-Silent Minds-

Chapter 1

I was walking home from school alone when it happened. I met her. She was facing away from me, crying. Usually, I wouldn't have done anything, I would have kept walking. Walking straight home to watch re-runs of " How I Met Your Mother". But I didn't. I stopped, just behind her and asked, " Are you alright?" (A/N: IIM NOOT OKAAAAY) She looked up, startled, and softly shook her head.

I sat on the concrete next to her and began to speak. "I'm Grayson." She sat there for a moment, wanting to say something, but it wouldn't come out. "R-Ryn," she spoke about a minute later. "S..sorry abo-about t-the stuttering, I-I....do that a l-lot.." I shook my head totally fine with it. " It's okay...What happened?" "C...can I tell you somewhere warm? I've been out here for an hour." She replied, shivering."Yeah, my place isn't far from here." I handed her my extra galaxy sweater. "T-thank you."

I nodded in response. We arrived at my house and I unlocked the door. It's weird living alone. Well, I don't live alone. My dad is away for the month. We removed our jackets in the foyer. Ryn looked reluctant to take off her red and black checkered flannel. She sighs and peels it off, revealing a teal one-shoulder sweater. "Hey, want anything? Tea, coffee, soda? " "D...do you have any root beer? " "Yeah, " I said handing her a bottle of IBC. "Tha-thanks." She opens the bottle, taking tiny sips. I grab a Coke and sit across the kitchen island. "So, what happened? " "U-um...so I have this friend...I've known him since forever and every Friday we hang out... We were walking to get coffee and then his girlfriend ran up to us.... He went in to order and then she began hitting me and calling me names and saying that I was just his pity case. " She began tearing up. I handed her a Kleenex and said, "She's just jealous of your relationship with him... " She sniffled. "What school do you go to? " "Ra-ranier High... " I get excited, "Hey, I go there too. Twelfth grade right?! How come I never see you around? " She sighed. "I mean, no one really knows me... I'm not popular. " She looks down. "Hey, you want dinner? We can make chicken alfredo and watch a movie... " She nodded. "Why not? " We went to the kitchen and washed our hands. After some boiling and broiling, Ryn spoke up. "H--hey Grayson? Y-you're a girl, would ...a girl be mad if I was close to their boyfriend? " "Honestly, I wouldn't. She's just jealous that you are close with him. " " Oh, okay. " The chicken sizzled, it was ready. Ryn took the alfredo sauce and poured it on the pasta while I took the sliced chicken and placed it on top. Oh yeah, I forgot to mention as to why I'm letting her stay. Well, quite frankly because it's pitch black outside, her flat is all the way across town, plus she's really nice and quiet. I wouldn't mind her living here. We took our plates to the den and put our plates on the table. " Star Wars is on, wanna watch it?" Her eyes lit up faster than a Christmas tree. "Y-yes. " She giggled quietly and I ignore the adorable sound and press play. About an hour later, we heard a phone ring so I paused the movie and helped Ryn look for it. She opened her bag and pulled out a phone, sighing and letting it finish ringing. A few seconds later, it buzzed. She unlocked the phone and the familiar iMessage layout appeared. From Ash Ketchum: Ryndrop, where are you? Jess said you went home? She sighed again. "Ash? Like from Pokémon?" She smiled. " I usually don't call him that. His real name is Asher. Oh gosh where's my case? " She ran to her bag and pulled out a clear phone case with a silhouette of a girl holding and umbrella and a dozen colorful raindrops falling. It truly was one of the most beautiful things I have seen. She quickly responded and then sat her phone back down. "I-im sorry you can resume the--" "Want that cup of coffee and a night out on the pier? "

((A/N : RYN IS SHORT FOR CORINNA, I. REALIZED IT WAS LIKE RYE, IM SORRY))