Love is Silent

Chapter 3

Five months later

            I stared out the window at the rainy weather, thinking that it suited my mood perfectly. Today was to be my first day back to school since the accident. I had missed the first month and a half of classes, but my parents had hired a tutor so that I was caught up on all my work. Now they were forcing me to leave the haven I’d created in the house.

            For the past five months, I’d enclosed myself in my new room, which was on the main floor of the house now, since I couldn’t manage the stairs. Despite my many protests, I’d been forced into physical therapy and I could now get around with crutches. Aside from those sessions, I only left my room when I was hungry. I had a bathroom attached to my room, so I didn’t even need to leave for that.

            With a sigh, I struggled to my feet and made my way into the bathroom. I looked at myself in the mirror and I was slightly startled at my own appearance. My dark brown hair was longer than it had ever been, since I hadn’t gotten it cut since before the accident. My face was pale from lack of sunlight and it was gaunt as well, as I’d lost a bit of weight. My hazel eyes were blank, where before they had always been lively and full of expression.

            With a shake of my head, I turned away from my reflection and got into the shower. When I was done, I got dressed in jeans and a t-shirt, then put one of Luke’s hoodies on over top. I hadn’t been able to bring myself to go into his room, but my dad had brought me some of his stuff when I asked. It was one of the few times I had voluntarily spoken to anyone, so I knew he wouldn’t deny my request.

            After I had brushed my hair, I went into the kitchen where my dad was waiting for me. He looked up as I came in. “Ready?”

            I shrugged and took an apple to eat on the way, and then grabbed my bag and followed him out the door. He took my crutches from me and put them in the backseat once I was settled in the front passenger seat.

            He didn’t try to talk to me as we drove to the school. My parents had learned that if I wanted to talk, I would. They no longer tried to push me into conversation, which I was grateful for.

            When we pulled up at the school, my dad parked the car and got my crutches for me. Once he was sure I had my bag settled on my back and my crutches securely under my arms, he stepped back. “Have a good day. Cindy will drive you home after.”

            I nodded and slowly made my way into the school. Someone was kind enough to hold the door open for me and I murmured my thanks to them. I already knew where my locker was, but I didn’t need to do anything there yet so I just made my way to my first class.

            I reached the classroom and went in, moving to the back of the room and sitting in a seat in the corner after taking my bag off my back and setting my crutches against the wall. I stuffed my hands into the front pocket of Luke’s sweater and leaned back, closing my eyes. I heard someone come into the room, but I kept my eyes closed. I knew it was Cindy, because I could smell her perfume. She didn’t say anything; she just sat in the seat beside me.

            I could hear other students entering the room and I swear I could feel their gazes burning into me. I kept my eyes closed until the bell rang; then I finally opened them and scanned the room. It was full of people I knew and a few of them had visited me in the hospital.

            I spotted Adam sitting near the front. He turned to look at me and I could see that he wanted to come up to me. But I turned away before he could get the chance to. My eyes rested on the only person I didn’t recognize at all.