After school, I realized that I forgot my key to the house, and Joseph wouldn't be home until around six. I ended up going to the park, and sitting underneath a tree.

After around an hour of sitting there, drawing in my notebook, it started to rain. I scooted closer to the tree, closing up my book to keep it from getting wet.

Suddenly, I heard splashing, and looked up. The blue eyed boy from school was running over to me, completely drenched. He plopped himself down next to me without a word, and brought a hand up to wipe the rain off of his face.

"Here." He said, opening a large umbrella, and setting it up so I was underneath it.

I smiled.

"I never did get your name." He said, wrapping his arms around his legs. "I'm Chris, by the way."

I lifted up my notebook, and showed him the cover, which said my name.

He smiled. "Well, it's nice to meet you Ella." He said, holding out his hand.

I took his hand, and he shook it gently. When he took his hand away, he brought it back up to his face and wiped some water off of his brow.

"I'm sorry about Ethan.." he said. "He's always messed with me, but I hate seeing him mess with someone else."

I shrugged.

There was a bit of silence, then he bit his lip. "Um...so..." he said. "Is it true that you can't speak?"

I looked down, and nodded.

"Oh.." he said. "Can I ask why?"

I bit my lip, and stood up.

"Wait! I didn't mean it like that.." he said.

I put my notebook in my backpack, then took off running.

Who did he think he was, asking me questions like that? Didn't he understand that some things were traumatizing and are better left alone?

When I got home, Joseph wasn't there yet, so I sat on the front steps, wishing I still had that umbrella that Chris brought. Maybe I was a little harsh with him.

He really was a nice guy, unlike that Ethan.

Questions like that still made me uncomfortable, considering that it was traumatic losing my voice.

My dad used to beat me after my mom died. One day, he was much harder than usual, and he injured me more than he meant to.

In turn, I lost my voice, and he was forced to rot in prison for thirty years.

My mom died when I was eight, and my big brother, Ethan had been taking care of me ever since then.

I lost my voice when I was twelve, but every day, it still felt like it was just yesterday. The memory of it was always in the back of my mind, and I couldn't forget it.

Joseph had run in, screaming at dad to stop. But he didn't.

And now I can't speak.

I ended up waiting for half an hour in the rain and wind, when Joseph finally came home. He got out of his car, rushing up to me.

"Ella! What the hell?" He Asked.

I looked up at him, biting my lip.

"Why didn't you call me?" He asked. "I would've come home sooner.."

I looked down, and he sighed.

"Come on, let's go inside." He mumbled. "I'm sure you're freezing."

I nodded, before standing. Joseph unlocked the door and opened it, and we both went inside. I went over and sat on the couch, while Joseph left the room.

I looked down at my hands, sighing a little.

"Hey," I heard Joseph, and looked up.

He tossed me a towel, and I have him a small smile before wrapping it around myself.

"So," he sighed, walking over and sitting beside me. "Bad day?"

I shrugged.

"Here, tell me." He said, grabbing a notebook and pen from the coffee table.

He handed them to me, and I opened the notebook, sighing a little.

There was this boy. He was mean.

He looked at it, nodding.

There was another boy, and he was nice. His name was Chris. He saved me from the other boy.

"Oh." He smiled a little, nodding. "Are you guys friends?"

I bit my lip, writing again.

We were talking and he asked me why I can't talk.

He sighed. "Ella.." he mumbled. "I know you don't like to remember it, but some people are just curious. You have to stop pushing them away if they ask."

No.

"Ella, don't." He said. "Hear me Out."

No. I don't need friends.

"If that's what you think." He sighed. "But you should really thank that guy for saving you, you know."

He stood up, beginning to leave the room. He turned to look at me.

"Is pizza good?"

I bit my lip, nodding a little.

He left the room, and I looked down at my feet.

I didn't need friends. I would leave high school and go do what I wanted. I wouldn't need anyone, then. Only me.