Dawn
"We were just asking him if he wanted to come with us to the party," Guy 1 said.
"He's such a snob though," Guy 2 added.
"You know he's always been like that. If someone talks to him, he'll ignore them," Guy 3 chimed in.
"You're the ones bothering him, and you still have the nerve to talk badly about him?!" I dropped my bag to the floor, ready to shove them back. I'm confident I could take all of them at once, but the moment I felt the cold touch of Earl's hand on my arm, I froze.
"D-Dawn…" Earl whispered, lips trembling, eyes unfocused. Normally I'd find that adorable but not right now.
"Hey, dude! Any problem here?" Derrick and my teammates showed up. "You rushed ahead so fast to be with.. Why are you still here?"
I didn't answer. I was too busy holding my temper down. I didn't want Earl to see my worst side.
"No reply? You angry? These guys caused trouble, huh?" Derrick hooked an arm around one of them in a headlock.
Now that I'd calmed a bit, I recognized him, Patrick. Our classmate. The same jerk who shouted last time and made Earl's ears bleed.
"They said they want to party. Take extra care of them for me." I picked up my bag and helped Earl to his feet. "We're leaving. I'm expecting news soon."
"Got it, Ace." Derrick's devilish smirk appeared. "You guys are in for a hell ride! Boys bring them along!"
I'm driving now. We're on the way to Earl's house, and he hasn't said a word since we left school.
"Are you okay?" I wait until a red light before speaking. When he doesn't respond, I touch his shoulder. "I'm sorry," I say immediately when he flinches.
"Hmm?" He fidgets, and that tiny sound he makes—ugh, brain, please stop.
"Are you okay?" I repeat. "You're not wearing your hearing aids?"
"I'm wearing them… I just didn't hear you." He looks like he's overthinking everything. How do I help him feel better?
"Are you still up for eating dinner with me?" I ask.
He looks down at his clenched hands and stays quiet.
"If you're not feeling well," I add softly, "then I guess you'll owe me dinner next time?"
His head snaps up, eyes wide in surprise. Slowly, he looks at me—then gives a small nod, a small smile, and a soft:
"Hmm."