Silenced

Chapter 1

"Let go of me! Don't touch me!" He stuffs my mouth with his sock and tapes my lips shut. He comes closer to me and whispers in my ear, "If you are quiet, I won't tell your parents about the horrible girl you've been." No! that's a lie! Get away from me! Get your hands off me! Somebody, help! Get me out of this nightmare!

I wake up in the dark, alone. I felt like my heart was going to burst out of my chest. I had to keep reminding myself, it was just a dream. I've had the same nightmare, every night, for ten years. It's funny how I still remember the pain and the shame, even though it's been so long. I still have a tough time looking in the mirror, I cannot stand to see my own face.

I fell back down on my pillow and tried to control my breathing. Breathe in... hold it... breathe out... breathe in... hold it... breathe out... I looked at the time in my phone, it was four in the morning. If I get up and shower, I can watch some T.V. before school and have breakfast.

***

Papaya is in the kitchen waiting for his breakfast, my sweet Dogue de Bordeaux. My parents got him for me four years ago, when they saw that I hadn't made many friends in town. We moved to Georgetown, Colorado about seven years ago and I still haven't made many friends. You could say I have some trust issues and so on, the only person I trust is Papaya.

I make Papaya a sandwich and give him some dog food for his breakfast. He loves PB&J sandwiches. I get some toasts with cream cheese and sit on the couch to watch some T.V. in the living room.

"Watching T.V. so early in the morning, you know, that thing rots your brain, Allison?"

"Hey daddy, my brain is already rotten so there's no danger."

"Clever, if I had your rotten brain back in the day, I would've been valedictorian in school and given a better speech than the one my class's valedictorian gave."

"Too bad, if that were the case you would've had a chance to beat mom back in the day."

"Yeah, she was the best valedictorian ever."

"So, I was the best valedictorian." Mom walked into the room and interrupted our conversation. "Blake, you were the best runner up anyone could have."

My parents have known each other since Kindergarten. They used to compete in everything, who had the highest grades, who was better at sports and who was my favorite parent. Mom always won; my dad was second best at everything. As far as the better parent competition goes, they were even, both were great parents. Mom and dad were high school sweethearts, they graduated and went to the same university. Wherever one went, the other would go. We've moved three times, while my parents were getting settled and finding better job opportunities. My father is an obstetrician-gynecologist, he studied in Europe and now he runs the gynecology department in the local hospital. Mom is CEO of a mayor company. Just as they were the best in everything, they expect nothing less of me. Of course, I am extremely happy to abide by their only rule. I have the highest GPA in school, I am the best. The best in almost everything.

Besides being intelligent, my parents are the most charismatic people I know, especially my dad. On the other hand, I'm more reserved. To make a long story short, I am the weird girl in school, the antisocial girl that spends her time in the library and eats lunch alone.

"I have to go to school." I stood up and grabbed my bookbag.

"Wait honey, happy birthday!" My mom hugged me and gave me a box.

"Thanks mom!" I smiled.

"It's from both of us." My dad said.

"Thank you, you shouldn't have bothered."

"It's your birthday, it's not a bother. We know you don't want to celebrate but at least you should have a gift from your parents." My dad said to me.

I opened the box and saw a silver Pandora bracelet and a golden honeybee charm. "It's beautiful, thank you."

***

One more year and I can go away, one more year and I'm off to another continent with a scholarship. I've always thought that high school is not the best place to show who you really are. People mock everything, whether you are quiet or loud, good or bad, even the nicest person gets mocked and ridiculed. Everyone is judging your every move, so I rather eat lunch alone and avoid others. It's not the best option but it's better than trusting someone that will hurt you in some way. As soon as the bell rings for lunchtime I escape to my usual hiding spot on the roof. I climb the wall behind the library with my lunch box and sit near the edge where there is a giant tree that gives the perfect shade for me to eat and lie down for a nap. This is one of the few places where I feel at peace, the best part is that nobody knows about it.

***

"Hey, wake up." I heard a voice near me, "You'll get in trouble if someone catches you sleeping here."

"What?" I mumble. I open my eyes and I see a guy's face that is way too close to mine. What the hell?! "Don't touch me!" I shoved him away and sat up.

"Hey, sorry to wake you. I thought I should tell you that classes are about to start."

"Who are you? What are you doing here?"

"I'm Ryan, I'm new here. Look, I didn't mean to startle you."

"Well you did. You shouldn't be here."

"Neither should you. I was checking out the school and this looked like a place where I could do homework during my free period. I found you sleeping here and thought that you might have classes right now, so I woke you up."

"You talk too much."

"Oh, sorry, I guess? Anyway, what's a pretty girl like you doing here all alone?"

Now he will get it. "Smooth. Who do you think you are? Your petty lines might work with other girls, but they won't work with me."

"I was just trying to be nice, and you are pretty. Why were you here, all alone?"

"So I can be away from people, including you." I stand up and leave. I hate guys like that, he needs to mind his own business. Sure, he is handsome, tall, dark hair, deep blue eyes, but still, it won't be long until he proves to be a total jerk! I hate being around people. How could I not be skeptic after what happened? I know I should be more open towards people, but I can't help it. I can barely stand my parents hugging me. Just like that I felt a few tears rolling down my cheeks. I went to the bathroom to wash my face. I can't keep being this weak.