Quiet Kid.

Chapter 1

Monday morning 8.30am- she arrives to the school building, walking and wearing her usual attire. Black ripped jeans, white shirt untucked, black combat boots and a leather jacket. Her hair is up in a messy bun, there's a choker around her neck, black makeup around her eyes and she's wearing black lipstick. She walks up the stairs right past me but not before glancing and smiling at me and goes straight to her tutor.

Nothing of this routine is changed, its been like this for the last 3 years. Her outfits haven't even changed, but there is something different about her recently, she's been looking at me. No one ever pays any attention because I'm the weird one. I am kind of weird, I don't speak any when at school and don't have any friends but if you give me a chance I'm not too bad. I like to watch what's happening around me, it makes me feel more in control of everything, I like it that way. I usually watch everyone but since I laid my eyes on her, I have been more focused on what she is doing during school hours.

The morning goes quickly so does break time and soon its art. I enjoy doing art its calming and lets me express myself. I sit on my seat, at the back of the class nowhere near anyone just like everyone and myself like it. All the seats are taken except the one across from me, that is until the door opens when the register is coming to an end. In she walks, strutting in like she owns the place, she's always extremely confident and no one messes with her. She's everything I want to be.  She walks to the teacher who points to the seat near mine. Everyone whispers good luck and jeers at me. She walks carefully towards me and just smiles before taking the empty seat. She doesn't try to start a conversation, just pays attention to the teacher. "I might like this.", I think smiling slightly. I pull out my book that I write what happens in the day in, writing a new entry.

Third lesson, 11.30- she's in my art class and sits next to me. She smiled at me but didn't try to talk. Up close you can see the couple of scars that are on her face and hands, they are healed but shine under the light. She also smells like roses, and wears a little rainbow bracelet on her left wrist.

I finish writing and look up to catch the end of what the teacher was explaining "..... you will be working in pairs to create a collaborated art piece. You may pick your partners and get straight to work."  I sigh slightly, "This is my worst nightmare, I will have to talk to her but no one at school knows my voice or if I even have the ability to speak. And I was hoping it could stay that way, but no, a partner project. With her it shouldn't be too bad though.", I think a bit annoyed. Little laughs can be heard on the other side of the class, they are more than likely laughing at me. A cough brings me from my thoughts "Hi, I'm Raven, my pronouns are she/her. Can I work with you?", I give a simple nod and mentally note down that she speaks as confidently as she acts. "Thanks, can I get your name?" I nod and tear a piece of paper off. I write hi, I'm River, Riv for short or finn if you'd like. I don't mind. Pronouns she/they please.

She takes the paper, reads it quickly then says "Hi Finn its nice to meet you." I take the paper again and write likewise. We don't 'talk' for the rest of the lesson just plan ides we could possibly use for the prompt 'different but equal'. We have an A4 paper full of possibilitys by the end of the lesson. Its about five minutes before we have to leave and Raven speaks up "Finn, would you like to have lunch together?" I think for a little while before nodding enthusiastically, I have never had anyone to eat lunch with before this is gong to be a nice change. "Where would you like to meet?", I think again then write on the scrap paper, how about up here. we can eat and start on the project. "That's a good idea, I will see you up here then in an hour." And with that she had disappeared out of the door, leaving me sat at the table.

The hour went by rather slowly, I completed all my work in record time and spent most of my time thinking about Raven. I'm going to have to speak in front of her eventually, I don't think writing notes to her is the most effective way of communication. The lunch bell breaks me from my thoughts, and I leave the classroom in the blink of an eye. I make it to the art room at the end of the long corridor, Ravens sat at the table we were at earlier. I make my way over to her quietly, when I reach her side I tap her shoulder. She screams a little jumping in her seat "Don't do that again River, you don't know who your messing with." I giggle a little but nod straight faced when she finishes what she was saying. The table is covered already with paper, pencils and paints along with Ravens lunch.

I place my lunch on the table and bag on the floor not before pulling out a piece of paper. I write I don't think me writing stuff down is effective so I will speak to you. No one in this school knows that I can speak so you need to keep it secret, can you? And I haven't spoke in ages so it might sound a bit weird at first.  "Of course I can.", she says like I'm dumb. I smile and take a sip of my water, "Hello Raven.", my voice is barely above a whisper and sounds croaky but she doesn't seem to mind. "Hey Finn. Can I ask why you don't speak if you don't mind, I don't are if you don't tell me." "Its fine." Its a lot to speak so i write it down. I don't speak because it was my big mouth that got me hurt. I let something slip that was used against me. I got hurt because of it so I just decided I wouldn't speak around people. Raven reads it then shoots a small smile my way, "Should we learn some sign language so we can talk without talking?" My smile is wide now, no one has ever tried to talk to me ever, I'm just weird and people don't like weird. "Please." i croak out while nodding wildly. "We can start now, the projects not that important."

For the rest of lunch we learn some basic sign language practising so we can make sense of simple sentences. Its nearly time for last lesson so we start to tidy our things away. "Thank you." Raven stares at me confused so I get the paper as my voice is hurting despite the very few words ive spoke. Thank you so much for everything. I know we have only talked to each other today but you are my first friend in this school. I really appreciate you taking the time to be able to talk to me easier. Thank you Raven. I start tearing up, I know this is silly she was only being kind to me but shes been amazing towards me and I appreciate it greatly.  I slide the paper and Raven reads the few sentences. When shes finished she looks at me her eyes also glossy. "Finn, that is really my pleasure. Your really nice, I'm very happy that I'm your friend."

I do something really unexpected I stand up and hug her, no one gets hugs from me not even my parents but its not like they want to give me a hug or have the time to. Raven hugs back until I pull away. "We are going to be good friends, I can feel it.", I think smiling slightly. "Phone number?" "That would make sense. Give me your phone and I will put my number in it. Text me when you get home and maybe you can come over at the weekend?" I hand her my phone and just nod, a few moments later I have new contact under the name "R". The bell goes off so we leave and head our separate ways.