UNSPOKEN BOND

CHAPTER 1

NOTE TO READERS: THIS BOOK CONTAIN OFFENSIVE LANGUAGE AND BULLYING WHICH MAY SEEM OFFENSIVE TO READERS. #SayNoToBullying - IT ALSO CONTAINS S*X SCENES

***CLASSROOM***

"Did you see the way she flinched when Caleb got in her face?" Maddie's words dripped with wicked enjoyment as she took her normal place in the back of the English classroom.

Trent snickered and slumped down alongside her. "Like a scared little rabbit." "You'd think the mute freak would be accustomed to it by now."

Their laughter sliced through the dull roar of student talk, with an edge sharp enough to pierce even the toughest exteriors. Not that their intended target could answer with anything other than a pained expression.

Lila kept her gaze fixed on the blank notebook before her, her hands clutched tightly in her lap to conceal a tiny trembling. She strained to block out the vicious remarks, to build the invisible walls that were her sole defense against the barrage of heartless words.

"Seriously, how does she expect to make it through high school?" Maddie continued, loud enough that Lila couldn't miss the hatred in her tone. "She can't even talk back to defend her freakish self."

A heavy quiet descended over the cluster of desks that surrounded Lila as the other students drew back, instinctively withdrawing themselves from the line of fire. No one dared to intervene in the face of Caleb Matthews' exclusive inner circle's vengeful anger.

Caleb swaggered into the room, as if called by their stinging remarks, claiming immediate attention and respect. With his crafted looks and easy, contagious charm, the top basketball star could have graced any magazine's cover.

Trent immediately perked up, his eyes gleaming with an arrogant need for acceptance. "Did you see how we got the mute girl all worked up before class, man? "She looked like she was going to cry."

Caleb's lips twisted into a slow, predatory grin as his gaze fixed on Lila. Even though she didn't look up, she could feel the weight of his gaze burning into her like a white-hot brand.

"Aw, you didn't make the poor thing weep, did you?" His tone was tinged with fake pity, and each patronizing phrase was like a precisely aimed bullet. "We need to be more considerate of her...limitations."

Laughter spread like a virus throughout the audience as they basked in Caleb's warped charisma. He thrived on creating a captive biosphere of cruelty, with the subtle brushstrokes of a genuine master.

Lila sank into her seat and desperately blinked back the embarrassing prick of tears. Don't show weakness, don't give them satisfaction, she told herself. However, it was like attempting to block a surging flood with her bare hands.

"Well, if it isn't little Ms. Mute," Caleb said, sauntering over to the tower above Lila's huddled body like a sleek leopard toying with its victim.

Unable to leave, she braved a quick glimpse up at her tormentor and was immediately entrapped by the swirling depths of disdain in his chillingly soulless eyes.

"Cat got your tongue, freak?" Caleb taunted with a serpentine hiss. "Or are you just too scared to admit the truth - that you're a worthless, defective waste of-"

The hard crash of a book against the desktop mercifully broke him off as Mrs. Wilkin entered with her signature disapproving look.

"That's enough from you, Mr. Matthews," she reprimanded sharply. "Perhaps you'd like to share your insights on how To Kill A Mockingbird's exploration of societal injustice with the rest of the class?"

Lila silently let out the air she'd been holding as Caleb strolled to the front of the room, unleashing his disruptive charm on their unsuspecting teacher. She received a little respite from his malicious agony.

But the shadows of his hateful words persisted, gradually smothering her beneath their deadly weight. On the whiteboard before her, a chilling observation appeared to ignite with piercing truth:

"The one thing that doesn't abide by majority rule is a person's conscience."

The piercing bell rang, jolting Lila back into the hard reality of the empty classroom. Dried tear streaks streaked her cheeks as she gently gathered her books, Caleb's parting remarks still stifling the air around her.

Normally, the reassuring presence of her best friend Mia would have been enough to ward off the harshest blows. But Mia was out sick that day, leaving Lila to face the pain alone, without her beloved defender.

She stood motionless for a long time, watching as the final few students hurried out. No one gave her a second glance; the mute girl, the target, was just another daily fixture to avoid attracting unwanted attention.

Lila stroked her fingers over the mocking phrases Caleb had scratched into her desk, carving his cruelty into a lasting stain on her life, just as the scars he inflicted were invisible to others.

"Worthless freak."

The slur appeared to resound through her spirit with terrible finality. How much more of this could she bear? When will the never-ending barrage of anguish from her peers, from the entire cruel world, ultimately crush what is left of her spirit?

Steeling herself, Lila pushed one foot in front of the other towards the door, her shoulders bowed under the weight of her silence. She refused to exhibit weakness or crumple under Caleb's tyrannical attempts to silence her voice, her very existence.

But, as she went woodenly through the halls, each spiteful gaze and whispered jeer slashed like ritualistic slashes at her fragile defenses. By the time she reached the art room's closed door, her entire body was numb and rigid.

Lila stumbled to the antique horsehair sofa, its shapes softened by years of cradling broken students in search of relief. Crumpling into the falling cushions, she eventually let her emotions pour in huge, wrenching gasps.

Why? Why was she labelled an outcast, a disgrace, simply for being unable to speak? Lila never asked for the disability that made her useless in the eyes of her tormentors.

As her agonizing screams erupted in ragged gasps, she banged her hands against the ruined sketchbook that had been her lone companion. Its worn pages were muddled with the evidence of her never-ending struggle to be seen and her unheard thoughts finally heard.

By the time the racking sobs stopped, Lila could only slump in hollow separation, her eyes dry and unfocused. What was the purpose of battling anymore? Caleb and his merciless group of hyenas had already triumphed, destroying her with their cruelty.

She was nothing. A broken, flawed waste, as he never failed to remind her. Alone, without even Mia's unwavering support, her sole company the deafening silence that condemned her to invisibility.

Perhaps it was now time to give up, to accept her destiny as a societal vanishing. At the very least, perhaps the pain would stop, and the scars would heal over her grievously injured psyche.

Lila's gaze swept across the canvas she had begun, the distorted charcoal strokes merging into unrecognizable anguish. A hollow, twisted representation of her existence.

Gathering the torn bits of her sketchbook, she gradually proceeded to take the pages out one by one, reducing her desires and visions to scattered ashes of oblivion. Soon, the once-vibrant space lay cocooned in a blanket of smothering silence, a little purgatory where she could simply cease to exist.

The door suddenly burst open, shattering Lila's dismal bubble. She flinched involuntarily at the disruption, bracing herself for a verbal barrage of darts and spiteful hatred...

CHAPTER 2

The final bell rang, signaling the end of another exhausting day at Willow Creek High School. Lila Emerson rushed down the corridor, head dropped, attempting to avoid the sneers and taunts that appeared to follow her like a dark cloud.

"Hey, mute girl!" Caleb's nasty voice cut over the din of students. "Why don't you open that pretty little mouth and say something for once?"

Lila increased her speed, her heart beating against her ribs. She could feel their gaze on her, burning into her back like hot coals. A nasty chuckle rang out behind her, followed by a chorus of giggles from Caleb's buddies.

Pushing through the double doors, she sucked in the fresh air, hoping it would calm her racing heart. The taunts faded into the distance, but their pain persisted, like a constant aching that refused to go away.

Mia's house was a few blocks away, a haven from the nastiness that seemed to follow Lila everywhere she went. She headed out down the usual walk, her thoughts going to her best friend, who was confined to her bed by an unyielding sickness.

Mia's front door opened before Lila could knock, and her mother, Elizabeth, welcomed her with a loving grin. "She's upstairs, honey," she murmured, her voice filled with anguish. "She's been asking for you."

Lila nodded, giving a modest, thankful grin in response. She climbed the stairs, each step carrying the weight of her worries.

Mia's room was dim, with the curtains pulled against the strong sunlight. Her companion was propped up against a stack of pillows, her once-vibrant skin pale and strained tight around her bones. Lila's heart hurt at the sight, but she forced a brave grin to her lips.

"Hey, you," Mia said, her voice barely above a whisper.

Lila set up a chair by the bed and reached out to grab Mia's hand. Her fingertips felt like fragile twigs.

"Those assholes giving you a hard time again?" Mia inquired, her eyes blazing with rage.

Lila shrugged, her fingers making a series of flowing gestures. "Same shit, different day."

Mia snorted, letting a shadow of her former self shine through. "Fuck 'em," she signed back, her movements slow but resolute. "They're just a bunch of small-minded pricks who can't handle anything different."

A sorrowful smile tugged at Lila's lips. She grasped Mia's hand, grateful for her unfailing support, despite her difficulties.

"You know," Mia began, her gaze drifting away, "sometimes I wonder if it's simpler this way. I don't have to deal with their garbage anymore."

"I know," Mia murmured, her voice full of disappointment. "It's just... sometimes it seems like the world is against us, you know? "As if we're fighting a losing battle."

Lila leaned forward and cradled Mia's face in her hands. Her eyes were filled with ferocious intent, and her fingers moved with passionate intensity. "We're in it together. Always."

Mia's lips curved into a small grin, and her eyes glistened with unshed tears. "Yeah," she said softly, her voice full of emotion. "Together."

They sat in silence, hands entwined, gathering strength from each other's company. The weight of the world appeared to lighten, if only for a minute, as they sought comfort in their unbreakable relationship.

Outside, the sun began to set below the horizon, throwing lengthy shadows throughout the room. Lila knew she ought to leave, but she couldn't bring herself to disrupt the precious peace that had settled over them.

"Stay?" Mia pleaded, her eyes begging.

Lila nodded and sank back into the chair, her heart filled with fierce love and loyalty that went beyond words.

As the day drew in around them, they clung to one other, two kindred spirits negotiating the hard realities of a world that was frequently brutal and unforgiving. But, in that time, they found solace in their friendship, which no amount of cruelty could ever break.

The afternoon wore on, and the two friends found solace in each other's presence. But as the Sun rays of light broke through the curtains, the weight of the world fell back on them.

Mia's eyes widened as she sought Lila's comforting presence beside her bed. "You're still here," she signed, a relieved smile tugging on her thin lips.

Lila nodded and returned the smile. Her fingers moved smoothly, "Of course. I promised to stay, didn't I?

An appreciative look passed between them, a silent acknowledgment of the unshakable link they had.

Mia sighed as she looked out the window at the sky, which was gradually becoming brighter. "Another day," she signed, her movements full of resignation.

Lila's visage hardened, and her jaw clenched at the prospect of facing the vicious comments and jeers at school. But, for Mia's sake, she faked a courageous smile. "Do not worry about me. "I can deal with those assholes."

Mia scrunched her face with apprehension. "Will you at least try to avoid Caleb and his goons tomorrow?"

Lila shrugged, her fingers moving dismissively. "I will be alright, Mia. "They're all bark, no bite."

Mia did not appear convinced, but she knew better than to fight with her stubborn best friend. "Just...be careful, okay?"

Lila leaned closer, rubbing her forehead against Mia's in an affectionate gesture. Her fingers skated across Mia's palm, forming a secret promise. "I will be back tonight. Count on it.

Mia's lips curved into a faint smile, and she gently squeezed Lila's hand in gratitude for the comfort.

With a sad heart, Lila untangled herself from the tangled sheets and moved towards the door, each step feeling like a lead weight. She hesitated in the doorway, her gaze drawn to Mia's weak figure, and signed, "See you later?"

Mia nodded, her eyes filled with love and anxiety. "Stay safe," she said quietly, the words hanging in the air between them.

As Lila started to leave, Elizabeth's quiet voice interrupted her. "Lila, wait a minute, honey."

Lila shifted, her brow furrowed as Mia's mother arrived. Sarah's eyes were rimmed with heavy circles from the restless nights she'd spent watching over her baby.

"I know things have been...difficult lately," Sarah said, examining Lila's emotive gestures while Mia translated her friend's sign language. "With Mia's condition and...your situation at home."

Lila's shoulders tightened and her fingers moved effortlessly as Mia's words rang out, deciphering her thoughts. "Mrs. Elizabeth, it's been incredibly hard. But I'm managing."

Elizabeth extended her wrinkled hand, touching Lila's cheek with parental tenderness. "Your father loves you, you know that?"

When her father's name was spoken, Lila's face turned to despair. Mia's hands moved methodically as she said the phrases aloud. "I know he does. But it doesn't always feel like it.

Elizabeth's forehead furrowed with anxiety, while Mia continued to echo Lila's views. "Honey, he's doing his best." Losing your mother was traumatic for him. "For both of you."

Lila's throat clenched, and she blinked back tears, her fingers communicating what her mouth couldn't. "It still hurts a lot. Some days, I can scarcely breathe because of the anguish."

Elizabeth sighed and pulled Lila into a passionate embrace, holding her firmly while Mia fell silent. They remained like this for a long time, Elizabeth protecting Lila from the harsh facts of life with her maternal love. As they separated, Lila straightened her shoulders, her features hardening with purpose.

Mia's voice came out again, relaying Lila's final words. Thank you, Mrs. Elizabeth. "I needed to hear that."

Lila stepped out into the bright afternoon light, bracing herself for the comments and sneers she would face at Willow Creek High. But this time, she took Mia's words as a talisman, a reminder that even in the darkest of circumstances, love can triumph.

CHAPTER 3

LILA POV:

Lila pulled open the door to her father's workshop, where she was met by the familiar fragrance of sawdust and varnish. It was a smell she had remembered since she was a youngster, a constant companion amidst her life's ever-changing currents.

Ethan Emerson stood slumped over his workstation, his broad shoulders straining against the tightness of his well-worn shirt. The rhythmic rasp of sandpaper against wood filled the air, interrupted by her father's grunts of stress.

Lila lingered in the doorway for a time, her fingers twitching with the want to announce her arrival. But something was holding her back, a tension that appeared to crackle in the air between them like static electricity.

Finally, Ethan looked up, his brow furrowing as he noticed her there. "Lila," he grumbled, his voice rough. "Didn't hear you come in."

Her hands moved smoothly, each gesture precise and purposeful. "You were focused on your work."

Ethan grumbled again and dropped the half-sanded plank with a dull thud. His glance flicked over her face, searching for something Lila couldn't quite figure out. "How is your friend doing?" "Mia, right?"

Lila's countenance stiffened, and a spark of despair passed across her features. Her actions were sluggish, hampered by the seriousness of the situation. "Not doing well. The Doctor said she needed a few days to recover properly"

Ethan's jaw twitched, and he nodded quietly, his eyes abruptly downcast. An uneasy pause stretched between them, full of unspoken words and unsolved tensions.

Desperate to fill the emptiness, Lila's fingers began to move again, the movements rushing out. "I was thinking we should practice some signs together. "It's been a while since we did that."

Ethan's eyes refocused, a surprise flickering across his weathered features. For a time, he appeared to reject, his mouth clenched with obstinate determination.

His expression softened, and he nodded reluctantly. "Okay, yeah. "We can do it."

Relief flooded over Lila, and she felt some of the strain leave her shoulders. She crossed the chaotic workshop and positioned herself across from her father, hands set and ready.

The first few signals consisted of simple words and phrases that Ethan had long since memorized. But as Lila's movements became more complex, her father's face pinched in concentration, his lips silently mouthing the words as he strained to keep pace.

Ethan's face became frustrated, and his hands clenched and unclenched at his sides. "Slow down, will ya?" he demanded, his voice tinged with annoyance. "I can't keep up with that quick shit."

Lila's fingers stilled, and she took a long breath, determined to remain calm. Her gestures were purposeful and exaggerated, and as she repeated the words, her gaze fixed on her father's face.

Ethan nodded, his jaw set in a harsh line as he mimicked her gestures, his movements stiff and uncomfortable. But as he continued to sign, his brow gradually relaxed, and a spark of comprehension appeared in his eyes.

Encouraged, Lila began a more difficult statement, her hands weaving beautiful patterns across the air. But as she neared the conclusion, her elbow struck the edge of the workbench, knocking a nearby saw to the floor.

Everything seemed to happen in slow motion in a matter of seconds. Ethan surged forward, his rough palm tightening around the saw's handle in a reflexive effort to grab it. However, the blade was already spinning, its deadly teeth gleaming in the harsh workshop light.

A horrific crunch rang throughout the room as the saw ripped into Ethan's flesh, leaving a large, jagged gash on his palm. He recoiled with a guttural howl, his face contorted in agony as blood dripped between his clasped fingers.

Lila's hands flew to her lips as her eyes widened in fear. Her heart pounded against her ribcage, each pulse producing a thunderous thud in her ears. She pushed forward, her fingers quivering as she peeled apart her father's hand, displaying the horrific cut.

Ethan yelled vehemently, his words an upsurge of grief and rage. "F*cking hell, Lila!" "Look at what you made me do!"

His words cut through her like razor swords, and Lila flinched as if struck. Her hands fluttered frantically, appealing and apologizing. "I'm so sorry, Dad. It was an accident. Allow me to help you."

But Ethan was already staggering to his feet, his teeth twisted into a tight line. "Just...leave me alone," he snarled, his voice loud and straining. "I can take care of this myself."

Lila's heart fell as she saw him stumble out of the workshop, leaving a red trail of drops. Her hands dropped loosely to her sides, the weight of her father's words resting heavily on her shoulders.

As the blood-tinged sawdust swirled about her feet, she felt the old agony of loneliness crawl into her bones, a hollow void that no number of apologies or explanations could ever fill.

The weight of her father's rejection hung in the air, thick and oppressive. Lila remained transfixed in the center of the workspace, her hands quivering at her sides as the reality of what had happened set in.

The horrific crunch of the saw blade cutting into Ethan's skin echoed in her head like a twisted refrain. Her stomach roiled with sickness and remorse, and the strong smell of sawdust and copper irritated her nose.

Lila squeezed her eyes shut, hoping the world would stop whirling. She couldn't face the notion of her father suffering alone, caring for his wound with the same harsh determination that had always kept them apart.

Her fingers tightened into white-knuckled fists, and her nails bit into her hands. That was enough. She was tired of standing by as the distance between them widened.

With a sharp inhalation, Lila whirled on her heel and walked towards the open doorway, her strides propelled by a newfound determination. She followed a red trail of drips, each scarlet bead flashing like a flashing sign, directing her to her father.

The metallic aroma of blood intensified as she approached the small restroom off the main corridor. The door was slightly open and Lila could hear Ethan's muted curses coming through the breach.

She paused briefly, her hand lingering above the doorknob. Then, before she could question herself, she pushed the door open and walked inside.

Ethan looked up immediately, his eyes tightening into a fury as she came in. He stooped over the sink, a wad of bloody paper towels gripped in his quivering palm.

"I told you to leave me the hell alone," he hissed, his words tinged with hurt and rage.

But Lila stood firm, her jaw set in a determined line as she met her father's piercing gaze. Her fingers moved with a deliberate and constant pace. "You are hurt, Dad. Allow me to help you."

Ethan opened his mouth, no doubt ready to deliver another biting retort. But as his gaze shifted to her firm countenance, the fight seemed to vanish from his body.

With a weary moan, he sank back against the washbasin, his shoulders dropping in surrender. "Alright, kid," he murmured gruffly. "Do your thing."

A tremulous smile tugged at Lila's lips as she took a step forward, gently pulling the filthy paper towels from her father's white-knuckled grip...