I had never been in a more awkward situation in my life. I promised Chase that I would hang out with him, but I assumed it would be doing something he enjoyed. Or at the very least, that he would talk enough for both of us. No such luck. We sat in an awkward silence outside on one of the park benches because I said that I would rather be outside.

I grabbed my emergency pen and paper. Whenever I really needed to communicate with somebody, I would write down what I couldn’t say. I didn’t really use it often, and only with people I trusted. Using it all the time would completely ruin the whole idea of not talking.

I scrawled down “Why aren’t you talking?”

He read it, obviously a bit surprised at my effort to communicate. “Well, uh, I was waiting for you to do something. I don’t expect you to suddenly start talking about every little thing, but something would be nice.”

I continued writing. “Why are you being so nice to me?”

Chase fumbled for words. “Well, uh, you know. You seem nice, and well, those girls were being awfully mean to you. I figured you, uh, might need a friend.”
I grinned bigger than I had in months. The pen and paper found their way back into my bag and I grabbed onto Chase’s arm. If he wanted me to show him something, then I’d show him something.
I dragged Chase for a full two blocks, grinning all the way. I had forgotten how fun it was to have a friend. I didn’t stop until we reached my special spot. A quiet spot next to the creek, where I could be with nature all I wanted.

I sat down, and Chase followed my lead. He opened his mouth to talk, but I motioned for him to be quiet. Even when I was a little girl who could never stop talking, I never spoke a word down here. It was just a place where I could get away from it all and find myself. It was the only place where I was certain I would be happy.