Silent Runner
Gift

I was so glad that Riley allowed me to walk with her. I could tell however, that she wasn’t ready for conversation of any sort. I could respect that. Unlike some people I knew, I actually never minded silence.

Our silence was fine until I noticed her stiffening slightly. I looked up realizing Brittney was glaring at Riley from across the hall.

“Jeez, what is her problem?” I hissed, Brittney had always been annoying, but I had never seen her act this badly for no reason.

Riley shrugged, but I got the sense she knew more than she was letting on. I watched as she continued to walk, head held high and glaring as we passed Brittney.

“Just ignore her, I don’t know what has gotten into her lately.” I admitted, annoyed.

Riley sighed, rolling her eyes as if to say, ‘Yeah, sure you don’t.’

I frowned, confused. However, before I could question her further, we walked out the door and I was taken by surprise at how empty it was.

The last bus was pulling out of the large parking lot, but it looked as though almost all of the drivers had beat the busses out today. I found that odd normally the kids hung out talking about vacation houses they had and comparing their Mercedes and Ferrari. Not that I could judge anymore.

I looked towards the back of the lot where my brand-new cherry red BMW sat. It felt wrong to own such an extravagant car. I would have been happy with an old beater for my birthday. Of course, my aunt and uncle wouldn’t have that. So as a gift for turning eighteen Saturday they bought me a Z4 convertible.

I turned away with a sigh. I felt so awkward and out of place in this school, car, clothes, in this life. I felt like… well, honestly like I didn’t deserve it. I had been treated like nothing but a burden from the time I was born. Now, with Aunt Martha and Uncle Theo doting on me and treating me as if I were something special, I didn’t know how to accept it.

It just felt wrong.

Riley backhanded my bicep softly. When I looked at her, she nodded towards the coach who was waving us over.

“Oh right…” I shook my head and started to take a step forward.

To my surprise she reached out grabbing my elbow. ‘Are you okay?’ She signed slowly.

I smiled, “Of course, just looking forward to beating you.”

I lied; she didn’t need to know what screwed up thoughts ran through my mind. I was here to help and support her, not hinder her. I wouldn’t be a burden.

However, if her expression was any indication, she didn’t believe me. She didn’t react to my challenge. Instead, when her eyes settled on mine, they seemed to be searching for whatever had affected me. I was suddenly unnerved by the way those gorgeous dark brown eyes seemed to see right through me.

“You coming?” I asked, breaking eye contact.

She shrugged then followed me distractedly.

I felt as though she had just read my mind, and I desperately needed to know what she now knew. I shook my head, chuckling. That was ridiculous.

After track we sat together on the sidewalk at the pick-up zone. Suddenly her phone beeped in her pocket. The screen illuminated her face as she read, and she let out a deep sigh.

“Everything okay?” I asked.

She turned the phone towards me. According to the message her foster mother's car had blown a tire and she was waiting for a tow truck.

“Need a ride?” I offered nervously.

I wondered what her reaction to my vehicle might be and flinched at the idea. She wasn’t like all the other kids who would gush over it and marvel at the price. Her mind worked much more like mine.

‘If your aunt wouldn’t mind.’ She signed in slow deliberate movements.

“I actually drove.” I admitted.

She signed a little faster and I missed some of it. I caught, ‘Why, sitting here?’

I shrugged and stood, not willing to say I had just wanted more time with her. Now I got even more than I could have expected.

“Come on.” I smiled down at her offering her my hand.

She stood ignoring the gesture. I let my arm drop awkwardly to my side.

Begrudgingly I led the way to my car. As I opened the passenger door, I met her gaze. To my surprise she seemed neither surprised or judgmental.

As I slid in, she handed me a sheet of paper.

Can I ask you something?

“Of course, what’s up?” I sighed relieved.

Why don’t you act like them?

“Them?” I questioned with a knowing grin as I turned on to the main road.

She pointed out the next turn then passed the paper back when we stopped at a stop light. I read quickly.

You know what I mean.

“I moved in with my aunt just over five years ago. I wasn’t raised the way most kids at this school were.” I shrugged, making another turn. “I grew up in a very different world than them.

“Don’t get me wrong, I have friends and there are good people there. It’s hard to relate to them I know but still.” I smiled understandingly at her.

We were still silent ten minutes later as we pulled into her drive.

I had expected her to get out and head in without another word. Instead, though she just sat there staring out the windshield at the large two-story house. It was a white house with grey trim and light blue doors and shutters. The attached six car garage looked small in comparison to the main building. Despite its size, it still fit right into the neighborhood.

However, Riley stared at it as if she expected it to suddenly attack like the kid's movie “Monster House”. Her black eyebrows pulled tightly together and over her eyes and her pink heart shaped lips pursed and she watched the house.

I wondered how many different houses she had lived in. How many different people had given up on her? Hurt her?

“Can I ask you something in return?” I asked tentatively.

She nodded slowly, turning away from the building to frown at me. She didn’t trust me; she was concerned about what I would ask. Realizing this I quickly changed my question.

“What’s your favorite pastime, aside from running?” I ask, smiling at her.

She cocked her head to the side confused. Then she started thinking. After a minute a faint smile spread across her face, and she seemed too physically light up.

‘Working with animals.’ She sighed slowly, before proceeding to spell out animals patiently.

After I understood what she was saying I nodded. “That’s cool. My mom had a cat once, mean little girl. I don’t have much experience with animals otherwise.”

‘My parents had a farm. We had a dog, 3 cats, a horse, and a bunch of cows.’ She signed slowly. ‘It was perfect.’

Her hands laid on her lap dejectedly, and she stared down at them as if she may cry.

I wanted so bad to ask: What happened to them? How long ago? Why wasn’t she with family? And about a million other questions.

However, her expression made me check myself and instead I asked, “What kind of dog?”

She looked at me doubtfully, but after a minute a small smile spread across her face again.

We spent the next two hours talking about everything but the heavy stuff. I knew she wasn’t ready for that and frankly I didn’t think I was either. So we stuck to easy subjects and just enjoyed each other’s company until her foster mothers car pulled up next to mine. Then we signed our goodbyes and she climbed out.

I watched as Mrs. Heather Meyers waved to me before laying an arm across Riley’s shoulders. Riley flinched slightly but then seemed to almost melt into the motherly embrace. I knew Heather would have felt her cringe, but she knew, the same way my aunt had with me, even if at first Riley didn’t like it, she needed that comfort. Every child does, no matter their age.

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