Come With Me

3.
"So you can talk now," is the first thing I say, he smiles, "Yeah, I guess I can." "For someone whose never spoken a word, you seem to catch on quickly." "I've studied words in my silence. Your father usually helped me, he's a very kind man, Chasity." My name sounds almost wonderful in his voice. No one at school talks to me, I'm just the weird girl whose Dad disappeared. My mom quelled my curiosity by saying he died in a car crash, but I never fully believed her. "I'll show you to your room." Griffin says, taking my hand, I want to pull away but he grips it firmly, I guess telling me not to. So I follow behind him and he takes me to the second door on the left. "This is the room we've been saving for you. I'd always hope you'd come sooner, but in just glad you're here now." "I didn't really come here, you took me remember?" He chuckles, "But you wandered in the right direction, that's what I meant." I shrug, and he look curious, "You do that a lot. Shrugging," "Because I never know anything. The kids at school...they call me stupid and don't talk to me. Just because Dad disappeared all those years ago, I'm suddenly cursed or something." My eyes tear up at the memories and Griffin wipes them away, "Don't cry, Chasity. I hate to see people sad," I don't look at him, letting my hair fall over my face. I love having long hair, it lets you block out the world sometimes. But he pushes it behind my ear and lifts my head, we're inches apart, and fear starts to make my heart beat faster, what is he doing? Why is he so nice to me? I mean he was raised to learn about me but that doesn't mean anything, he could've still been a jerk. But he's not...why? Before I can ask, he kisses me softly. I pull away and run into my new room, locking the door and sliding down it. He doesn't leave, "Chasity, what's wrong?" His voice asks from behind the door. I can't answer, I'm too confused. "I'm sorry, I didn't know you were shy. Your father didn't tell me." "Because he hasn't seen me since I was 4." Is my bitter reply. "I'm sorry, I didn't mean to be pushy, I just...I really like you. And not just because I learned about you my whole life, I like you for you, even thought you haven't been here very long, I just...don't tell me you didn't feel that too?" "I'm not saying I didn't," "Then come back outside, don't shut me out," "I need some time to process everything ok?" "Ok, I understand." His footsteps fade away to the right and I hear a door shut gently. My tears fall freely as I sit on the floor, what's wrong with me? Why can't I just admit I like him and go with it? What's making me pull back?