UNSPOKEN BOND
PTE
ek High School. Lila Emerson rushed down the corridor, head dropped, attemptin
the din of students. "Why don't you open that p
el their gaze on her, burning into her back like hot coals. A nasty chuckl
it would calm her racing heart. The taunts faded into the distance, bu
llow Lila everywhere she went. She headed out down the usual walk, her thoughts
abeth, welcomed her with a loving grin. "She's upstairs, honey," she
n in response. She climbed the stairs, eac
as propped up against a stack of pillows, her once-vibrant skin pale and strained tight a
id, her voice bare
reached out to grab Mia's hand. Her
hard time again?" Mia inquire
ing a series of flowing gestur
'em," she signed back, her movements slow but resolute. "They're jus
he grasped Mia's hand, grateful for her un
"sometimes I wonder if it's simpler this way. I
. "It's just... sometimes it seems like the world is aga
eyes were filled with ferocious intent, and her fingers mov
es glistened with unshed tears. "Yeah," she sai
er's company. The weight of the world appeared to lighten, if only fo
ws throughout the room. Lila knew she ought to leave, but she couldn't
pleaded, her
air, her heart filled with fierce lov
the hard realities of a world that was frequently brutal and unforgiving. But, in that
ach other's presence. But as the Sun rays of light broke thr
presence beside her bed. "You're still here," she
Her fingers moved smoothly, "Of co
een them, a silent acknowledgmen
, which was gradually becoming brighter. "Another
e vicious comments and jeers at school. But, for Mia's sake, she faked a
ension. "Will you at least try to
dismissively. "I will be alright
ew better than to fight with her stubbor
affectionate gesture. Her fingers skated across Mia's palm, f
le, and she gently squeezed Lila's
towards the door, each step feeling like a lead weight. She hesitated in th
anxiety. "Stay safe," she said quietly,
eth's quiet voice interrupted he
ed. Sarah's eyes were rimmed with heavy circles from
ing Lila's emotive gestures while Mia translated her friend's si
sly as Mia's words rang out, deciphering her thoughts. "Mr
ching Lila's cheek with parental tenderne
pair. Mia's hands moved methodically as she said the phrases
inued to echo Lila's views. "Honey, he's doing his best."
rs communicating what her mouth couldn't. "It still hurts a l
hey remained like this for a long time, Elizabeth protecting Lila from the harsh facts of life with her
Lila's final words. Thank you, Mrs.
nd sneers she would face at Willow Creek High. But this time, she took Mia's words a