Silence

Alone, sitting alone in a room, a dark room. The silence is suffocating. A girl is sitting in silence in a dark room by themselves not wanting to even show their face. The only light was on their phone radiating with silent pings coming as notifications as they shy away, almost afraid to see what it is, more pings coming in even more obnoxious speed, 'so many people why? What did I do? What can I do?' It's a Sunday, the girl is anxious, nervous for Monday, interacting with others who they've been avoiding dreading being at a place they don't want to be at.

Their heart heavy they sadly sigh seeing a message needing to be replied to instantly 'did i do something wrong?' she shakily takes the phone and replies with a fake smile reassuring them that they were fine and that they were in a bad mood, setting aside their feeling their emotions which are screaming to show. Eyes wishing to close but they fight off the need to sleep their need to be awake in control, to think, to overthink. As soon as they reply they drop the phone scared of it like it was possessed by a ghost wanting to reveal how they felt.

A silent knock on the door makes them look up from the trance that phone had but quickly composes themselves, the door opens showing the mother kind and caring, a great listener all they needed to do was tell her say that she needs help but they stay silent, mute. 'I'll be fine' is the only thing they think, the mother turns and tells them dinner will be ready soon. Then they disappear leaving the door open slightly so light shines in. the phone glows, radiating energy as they avoided glancing at it. Hoping that it would go quiet but the door open had sound from the television playing the news for the night and it was up at a deafening volume and the food was simmering warmly on the stove.

The girl stands and instantly shuts the door gently, to not scare anyone in the house, then sits on the floor, knees drawn close to their chest as the glow of the phone keeps a small amount of light since message after message was coming hoping and praying that it would stop, that it would go quiet. Looking around her room you could see her life, on her shelves are papers from her schooling which she's dreading to go to and also folders filled with creative stories she would keep from others never comfortable to share. The soft toys all watching as their owner of many years goes through their mental turmoil almost like silent guardians or observers wanting to help her keep calm but unable to move or give themselves away to the silent human in the same room.

Although the need to tell someone about this is great they look up hearing the door be knocked on again, 'how long has it been?' a loud gruff voice came to tell them dinner was ready, they rub their eyes hoping no tears were there then stood taking a breath and leaving, smiling. 'Everything is fine, no one needs to know yet.'