Silent Runner

As I walked down the hall the next Monday before the first period bell, I saw Riley struggling with her locker.

She was wearing new dark wash boot cut jeans, a long sleeve bright blue scoop neck blouse, and black high-top converse. A new black knapsack strung over her shoulders. Her thick black curls hung loosely framing her face and flowing down her back.

I watched her for a minute as she pushed her hair out of her face and frowned down at a slip of paper in her left hand.

I leaned against the locker just to her right but she was too preoccupied to even notice my arrival. As I watched I realized she was agitated.

She glared back and forth between the paper and the combination lock on her locker. As she shifted her weight to get a better view of the paper the three text books in the crook of her left arm slipped and hit the ground next to my feet.

Her whole posture stiffened but she didn’t bend to retrieve the books. She bit her lips while pursing them. Then she squeezed her eyes shut and massaged the bridge of her nose.

I bent down scooping up the books, “Need a hand?”

She spun around and I barely dodged her fist as it swung towards my chest, she was so short.

“Woah there kitten. No need for claws.” I winked, chuckling lightly.

I watched as the fear in her expression shifted into annoyance. She glared and her expression suddenly read, ‘Oh it’s you, great.’

“Good morning to you too.” I said signing the best I could with her books still in the crook of my elbow.

She raised her eyebrows, and smiled. She suddenly looked like she might laugh. She slowly sighed, ‘Good, not thank you.’

“What’s the difference?” I asked after watching her.

She held up one finger before pulling her bag around and pulling out a notebook and pen.

Thank you is directed at the person you are talking to. Good, your hand goes down in a smooth arc.

After I read it and had looked back up at her she signed them both again slowly.

I nodded trying again, ‘Good morning.’

She nodded then returned the sign turning back to her locker.

“Here, let me.” I said, holding out my hand for the paper.

She frowned at me for a moment before rolling her eyes and shooting me the most sarcastic look I had ever seen. It was impressive how she managed to be sassy without talking. She handed me the paper and took her books back before gesturing to the locker.

I quickly glanced at the paper before resetting the lock. After I put in the sequence I banged my fist lightly against the locker right next to the latch and it popped open.

She raised her eyebrows in question.

“Almost every one of these lockers needs extra persuasion from time to time.” I shrugged, stepping to the side out of her way.

She bit her lip, clearly fighting a smile this time. She shook her head then turned to her locker, switching out books and moving things around.

I leaned back against the lockers watching her movements. Maybe it was just in my mind, or all the sign language, but she seemed fluid and graceful in even the smallest movement.

She signed something I didn’t understand.

“What?”

She sighed, looking vaguely irritated. However, something told me her annoyance wasn’t aimed at me.

Stop staring, it’s creepy.

I chuckled as I read the note.

“I’m just waiting for a thank you.” I winked at her.

I helped you with signing. You helped me with the door. We are even, now you can leave me alone.

I frowned slightly at the paper. “Now I know that’s not actually what you want. We are friends. However I do need to get to class so I’ll see you at lunch.”

I winked, grinning at her dumbfounded expression as I walked away.

The first half of the day passed slowly. Anytime I saw Riley she had her head down and hood up as if trying to be invisible. I would wave and she would frown and roll her eyes at me, but we didn’t talk again.

However on my way to lunch I saw Britney talking to Riley and figured I would quietly wait for her.

“What’s so special about you?” Britney was asking as she flipped her long silky blonde hair over her shoulder.

She had her standard followers; Bridget who had thin wiry brown hair and brown eyes, but always wore purple contacts, and Becky whose platinum blonde hair was cut in a short pixie and bright green eyes.

They were the queen bees of the school and were referred to simply by the b’s. Except to people they had bullied they were simply the bitches.

Riley tried to step around, tall thin Malibu Barbie.

“Hey bitch. I’m talking to you.” Britney snapped, blocking her path.

Riley signed something about not talking to anybody and something else I couldn’t catch.

Britney watched dumbfounded before laughing, “Oh my god, you can’t even talk. Can you understand me or should I dumb it down?”

Riley made a very commonly known hand gesture letting Britney know exactly what she thought of this interaction. I coughed to hide a laugh. Riley noticed me then and suddenly looked more uncomfortable than before. Britney and the others however were too distracted to notice me.

“How dare you!” Britney snapped, shoving Riley backwards.

I took a step forward to intervene but Riley shot me a hard look and I hesitated

“You are to stupid to even talk but you think Ethan Miller would ever actually take an interest in you?” Britney laughed again and I was floored. “He’s mine, back off.”

They were talking about me. Britney had to be kidding right? I had made myself very clear when I continuously turned down her invitations for dates. This was ridiculous.

Riley signed angrily for a minute before sighing angrily. It broke my heart to think she was speaking, but nobody could understand her. It had to be so frustrating and disheartening. Finally she relented to scribbling in a notebook and handed Britney the paper.

Britney glared at the paper for less then a second before balling it up and tossing it behind her.

“If you have something to say, say it otherwise this conversation is over.” Britney sneered.

I couldn’t help but react this time.

“Really Brit? This is low even for you. Refusing to let your victim respond?” I shook my head sadly as I leaned against the blue lockers next to Riley. “Talk about low self esteem.”

Riley rolled her eyes but she was clearly fighting a grin. Britney on the other hand looked stuck somewhere between being furious and embarrassed. It was clear I wasn’t meant to hear this conversation.

“You didn’t hear what she said, Ethan. She totally started it.” Britney spoke her standard response, before seemingly realizing the problem with her defense.

“Okay,” I smirked, “Riley, what did you say that was so offensive to these lady’s?”

Riley rolled her eyes at me and I winked in response. ‘Stop flirting E T H A N.’ She signed slowly enough I could understand the gist of it.

I chuckled, “Oh, right. So there’s a flaw in your logic.”

I managed to keep my expression light, except for the anger I was sure was burning in my eyes. My joking tone on the other hand had an obvious sharp edge to it.

“Well…” Britney started before I cut her off.

“Just leave her alone Brit.” I lowered my voice trying to take away some of the edginess, it didn’t work. If anything my voice sounded harsher.

Britney frowned at me annoyed before shooting daggers from her bright blue eyes in Rileys direction. She flipped her hair over her shoulder again and sneered before stomping past followed by her click.

Riley opened her locker and started shoving things in it harshly.

“Sorry about her.” I said, still annoyed.

‘It’s okay. Not your fault.’ She responded before turning and facing the locker again.

“Sorry,” I said, massaging my neck sheepishly, “I didn’t catch that last part.”

’F A U L T,″ She spelled before making the last sign again. ‘Fault.’

“Fault.” I said, signing it back to her. “Thank You.”

She nodded, shutting the locker door. Then she frowned, cocking her head to the side as she turned and studied me.

‘Why?’ She signed, still examining me curiously.

“Why am I learning ASL?” I asked, signing along stiffly.

She nodded, crossing her arms.

“It’s a little embarrassing. You see, there’s this girl I’m trying to impress.” I grinned as her cheeks flushed bright red. I chuckled, “Come on, let’s go eat.”

‘No thank you.’ She signed before turning and walking the opposite direction of the cafeteria.

I stood there for a minute watching her walk away, before sighing. I may be able to relate to her better than most, but I didn’t for a second pretend I knew how she was feeling. I wished I could tell her she wasn’t better off alone, that everyone needs someone.