Not As Different As They Thought

Chapter 5

Riley's POV

Today Beck is coming over. And I thought Rachel would be gone today, but no. She decided to stay for whatever reason and now I have to try to keep her away from Beck. She cannot tell him why I'm mute.

R- Hey, you can come over now. My sister is here but we'll just stay in my room so she doesn't mess with us

B- Okay, I'll be over in like 10 minutes

"Hey bro."

I put my phone down and glared at my "sister".

"When's the nerd coming over?"

I didn't answer.

She sighed, "Fine. Don't talk. It'd sure be a shame if something were to slip out though.."

That's it.

'Ok. What's your deal? At first you were begging for me to forgive you, and now you're threatening to tell my only friend how I became mute.'

"Why don't you want him knowing?"

'Because I don't want him fucking feeling sorry for me! Like everyone else except you and your pack of idiotic friends and exes!'

"I said I was sorry! But you continued to be an ass. So I'm gonna be an ass back."

'You were way more than an ass to begin with!'

*ring*

'Quiet.'

I went over to the door and opened it. I smiled when I saw him.

'Hey, come on in.'

Beck smiled back at me, came inside, and kicked his shoes off and waved at Rachel. She waved back but I glared daggers at her to make her stay quiet.

'Okay, let's go up to my room and we can start studying.'

'Okay.'

***

'Okay, wait. So how do I do this problem again?'

Right now Beck is attempting to make me a genius in math to, A) prove Mr. Vear wrong, and B) pass my finals in that class for once.

'Okay, so basically you take the x and.. '

I couldn't tell what he said after that because Rachel knocked on my door. Beck either realized I wasn't paying attention or he felt the vibration from the knock. Cause she practically banged on the door.

"Hey Riles, I gotta talk to you."

I stayed silent.

"Come on. I don't wanna tell your buddy, but something could just slip out.'

I got up and cracked my door a little, and signed through there, 'I won't let you sign it, so he won't know what you're saying.'

"You think I'm dumb?"

'Yeah.'

She sighed, aggravated.

Victory.

"I know he can read lips. He's only one of the most known people in school bro."

Maybe not a victory then..

'Don't call me bro.'

"Fine. But eventually I'll get him alone, Riley. He's popular and I have my ways to get popular guys alone. Even if he is gay."

'I highly doubt that. But either way. All it'll do is make him hate you and your friends. And yeah, he'll pity me but it'll be so much worse on you.'

She stayed silent. I think this is an actual victory. She didn't realize that telling Beck would tarnish her rep even more than before.

I smirked, 'Bye.'

And I slammed the door in her face.

I turned around to see Beck staring at me, hopefully he didn't see anything of what we were saying.

'Sorry about that.'

'It's okay, I get it.'

'Well let's get back to it then.. yay math.'

He laughed until I sat back down and smacked his arm. He kept his big smile on his face all throughout the rest of studying. It's inhumane to be smiling this much while going school work but.. that's just Beck.

***

'So I have a question.'

Right now Beck and I are having a snack break, just goldfish and sodas.. very mature I know. We were studying for like 2 hours, I needed a break.

'Ok.'

'I'm not asking how you became mute but.. I did see most of what you guys were saying. Did your sister do something to you?'

He signed very slowly, which was very unlike him. I could tell he was choosing his words very carefully. Trying not to seem pushy, probably.

I thought for a minute before answering, 'Yes. In theory.. the whole incident could be called an accident. But it wasn't something that just happens. She planned.. it.. mainly by herself but had help with her boyfriend at the time that hated me. And then other people were also involved. They will remain nameless.. for reasons..'

He nodded and started signing a minute later, 'I understand why you don't want to tell me. You don't want me looking at you different or acting different around you. But I just want to say..' he paused, probably trying to figure out how to say the next thing '.. I can't promise I won't act a little differently. But I can promise that I will never think different or less of you. I know you're smarter, braver, and kinder then you let on to anyone. And you're an amazing person. Nothing can make me think anything else.'

I started tearing up a little. No one's ever said anything remotely as kind to me as what Beck just said. I'm almost tempted to tell him what happened right now.. I do need to let emotions out. But now's not the time.

I wiped my eyes, 'Thank you Beck. I know you'll try to stay normal after I tell you. And I know that obviously.. some things are gonna change or be weird or whatever. But I will tell you. Not now. But soon. I promise.'

He smiled, 'Whenever you're ready, Riley.'

***

And after that basically all we did was partly study and mostly goof off. It was fun. But Beck had to leave around 7 because he had to go home for dinner, because someone special was being invited over or something. He asked if I wanted to go but I don't really like being around a lot of people I don't know. Which obviously makes school a nuisance. He understood, so he left. Not before giving me one last math finals peptalk. I swear. He's the exact opposite of me, how are we such great friends?