silent

15

• AMALIA •

My stomach hurts.

I can't bring myself to shovel anymore food in my mouth as we all sit at the dining table. I put my fork down onto my plate and wrap my arms around myself, looking down as everyone has their own conversations.

My dad glances at me every few seconds from where he sits beside me, at the head of the table, as he talks to Grayson. Mason isn't here; I think it's because I am.

I don't know why he hates me so much.

     Just as the thought pops into my head, the front door opens and shuts, and a few seconds later Mason is walking into the dining room, an annoyed look on his face that makes me nervous. What if he's angry? What if he takes that frustration out on me with mean words?

What if—what if he hurts me? Physically, this time.

I swallow the lump stuck in my throat; I don't want to be here anymore.

I look down at my lap and play with the hem of my shirt, frowning. I want to go to my room. I want to go to my room. I want to go to my room—

"Amalia." Elijah, to my right, says softly. I snap my head up to look at him. "Are you alright?"

My nod is immediate. I just want to leave before I start crying—my father is one person too many who's already seen tears running down my face today. I don't want the rest of my family to think I'm a crybaby even more then they probably already do.

Not probably. I know they already do. They've said just as much.

When my phone pings with a notification on the table, I furrow my eyebrows. Nobody ever messages me. I pick it up, my confusion growing when I see the unsaved number.

UNKNOWN: Hi.

     I unlock my phone and reply.

ME: who are you?

UNKNOWN: Oliver. You gave me your number, remember?

I remember, I just didn't think he'd actually use it.

ME: Oh yeah.

OLLIE: I would've messaged sooner but my mum took my phone away. Sorry.

ME: It's okay.

OLLIE: I'm bored. What are you doing?

ME: Eating dinner.

OLLIE: Nice.

     OLLIE: Were you at the school today? I was walking to my first lesson and I thought I saw you. I didn't know you went to that school.

ME: I start next Monday.

OLLIE: Well, you have a friend there now.

I stare at the screen for a moment. Friend. Ollie is my friend. My first ever one.

I find myself smiling at the text.