The Love Built On Silent Lies

nor

, and a flicker of defensiveness. He stopped a few feet from m

sh from his white shirt. My fingers trembled slightly, but I kept my movements

mom is worried. She asked me to fi

the air. "Benny-boo! Who's this? Your little mute watchdog again?" Astrid, her red hair wild, emerged

around his arm. I typed furiously on my phone: Go home, Bryan. Pl

yes pleaded with me. Elinor, please. Just go home. I'll be there later

uch still familiar, still capable of sending a shiver

s as if he had burned me. I wouldn't let him

s that felt performative. He didn't speak

t like Astrid. If you stay with her, I' m leaving. For good. It was the first truly har

ess. Elinor, don't be silly. Don't make a fuss. He signed, his hands moving quickly. You're always

s nothing serious. He was defending her, making excuses

cking sound. I pulled my hand from his,

eaving a cold void in his palm, a hollow ach

ehind him, her voice demanding, impatie

refully constructed mask of composure finally cracking. "Shut up, Astr

s still in the alley, Astrid clinging to his arm, her head buried in his shoulder, her body sh

the scent of stale cigarette smoke clinging to his clothes. He

e mumbled, his vo

ding there, stamping her foot, tears streamin

enge was swi

y stomach lurched. It was me. Pictures of me, half-dressed, in the bathroom. Videos of me being tormented. The images, distorted and blurry

eaned over, curious. What's wrong? he

utting off the screen before he could

up chat. My hands signed the words, my face a blank mask. We walked into

n I met them. I pretended not to hear, not to see. I held my head high, my jaw tight, my

ck, his face growing paler with each passing minute. He saw the looks, heard

trid, grabbing her arm and pulling her out into the hallway.

ever!" she wailed, her denials ringing hollow. No one believed her. Not the

t mine across the room. They were fi

gang, cornered me in the girls' restroom. This time, there