Cipher

Chapter 17: Absent

The next day, Isaac went to school alone.

Duane stayed with Cipher at the hospital overnight. His friend would be back home later that day, but that didn't help Isaac's building frustration at the situation.

No one could confirm who had actually been present during the incident, at least no one who was going to say anything, and Cipher was hesitant about pointing fingers at anyone. Though Isaac had a pretty strong feeling that a certain P.E. bully was involved, he couldn't do anything about it.

It made him want to punch something. Or someone.

He tried not to dwell on it as he and Joslyn sat through English, even as Cipher's desk sat empty in front of him. It wasn't like Cipher died. But he could have, and that was terrifying. His chair could have been permanently empty. And Cipher's parents weren't even here on the same continent to be with him while he was in the hospital.

Isaac shook his head and spent the rest of English trying, and failing, to pay attention to what Mr. Wulf.

When Isaac got to P.E. he couldn't help the look he gave Drake, there was no way he wasn't involved. To Isaac's surprise, Drake looked slightly concerned during roll call when Coach Meyers called for Cipher and he wasn't there. Maybe Drake wasn't the bad guy Isaac thought he was. Or maybe Drake was just worried about people finding out he was involved.

Lunch felt wrong with just him and Joslyn sitting in the grass together. Even though Cipher usually slept through most of it, Isaac could feel his conspicuous absence.

"He's being released from the hospital later today right?" Joslyn asked, not needing to state who, Cipher was at the front of both their minds.

"Yeah, he should be back home before school gets out."

Joslyn absently picked at the grass around her shoes. "When do you think he'll come back to school?"

Isaac released a breathy laugh, "knowing him? I'd say as soon as possible." then his mood soured "But probably not tomorrow."

Joslyn nodded slowly. "Well, tell him to get better soon. We have another lab coming up and we wouldn't want to leave Cindy hanging," she tried for levity. "Actually... don't. That would just stress him out more."

Isaac nodded. Cipher did seem to be getting better at interpreting their sarcasm and figures of speech, but he would definitely take Joslyn's 'advice' way too seriously.

"I just don't understand why he won't tell anyone who did this. He has to know."

Joslyn shrugged halfheartedly, "Do you really expect anything different? This is Cipher we're talking about."

"Yeah, well, I know Drake was involved. He had to be and Cipher not doing anything about it is only going to make them think they can do it again." Isaac's brow pinched in frustration. "Why can't he just get a hobby or a girlfriend or something, jeez."

"Well, he's gay," Joslyn said without really thinking about it.

Isaac blinked, "What?"

"Drake, he's gay." She shrugged as if it were nothing. "Is that not obvious? I mean he totally had a crush on my-" she cut herself off, pressing her lips together.

"Really?" Isaac's eyebrows raised, knowing she was referring to her brother. "I don't think I ever actually got to meet him. Did he... reciprocate?"

"No. He-" Joslyn gave a tight smile, voice unsteady. "He was counting down the days until he could go play college football and meet a college girl."

"We don't have to talk about it if you don't want to."

She shrugged, deflating a little as she did. "There's not much to talk about. Everybody, at school, in town," her hand waved, gesturing vaguely. "They already know his whole life. There's no point in pretending otherwise. Nothing makes for better fundraising than an intrusive look into your personal life."

Isaac sighed, what do you say to that? Then squinted as if something had just dawned on him. "But, wait. If Drake likes guys, how are he and Matt friends? Matt hates anyone... different from himself. And that definitely counts."

"I guess it's not common knowledge then, either Drake's good at hiding it or Matt's a blind idiot."

"I'd give 50/50 odds on which one it is."

Joslyn's lips quirk into an almost smile. She paused, as if hesitant to ask her question. "Has Matt ever gone after you for, y'know, not being white?"

"Nah, he probably tried early on when I transferred in, but I have a strong no BS rule." he almost laughed. "And I'm, like, half a foot taller than him."

"That would probably help." Too bad Cipher was smaller than him. They were quiet for a beat, both in their own heads.

"What do either of them have against Cipher anyway?" Isaac said suddenly.

"He's different."

"Yeah, but why do they care?"

"I really don't know."

***Author's Note***

Thank you for reading, please vote and comment!

This chapter is dedicated to another one of my followers and real life friends who has and is helping me with this story :)