Speak Now

Chapter 23: A stranger's kindness

Like thousands of others, we survived the storm and the many dark days that followed because of the kindness of strangers who brought food, water, and comfort'.

-Vivek Murthy
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Silence is so much louder when you're alone. It seeps into your bones, pumps through your vessels and before you know it, suddenly your soul is silent too. And then no matter how loud everyone around you is, you're louder. Your silence is louder.

And this silence pounds in my ears. It pierces my heart and sends pain jolting down my spine. The words on the book blur and then I realise it's because I have tears in my eyes. Angry, I rub my arm over my eyes but the tears don't stop.

The lump in my throat grows harder to ignore, and I let out an involuntary sob.

Suddenly someone's arms are around my shoulder and I don't care who it is. I just burst out crying. Because my best friends betrayed me. Because my mom isn't here and my dad is gone forever. Because everything is falling to pieces and so is my stupid heart.

"Girl, no one is deserving of so many tears!"

A boy's voice.

I look up and see a dark skinned guy looking at me with concern. The girl in the yellow striped tights is besides him, the same worry reflecting in her eyes.

"I'm okay," I sniff, suddenly ashamed of my outburst. Thank goodness, there weren't many people to witness me crying. People are cruel. They would've turned me into a laughing stock.

"No you're not," The guy frowns as he reaches out to wipe my tears. His touch is warm and kind and something I desperately needed. I lean towards it and something in his eyes shifts, an understanding grows inside them.

"I'm Jordan Skyes," He smiles and offers me a tissue. Grateful, I take it and blow my nose, all the time feeling Jordan and the girl's sympathic gazes piercing through me.

"Do you want to go home?" The girl asks,"I could drop-"

"No," I interrupt,"Thank you. I'm...I'm fine now," I manage a small smile which Jordan returns.

"I better get going," I say tightly.

"Yeah, class is about to start," the girl agrees,"I'm Diane, by the way. Wanna walk to class with me?"

Her country accent is obvious and with her long blonde hair and small beady eyes, she could be Hannah Montana. I try to suppress the smile trying to erupt across my face, but fail miserably and manage to hide it behind my hair.

I stand up, and pick up my book, it's hard edges poking into my skin. Gritting my teeth, I loosen my hold on it.

Be normal, Maddie

"C'mon, let's go," Diane says cheerfully and puts her arm through mine before dragging me out the doors. I look behind to see Jordan waving at me.

"Don't you cry now, girl," He grins,"Ain't anyone I know deserving of so many tears."

♡♡♡♡

Diane talks cheerfully enough for the both of us as we trudge up the stairs. My tears have already dried and I'm listening to her in interest as she recounts a near fatal accident she had on a roller coaster.

"And man, I was like Eeeeee!" She pantomimes a terrified expression and I laugh.

"Oh so you CAN laugh," Diane winks before yanking me into the classroom.

"We have the same class?" I ponder.

Diane giggles,"No, silly. I'm a junior. I have P.E."

As I settle myself into a chair at the corner, Diane puts her hand on my shoulder,"Will ya be okay, now?"

She lets her country accent drawl out, making me laugh,"Yeah. I'm already fine, thanks to you."

Diane squeezes my shoulder,"Take care, now. Hope to catch you again..."

"In better circumstances, of course," She adds before grinning and matching out the door.

I open my book and begin to read, this time in earnest and without dark, heavy thoughts weighing down over me.

As I turn the page, I begin to wonder how the kindness of a stranger can make you feel much better than the comforting words of a friend, whose soft voice is laced with pity. And this pity weighs over you too, swinging across your heart like a pendulum.

If there's one thing a person in grief hates, it's pity.