That Mute

-5-

Katye's POV

I was limping down the hall and looking down at my stomach when I ran into a wall. I stumbled and fell backwards, slamming my head into a locker. Oww, shit. Who put that wall there? I looked up, despite the black spots in my vision. Wait, that's not a wall. A guy twice my size is hovering over me. I wimper and scoot away, afraid he'll hit me, like every other guy.
"Hey, you okay?" he asks.
I don't respond. Just nod. Like I said, I guess I'm a mute.
I nod slowly and put my hands in front of my face. He'd probably hit me now. He was so big. He moves his hand toward my face and I close my eyes, waiting for the impact. Instead, he just grabs my hand and gently pulls me up. What? He looks into my eyes and I flinch.
"Hey, I'm Nathan." says his deep voice. I cower. He sounds like my stepdad.

Nathan's POV

I walk into school on my first day, late. I couldn't come on Monday for the real first day of school because of... family problems. I look at the schedule and find my locker. Damn, this school is massive compared to my one floored rural area one I used to go to. I figured I'd be walking for a while, so might as well find out my class order and times. I look at my schedule.
"So I have 1st period math, 2nd English, 3rd Gym, 4th Free, lunch, 5th Social Studies and-" I spoke to myself. But I was cut off by someone ramming into me. I hear a small thud and turn around to see a small girl on the floor. When she sees me she whimpers and inches away. Am I really that intimidating? I mean, I know I am like 6' 5", but that's not so bad. She must have run into me though, so I ask her if she's okay. She nods and covers her face. Why is she so scared? I reach out my massive hand and grab her small one. As carefully as I could, I pulled her up. Her head came to my armpit. Damn, she was tiny, and light. But then I see her big, blue eyes. They were beautiful. Snap out of it Nathan! Introduce yourself for God's sake!
"Hey, I'm Nathan." she flinches and doesn't say anything. Then she runs. Dammit, what did I say? I wonder.

Jake's POV (probs my favorite line of the book so far)

Dammit, I have to piss. I get up from class and head to the restroom.

Nathan's POV

I just kinda stood there for a while until a guy appeared from around the corner.
"Hey," he says. "Haven't seen you around here."
"I'm new," I reply.
"Oh cool, I'm Jake." he sticks out his hand. I ignore it and go in for a bro hug.
"What's up, I'm Nathan."
"Umm, nothin' much, you?"
"I just saw this small girl run into me. Do you know her?"
He thinks for a moment. "What does she look like?"
"Dark brown hair, blue eyes, and scared of her own shadow ring a bell?" I said. Jake's face became furious.
"She is NOT scared of her own shadow. She has her... reasons." He yells, but whispers the last part.
"Hey, sorry man, but could you please at least tell me her name."
"Well, her name is Katye, and you, bastard, better not lay a finger on her. She goes through enough shit already."
I ignored the bastard part.
"Dude, I wouldn't kill a fly." Except I did.
"'Kay, keep it that way." he says and turns into the bathroom.
I just want to talk to her. Figure her out. What's her problem?