The Mute

Chapter 2

I struggle during practice, but it's still my safe haven. Alex drives me to and from practice, and Alice somewhat avoids me. I get put on rack, and Jess teaches me how to put it together. I'm really quiet, like I have much of a choice, and they seem to appreciate it most of the time. There are times when they forget I'm there, though.

There's no band practice today, so I decide that I'll go out and do something instead of stay inside like the anti-social teenager I am. I text Alex.

Hey, Alex, can you pick me up? I want to go to the gym today

Yeah, sure, Alex. I'll be there in a few. Why do you want to go to the gym?

I want to get stronger to help my bass drum gong hits

Okay

I put on a clean pair of breathable leggings and a somewhat large tank top. I tie a jacket around my waist, grab my Bluetooth earbuds and phone. I lace up my regular tennis shoes (the ones that aren't for band) and wait for him to show up. I grab a couple of hairties and bobbypins before he pulls up in my driveway.

The school is open for the summer school kids, so we ask if we can use the weight room equipment. The lady at the front desk, Cassidy, says we can, but the door is probably locked.

We nod and walk down to the weight room. I grab the handle and try to open the door, but it is indeed locked. I grab a bobbypin and pick the lock so we don't have to go find someone with the key.

I throw open the doors with a flourish and step inside.

"Nice. Where'd you learn that?" Alex asks.

"I've hade a lot of free time," I sign to him.

He nods and I walk to the weights while he walks to the bench press. He and I start our work out, and we slowly but surely increase the weight. We switch at the end, so I'm on bench press and he's on curls. We start from the beginning and work our way to the most weight over multiple weeks.

School starts, and I'm walking through the halls with my head down and my earbuds in when I sense someone next to me. I glance over and see Alex. I give an uneasy smile and take out an earbud. He smiles at the curtousy and begins a conversation.

"How's you first day going?" He asks rather loudly to be heard over the roaring conversations to and about our peers.

My hands are full of library books, so I pull my smile tight and shrug a bit while tilting my head.

"It's been like that, huh?" He questions sorrowly.

I shift my books best I can to free up a hand. I gently put my hand on his shoulder and squeeze it gently before smiling softly.

"What class are you headed to?" He asks.

I pull out my phone and show him my schedule.

"Geometry? You're a freshman!" He exclaims.

"Yeah. I took Algebra I seventh grade, Algebra II eighth grade, so now I'm taking Geometry in ninth grade." I type out so he can read it.

He nods slowly, taking his eyes off the screen.

"I'm going to that class, too. Looks like we have at least one class together. We should sit next to each other," he suggests.

I nod, and a big, muscular guy comes up and claps Alex on the shoulder. Alex jumps a little and turns around.

"Hey!" He greets with a large, friendly smile.

"Hey, Alex. Who's your little friend?" He asks in a semi-condescending tone.