As the teacher talks to the class about... communication. I look down at my desk and think how Kasey is taking Tessa away from me. He's trying to make her avoid me. I can't be alone again. Not again—

"Jack!" I look up and notice the teacher glaring at me. I was lost in my thoughts again, "Would you mind telling the class what you were thinking about?" I stay silent, fidgeting with my fingers. This is embarrassing. She tried to force me to speak yesterday. I hear my classmates around me murmur. I look back at the teacher, noticing the annoyance in her face, "Jack May, you need to speak in order to get a passing grade for this class. So, stop being a rebellious child and talk!" Then, I see someone in a few rows in front of me raise their hand, it was Tessa's. So she was in my first period.
"M-Ma'am... Jack is mute. He doesn't— or can't— speak. Please, don't force him." The teacher looks at Tessa in shock.
"...Ahem. So, there are a few steps of english communication..." As the teacher immediately changes the topic, Tessa turns around and smiles at me. I smile back at her. I feel my heart begin to beat, it beats faster.

~

The bell rings and I immediately go up to Tessa with my notebook with a message I wrote down earlier.
"Hm? 'Thanks for standing up to me.' No problem, Jack! I couldn't just sit there and watch the teacher trying to force you into doing something you're uncomfortable with. Plus, we're friends, right?" My eyes widened, I feel myself blush. I nod and give Tessa a sweet smile, "I'm heading to my next class, talk— see you later?"
I nodded, she waves at me goodbye and walks away. As I turn and walk to the other direction, I look over to the side and see Kasey glaring at me. I try to ignore him and walk as fast as possible.
"Hey, don't ignore me." He grabs my backpack and pulls me back. I try to get free from his grasp and he laughs, "I've seen you've been talking with Tessa a bit. You know that she's mine, right?"
I shake my head, no. "Well now you do." He leans in towards me, "Stay away from Tessa, alright? Or you're in for a beating." He pushes me away and walks towards the opposite direction... He scares me.