Muted

Chapter 4

I woke up the next day and threw on sweatpants and a sweatshirt. I picked up my backpack and slipped my hands through the straps and walked out the front door, completely prepared to walk to school. I was about to turn the corner when I heard a female voice. “Sadie! Hey, hop in my car, I can give you a ride. We're going to the same place and it's not like I don't have room or anything.” I see Riley waving at me. I walk over to her. “I know that you’re thinking that I should be upset about my brother, but since he woke up and is alive, I’m happy. I just wanted to talk, well, I'll talk, you listen. Monroe was right in saying we were troubled and I would have died if he didn’t notice when he did. I overheard him tell you that it was almost too late before he helped someone and it was me. I have been struggling with anorexia and bulimia since tenth grade. He noticed my frail body and called me out on it. I am a dancer and have been forever, but with the constant pressure to be skinny, I lost control. I wasn't as naturally skinny as the rest of the girls and I tried to fit in, so I starved myself. I ended up in the hospital after a starvation induced heart attack. I love talking about my medical record: yeah, at sixteen, I had a heart attack.” I gave her a half-hearted hug. “You see, Monroe noticed that we were hurting before we were hurting. He noticed bruises on Laine and reported her. She discovered it was him, and after yelling and freaking out on him, they became friends. Dan was harder to crack. He would come into class and not have a voice. Sometimes, he would be anxious and on edge. It took a major breakdown in the cafeteria over the pizza for Monroe to confront him. Hannah’s issue was much more noticeable. She shagged up with a twenty-four year-old mechanic and he got her pregnant. Now, she has an adorable little girl who mainly lives with her infertile sister. So, that’s my monologue about our issues. Wow, we sound like a teenage sitcom gone wrong” She rolled down the windows. “It’s what, a hundred degrees out here? It’s really hot. Why are you wearing a sweatshirt?” I shrugged and she sighed.

She pulls up at what I am guessing was the school. I see kids sitting on tree stumps drinking coffee and laughing. I see kids on benches frantically finishing homework. I can see a girl crying and other girls comforting her. I step out of the car and I feel overwhelmed. ‘What if he followed me here? I can’t go through the day knowing that he is right behind me at all times.’

“Remember. Wherever you go, I will follow. I will find you even if you move to Europe and change your name.” I nodded frantically, tears dripping down my face. I felt his breath on my ear. “Remember, if you-” I stood at the entrance with Riley. “Hey guys!” Dan screamed from across the campus. Laine was chasing behind him. He finally came up to us, out of breath. "So um hello." He said trying to sound as if he didn't just sprint to us. Laine showed up behind him. Once she got up to us, she fake slapped him. “Hey, I don’t run Mr. Sporto.” “Sporto, that’s the best you could come up with?” Dan asked. Laine shrugged. “I could have called you Jockstrap Jack, so you know.” Dan opened the door for us ladies. “Well, I am glad you didn’t Sergeant Sarah Brown.” He said, taunting her. Laine froze where she stood. “You mean I got the lead?” He nodded. “Yes, now move so I don’t slam the door on you.” Riley jumped in. “Yeah, you mean you didn’t know. I’m Adelaide. I get to kiss Mr. Detroit over here. We’re engaged.” She put his hand over his shoulder and tucked her head in. “ Who got Skye?” Laine asked. “Well, I did. I’m just the charming man they need.” A tall boy with brown hair said from behind us. They shared a laugh. Before he left he bumped me hard enough to go flying into the double doors. What a great way to start my first day.

I went straight to the guidance office to pick up my schedule. Since I transferred mid-year, I didn’t have to place into classes. They just placed me in the classes as best as they could. My schedule goes as follows: Honors Calculus, Latin IV, AP Psychology, European History, Gym/Study Hall, Honors Physics, Lunch 3, AP English, Art IV. I had a hefty workload, but if you don’t really associate with people, what else is there to do? I wasn’t too fond of beginning the day with Calc, but you know, whatever works. I didn’t mind some of the other classes. I had taken Latin because it’s not necessary to speak in Latin. It is a dead language after all. Art will most likely be my favorite subject. I was featured in my school’s art show six times and I won first twice and second three times. I guess you could say that I am an artist. As I said earlier, my father supposedly was an artist. I must have good genes or something.