Some smiles can't lie - 13rw

Whispers in silence

Ring. Ring. Ring.

The incessant ringing echoed through Addie's head, a persistent melody of urgency.

Ring. Ring. Ring.

Forcing herself off the sofa, she knew the sound heralded another episode in the drama of her life. She had actually managed to synchronize with Bryce's morning routine for once, waiting patiently for him to finish getting ready for school. The front door beckoned, and Addie, with a sense of dread, peered through the side window, parting the small silky curtain to catch a glimpse of the impatient visitor. Predictably, it was Justin. Most likely, he was requesting for a ride to school, or was begging Bryce for some drugs. Addie swung the door open, revealing the red, glossy-eyed boy.

'You alright?' Addie asked, although she was well aware of the answer. These moments usually traced back to turmoil with Justin's mother's boyfriends or conflicts with Jess. She pulled him into the house, enveloping him in a warm embrace, stroking his back. She cherished these moments with Justin, holding onto them while they lasted. 

'Can I stay here today?' Justin's plea lifted his head, his gaze piercing hers. Mesmerized by his eyes, Addie merely nodded, momentarily lost in the depth of his stare. Regaining her composure while she pulled herself together, she withdrew her arms from around his neck.

'So you're not coming to school today?' Addie's concern surfaced, showing her care for the boy. Justin, taking a step away, shook his head slightly.

'Why?' In the kitchen, offering him microwaveable pancakes, Addie inquired further. Seated at the counter, a white marble plate before him, Justin evaded her probing.

'Can't tell you that, Ads.' he responded, maintaining eye contact. Blushing faintly, Addie, distracted by the forgotten pancakes, gathered herself. The ding from the microwave refocused her, and she served the pancakes, the heat barely registering her fingertips as she handed them to him.

'And why not?' She pressed on, glaring at Justin as he devoured the food. Before he could answer, Bryce entered the kitchen, wearing his Liberty High jacket. Justin had on the same one. Neither of them seemed to ever take it off.

'Oh, hey Justy.' Bryce greeted the boy, who was now stuffed with pancake in his mouth. 'Need a ride?' Justin laughed off the idea as he placed his plate in the silver sink. He turned to face Bryce, arms folded.

'Nah. Addie said I could stay here.' he explained as Bryce let out a small chuckle in acceptance. As the girl bid Justin farewell, Bryce signaled to the door, urging her into the car as he pulled his keys out from his pocket.

'Alright. But you'll have to stay in the pool house. The folks might be in and out.' Bryce instructed before he left Justin. In the car, driving away, she glimpsed the jock peering out the window, a solitary figure left behind in the house. She lifted her hand, producing a small wave, which he thankfully returned before he turned to wander into the Walker's pool house.

**

Zach, Marcus, and Addie unpacked in the first class. Addie was never really fond of Marcus. She found him attention-seeking and thought he only stayed with her brother to gain more popularity. On the other hand, her bond with Zach had deepened over the past year. She loved him like he was a part of their family; like he was her brother. He had confided in her over the past summer about his father's passing, and she had been his anchor. She supported him through every challenge. Some days, however, he preferred to be alone, as he had said, and she respected that.

'Walker, you gonna tryout for cheer this time?' Zach pestered, urging her to join the squad. Addie had considered joining at the start of the year, for Jeff. He, similar to Zach, always wondered when she was going to sign up. He had even offered for her to be his personal cheerleader. However, since the accident, she hadn't thought of it. 

'We'll see, Dempsey. I'm not really a cheer kind of girl.' The arrival of Jessica Davis, Addie's best friend and Justin's girlfriend, shifted her focus. Initially assigned to help Jess adjust to Liberty High, they started off as acquaintances. However, their bond strengthened after Jess's falling out with Hannah Baker. Addie had plucked up the courage to sit with a lonely Jess at lunch, who was later joined by Alex Standall, Jess' boyfriend at the time.

'Hey, where the hell is Justin?' Jess interrogated Zach. She passed by Addie, her gaze fixed on the boy in front of her. She hadn't even acknowledged her best friend, who was sitting beside her. Unperturbed, Zach responded with a shrug.

'I don't know, Jess.' Addie kept her head down, sensing Jess's determination. Unwilling to involve herself, she refrained from divulging Justin's whereabouts. 

'Probably just skipping first, sleeping in.'

'Did he ride with you guys today?' Jess persisted. Zach hesitated.

"No."

'So where is he? Marcus?' Jess directed her attention to the unresponsive Marcus. His indifferent shrug hinted at his lack of interest. The inquiry continued. 'Did you see him last night?'

'Yeah, yeah,' Zach interjected, 'he was at practice.' Addie couldn't tell if the boy was lying or not. Jess's concern lingered as she pestered on.

'Then why won't he answer my calls? Or my texts?'

'I'm sure he'll be there,' Marcus stammered as the bell rang, signaling the start of the lesson. Jess's widened eyes betrayed her uncertainty.

'Oh, you're sure? Thanks, Marcus.' She mocked gratitude before lowering her voice, revealing a touch of secrecy. She took a few steps towards the unbothered boys. 'Mr. Porter wants to see me now. He left a call slip in my homeroom.' Addie, glancing up at Jess, sensed an air of mystery. What did she have to hide?

'Miss Davis? Don't you have a class to get to?' The teacher's interruption prompted Jess's departure. Before leaving, she instructed Zach to get a hold of Justin, desperately wanting to find him.

'Tell him I need to talk to him. Now.' As she turned away, Jess's attention was drawn to Clay Jensen, a fellow classmate who sat beside Addie, wearing a Walkman adorned with headphones. The Walkman held a tape, which Clay seemed to have paused in order to listen into Jess' secretive conversation. Intrigued, Jess interrogated him sourly. 'What you listening to, Clay?' She glared at the boy, prompting the teacher to dismiss her once more.

Addie, glancing at Clay, pondered the sudden unusual interest surrounding him. She observed the tired, cut-covered boy who seemed to be a focal point for Justin, Jess, and even Courtney Crimsen. A smile flashed at Clay, a reflection of her enduring fondness for him - she had always liked him. He had once tutored her and Jeff in English, and in return, Jeff had helped him navigate the complexities of a crush. Addie hadn't asked for details, but assumed it was Hannah Baker, who Clay mentioned every time a new topic was spoken about.

As Jess departed, she brushed her hand deliberately against Addie's, leaving a subtle trace along the square desk. 'Hey, Ads,' Jess mumbled as she left the classroom. Addie responded with a quiet 'hey, Jess,' putting her head back down, reflecting on the unfolding events. Jess's anxiety about Mr. Porter, Justin's secretive troubles, and Clay's involvement all intertwined in a tapestry of confusing mysteries. This left her with one lingering question. What was going on?