The Words I Never Said [editing]

0.4

[danielle]

"It is by chance that we met, by choice that we became friends." That's what Henri Nouwen had said, and I feel like I can relate, now that I've met Jonas. I might not consider him a best friend, but I consider him someone I would like to get to know better; someone who I might be able to trust.

Jonas and I walk out of the cafeteria together before the bell rings. He notices that I'm not that talkative, so he would fill my silence with occasional jokes and funny stories. He didn't make loads of dick jokes--like most guys at my school would--but made me laugh with all his awkward school stories.

"What class do you have next?" Jonas asks.

I scribble down a note for him.

Science with Mrs. Blaire, I write.

"So do I," he says, "do you mind if I walk with you?"

I shake my head, smiling.

"We can stop by your locker first," Jonas says.

I lead him to my locker and grab my science book and binder. Jonas stays beside me, looking at me then down the hallway. After locking my locker, I snap my fingers siganling him that I'm done. I follow him as he leads me down the same hallway, almost towards the end. He stops at locker #989 and grabs a binder, then closes his door shut. I put my hand up to stop him; he does. I write down a note quickly and pass it to him.

Did you not get your books yet?, it says.

"Not yet, I think I'll get them today though," he says.

We start walking back down the hallway, and the bell rings. Students quickly fill the hallway, and I move closer to Jonas.

I don't like people being near me, especially in tight, claustrophobic hallways, but being close to Jonas makes me relax a little more.

As we're walking down the hallway, I hear murmurs and whispers all around. I try to listen in on every little word they're saying.

"Why is the new kid hanging out with the mute?"

"He's way out of her league."

"The mute shouldn't be friends with him. He should just leave her alone."

"He needs to leave her like Amy did."

I pull my binder and book closer to my chest and look down at the ground. I've heard these things all too many times before, and just like always someone tries to be my friend, they listen to the rumors, and then they leave me. They leave me with no friends, no one to support or help me when I need them.

Just like Amy.

Amy came to this school 2 years ago. She saw me alone and tried to become my friend. We talked for a few months, and we got pretty close. I learned a few of her secrets, and she learned some of mine. Then just like every cliche movie about high school, she joined the cheer team. She listened to rumors the cheerleaders spread. And as quickly as she came, Amy never talked to me again. Days later, the cheerleading team made sure to make my life a living hell-Amy especially. Amy would make the basketball team call me names, bully me, and take all my hope of ever making friends away.

But now Jonas has come along, and I feel as though I might have finally found someone I can trust-a friend.

"Hey Mute!" Someone yells down the hall. The nickname Amy gave me, a dead give away to what's about to happen.

+
suspense should be my middle name.

edited.