Broken Silence Read online

  “You alright there?” He sounded amused. I reached for my pen.

  ‘my brain is melting from information overload’ I wrote in answer. He chuckled at me and gave an understanding look.

  “Are they making you make up the work you missed? Or just the chapters we are already into?” I grabbed my pen and explained that each class wanted me up to date from the last test until now. “That’s not too bad then.” He said with a shrug. I shook my head no.

  He wasn’t wrong, I would be in a panic if they expected me to catch up from the start of school. I decided that I had enough studying and packed up my books. He loaded up his bag as well.

  “Where do you live?” He was gathering his stuff still so I wrote down my address and he smiled. “We are practically neighbors. I live a few doors down and Abby and Adam live two blocks away.” I gave him a happy smile, that meant I didn’t have to walk alone.

  The walk home was nice. Cole didn’t talk much, which was good because I couldn’t really answer him while walking anyway. We made it to my house and he was still with me. I guess he lived further down. I pointed up at my house so he knew it was my stop.

  “Bye Charlie girl, see you tomorrow.” He said with his signature half grin and continued down the sidewalk. I walked inside and couldn’t stop smiling. Sophia was in the kitchen preparing dinner so I went to help.

  “I know that kind of smile.” She grinned. I just shook my head and playfully rolled my eyes. She giggled and finished cooking while I set the table. It was nice that we already had a system going. It had only been days but Sophia was my favorite foster parent by far.

  The next day at school was much better than my first day. I realized that I had history with Alice, we just didn’t know each other the first time. I avoided sitting next to Jessica this time, so there weren’t any issues there. By the time lunch rolled around I was actually feeling pretty good about this school.

  “Soooo.” Abby said as I walked up to her outside of the cafeteria. I gave her a strange look, wondering what she was so excited about. I did a quick recap of my day and was still stumped. Not one exciting thing happened today.

  “I hear Cole met you at the library last night.” She squealed. I rolled my eyes at her and she just chuckled. “Come on, you better text me the details. Wait. Don’t tell me you two literally studied the whole time? No flirting?” She had a pained expression on. I nodded my yes to her and she pretended to cry.

  We made our way through the lunch line and back to the table. I purposely led the way to stop her from bringing it back up. I highly doubt Cole wanted to flirt. He was just being friendly and probably curious.

  “Hey Charlie!” Adam greeted, while Alice and Trent both looked up and waved. Cole looked up at the same time and gave his half grin with a quick greeting. “Hey Charlie girl. Today better then yesterday?” He looked concerned. I gave him a dramatic head nod. They all looked relieved.

  “I guess you are yesterday’s news now.” Abby said with a shrug.

  “At least we get to keep you to ourselves now.” Adam joked as he leaned back in his chair. Their acceptance meant more to me then I could put into words. I kept telling myself I was temporary and that I needed to part ways. People leave eventually, why make connections. But, despite my internal warnings, I couldn’t bring myself to let them go just yet.

  The conversation went on around me for a while and I was just content to listen and nod and enjoy my food and company.

  “It’s funny, Charlie, that I can pretty much tell what you are saying with your facial expressions. I guess the not being able to talk thing made you more expressive or we take for granted how much you can understand just from expressions alone.” Alice said while she studied my face like I was her new science experiment. I just shook my head and grinned.

  “Alice, reign in the nerdiness, it’s leaking out.” Trent joked as he dramatically scooted his seat away like it was contagious. She rolled her eyes and blushed. She went back to the book she was reading.

  When it was time to head to class, Adam grabbed my hand and escorted me through the hallway. I was touched by his kindness. It wasn’t often you saw jocks caring enough to do something like that. Especially without you being their girlfriend or they are flirting. Adam hasn’t flirted with me once and honestly he wasn’t my type. It was nice just having a genuine guy friend. Let’s be honest, it was nice having friends again in general.

  I loved Lizzy, but there was a difference in having a real friendship, and having a friend that you had to constantly take care of or reassure. Lizzy couldn’t handle my mess of a life, even though I knew she still cared about me. Something told me when this group found out, they wouldn’t just give up on me. Alice’s observations about communicating with me were impressive. Everyone else just wanted actual words or got annoyed with my lack of interest.

  The rest of the day went by in a blur until music. I loved the escape that playing the violin gave me. The piano was my real musical love, but I couldn’t bring myself to even try.

  “I have decided to try something new for your midterms this year. You will work in groups to perform a song together for the entire class. Charlie and Cole will be one group, the rest of you in the second group.” Mr. Hill explained. I looked over at Cole and he gave me a grin. “Go ahead and split up for the last ten minutes and decide on a song to do. It can be any song in our sheet music collection as well. Once you decide you can go early today.” He finished and left us to decide.

  “Any song in mind, Charlie girl?” He asked. I shrugged and thumbed through one of the stacks of sheet music books that Mr. Hill had set in the instrument room today. I gave Cole a questioning look to see if he had one in mind. “I have a couple suggestions. What kind of music do you like?” He asked. I pulled out my cell phone and opened up my music app to show him what I had. He looked serious as he studied my selection. It wasn’t as big as my original collection, but I chose not to keep any of my stuff when I went into foster care.

  “You listen to punk, classic rock and 80’s music?” He asked shocked. I gave a shy smile and nodded. My music choices never made sense to anyone. His smile grew wide as he pulled out his phone and brought up his music to show me. It was nearly identical to mine, though quite a bit more extensive. I smiled back at him. After browsing through the books and our songs, we chose to do our own twist on a classic song.

  I was hunched over studying the sheet music for the song we chose when I felt him gently pull on a strand of hair. I looked up and met those bright blue eyes of his. “I forgot to tell you how badass your hair is.” He said with his playful half smile. I grinned up at him and playfully shook my hair out and did a model pose. “Wait for me here and we can leave together. I’m going to see if Mr. Hill is ok with our choice.” He said as he laughed at my pose. I looked around and noticed the others were gone already. I nodded and packed up my bag.

  He was gone for a minute before I walked over to the piano. I stroked my hand across the keys and I could practically picture my dad sitting there with me as he taught me to play his favorite Journey songs. They were his favorite band, so he thought I should learnt to appreciate them too.

  I sat down without thinking about it as I started to play the last song we worked on. I was halfway through and had my eyes closed when I felt someone sit next to me. Cole had a concerned look on his face and he reached up to wipe away a tear that had made it’s way down my cheek. I took a deep breath and attempted a smile before I got up to leave.

  We made it to the hall when he reached over and squeezed my hand, though the contact just caused another tear to fall. I quickly wiped it away and squeezed back. He let go when we reached my lockers and I took the moment to push my emotions back in the dark corner of my mind where they belonged. The familiar numbness washed over me. Numb I could work with, faking emotions was easier then actually feeling the weight of real ones.

  “You alright Charlie girl?” Cole asked softly. I turned and flashed him an apologetic smile and a nod. “D
on’t be sorry. Are you studying at the library again tonight?” I shook my head yes and he grinned. “See you there then.” He said as he walked away.

  Chapter 5

  Cole

  “I think that would be a very interesting mix.” Mr. Hill agreed with a smile. I was pumped, it would definitely be a badass collaboration to do. He made us copies and I took them and went back in. I stopped outside of the glass door as I noticed Charlie at the piano. I slowly opened the door, because I didn’t want her to stop, I loved the trance she went into when she played. She looked so peaceful at times. She tried to hide it, but other times she looked haunted, not peaceful.

  I got close enough to see her face and my heart stopped. I had never seen anyone look so beautiful and broken at the same time. I sat down next to her and she turned to look at me, finally opening her eyes. The look of pure sadness in her eyes tore at my heart. What happened to this poor girl?

  I slowly wiped a tear away and she gave me a fake smile. She tried to reign in her emotions. I decided right then that I would work hard to put real smiles on her face.

  We went our separate ways and agreed to meet up at the library. I was distracted as I made my way to Trent’s car for the ride home.

  I’m glad Charlie found us. I doubt we could erase the horrors of her past but we sure as hell could help her be happy. It was odd to me, that Abby brought this silent and beautiful girl into our group and we all just took her in. I guess we recognized one of our own. We call ourselves misfits for a reason. None of us felt like we fit into the other groups, always preferring each other’s company. It had been that way since we started first grade.

  Most parents don’t let their kids have coed sleepovers, but our parents knew better. We had sleepovers every other weekend since the summer after fifth grade. I guess we were all responsible enough in our own ways that they trusted us. The fact that we never considered dating each other, definitely helped. Though I had a suspicion that Abby had a thing for Adam and Alice definitely has a crush on Trent. Neither of them had attempted to act on it and I don’t think the guys even knew. I definitely couldn’t deny my attraction to Charlie. She had a way of captivating me. She was beautiful and confident, but also seemed like she had a story to tell. The fact we had the same taste in music definitely helped too.

  I made my way to the library, lost in my thoughts. I didn’t really have much to study but I liked spending time with her. Plus I hated the idea of her being alone. As long as I made it home to read my brother’s a story before bedtime, mom didn’t mind. Though I doubt any mom minds when her kid asks to go study every day after school.

  “What are you studying tonight?” I asked as I looked at her huge stack of books. The poor girl started school between tests in most of our classes, so she had to play catch up to do well on the next tests.

  ‘picking my history topic.’ She wrote down in her notebook. I wrinkled my nose. History was the worst. She made a small noise that sounded like the start of a laugh, but she cut it off almost as quickly as it started. I couldn’t help but wonder what it would sound like for her to laugh freely.

  We studied in silence, writing the occasional note back and forth before she did the same dramatic sigh and rested her head on her arms, like she did last night. I had to laugh at her display, though I couldn’t blame her. It was also our cue to pack up and call it a night. My phone vibrated in my pocket and I pulled it out to see it was Abby.

  Abby: Studying with Charlie again? ;)

  Me: Yes…Shut it Abbs! It’s just innocent studying.

  Abby: I’m sure it is, always the gentleman Cole.

  “Ready?” I asked and she did her usual nod yes. I led the way out and we made our way home. Walking next to her was definitely different. I grew up with my friends, who never stopped talking. The silence Charlie brought wasn’t awkward though, it was a nice change. I couldn’t help but sneak glances every few minutes. When she thought no one was looking she had that oddly blank look on her face. Apparently she was skilled in hiding her emotions, because you didn’t see them very often.

  “Have a good night, Charlie girl. See you tomorrow.” I waved and continued walking down the street as soon as she reached her door.

  That broken look haunted me. The possibilities of what happened to Charlie ate at me. I couldn’t help but thinking of the worst ones. Was it abuse or worse? I sighed and made my way home, trying to think of anything else.

  I was getting ready for bed after reading my little brothers a story. They wouldn’t let mom or dad read to them anymore, because “Co” as they called me, did better voices. They were possibly the cutest twins around, so I couldn’t deny them.

  Adam: How did studying go?

  I noticed he was using the group text without Charlie this time. We generally texted within a group text instead of individually, it was just easier. When they added the group to Charlie’s phone it was a different group. We still used this one, though not as often.

  Trent: Library again? You like her, Man?

  Me: We are just friends, dude.

  Abby: I asked the same thing, lol.

  Alice: I like Charlie. I hope she wasn’t offended I pointed out that I read her facial expressions.

  Adam: No way, she seems to chill to care about that.

  Abby: Are you guys all ok with her being part of our group?

  Trent: Hell yea, she’s a badass at basketball. Plus she’s interesting.

  Alice: I think she fits with us. Who better to take her in then the misfits?

  Adam: Agreed. She doesn’t shy away from us like I’ve seen her do to everyone else in class.

  Me: I wouldn’t study with her if I didn’t think she was worth being a friend.

  Abby: Good. Thanks guys. She just seemed so lost that first day, then we seemed to get along well.

  Adam: I noticed that too, she seems so sad sometimes.

  Alice: Do you know why, Abby?

  Abby: No, I didn’t want to ask.

  Me: I bet she will share eventually.

  As I tried to fall asleep I was still struggling with what could have happened. I knew I was being nosey, but I couldn’t help it. She just made me want to protect her. My best guess is that someone probably tried to strangle her and damaged her vocal chords, but I guess I would know one day if she trusted me enough. Either way it didn’t truly matter. She was ours and we were keeping her.

  Chapter 6

  The next few weeks flew by as I settled into a routine with my new friends and living with Sophia. Cole and I were still practicing our midterm song and studying at the library. Our class performance was scheduled for next week. I had finally caught up so my homework wasn’t as brain melting as before, but Cole and I continued studying at the library. I appreciated that he joined me and we were both semi productive so his family and Sophia didn’t mind.

  “It’s Friday, guys!” Abby loved Fridays, I generally spent my weekends at home studying but now that I’m caught up, maybe I could join them more.

  ‘Sophia wants to meet you guys, Movie night at my place this weekend sometime?’ I wrote down and passed the notebook. It made its way around our round lunch table until it reached me again. I smiled at everyone’s yes. We decided on Saturday, I’m sure Sophia would be cool with it. She seemed happy with the way things were going, but a part of me worried she wouldn’t want to keep me either. I tried harder to push my negative thoughts away lately.

  The conversation topic for the rest of the day was fall break and midterms. We had midterms next week and then got a week off of school for fall break. I was looking forward to a break since the constant studying wore me out.

  I texted Sophia while I was at lunch asking if the movie night would be ok. She still didn’t answer by the time I was walking out front to meet her. In fact, I had been waiting for 20 minutes and still no sign of her. I called her phone and was about to leave a voicemail and walk when Danielle pulled up. My heart stopped. Danielle only came by the house for random visits and to take me ou
t of homes. Did Sophia not want me? Is that why she didn’t answer?

  “Hey Charlie, everything ok?” Alice was walking up behind me. She must have had one of her academic clubs after school to just be leaving. I saw the look of concern on her face and knew I hadn’t hid my panic at all. I gave her a fake reassuring smile as Danielle got out of her car. I studied her face but nothing gave it away.

  “Hey Charlie, I asked Sophia if I could pick you up. We need to talk.” She had her serious voice, which did nothing to stop the awful dropping feeling in my stomach. I gave a feeble nod and pushed back tears. I shot Alice one more small smile before I got in, just in case I wouldn’t see her again. Some of the home exits were swift. I tried to hold in the tears and panic, but I just couldn’t push it away this time. Life had finally started to feel worthwhile again.