My Mute Mate

Ch. 44

"Holy shit." I hear Andrew say and everyone else is frozen, their disbelieving stares stuck to me.

"Am I wasted or did she just talk?" Sym asks and I laugh. An actual laugh, no holding back for the first time in a long time. This seems to pull everyone out of their stupors as Rose pulls me into a bear hug, while Sym just starts swearing excitedly. I'm bounced from hug to hug till Im dizzy. By the time everyone's done passing me around like a Bop-It, I'm left catching my breath. I look to Daniel whos still just sitting there, his mouth slightly agape. It looks like he's dropped his drink, but his hand is still shaped like he's still holding it, and it looks like he's... Crying?

"Daniel?" I call, trying to pull him back to reality while also trying to get through everyone surrounding me. As soon as I get through, he stands and pulls me into a hug wordlessly, his mouth closed but hus face otherwise unchanging.

"Daniel? Why are you crying?" I ask but he just holds me tighter, his tears starting to wet my shoulders.

"It was all my fault. I thought I'd never hear your voice again and it was all my fault. Thank you Moon Goddess, thank you." He mutters into my shoulder as I struggle to understand.

"Daniel, hey, it's okay, you didn't do anything wrong." I pull away and wipe the tears from his face, giving him a comforting smile, which he tries to return.

"Now now Daniel, don't hog Dove all to yourself, I want her to touch my face too. And don't worry Dove, he's just happy." Andrew teasingly cuts in, punching Daniels arm. I laugh and start poking Andrews face, embarassed that I got so wrapped up over nothing.

"Is this what you wanted? Huh? Huh?!" I ask, pinching his cheeks.

"Ah! Not like that, devil woman! Symali! Save me!" Andrew pleads with Sym, trying to keep me away and only making me laugh harder.

"Nah man, you asked for it." Sym denies him, laughing from the sidelines with Mason.

"What about meee Dove?" Rose says surprisingly close to my ear, causing me to jump a good 10 feet in the air, which makes them both laugh so hard that Drew snorts.

"Ha ha. Very funny. Fine! You too!" I giggle with them as I poke and pull both of their cheeks. I look over and see a slightly drunk Daniel trying to keep his balance, but at least he's smiling. I give him a big ol grin when suddenly I'm lifted in the air.

"What the hell? Andrew!" I shout is Andrew runs with me over his head to the shore. How strong is this dude? Hes lifting me like I'm a bag of dog food.

"You took your eye off for a second! Retaliation!!" Rose yells, taking chase down the beach after us.

"Down with the tyrant!" Andrew yells with her as he runs into the water, tossing me in as soon as its deep enough to do so. I try not to scream as I go under the glacier like water, not wanting to put more strain on my voice than I already have. I resurface and splash them both. We end up having a splashing war and before long Mason joins us. I spot Daniel and Sym sitting by the shore, the sunset finishing behind them, bringing on the stars. I start making my way over.

"Hey! Come join us for a game of chicken!" I link as I get closer.

"Nah, I'll pass. I'm actually terrified of the ocean and Daniels keeping me company." Sym gives me a wide smile and I laugh at the contradiction.

"Terrified of the ocean, takes friends to the beach every summer. I will never understand you, Sym." I call as I walk backwards towards the group.

"Gotta keep you on your toes somehow!" She calls back to me after Ive already turned around, so I give her a smile over my shoulder. After a few games of me and Andrew getting our butts kicked by Rose and Mason, we head back to shore where we find Sym sitting alone.