The Thing that Differs Us...

Keeping Quiet

I got ready for school the next day without saying a thing to my mother. I didn't look at her. I just left.
My hand gripped onto the door of the school, the staggering pain in my wrist suddenly blew through my veins, causing me to lose grip. My cuts from the previous night were deeper than they'd ever been.
I got through the lessons easily. Without struggle. But as I exited the school at the end of the day, I didn't want to go back home. Instead, I walked. I took a walk around the school grounds. Until I got ahead of myself and went to the park. After that, around neighborhoods. Then, to a basketball gym. I set my bag down by the entrance and walked around the massive basketball arena. My footsteps echoed throughout the room. This was the one and only basketball arena in my village. This is where all the tournaments took place. Right now, it was empty. Eerie. Just how I liked it. Silence is nice, sometimes. I had several missed calls from my mom. I ignored them and resumed my stroll around the court.
'What are you doing here?' I heard that voice say. I smiled and turned around. Seeing Addison, in a basketball outfit, a ball to his hip, standing in the middle of the arena.
'Addison, hi.' My smile grew.
His face lit up as I said his name.
'I'm uh... just walking around in here. It's nice and quiet and sometimes quite comforting.' I continued.
'Hm. I know what you mean.'
There was a short silence.
'You play?' I gestured to his outfit.
'Yeah. I come here and practice.'
He held the ball with his fingertips.
'Think fast!' He said,throwing to ball to me. I acted fast, catching the ball.
'Nice' he said
The impact of the ball onto my palms, caused my cuts to blow up in an avalanche of pain.
I winced, my eyes tight shut.
'Are you okay?' Addison's face looked worried.
'Fine.' I breathed.
I turned a little and threw the ball into the hoop. A perfect score.
'Wow. You're good!' He laughed
'Thanks.' I made sure my cuts were covered well by my sleeves.
My phone rang as Addison grabbed the ball from its victorious score from the hoop.
I saw who it was: Mom.
'You need to get that?' Addison asked, shooting the ball in the basket.
'No.' I closed it and slipped it in my pocket and went to join Addison.
'So,' he started, passing the ball to me 'Tell me about you. I know nothing.' He giggled
'Uh... Well, I'm not very interesting.' I played with the basketball in my hand, in agonizing pain. I tried to look okay.
'I don't believe you. Talk and I'll find out.'
I laughed. 'Um... I live with my mother. My dad kinda left a few weeks ago and I don't know if he's coming back. Uh..,' I paused, realizing that I've said a bit too much 'Sorry, that was... deep.' I threw the ball, aiming for the hoop but missed.
'Hey, don't worry. I am a very deep person. I say depressing stuff all the time.' He caught my mistake and did triple dribble with the ball.
'Yeah.' I giggled nervously.
'Are you in school?' He asked
'Yeah.'
'What year are you in?' He stopped, looking at me.
I was about to answer until a member of staff came in.
'Guys, a teams comin in. Make yourselves way to the exit please.'
I walked out with Addison.
It was a little dark out.
'I'll walk you home.' He smiled
'Uh Addie, its okay. I can walk myself.'
Did I seriously call him 'Addie'? I've only met him twice and I've given him a really cute nickname. Shit.
'It's getting dark. It's okay.' He reassured me. His eyes were bright and full of... dreams.
We walked the lonely streets of the neighborhoods until finally, I was home. I made sure he stayed away from the porch. My mother is going to go berserk if she opens the door and gets the wrong idea that I've been out all evening with a boy.
'Thank you.' I smiled. I dug into my bag and pulled out my phone.
'You want my Facebook? It's the only social media I have. My mother is kinda overprotective of me and I secretly managed to get this. Let me just type my name in your phone. My surname is very complicated.'
'Try me' he giggled
'Zariah Archambeault.' I said flatly.
'Yep. Here's my phone.' He laughed, handing me his iPhone with Facebook search on the screen. I typed my name and put his phone in his hand.
'I'll see you later' I gave him a grin.
'See you, Zar.'

I got into the house. I looked around, waiting to see my mothers disappointed face. But, my mom was gone. Garage empty. House, empty. My heart... Empty.