The Silence

Chapter Fifteen

Saint:

I flicked my hand to blow out the match I'd just lit my cigarette with and sat back on the bench with a sigh. When Julian hadn't answered any of my text messages, I'd worked myself into a worried frenzy. Was he OK? Had they found something and kept him at the hospital? A million thoughts went through my head. Driving up to his house, I'd relaxed as soon as I saw the lights were on inside. Maybe he had just been asleep.

I'd remembered his dad was supposed to cover a second after I knocked, but Julian had answered the door and I had only seen his mother inside. Did he not come then? I blew out some smoke and while it wafted in the wind, I let my hand trail through Julian's curls. They were so pretty. And so soft. I wanted to touch them all the tim. started when the front door opened and Julian's mother stepped outside, her lips pinched and arms folding across her chest.

"Mrs Carter..." I said awkwardly. I wanted to stand up to greet her, but Julian's head was in my lap and he'd looked so tired...

"Are you the one who's been hanging out with Julian lately, then?" She asked quietly and I swallowed hard. Shit. "Don't feel like you have to lie. It wouldn't be anyone else. And I know my son." She said, looking down at him and I tried to moved my hand subtly.

"I'm Saint. It's nice to finally meet you." I said and she nodded. An awkward silence filled the air as we looked at each other and I almost choked with relief when she shifted on her feet.

"Can you wake him up? He needs to eat. You can join us, if you want." She said and I coughed lightly.

"OK." As soon as she left, I stubbed out my cigarette and scolded myself for even smoking at his house at all. Crap. "Julian." I said loudly and brushed my hand through his curls again. He twitched and his eyes fluttered, but he stilled again. "Julian." I laughed and my hands trailed down his back. When I got to his side and tickled him a little, he gasped and sat up, squeezing his arm on my hand.

"What..." He breathed.

"Hey. Your mom said dinner is ready." I said and signed at the same time. "We should go inside."

"Dinner?" He blinked at me and I helped him up.

"Dinner. Come on."

I sat across from Julian and his mother at the table and thanked her when she handed me a plate of food.

"Don't thank me yet. Julian's on his low sodium diet so ..." She shrugged but I just smiled. Sometimes he would share his lunch with me at school so I was used to it already.

"Thanks, mom." Julian got his plate and when everyone was seated, we ate. It was silent at the table. I guess it was always mostly silent when you ate with Julian. It felt weird because he always needed to watch your mouth and making him pause to watch you speak when you could just wait until you were done seemed annoying.

Dinner was good. I told Mrs Carter so while I helped clear the plates and she gave me a look like she thought I was humouring her.

"Mom." Julian hissed, but I just winked at him.

'Do you want me to help with dishes?' I signed and Julian shook his head no.

"We're going to head upstairs, Mom." Julian said, grabbing for my arm.

"Julian..."

"He won't stay long." He argued with his eyes wide and she caved reluctantly.