Echoes of Silence and Facades: A Tale of Healing and Unspoken Bonds

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a chance to show I wouldn't be a nuisance. Mostly, I sat alone in the dark, away from everyone. E

y room and reading. Sitting alone in a dark field wasn't my

d. I got my first kiss from a guy I didn't even know.

though. It was his eyes. Even in the

then hung up and hit his car, cursing. Anyone who talked

hen he kissed me. It was rough at first, then gentle. I grabbed his T-shirt, my knees went weak, and I might have whimpered.

n't look at me, just turned and left in his car. I had no idea who he was,

arms, I felt safe, like if I broke, someone would catch me.

He was annoyed and silent on the drive home. The ki

with him. I wrote her a note saying I had my per

y, probably to avoid t

i a list of things to do for me. He loo

talk doesn't mean I can't get around. I'll tell Mina you did everything she

ced but nodded and le

my condition. They were fine with me writing down what I

eld party. I wanted to see him in the light and c

dn't see the numbers. Adhi's voice came from behind me, "

per with my locker number. "You already pa

he was Moses parting the Red Sea. "Move over, Nal

sked. She had big brown ey

His tone was nicer to me than to her

tom to her hips and shifted her over. Before I could see his face, Adhi opened

then I heard the guy whisper "mute." Adhi must have told

irl whispered back, lou

st class. Determined not to look at the couple, I kept my head down. My gaze landed on

y and a hard body bumped

lided with the couple. Great. "You

es I'd ever seen against latte-colored

irl behind me sna

a scene. I didn't like attent

bending to pick up my books. His

mute, Aryaman. And she's Adhi'

rk, babe." That voice. I froze. I kn

ryaman asked, standing u

he one who kissed me. The guy who kissed me was kind to his mom. Could he kiss anot

from Aryaman and

prise." That voice again. It

cheeks pink. I w

y, but Adhi made her off-limits. S

idn't know me? What a jerk! I let him kiss me. What was I thinking? I wasn't usually weak for a pretty face. My d