The Mute Girl's Tutor

Make You Happy

We didn't move for a long time. Aaron had stopped his string of comforting words and had settled for a low humming noise, almost like a song that was equally as soothing as he rocked us back and forth. His voice wasn't even that bad. My tears had stopped but my fingers still grip onto his shirt, most definitely stretching it by the time I was forced to let go. We only moved when I started shivering in his lap and he couldn't stand it anymore. He tried to stand up but sighed when he found it difficult.

"I need to let you go for a second," he says shifting his weight to put me back on the ground. I moan in protest digging my nails into the fabric more firmly. I feel his chest shake as Aaron chuckles at me. "Come on, Liese let go. I need to get up so I can carry you to my car, it's cold."

It takes a minute to actually follow his command, my fingers feeling stiff. I open and close my fists to get the blood flow back before giving him the room he needs to briefly put me down so he can stand to his full height. Aaron stretches fully, twisting his back and bending his knees before pivoting and gathering me up in his arms bridal style. It was a quick walk to his truck and when we got there he was shoving me inside and flicking on the heat in an instant. Aaron gives me a sad smile.

"Sorry, it'll take a second to heat up. I'm gonna go grab your bike and put it in the back, okay?" He's shutting the door and darting off in the direction of where I parked before I could answer. Not even a pitiful 'thank you' could pass my lips. Sighing I lean back in my seat and close my eyes. How many times has he watched me fall apart? How many times has he put me together? How many times am I going to have to thank him?

I kick off my shoes and bring my knees to my chest letting out a satisfied hum when the warm air finally started to blast through the heaters. Clicking my tongue I pick at my nails in irritation. What am I going to do with him? He can't keep coming after me like this. It only brings him unnecessary pain and panic. The car jerks unexpectedly and I turn to see Aaron in the bed of his truck tying my bike down with loose bungee cords. He catches my eye through the back window and flashes me a grin before tying down the last cord and jumping over the side to join me in the cab.

"Hey," he says a bit breathless shutting the door behind him still smiling. I look at him for a while. Just taking him in. His smile and his warmth, his willingness to do this for me. "What?"

Sagging in my seat it dawns on me that the question isn't what I'm going to do with him but rather what he is going to do with me. The Debbie Downer he can't seem to leave alone. The one he... likes.

"Thank you," I say quietly around my frown. The words taste bitter in my mouth.

"Don't worry about it," he says putting his car in drive. "It would be nice if you came to me before this stuff happens so I can help prevent it, though."

"I'm sorry." Those words taste even worse on my tongue. I'm picking at my nails again and looking out the window. I don't like this. I don't like owing him all the time. I don't like needing him.

"Like I said, don't worry about it. I get it." He responds. He gets it? He doesn't get it at all. He'll never get it. I don't answer, instead, I make the nailbed of my thumb bleed from picking too much. "Do you want to talk about it?"

"Not really."

"Do you want me to take you home?"

I think about it for a minute and shrug. My Dad should be home by now. "I guess."

"Did I do something?" Beginning to feel frustrated I shake my head. Equally frustrated Aaron pulls off the side of the road and puts us in park. Facing me his eyes hold sympathy but also restrained annoyance. "I'm getting sick of chasing you for answers, Anneliese."