M U T E

|| 15 ||

"Reyna! Bryce, you found her!" I am quickly pulled into the arms of Myra as soon as I get home.

Bryce carried me up to my room, I didn't object. He called Myra and my parents, and stayed with me, holding me in his arms. I was crying for awhile, just going over everything that happened this week in my mind. Myra got there in two minutes.

"What happened?" She asks, looking into my eyes, trying to find the answer.

"Some girls in her gym class did this, I believe. They stole her clothing," Bryce says.

"She has been different this whole week. Maybe, they were giving her trouble all this time," Myra says.

"She has bruises all over: her knees, her jaw.."

"I-It's n-no b-big d-deal," I say, covering my face into Bryce's chest.

He pushes me back and looks right at me, angry, "It is a big deal! They hurt you, and have been harassing you all week. Who is in your gym class, Reyna?"

A look of fear goes over my face. I don't ever see Bryce angry. His fist clenches, and I back up. Bryce calms down immediately.

"I'm sorry. I didn't mean to yell," He sighs.

"Vienna is in her gym class," Myra says.

"Vienna? She did this?!" Bryce has a mixture of hurt and anger shown in his face.

"It is possible. I've seen the way she glares at Reyna. When the two of you walk to your car after school, the girl is throwing daggers at her. I see it from the bus window."

Bryce sighs, but doesn't say anything more. He gets up and crosses the room. I watch as he picks up a book from the floor, The Lies About Truth. My book marker is in the beginning of the book. I know he noticed it. He hands the book to me. I don't understand him.

Bryce picks up a different book, opening it. Myra smiles at the two of us. Bryce, how do you exactly what to do to cheer me up? I open the book and escape into another world.

My parents, Jocelyn, Lilliana and brothers get home after a little while, this includes my dad. He is home. He left work because of me. The boys hang onto me, not wanting to let me go. I could tell how scared they were. Bryce made up that he found me at school reading. I got "trapped" in a book. I didn't want my parents worrying, so I am grateful for Bryce doing that.

"Don't you ever do that to us again, Reyna. We were worried sick!" My mom says.

"I'm sorry," I say, as my mom's arms wrap around me tightly.

We all stay up in my room. Jocelyn and her sister leave, however, after making sure I am alright. Bryce had to leave after a while to go home. Myra stayed the night. We just talked, all of my family with Myra and Bryce. I remained silent during the conversations, but it felt nice to be together. It doesn't happen often.

* * * *

"Jocelyn?"

It's around midnight now. My parents and brothers are asleep. Myra is sleeping as well. I am at Jocelyn's door. She walks out.

"What is it, Reyna?" She asks, clearly tired.

"You can go for Bryce. It won't bother me. Just be good to him, okay?" I tell her.

She smiles and nods, "Thank you."

I nod. I watch her go back to her room and sigh. I should feel good, but all I feel is this pain in my heart thinking about the two of them. It's nothing. I just have to ignore the pain.