Chris and I walked in mostly silence, but he looked up at the night sky, taking a deep breath.

"I love nighttime." He sighed contentedly.

I nodded, looking up at the sky as well.

The stars were shining along with the moon, making everything a little brighter.

Chris and I continued walking quietly, before he looked at me.

"Can I hold your hand?" He asked me quietly.

Even though he had asked me before, I was still rather surprised by this. It's not every day a boy asks to hold your hand. Of course, in a friend way, I mean. Cause that's what we were. Friends.

I smiled a little, Nodding as I held out my hand.

He took it in his, giving it a gentle squeeze as we walked.

He began to hum to himself a little, looking up at the sky.

"Look at the stars, look how they shine for you.." he mumbled. "And all the things you do...Yeah, they were all yellow."

I looked at him, smiling a little.

He looked up at me, a small smile on his face as well. "I came up with more lyrics.." he said quietly. "Are they alright?"

I nodded, wishing I could actually tell him how good they were.

Things went back to being silent again, The only sounds to be heard being crickets and our footsteps on the concrete.

I looked up at Chris, who seemed to be calm. I wished I could have such a tranquil spirit like his. It seemed that even though his life, especially at school, could be unpleasant, he was somehow untouched by it. He just had an inner peace that kept him so optimistic.

We began to walk through my neighbourhood, and I glanced at my house, a soft sigh escaping my lips.

I loved Joseph, don't get me wrong. I just wished I could spend all of my time with Chris.

Joseph didn't tend to be the positive type. Sometimes, if he really wanted something for me or for him he would be, but it seemed like when I really needed his support for something, he was nothing but negative. Which is why I hadn't told him about my issues at school. And why I'd hardly told him about Chris.

My fear was that he'd think worst case scenario, like he always did. If he knew about the bullies, he'd probably decide to take me out of school. Even through my problems, I wouldn't want to leave school. It would mean leaving Chris, And Phil. The only people who seemed to care about me.

As we approached my house, I went up to the door, looking back to see if Chris was still there, before I went to open it.

However, the door didn't budge.

Joseph had locked it.

He must've thought I wasn't coming home.

I swallowed a little, reaching for the doorbell and letting my finger linger there for a moment.

"What's wrong?" Chris Asked quietly.

I shook my head a bit, looking back and giving him a small smile before pressing the doorbell.

I stepped away from the door, sighing a little as I heard footsteps inside of the house.

The door opened, revealing Joseph, who sighed in relief.

"Ella, where were you?" He asked.

I pointed over at Chris, who stepped up.

"Ella came over to my house, and we asked her to stay for dinner.." he explained shyly.

Joseph nodded, biting his lip. "Chris, right?"

Chris nodded.

"Thank you, Chris, for bringing Ella home." Joseph Said, before looking at me.

It was hard to tell what the look he was giving me entailed, but I could only guess that we'd have a long talk when we got inside. Only, as always, he'd be the only one talking.

I began to follow Joseph into the house, sighing a little.

"Goodbye, Ella." Chris Said quietly.

I looked back, waving at him, before going inside.

Joseph shut the door, before reaching up and pinching the bridge of his nose.

"Ella, what have I said?" He asked.

'Is that a rhetorical question?' I thought to myself.

"You can't just disappear like that!" He continued. "I was worried sick! And much worse now that I know you were with a boy!"

I scoffed.

We hadn't done anything. Couldn't he tell that Chris was a sweet guy?

"I know he was the boy that saved you from those bullies," he sighed. "But all boys have one thing running through their mind."

Here we go.

I covered my ears, and Joseph rolled his eyes.

"Ella, I mean it!" He said. "You need to at least tell me before you run off like that."

I shook my head, before reaching my hand out rather roughly.

"What?" He asked.

I used my finger to 'draw' on the palm of my hand, and Joseph shook his head.

"I don't have any paper."

I bit my lip angrily.

Chris always has a pen and paper for me.

I turned around, beginning to stomp away, and Joseph started to follow me.

"Where are you going?" He asked.

I continued to stomp away, but he grabbed my arm, turning me around so I was facing him.

Without thinking, I slapped him across the face with my free hand.

I really hadn't meant to.

I understood where Joseph was coming from, but I didn't understand why he didn't trust Chris of all people. I guess that that's why I was upset.

Joseph reached up, touching his cheek, which was now bright red.

He shook his head in disbelief. "That's it, you're grounded."

I furrowed my eyebrows.

Grounded? He can't ground me.

"You aren't allowed to leave your room for the rest of the weekend." He said, before pointing to my bedroom door. "Get in there, now."

I huffed and glared at him, before turning around and stomping to my room. When I got in, I slammed the door roughly, before throwing myself on my bed.

I grabbed one of my pillows, hugging it tightly as tears began to fill my eyes.

I didn't understand. Chris was always so kind to me. How come Joseph couldn't trust him? And why didn't he trust my judgement? I should know if a guy is safe or not, I'm not stupid.

I was tired of being over-sheltered and treated like I was a child. I just wanted to be treated like everyone else. Was that so much to ask?

Chris understood me. He treated me with respect, and didn't treat me as if I was daft because I couldn't talk.

I wanted so badly to tell him about how I feel, but something dawned on me.

I wouldn't get to see him for the rest of the weekend.