Not As Different As They Thought

Chapter 14

Beck's POV

'You don't have to answer if you don't want to, okay?'

He nodded his head again.

I could tell he's as nervous as I am. But I have to ask this. If I don't then it'll continue to slowly eat away at me inside.

'Why.... why did you push me away?'

He looked down at his lap. 'I don't know..'

I didn't reply. I can tell he's battling with himself whether to say more or not.

He started signing again.

'After... what happened.. I was in an awful state. Mentally and physically. And my broken fingers didn't help. I couldn't talk to anyone. Not well anyways.' He paused for a minute. 'I mean I can barely sign right now. I just figured it was best to push people... you.. away.. so you didn't have to deal with me.' Another pause. 'And I don't think I deserve to have you in my life. That... this... is a sign.'

I was about to sign something when he shook his head, 'Please let me finish. It's kind of hard to get this out.'

'Okay.'

'I.. I just.... goddamn. I'm supposed to be this badass mute kid that scares everyone. The kid in the corner no one wants to talk to because they're scared they'll beat them up if they say the wrong thing. And I'm such a fucking mess right now. I hate it. I really fucking hate it.'

A tear slipped down his cheek. And without even thinking, I scooted closer to him and wiped it away. My hand froze there though, once I realized I probably shouldn't have done that, but I couldn't move. I couldn't move away from him or stop staring into his beautiful gray eyes. After maybe 5 seconds however, I snapped out of it and pulled my hand away. I was about to scoot back to the tree I was leaning against, when suddenly he put his hand ontop of mine and brought it back to his cheek. His hand remained there and we continued to stare into each other's eyes. Eventually, I couldn't control myself anymore.

I slowly leaned in, slow enough so he could have pulled away if he wanted to, and I connected our lips. It was a sweet and short kiss. His lips were so soft, and so was his cheek. When I pulled away I couldn't help but smile. I've wanted to do that for so freaking long. Another tear slipped down his cheek but he held my hand so I didn't wipe it away.

He waited a minute and let go of my hand to start signing again, 'You mean so much to me. The thought of you leaving me because I couldn't talk or because you saw me at a low point.. I couldn't take it. So I pushed you away first. I'm so sorry.'

'Nothing could happen to make me leave you, Riley. You mean a lot to me too. I want you to be happy. I'd never do anything to make you sad.'

He smiled his full and beautiful smile and I smiled back, even wider. And I couldn't help it, I kissed him again.

When we pulled away he looked nervous but signed, 'So.. does this mean...?'

I laughed a little.

'Depends. Riley. Do you want to be my boyfriend?'

His smile widened and another tear slipped down his cheek. He nodded, 'Yes. Definitely, yes.'

'Good'

After that we just sat around for a couple hours. We talked, got caught up, kissed a little, and overall just goofed off. It was amazing. I missed him so much. It's unreal to have him back. And to be dating him now.

**One month later**

Me and Riley have been dating for about a month now. And the only people that know are our families. I really want to be out to the school so I can show people not to mess with him, but he's nervous.

Right now I'm driving us to school and I'm gonna ask if I can hold his hand as we walk into school. I'm kind of scared to hear his reply, but not entirely. He knows I really want to show him off to everyone.

I just pulled into my usual parking spot. Riley went to hop out of the car, when I cleared my throat. He sat back and looked at me, a cute look of confusion on his face.

'What?'

'Can I hold your hand? As we walk into school?'

He made a face but thought about it for a minute. He was in deep thought for like two minutes before I laughed and waved my hand in front of his face.

'You zone out in thought a lot.'

He laughed, I wish I could hear his laugh, 'Yes you can hold my hand, but can I put my hood up?'

I smiled and hopped out of my truck. I ran around and opened the door for him.

I held my hand out and he took it and hopped out, but didn't let go like he usually does. I replied to his question just with a wink and I closed the door and lead us into the school.

I felt him instantly walk closer to me and squeeze my hand when I noticed people looking at us. I could tell they were whispering too but I chose to ignore it. I squeezed his hand in reply and we walked to his locker.

Once there, he opened it and dramatically heaved a sigh and shoved his head in the locker.

I laughed and he looked at me, 'What, You don't like holding my hand?'

'No, I love holding your hand. I love being close to you. But I hate the attention.'

I smiled and kissed his cheek, 'Ignore them. It's just me and you right now.'

He half smiled half smirked, 'We said nothing about you getting to kiss my cheek.'

I just winked in reply, to which he laughed at, and he grabbed his books and I walked him to his first class and hugged him goodbye and I was off on my way to my first class.

Today is a good day.

A very good day.