-Ethan-

  I don't know what to do, say, or how to act. I should be used to this piercing silence, but it's still suffocating and kind of awkward. I pull out my phone and start pounding at the screen. I know he must want to know my situation since he did invite me here.

"So... You can ask me things if you want. Since you did just invite me here... I feel like we should at least be familiar with each other right?"

"Hmm. Ok, sure. Why don't you tell me about school and home? How did everything get so bad? And have you told anyone else besides me?"

  Once again I instantaneously start typing on my phone. I have learned to type pretty fast on the small keyboard of my phone w/o mistakes.

"Ok, so umm... school has always really been like that. Kids have always targeted me I guess. Maybe it's because I always came to school in bandages so they thought I would give them a good fight? Or it could be because I'm mute. I don't really understand the point of fighting the mute kid for no reason. While my 'parents' just want me to be like my sister. They also wanted another smart daughter, but instead, they got me. I'm not the best at science or math, so they were really annoyed with me."

"Oh, ok. You said you had a sister, right? Does she also act in the same manner as your parents?"

"My sister is the only one who I can truly love. She was the one that told me not to come home. She always alerts me when my parents come home mad or drunk. She's really the best person ever! :]"

"Ok then! That settles it. You're staying here as my new roommate. Would you rather me go get your items, or you just buy new stuff, since their over at your parents' place?"

  I sat there blankly for a couple of minutes, thinking of all the drawings, work, and projects I've done in my room. All the things my sister and I went shopping for, and the times I had cried in my bed. Maybe we could go grab my stuff? But what if Leon gets hurt? My parents don't act like that in front of guests, but what if their so mad they hurt him?

"Don't worry! I'll protect you. I can handle your geezer and his shrew with no worries!"

  He must have seen how worried I was. I smiled softly when I looked up to see his megastar smile. It's so bright that I can't help but smile, even if I'm in this situation! Yeah, I guess we could go.

"Ok, then let's get my stuff, but let's try to go through my sister's window. I do it a lot so she doesn't mind as long as I tap on it first"

"Yup!"

  We walked behind the house and tapped on my sister's window. She came out of the bathroom (She was doing makeup you nasty pervert lol jk XP) and opened the window. she let me in with no questions about who Leon was, but she definitely wanted to, I could see it on her face. We sprinted up the stairs up to my room. I grab my school backpack and another one and stuff as much as I can into them. Leon grabs a couple of my hoodies and shirts to be more useful in my great heist.

  Everything was going to work out for once in my...

*Thump*

  I tripped over Leon's foot and fell next to my desk. I scramble to get up while Leon grabs my bags. We dash out the house with my parents screaming after us. I only manage to make out a couple words. I don't know why, but they hurt. They never cared about me so why does my chest feel tight? Why am I crying and shaking over these stupid words! IT DOESN'T MAKE ANY SENSE!! The words are repeating in my head as we scramble down the block into Leon's house, "...Don't you dare come back! We have disowned you, you disgraceful burden!!"

"Hey! Don't worry, I'll take care of you, there's nothing to worry about! We'll be safe here. I locked the front door, and I never open the back door nor windows. And hey, at least you have me! Everything will turn out ok."

  I don't understand people. There are different types of people, there's the cruel, ugly (In behavior not looks), and ungrateful humans, while others are so loving and happy. If your neither of those types, you become the victim and suffer in silence. I don't understand why some people get to be happy while others have to be tortured by their own thoughts until those thoughts become reality. It's unfair, life sucks, and we can't control that.

I can only look forward, lifelessly, at Leon. I.. What... Wait? I feel the tears fall down towards my chin. 

"I'll make you something... wait here!" Leon says with a sympathetic smile.

  But maybe we don't have to suffer. Maybe we can find the one person who can change the fact we used to suffer in silence, to where we are heard and understood. We can't change the fact we were suffering by ourselves, we need someone else to help support you and help you escape the hell we were once in. If you want to get help you have to ask someone, because they don't always realize your pain. 

   I look towards Leon in the kitchen, he is making some type of beverage. I don't normally thank people, so I don't know how to do it properly. I waddle my way over to Leon and hug him from behind. He has a faint, but a familiar smell that feels warm. Leon froze when I hugged him. I know I'm mute but he basically saved my life, so I whisper to him. 

"Thank you..." 

I haven't talked in three or four years so my voice sounds tight and cracky. I hear his heartbeat speed up. I feel my face burn because I don't talk to teachers or even to store employees. I haven't talked to my sister ever since I went mute, but I feel the warmth of his back on my face, along with my familiar but salty tears. 

  Leon turns around and I drop my arms down from around his torso. I don't do emotions well... He looks so shocked but happy. I feel terrible but happy, but I can tell w/o looking that I look like a train wreck. I don't know how I should look, feel, or what I should do right now. But I do know one thing. I want to stay here. I want us to know each other. I want him to be my friend. I want him to like me. And I want to be able to forget my past and start over with Leon.

(The only thing Ethan has really said is thank you. All the other quotations are him texting on his phone :D hope you enjoyed)