Chapter Coward

The next day however, I was reminded that learning ASL wasn’t my only obstacle. Riley avoided me all day. When I saw her by her locker, she was gone by the time I got there. At lunch once again she didn’t show up in the cafeteria. The one class we shared she arrived last second and sat as far away from me as she could.

That was until track when the coach had us jog laps. I ran up beside her then kept pace. Then I grinned, at least she wasn’t running away this time.

“Hi,” I gasped.

‘No talking.’ She sighed with shaking hands.

She was right of course. Signing while running was nearly impossible so I couldn’t get a conversation started. When we finished she smiled sadly at me before walking straight to the girls locker room. By the time I finished in the locker room she was gone.

Wednesday, Thursday, and Friday followed in the same manner. Though I continued to practice signing, Martha was the only one I got to practice with.

I was trying to straddle the line of being insistent and being a creepy stalker. I wanted to be there for her but I didn’t want to freak her out. I also didn’t want to get arrested, with my luck I’d share a cell with Greg.

Uncle Theo did come home and we spent the weekend camping, running, and practicing fighting. Nobody brought up my mom’s return, and I appreciated it.

At one point as the three of us walked through the woods Martha brought up Riley. I explained how she was avoiding me. Theo threw his arm over my shoulder in a comforting gesture.

“Keep trying kiddo. Women can be stubborn and fickle, but if you respect them it’s worth it.” He assured.

“We are not pets, Theo.” Martha snapped.

“Or course not dear.” He dropped his arm before bending over to kiss her sweetly.

I hadn’t believed relationships could be good until I met them. It amazed me how much stronger they were together. I wanted that.

It was sunny and warm on Monday and everyone was having lunch on the quad. I looked around, surprised to see Riley sitting alone on the grass. She had her back against a tree and was reading a book. I noticed she was periodically glancing around. She was afraid of being snuck up on.

She wore light blue jeans and a dark green, swoop neck, long sleeve blouse. Her hair was wild and down acting as a shield covering her face. She had black bags under her eyes and I wondered what nightmares kept her up at night.

Then I shuddered remembering my last nightmare. I had learned that dreams were one of two things; either your subconscious trying to make sense of a situation, or a warning from someone you love who had died. This belief installed a determination to get closer to Riley.

“Why are you still trying dude? Clearly she thinks she’s too good.” Marcus said, looking pitifully at me.

While Marcus was the only real friend I had at this school, he still didn’t understand the idea of being guarded. He, like everyone else here, saw Riley as a stuck up bitch. In reality I knew she was more scared of us then they were intimidated by her.

“She’s not like that.” I replied as I watched her glancing up over her book.

“No offense Ethan,” Marcus said, running his dark caramel colored hand through his black hair. “But dude you’ve talked to her twice. You don’t know her at all.”

I knew he was right, but I also knew I was right. I wasn’t sure how to explain it. I shifted my gaze back away from him and back to Riley just as Britney came up behind her and jumped at her.

Riley shrieked and fell sideways into the fetal position, but only for a second. Everyone started laughing at her and she stood looking around uncomfortably. Even from this distance I could see her trembling.

“Okay I’ll give it to you, she is different.” Marcus said, frowning.

I stood walking towards where Britney was now talking in Riley’s face.

“What a baby. You act all tough but your nothing but a stupid coward.” Britney laughed.

Riley started signing, ‘I’m not a coward!’

“What was that?” Britney cupped her ear as if trying to hear what Riley was saying.

Riley blushed scarlet red and looked suddenly ashamed. Tears swam in her eyes and she took a step back. She was thinking about running, I had no doubt about that.

“Shut up Brit you are just jealous that unlike you Riley knows how to shut her fucking mouth.” I snapped at Britney getting between the two girls.

“Come on Ethan, it was just a joke.” Britney smiled tightly at me.

“Go to hell.” I hissed.

Automatically, I took Riley’s hand in mine before scooping up her bag with my other. I then proceeded to lead her back to where Marcus and I were sitting.

“Bitch.” I snapped as I released her hand and dropped back to the ground.

“Woah dude, language.” Marcus smirked.

I glared at him for a second then took a deep breath. I couldn’t let my anger get the best of me. I wasn’t that boy anymore. I looked up to see Riley’s back as she walked quickly past us and towards the track. She had her hair shielding her face.

“Riley, wait.” I called, standing up.

She turned towards me, ‘No.’ She signed slowly as she bit her lip, probably trying to fight the tears that were already running down her cheeks. ‘Please, I just need to be alone.’

“You need to let me be there for you.” I said.

I looked down where Marcus was pretending to be very interested in his bottle of water. I walked over to her.

“I know,” I said forcefully, “I know you think you should be alone. That nobody here could possibly get you. That you can’t trust anybody to not do it again. But you can’t go it alone. Everyone needs somebody.”

She looked up at me confused and angry. I knew the expression well. So I wasn’t surprised when she shook her head slowly and turned and ran, leaving her bag at my feet.

I sighed before bending down to pick it up and walking back over to Marcus.

“You may be right about her. She seems more skittish than pompous.” He mused.

I just nodded in response.

“What did you say to her? Really seemed to freak her out, aren’t you trying to be friends with her?” He frowned at me disapprovingly.

“I am. Friends tell you what you need to hear whether you like it or not.” I murmured distractedly.

Marcus nodded slowly, debating this. “In that case, you need a haircut dude.”

I couldn’t help it, I chuckled and rolled my eyes.