BROKEN SILENCE

Chapter Six

I lay in the tornado drill position with my left cheek touching the ground and my face turned towards my sister. She raised her pointer finger and placed it over her quivering lips, a single tear escaped her eye. Her eyes told me I needed to stay quiet, they told me to stay calm. I heard shuffling through the ground traveling from the other rooms, but other than that, it was silent. The door opened and a black figure entered the room. No one dared to make a sound. I couldn't even hear everyone's heavy breaths.

"Don't look up Riley, just look at me. Don't you dare look up." Hannah mouthed.

I kept my eyes on hers until the footsteps got closer and closer, the lump in my throat grew larger.

I looked up.

A gun was pointed at my sisters head, I looked back at her. Her eyes still glued on mine, pushing back her tears. She felt his presence.

And the trigger was pulled.

The silence was broken.. with a scream.

A sinking sensation was sent through my body when the scream continued through the darkness.

Again, I heard the footsteps. They were faster, quicker. They were light and carried a muffled cry with them. Outside the door, I heard three people I dearly loved.

"Mia, stay out here." My mother said to the frightened six-year-old.

"Mommy, I'm scared." She spoke back through her tears.

"Stay here." Daddy said before light was forced upon me.

Mom and Dad rushed towards me, once again. I heard a little girl's tears and I couldn't bare it.

"Momma," I tried to say without breaking into tears.

"What honey?" She said in a soft, sweet voice and brushed my hair back.

But I exploded, the tears came, "Please help me."

Mom pulled me in for a hug and rubbed my back, dad watched in concern.

"Please, please, just help me." I begged.

I broke my promise, again.

I ran late into class the next morning because of the events last night. As soon as I entered my first period class, I heard a loud smack.

"Andrews, where have you been?" I couldn't help but giggle. It was a little joke Leila and I had, something about last names.

"Uh, I.. I was just running late." I gulped, "ma'am."

"This isn't funny Andrews, this is the seventh time this month." The teacher yelled.

I giggled again, "I'm sorry, it won't happen again," and went to take my seat.

"Office." She bellowed.

"Huh?" I turned around, still holding my books.

"You heard me."

"No, no, no. It's just, please understand. I've had trouble sleeping and.."

Mrs. Oswald interrupted, "NO EXCUSES."

I took a step back, becoming scared. A probably-four-hundred-pound woman was yelling right into my face.

"I really am sorry.. I only missed five minutes of class."

"AND THAT'S FIVE MORE POINTS OFF YOUR GRADE." She kept yelling, two inches from my faces.

"Really, um.. I.." My anxiety kicked in and tears started to form.

"NOW GET YOUR ASS IN THE OFFICE." Mrs. Oswald pointed towards the door.

I heard a familiar voice, "Hey, don't talk to her like that!"

I turned to see Parker looking pissed, my tears kept falling.

"YOU AREN'T A PART OF THIS."

"I'm making myself a part of it." He stood up and threw his pencil down.

"Par- I mean, you- you really don't have to.. Um, it's fine, I mean.." I said, wiping my tears.

"Why don't you join her, Benson?"

"I'd be glad to." He grabbed his books and headed out the door, towards the office. I followed after him nervously.

And just like that, I was sitting by Parker Benson in the principals office.

"Sorry," he paused, "Andrews." I heard a little giggle.

"It's fine, Benson." I began to giggle myself.

We both were laughing when the principal entered the room. We gave eachother the look and covered our mouths.

After a stern talking with the principal, Parker and I left the office. I was still starstruck by the fact that.. we had a "moment", and I didn't completely make a fool of myself.

And by the end of the day, I had sent him 27 texts, and he had sent 24 back.

And I didn't break my promise that night.