Little Sweet Dreamer

Chapter 6

"Hazel, I understand you're upset, but you are who threw juice—"

"Because you insulted me!" I took an angry step toward him. "All I said was, 'I'm sorry!' What Evan did was crappy! But what do you do? Take what I said as me pitying you. And then you had to call me such a nasty name!"

"I didn't see it as an insult!" he shouted, causing me to take a step back. "I was being playful!"

"You insensitive bastard! Do you think I like being unable to talk? You think I want anyone to call me 'mute,' let alone—" There was no word for "Mutey" in sign language, which further frustrated me. I angrily clenched my fist together and quaked.

He ran his hands through his hair frustratedly. "I thought you were like... mute and proud or something."

"Proud?!" My eyes widened, and I snapped—an angry scream escaped my chest, making his eyes widen, and his mouth open slightly. My hand met his face with a satisfying slap, the sound filling the room. He grabbed my wrist before I could do it again, pulling me against his chest. A flood of shivers swarmed my body as anger tore through my bones.

"Take a deep breath," he begged. "Please."

Tears escaped my eyes, soaking his shirt. Momentarily, I found comfort in his arms being around me. I wanted to lean in, press my face against his chest and let the emotions wash out of me.

But he was the one causing me pain. And I was stupid for letting him even try to make me feel better. I pushed away from him. His eyes left my face, unable to face the tears.

"I watched my dad get shot before me," I signed slowly. "His blood covered my face. His killer took away him and my voice with one tiny bullet. I couldn't say anything and still can't. And you made a joke of it in front of everybody."

He said nothing and swallowed hard.

"I hate you," I signed. "Let me out." He hesitated, his eyes lost. "Now!"

I managed to find my way back to the central part of the house. My friends sat outside on the lawn, waiting for me. All their phones were in hand, and my phone continuously vibrated in my back pocket.

I tapped Mindy, and she spun around, relief in her eyes. "I'm so sorry." She hugged me tightly as the rest of them got up and did the same. I graciously accepted their love and cried some more as they held me tightly.

"Go away," Andy said, pulling away from us. Ana and Mindy held onto me as all three of the guys stood before us. Grey looked at me through them and then back at them.

He looked like he wanted to apologize some more, but his eyes hardened. "You need to leave my party. All of you. You're not welcome anymore."

"As if we ever were," Andy snapped.

"Shut up, and get your girlfriend out of here." Grey's eyes were dangerously dark. Andy's fist clenched, but he knew it was a fight he couldn't win.

"Let's just go," Blake said. He pulled Andy back. Arnold was already behind us and pulling my shirt to lead us away.

"At least I'd have a girlfriend who wasn't a garbage human!" Andy snapped.

"What did you say?" Grey advanced toward Andy, who had a death wish. "Say something about her again; I dare you."

"About who? I didn't name anybody. It seems like you already know the trash you're with."

Grey's fist collided with Andy's jaw, and he stumbled backward. Mindy's surprised yelp and Grey's enraged body language caused people to come swarming around us.

"Fight, fight, fight!" a guy in the crowd shouted. Then, more taunting cheers started cheering for Grey, and Sasha appeared behind him wearing a smirk.

Andy knew he was in over his head. However, he still went for it, managing to punch Grey in his nose. That was all he could get in, though, before Grey kicked him hard in his stomach. He doubled over, groaning in pain, and fell in front of us. I pulled out of their grip and acted as a barrier between him and Grey.

"Oohhh, player three has entered the ring," Sasha commented in a sassy manner. "'You going to beat him up with your words?"

"He's done," I signed, staring at Grey. "He defended me and got his butt kicked. You've taught him a lesson. We're leaving."

"What did she say?" Sasha demanded.

"She said they're leaving," Grey said. "As they should."

"I think you should teach her a lesson for messing with us," she said. "Bruise that pretty face."

Anger flared in my stomach, and I hoped she'd take up that offer and come into the circle herself.

"We've done enough," Grey snapped, pushing through the crowd away from her. She raised her hand in mock surrender while letting out a piercing, sarcastic laugh.

People around us mumbled uncomfortably or booed and began to disperse. Some laughed and drunkenly swayed away. Sasha stood rooted in place as the crowd dissipated until it was just my friend group and herself. Everybody in our group bent down to help Andy as I kept my eyes on her.

"This isn't a game you want to play, Hazel," she said as she got closer to me. "I will make you regret ever coming to this school." She took the final step into my space, and I tried not to flinch.

She spat on my face.