Mute

Chapter 10 : The school talk

Chapter 10

Later...   

Riker POV

I woke up to Mark putting me in bed. But I grabbed his hand because I didn't want him to leave me.

"Riker, I know you're scared. But I want you to try falling asleep in your own bed tonight, ok? If you get scared or need something, just wake up Rocky, ok?"

I nodded.

"Ok. Goodnight, Riker."

He left and I immediately sat up again. Rocky was looking at me from his bed.

"Are you going to try to go to sleep?" Rocky asked.

I shook my head no.

"Why not?"

I sighed. Why can't Mark just stay with me?

Rocky got out of bed.

"Move over."

I slid closer to the wall and Rocky got in next to me.

"Now can you try going to sleep?" He asked.

I nodded and laid back down next to him.

"Ok. Just wake me up if you need something."

I moved slightly closer to Rocky until I was close enough that I could bury my face in his side.

"You're ok, Riker. I promise," Rocky said, putting his arm around me.

I closed my eyes. Maybe I can fall asleep tonight now that Rocky's here.

The next day...

Riker POV

I completely forgot about school. So when Rocky's alarm went off this morning, I was confused. Everyone got ready for school and then left. And I didn't really know what to do now that I was by myself.

I ended up going downstairs and found Stormie in the kitchen. She made me some toast for breakfast and then said I could go watch tv for a while in the living room.

Mark came in probably an hour later, holding a grocery bag. And he sat down next to me on the couch. I wrapped my arms around him and climbed onto his lap. He hugged me tight and started rubbing my back.

"Riker, I want to talk about school, ok? Did you bring your phone down here so you can answer my questions?"

I nodded.

"Ok, so this is the stuff Rocky bought for you for school," he said, showing me the blue folder, binders, and notebooks we got at the mall.

"Were you in school before you were in the foster system?"

I nodded.

"Ok, then can you tell me what happened that's making you so scared to go back to school?"

I took out my phone and started typing.

I didn't get good grades. I'm really bad at school. Especially math. I failed a ton of tests. And that means beatings.

"Riker, right now it doesn't matter what your grades are. I just want to get you back in school so you don't fall behind. And no matter what grades you get, you're not going to get beat here, ok?"

I nodded and laid my head against his shoulder.

"Ok, is there anything else you're scared about with school?"

Bullies. They love to pick on the quiet kid because they know I won't say anything back to them.

"Ok. Well if anyone is bullying you, just tell me and I'll make sure it stops, ok?"