.

I was all suited up and ready for the drills that Coach had in store. Gabe lined up and got ready to be hiked the ball. Before I could even take one step, I got knocked off my feet by one of the guys.

I fell forward, and clenched my teeth to brace the pain of gravity taking over. I heard laughter erupting from the other players, and Mitchell standing over my body as I was on the ground.

Gabe didn't even signal for the ball yet. Coach rushed to my side and looked disgustingly at Mitchell.

"Is this how we treat other soldiers? Is this what you're going to do on the field? We need to unite, and work together in order to win the battle. You're just helping the enemy!" He rampaged.

Mitchell stared at the ground, almost conveying real remorse for what he did.

Coach helped me up and we resumed the drill.

I was a running back at Blakely High, starting pitcher for our baseball team, and gym class hero.

He made us run till our faces were pounding and dripping with sweat.

This was a cake walk to me. Growing up on the farm out in Blakely, I ran in the blazing heat practically everyday with my.. my brother.

Joshua, my little brother and my biggest fan, left this world too soon.

I realized I need to to snap back into the present. There was no time to dread on this now. I was running around following the guys but hardly gone after the ball. I needed to prove my worth to this team.

When I managed to get ahold of an interception, I ran towards the end zone. Feeling the wind rush past me and my feet flying down the field, I felt free of the chains that bounded me here. Almost as if I could fly to see Joshua, and I looked beside me to see him running with me. His black hair in a mess, and his arms were flailing around. I started to smile pure joy, and once I reached the end zone, he was gone.

The other players rushed to my side and patted me on the back.

Coach shouted at me from across the field, "75 yard run you just did there Adamszak. Holy Toledo. I think you have Mitchell beat."

And with that, I made the team. Gabe gave me a lift home later that night. I contemplated on texting Ashley to tell her the good news, but I figured it would be too late.

Besides, I would see her in the morning.