Silently Loud

Chapter 1

       You know, a lot of people say you don't realize how important something is until it's gone. But how can you know how important it's disappearance is if you don't remember having it in the first place? How do you know the importance of speech when you can't remember the last time you ever spoke? How does one tell someone if they need food or water? How do they ask for help on a math problem in school? How can they scream when they're angry and sob when they're sad? How do they yell for help if they're in trouble? No one can hear silence. 

        I sat resting my chin on my hand and playing with a strand of my short blond hair, pondering this concept as the teacher continued reviewing the lesson we learned last class. Normally I'd be paying attention, but I'd been too busy observing the student that sat in front of me. Pretty sure his name was Darren. But I can't be too sure since the teacher had focused more on the fact that he was a mute rather than his name when he was introducted to the class. He probably looked like he was taking notes to the teacher, but I could see his childish doodles from over his shoulder. I snorted quietly, amused at his ramblings. 

        He turned his head and looked back at me with a raised eyebrow. I just pointed at his "notes". A light embarrassed blush spread over his cheekbones and he whipped himself around to face the front again, slamming his notebook closed. 

        "Aw, c'mon. I actually really liked them." I whispered, making sure the teacher didn't hear.

        He peeked back at me through his light brown bangs, unsure and still slightly embarrassed that I'd caught him doodling. His eyes suddenly darted to my left, widened, then darted back to me trying to pretend his eyesight never wavered. I blinked, confused as to why he was blushing much harder now. I looked to my left and let out a chuckle. I covered my mouth with my hand quickly when i realized how loud i had been just as he flipped back around to face the front once more. The teacher looked in our general direction annoyed, but we both pokerfaced so well he had no idea where the sound had come from. Grumbling, he went back to to the board.

        Darren turned back towards me the second the teacher looked away, with that "you-almost-got--us-in-trouble" look all classmates have when they're almost caught. I smiled sheepishly, rubbing the back of my head. I wanted to keep talking with him, but considering we had to be quiet and he couldn't talk in the first place, I was kinda stuck. Oh! I softly tore out a sheet of paper from my notebook and began writing.

        So I see you're crushing on Anni. She's really kind. Are you planning on talking to her?

        I folded up my message, made sure to write Please reply on the front, and held it out for him. He looked shocked at first, but cocked his head sideways in confusion and took it. It took milliseconds for his face to explode into a vibrant red once again. He looked at me with the most awkward expresssion I've ever seen. He swung to face the front once again. Crap, I hope I wasn't being too pushy or rude. I just wanted to be his friend. But I perked up when I noticed he was only looking to a pencil to start writing back. I waited patiently and grabbed the note when he held it over his shoulder, not turning around. 

        You're the first person I've ever met who's realized that just because I can't talk doesn't mean I can't write. Thanks for embarrassing the hell out of me, but no I'm not crushing. She just helped me pick up some books I dropped earlier, and I couldn't thank her properly is all. I'm not very good at being social. 

        I grinned, quickly picking up my pencil to write down a reply. 

        Riiight. So you're not crushing at ALL? WInk, wink. Anyway, as for not being very good at socialness, I think someone who can manage to convince me that they'd be an amazing friend within a minute of writing back and forth is pretty good at socialability. You're just a little awkward is all. I'm Ben. Nice to meet ya!