I do my usual smile and nod technique, but the facts he keeps rattling off are fairly interesting. I’m impressed with his knowledge of the random bands I’d chosen. Even working in a music store you don’t expect the workers to know every band, and I have my doubts that punk is his usual genre of choice, if his One Direction shirt is anything to go off of.
After handing him my card and signing the receipt, he gives me another smile but seems confused why I’m not talking back.
“Are you new to the area?” His eyebrows raise as he tries again. Knowing if I don’t sign he’ll just be either annoyed or hurt, I quickly sign a response.
‘Yes, just moved yesterday.’
“Uh, I’m sorry,” he says, frowning and his cheeks tinting pink. He doesn’t understand sign language enough for me to explain that I can hear just fine and to not worry, so I just give a quick wave before walking out.
The interaction took a bit of the wind out of my sails, reminding me that despite new clothes and people not knowing me, that I didn’t have a high chance of making friends. This is the exact reason I generally run at the first sign of real conversation. It’s who I am now. A survival technique if you will, and it’s a hell of a lot better than just staring at them blankly.
Maybe the new school will learn quickly I’m mute and not be dicks about it. I could use a bit less bullying than I got before. After everything, I didn’t care what they thought about me. Really I just didn’t care about anything in general. But that didn’t stop them from being assholes and their words would get to me regardless.
Not far from the music store, I find a cute little bookshop and decide to stop in and see what they have. I love reading paranormal books and the occasional horror. It’s my escape from reality and if they creep me out, then I love them even more.
You would think with my past I would avoid it, but I never could resist a creepy ghost story. Walking straight for the paranormal section, I scan the familiar titles. Nothing new jumps out at me until I find a small book on the haunted history of Arcadia Hills.
Of course, I have to suffer through an awkward transaction with the nice old lady who works behind the counter. She gets flustered when I don’t speak and then gives me the sad eyes when I sign my ‘thank you’ to her. Her pity makes my skin crawl and I hurry away before it can get worse.
As I make my way out of the store, my stomach growls so loudly that someone walking past chuckles. Blushing, I check my phone and realize all of my nerdy browsing kept me occupied for a good couple of hours, and it’s already past noon.
Glancing up and down the street, I look around at my food options. There’s a choice of either bar and grills, pizza, or a diner. Of course, I choose pizza since I can’t resist the cheesy perfection. I’ve survived on subpar family meals and cafeteria food for way too long.
The restaurant isn't the usual pizza place, it’s a purchase by the slice restaurant. The heated displays show every style of pizza I can think of and my nose crinkles at the fresh ham and pineapple one she slides into place. Despite that monstrosity, the rest looks so good I know it will take me forever to pick. Thankfully nobody is behind me and a girl is still choosing her food in front of me, so I have a moment to think.
“Can I help you?” the bored teenager behind the counter asks when it’s my turn. I point out the pepperoni pizza and hold up two fingers with a smile. He gives me a look that clearly says he thinks I’m being rude. I fight back my natural urge to roll my eyes. The audacity of people my age is ridiculous. “Pepperoni? Two pieces?” he asks to make sure. I nod and walk up to the cash register to avoid staring at him awkwardly.
I noticed the girl in front had paid before they gave her the tray, which helps ease my nerves a bit. My heart stops as I take in the pretty smile she throws my way, her blue eyes shining as she gives me a curious look before walking away. She’s breathtaking and I can’t even help the slow scan my eyes do as I check her out. My brain stutters for a moment and I don’t snap out of it until the guy behind the counter clears his throat. Smooth, Charlie.
Not meeting the cashier’s eyes, I quickly pay for my pizza and search for a seat. It isn’t overly crowded, so I find a small table by the window and quickly claim it as my own. The lighting in here isn’t the best and I’m ready to crack into my new book.
The girl that was in front of me in line sits a few tables over with a small group. At least the few people my age that I have seen seem fairly friendly, with the exception of the pizza boy. I’ll go ahead and take that as a positive sign. Fake it till I make it and all that.
I pull out my new book and quickly immerse myself in a local legend about the haunted library and I make a mental note to check out the library next. My last home had a few younger kids, so I usually opted for the city library for homework time. Sophia’s house might be the opposite and it’s too quiet to keep me focused. There’s something about studying among all the books that makes it more effective, so the library would be the smarter choice even if I have to study with ghosts.
“Are you new in town? Will you be starting at the high school, or are you private or home schooled?” I look up at the girl from earlier, my eyes going wide. She seems genuinely curious and for the first time in three years I wish I could speak. She has long blonde hair that’s a few shades lighter than mine. It cascades over her shoulders in beach waves. She’s slender but curvy and dresses simply in jeans, a plain pink T-shirt, and flats.
She seems safe enough, but I hesitate for a moment before I give her a smile and pull out my phone, quickly opening the notepad and typing in that I would be going to the high school. When I turn the screen around, I catch a hurt look on her face. She probably thought I was being rude or openly shutting her down. That’d be a cold day in hell.
I sign ‘sorry’ to her with a small sigh. Her eyes go wide as the realization sinks in, and she recovers by leaning forward to read the message I’m holding out for her.
“You mind if I sit down for a second?” she asks politely, and I know I look shocked. Most people run away fast when they realize we can’t talk back and forth. But I have a feeling she’s going to keep on surprising me.
“My name is Abby. You are?” she asks and waits patiently while I type my answer out and show it to her. “I love the name Charlie!” She clasps her hands in front of her and smiles. “Short for Charlotte?” I nod and she beams, her smile dazing me each time it’s aimed my way. She’s even more attractive because she’s so freaking nice.
“What grade are you in?” She actually squeals when I show her my answer. “Me too! Hopefully we have a few classes together. I’m not really a genius or anything, but I can help you do any catch up that you need! Hell, if I can’t then my friends can.” This time it’s my turn to smile and she returns it easily, the silence not even awkward.
Abby takes out her cell phone and indicates she wants mine. I hand it over, and she quickly does something before giving it back. Glancing down, I notice she added her phone number. She pushes her phone toward me and indicates she wants mine. I add my new number into her phone and try to not freak out. She actually seems genuine and friendly and it’s been too fucking long being on my own. I know my social skills are stunted and I really don’t want to mess this up.
I have an internal battle of not wanting to be close to anyone, and being so lonely I can’t function. We just met, so I push all of that aside and decide to just see where this goes. She’ll get tired of the no talking soon enough, and I’ll be alone again, no point in freaking out prematurely.
“I’ll let you ge
t back to your lunch and book. I’ll text you later if that’s ok?” She fidgets with a strand of pale hair and The nervous action surprises me, she seems so damn confident, but I quickly nod. “Awesome. It was nice to meet you, Charlie! The whole senior class shares a lunch period, so if we don’t end up with any classes then find me at lunch. I’ll wait by the fountain in front of the cafeteria for you!” She gives me a quick wave and walks off.
Opening my book, I start to read again but I can’t wipe the small smile from my face. The words all blur together and before I realize it, my food is gone and I’m just zoning out. Whoops.
Throwing away my trash and putting my tray up, I start my walk to the library. Thankfully it’s only a few more blocks away.