chapter seven.
in silence.

•

Like once before, I sat down across from Edwin the moment I was put on break. He sent me this cute little smile and my heart melted at the sight. It still blew my mind about how that boy genuinely seemed excited to talk to me; he wanted us to be friends. The idea of having a real friend was terrifying, and exhilarating, yet it was also my new reality. Edwin was my friend—someone who would grow to eventually care about me, and I was so excited.

"I'm curious," I said, getting Edwin's attention. He mumbled a 'hm?' and I continued, "Why McDonald's out of all places? The food here is trash."

Edwin narrowed his eyes on me. "I happen to think the food here is delicious, thank you very much."

I giggled when he childishly pouted and sent me an angry glare. "Okay, whatever you say."

Edwin rolled his eyes and spoke again, "Aside from our very different taste in food, aren't you like...not allowed to insult your own work place's food."

I shrugged. "Eh. I don't think anyone cares. The manager is never really around anyway."

Edwin nodded, letting out a small 'Ah.' "I wish I could get a job. I mean, I would hate the work but only to make some money. But I can't, because of my illness...the doctors strictly banned me from most things," he explained. "But hey, the plus is that I don't have to go through PE class." A small smile returned to his face when he finished speaking.

"That's nice," I replied. "High school PE sucks."

"You know what sucks more?"

I already knew some dick-sucking joke was about to come out of his mouth, but I sighed and went along anyway. "Hm?"

"You."

"I can't tell if you mean that I'm a terrible human being or I suck dick."

Edwin's smile grew. "Maybe I mean both," he laughs. "Just kidding."

🌌

When my break eventually ended, I felt a sick feeling knowing that Edwin would leave and I'd need to return to work.

"Before you go, can I get your number?" Edwin asked as I stood up after announcing to him that my break was over.

My stomach fluttered. "Sure."

After we exchanged our phone numbers, I watched Edwin leave through the glass door as I stood behind the counter, mixed feelings swirling within me. I just ignored them and focused back on typing in orders and making food until I would eventually get released to go home.

Jake eventually joined me at the register and gave me a big grin when we made eye contact.

"Slow day?" he asked, adjusting his black apron with the M symbol sewn into it.

"Mm, kinda," I responded. I groaned when through the glass I saw a large group of people heading to the door. "Well, I guess not anymore..."

Jake slapped my shoulder and we spent the rest of our shifts taking orders, making food, and helping out customers whenever necessary.

I finally got home at eight pm and almost flopped down on my bed just to take a needed nap, but then a thought crossed my mind—I have Edwin's phone number. My heart pounding, a smile on my face, I texted him a simple hello, hoping he wasn't busy and would carry a conversation with me.

Kyran: hey

Edwin: ey

Edwin: what's up

And I suddenly wanted to punch him.

Kyran: what's up? what's up???

Kyran: the sky!

Edwin: brooooo

Edwin: we know the sky is up

Edwin: u know what else is up

Kyran: let me guess....

Kyran: your penis? 😒

Edwin: yes

Edwin: (;

Edwin: just kidding i need to stop with the dick jokes

Kyran: we just became friends and i already hate u bye

Edwin: no

Edwin: u cannot leave me

Edwin: i refuse

Kyran: i am my own free man

Kyran: with RIGHTS

Edwin: too bad

Edwin: (*;

Edwin: anyway

Edwin: uhhhhhhh how's it going?

Kyran: lol ok i guess. could be better

Edwin: oh. why?

Kyran: i hate being home

Kyran: i'd rather be anywhere but here rn

Kyran: but talking to you helps

Edwin: i'm glad it does (:

Edwin: but why do you hate your home so much?

Kyran: it's kinda a long story. i can get into it at a different time

Edwin: that's fine

Kyran: oh btw, are you doing ok after the hospital visit? anything new?

Edwin: nah, i'm good

Edwin: i'm back to how i've been normally. i just get flare ups i guess sometimes so i need to go in case i die lol

Edwin: it's whatever though

Edwin: the hospital is practically my second home lol

Kyran: that really sucks

Edwin: it really does

Edwin: but i'm used to it by now

Edwin: i just feel lots of guilt y'know

Edwin: ah blah blah enough about this sad stuff

Edwin: tell me more about urself...

Our texting conversation continued with the two of us getting to know each other more, bit by bit. I learned his favorite color was blue, a darker shade to be more exact. He told me about his obsession with his pet snake named Wilson and he explained the story of the time the poor, tiny snake escaped and almost got vacuumed up by his mother. He told me more about his older brother named Nathan, aka the successful child who apparently had a big heart and was willing to sacrifice his own bright future for Edwin.

He and I texted far into the night, and I decided that I would skip dinner to avoid speaking to my parents. I could tell just by the way they opened and closed the front door that they both were in pissy moods, and I was definitely not in the mood to deal with that.

Until I had to.

I raised my head up from my pillow when I heard a sharp, heavy knock on my door and the sound of my dad's voice. "Can we come in?"

We? My heart immediately sped up knowing that both of my parents were at my door for whatever reason. I didn't bother responding to Edwin's recent text and turned off my phone before calling out, "Yeah," to the waiting adults. The door creaked open and there appeared my mom and dad, my dad definitely not appearing happy. I could feel my heart pounding even while just sitting there, and my skin crawled. I really wanted to cry.

"We just checked your grades, and why the fuck did you fail your last chemistry test?" My dad started, his voice practically laced with poisonous venom.

"Uh—" Calm down, calm down. I repeated to myself. You've been through this before, it's not new, don't freak out. "I—I'm sorry."

"Give us a real fucking answer, not a bullshit apology." My dad exclaimed in the familiar booming voice that made me sick to my stomach and caused panic to flare within me.

My voice shook as I spoke, "I just didn't have much time to study, I'm sorry. I'll retake it. I promise!" I told them, hoping they would listen.

"If you didn't have time, then maybe we should take your electronics away. Clearly they're distracting you," My mom said, much calmer than my dad. My stomach lurched. But Edwin...

I didn't bother asking questions or arguing, I just handed my phone to my parents without a word. "You better retake that test, and soon. You won't get this back until you can prove yourself good enough." My dad spit, yanking my phone from my hands. "Now go to bed. We're not in the fucking mood for you."

"Okay." I mumbled, watching as the worst fucking person in the entire universe left my room along with my mom. I wanted to scream, cry, rip my hair out, but I didn't. I just sat there, still as can be.

In silence.

🌌

Edwin approached me the following morning during school, a worried expression worn on his face.

"Why didn't you reply to my texts?" he asked, leaning against the wall as I waited next to my first period class, not wanting to go in just yet. Luckily the boy found me, and he already made my shitty mood raise just a little bit. "Did you fall asleep or something?"

I decided to be honest to the boy, knowing that lying would do no good in a friendship. "Oh. No, my parents took my phone away," I told him.

"Why?" He questioned.

"I'm a dumbass and failed a chem test. It's okay though. They punish me a lot, I'm used to it."

A tense silence followed. "Punish you? A lot...?"

I turned my head to face him. "That sounded bad," I cringed at myself. Okay, I could be honest, but not that honest. I wasn't entirely sure if I could trust the boy fully just yet—we still had lots to go to get to know each other. "I meant they take my phone away a lot for things like that. It's whatever."

"Ah," Edwin nodded after hearing my response. "Yo, wanna hang out after work? I know you'll probably be bored at home, so why not hang out with your new favorite person?" A grin followed.

I shook my head and snickered, gently pushing his shoulder. "Shut up, you are not my favorite person," I told him. "Yet."

Edwin's grin widened. "Yet? Okay, I'll soon prove to you I'm worthy of being your favorite person, you have my word." He wrapped an arm around me and laughed loudly.

My face red, laughing along, I rolled my eyes at his boldness. "Mhm. And by the way, I'd love to hang out today."

"Perfect."

— — —

this meme was in the original book in like 2019 💀 keeping it for funzies