Silence (Silence #1)(4)

“Don’t cry,” he pleaded softly, and crouched down beside me. His finger brushed my cheek, and without thinking or planning it, I leant my head into his hand and closed my eyes.

“He’s not worth it. Just forget about him.” I was suddenly pulled into his strong, safe arms. I breathed him in. His aftershave mixed with his own scent was all I needed to calm down. I regained control over my emotions and smiled against his chest. Being wrapped up in his arms was my favourite place to be.

Cole didn’t care that I no longer spoke. He just cared about me and over the years. I started to feel more for him.

Eventually, after what seemed like hours yet still not long enough, I forced my head up to look at him. He grinned sheepishly: “You wanna ditch the rest of the day? We could go eat our own weight in ice cream.”

That was a tactical move. He knew I loved ice cream and was using it to get himself out of trouble. Well, you know you’re going to give in! I smiled and rolled my eyes.

“Good. Come on then, little Miss.”

As we turned and walked through along the path that led into town, Cole grabbed my hand. My heart jumped as his fingers slotted perfectly between mine. The gesture was probably nothing to him, but it made my heart race and made an idiotic smile a permanent feature on my face.

For the entire fifteen-minute walk, Cole’s hand was wound firmly around mine. I didn’t ever want to let go. I felt safe. Nevertheless, I kept my head down, hiding behind Cole as we walked through the small town. I was in my school uniform and didn’t want anyone my parents knew to see me. Dad wouldn’t like it at all.

We finally reached the place that had the best ice cream around, Julie’s Café. Cole and I spent so much time there, it was like a home from home. We would chill in one of the booths and eat our fill of ice cream. It looked like your typical diner-style café, with light blue walls and cream booths and tables. The atmosphere was warm, friendly, and welcoming.

“Oh, there you two are,” Julie yelled across the café. She was in her mid-forties and was one of the sweetest, friendliest, and most caring people I knew. The first thing I noticed about her was her new haircut. It usually fell just below the small of her back but was mostly tied up. Now it sat on her shoulders and flicked under. It made her look younger.

“Take a seat and I’ll bring over your usual.” She ushered us towards a booth by the window. It was the booth we always chose whenever it was free.

“Thanks,” Cole said, laughing as she fussed around, swiping up a crumpled napkin from our table. Everything had to be perfect for her customers: that was just how she was. We had barely sat down when one of the waitresses appeared with a chocolate milkshake and chocolate ice cream for Cole, and a strawberry milkshake and cookie dough ice cream for me.

I was just about to dig into my ice cream when I heard a voice that made me want to throw something: the girl that liked Cole. No-name Meg-lookalike.

“There you are! You didn’t say where you were going!” she exclaimed, throwing her arms up in the air. Ben walked over to our table with her and smiled apologetically. How did they even find us?

“What are you guys doing here?” Cole quizzed them, his carefree expression turning to a frown.

The girl sat down next to Cole. What was her name? I wanted a name to go with the jealous, ridiculous hate. She was pretty enough, but the fact that she liked the guy I liked made her ugly to me. It was totally irrational, but that was how jealously worked, wasn’t it?

“Just wanted to grab a shake,” she replied in her annoyingly whiny voice. “What would you suggest?” That you leave!

“I don’t know, Courtney,” he huffed. Courtney. I didn’t like it. Well, whatever her name had been, I wouldn’t have liked it.

“Can I get a vanilla shake please?” Ben shouted across the room. Julie frowned at him but nodded. She didn’t like when you yelled for her attention, even less if someone clicked their fingers.

I stopped listening to what else Ben was saying when Courtney grabbed Cole’s milkshake and took a long sip from the straw. What the…?

“So you’ve known Cole your whole life?” I turned my attention back to Ben, who had asked he question. He was smiling nervously. His lip pulled up in a sort-of a half-smile. I nodded to answer his question.

“You’ll have to tell me some embarrassing stories about–” he stopped abruptly and looked horrified. “Err, I mean. N-not tell but, err. Oh shit, sorry I didn’t think,” he stuttered, grimacing as he tried to explain himself.

I smiled. There was something about him made it impossible to be offended by him.

“Damn, I really know how to put my foot in it, hey?” He chuckled.

I shrugged and shook my head. It didn’t bother me, actually. Of course, not everyone would know how to act around me. I understood that he didn’t really know what to say, and at least he honest about it.

“Anyway.” He shook his head and frowned as if he was chastising himself in his head. “You should come to my party at the weekend. Cole’s gonna be there.” Was everyone having a party this weekend?

It wasn’t often that I was invited out, but did I want to go? It wouldn’t be much fun for Cole if I were there. I knew he wouldn’t leave my side all night. Maybe it would be fun though? If the other people going were half as cool as Ben, then perhaps I’d have a good time.