rose's short story collection

Silence

Rain pelted every surface possible. Grass bent down as heavy rain drops beat the green blades, and sidewalks were covered in dark gray blobs that grew like viruses. Rainwater gushed from rain pipes that protruded from the sides of houses, flooding the flowerbeds that lie beneath. Gusts of wind ripped leaves from trees until nothing remained but thin branches, swaying in the chilled breeze.

I shivered, and pulled a warm, brown colored blanket around my shoulders. The fabric pressed against my skin and i let out a contented breath.

Two untouched mugs of hot chocolate sat in front of me, steam blowing off the tops and disappearing into the air. The faint scent of chocolate brushed past my nostrils, leaving as soon as it had come. The sound of rain around me made me want to hum along, to sing and be heard only by myself. A tranquil melody that only the rain would ever hear.

Instead, I was reduced to silence. Mute, as others would call it.

I would never sing again.

I sighed and picked up one of the mugs, wrapping my pale fingers around the pastel colored ceramic exterior. I could feel the warmth from the inside, radiating through the sides, and warming my fingers slightly. I took a slow sip, careful not to burn off all my taste buds. The warm liquid descended down my throat and I could feel the heated trail it left behind. I exhaled, and the taste of chocolate and sugar remained in my mouth. I swiped my tongue around the fleshy walls.

Delicious.

The wind picked up, blowing strands of my dark brown hair around my face. I reached up a shivering hand to brush the bits from my view. I watched as flowers were blown around my the wind, their petals ripped off and stolen until nothing remained but frail stems that swayed back and forth, like a pathetic cry for help.

And then, I saw her, hood pulled up over her long black hair and clutching a worn backpack as she speed-walked through the downpour.
I gave her a smile as she hurried towards me, flopping into the open chair. The hood fell from her head, and she let out a breath as she ran a hand through her unruly hair.
October Fields. I could repeat that name for eternity and never not get butterflies every time.

"Hey. You've been out in this rain for a long time?" October asked me, setting down her backpack with a plop. I pushed the other mug towards her and shrugged. She nodded a little bit and pushed up the sleeves of her steel colored jacket. I watched her artificially colored burgundy eyes as she folded up the fabric of her sleeves and pushed it up her arms. I had to look away, as to not make everything awkward.

I was already going to make it awkward.
I could feel the scratch of paper beneath my leg, poking at me like some annoying child.

October pulled the other blanket from behind her and wrapped it around her thin frame. She took the mug without question, and drank some of it. I saw the coldness drain from her body, replaced by the warm feeling the drink provided.
"So.." She began, setting down the mug. "You wanted to talk?"

I almost laughed, watching the color drain from her face as she said talk.

"I mean. You can't talk. But.. you know. You get it." October bit at her lip in concentration. I was afraid she would tear the skin, and crimson colored blood would pool across the surface of her perfect lip.

I inhaled a breath, the taste of the sweet wind hitting my throat as I reached for the small note tucked underneath my leg. The envelope was sealed with a piece of mint blue tape, and the exterior was freezing cold from the weather. I handed the note to her, the paper making a noise as it slid across the table.
I wanted to take it back, brush it off, and act like it never happened. The dark purple sharpie on the front spelled out October in sloppy cursive, and I felt sick giving it to her.

But I had to do it. Now, or never.

October took the note, and lifted the tape, popping the envelope open. I watched as she took out the letter inside, and pulled it open. A crinkle of paper filled the air, quickly combatted by the rain. A pleasant filler for the awkward silence.

I couldn't read her expression. A blank slate that I hadn't ever seen. October was always... animated, like an anime character. This was a very new facial expression.

I felt terrified. My stomach twisted up into knots as I watched her beautiful eyes read my attempt at a letter.
I cast my gaze out to the rain, watching water fall into a gutter, pooling right before it descended down the iron trap. Gutter puddles, my mother always called them.

I heard a slam, and I jumped, quickly turning my attention back to October, who was removing her blanket and slipping on her backpack. The letter sat on the table, and I grabbed it before it could be stolen by the greedy wind.

October started to leave.

I wanted to call out to her, to yell her name, but all I could do was drop my own blanket and follow her.
She practically flew over the steps, her shoes sloshing through shallow puddles as she made her way to the gate that protected my small house.

"Stop following me!" She practically yelled, turning around once she got on the other side of the gate. She pulled it closed with a slam, and I winced. I'd never seen her like this.

I clutched the paper, and looked down at it, quickly being covered in tons of water droplets until all the ink blurred together and I couldn't read it anymore. I wondered how much was rain water and how much was my own tears.

"I'm leaving. I'm going, and you'll never see me again." October said quietly, breaking the silence. "I was going to tell you, but you gave me that.. that stupid letter and now I have a better reason to leave. I can't.. I can't date a girl."

I grabbed her wrist, cold from the rain. Water slid down our hands as I met her eyes. Those beautiful, beautiful eyes. I didn't want to lose them.
I shook my head once, twice, more times than I could count. But October Fields, the wild spirit she was, didn't listen. She never listened to anyone.

She wrenched her wrist from my grasp and shoved me backwards. Not enough to knock me over, but enough to tell me she was done with me.

I clutched the note as October Fields, my best friend, speed walked into the downpour.
I wanted to scream, to tell her to come back. But I couldn't. I didn't even have the guts to chase after her.
So I tore up the letter, and watched the white pieces float away on the wind, until they too were gone.

Nobody ever saw October again.