The Selectively Mute Girl Open Finished

As she got closer, Aubren heard voices, the voices of the students whom she thought had left. Yet now, Aubren didn't bother to run off and hide. Besides, it could be a good chance for her to try and make new friends, something her parents would both be equally proud of. At the door, Aubren stopped and looked at the people inside. Two girls and a boy, the energetic looking girl and the boy were the only two she recognized from seeing them, while the other girl that stood there remained unfamiliar. In the back of her mind, she desperately hoped she wasn't intruding upon them in a bad way.

"I'm sorry to interrupt, I couldn't help but see who the voice belonged to myself."
Aubren said, a warm smile on her face. Deep down, she was extremely nervous, meeting new people and communicating was never hard for her, but now? As she tried to make friends? It was difficult, impossible even.

"I'm Aubren, Aubren Anson. You must be the singer to those lovely chords."
Aubren directed her smile and words to the nervous looking girl, the strong British in her voice making the words even more gentle. Her mind raced with anxiety, hoping that this was the right thing to do.

Marissa went bright red as Aubren entered the room. Another person? How loud was I singing? Gods I hope no one else shows up. She continued to look anxious, playing with her yellow tie nervously. Now there were three people wondering who was singing. But Aubren just blew out her secret, great.

Mari sighed and nodded to Aubren, confirming that was she who was singing. She felt extremely nervous this time, people knowing she could sing was not high on her priority list. Panicking to try and act calm, Marissa sat down on the floor and crossed her legs. She played nervously with her back pack on her lap, trying to calm down her nervous.

She quietly hummed to herself, trying to stay calm and not freak out. They were not meant to hear or know about her singing, it was meant to be a private moment for herself. Rocking side to side, she nervously glanced up to the three who were looking towards her. Why are they all looking at me like that? I hate it when people stare me. Why am I so naive thinking that nobody would hear me sing? She shook her head, trying to get the thoughts away.

Anatole raised a skeptical eyebrow at Rosie. "Just checking... you sure there was no one else?" Marissa was embarrassed, still nervous. He was wondering why Marissa hadn't fiddled with her buttons yet. It was one of the few things Anatole ever picked up on. After a bit of silence, and definitely a glare from others, he sighed, remarking, "Alright, alright, I believe you! I was just joking."

Marissa instantly sat down, trying to gain some stress relief. "I was just about to say that I absolutely love your voice." Anatole looked down at her with a look of sincerety. "I'm not kidding. Your rendition was gorgeous."

Anatole heard the door silently shut as another person entered. She was certainly a Gryffindor, entering with a statement almost characteristic, he supposed. After all, he had said the phrase many times himself. Finding the new girl nicer than he thought, Anatole tipped an imaginary hat at her. She was gentle, a nice contrast to Rosie. Not that it made their friendship any less valuable.

Deciding not to take the spotlight off of Marissa (he hoped she would be able to withstand it like a steel frame of a building), he just inched close to Aubren, introducing himself. "Anatole. My pleasure."

Aubren's smile had left her for the time being until the boy introduced himself, causing it to return to her once again. It was a brilliant smile, none the less, one that reminded her father of her mother each time it popped out. The boy's gesture of an imaginary hat caused a laugh from the girl, a laugh equally warm to her smile.

"Nice to meet you, Anatole" She said, looking at him for a few moments before turning her attention back to the singer.

She seemed to notice how shy and nervous Marissa was acting, something she had gotten used to noticing from her timid cousin. Aubren frowned slighlty at that, having the girl uncomfortable for using such a glorious talent confused her. Then again, the girl was clearly shy, and she understood.

"I thought it was wonderful. There's nothing to be worried about, especially with a talent like that." Aubren said to the girl, although she found it ironic how she was stating there was nothing to be worried about as she fret over making friends with these students. Her anxiety showed a little, as her arms seemed to tighten around the book she held so dear to her chest.

Rosie started to feel bad when Marissa sat back don, her smile wavering a bit. She slowly made her way over and quietly sat down next to her. "Sorry," she whispered. "But they are right you know, your voice is super pretty." She said. Rosie wasn't right NEXT to Marissa, she kept her distance a bit, giving Marissa space to... Breathe. Rosie glanced up at the two other people and managed a nervous smile, that wasn't usual for Rosie. This was because Rosie didn't know how to handle situations like this. Usually, the person talked back, but Marissa was different.

Rosie stared at her hands and waited for Marissa to say something, or send some kinda sign. Since... She didn't usually speak at all. They were complete opposites, Rosie knew that. She was a talkative, bubbly, selfless little girl who didn't usually realize when enough was enough when it came to speaking. But Marissa helped her realize that moment. The moment you take to breathe and listen. Rosie knew to stop talking but she never knew the signs to stop talking other than her own insecurities or the other person beginning to speak. Huh, Rosie was learning new things today.

Anatole smirked at the new, kind girl. She would be an incredible asset to help them break Marissa out of her shell. Perfectly pleasant indeed. She even laughed at his joke!

Now, as usual, Anatole was puzzled. His gut instinct was to sit down beside Marissa, rub her back and comfort her or something like that. But would she like that, or would it make her recoil?

Keep it bold.

Screw it, he sat behind her, rubbing her back almost like he would pet a cat. It was like a massage, maybe to help her relax and calm down. "Ey, I agree with the rest of them. It was stunning." Anatole stifled another laugh, a thought coming to his mind that he immediately vocalized. Maybe honesty would help. "Not going to lie, I sat out there beatboxing along. It probably didn't end up how you think it would end up, I'm not good at it." He blew a raspberry with his lips.

"But I get you. I'd think it strange and scary if someone found me beatboxing to high heaven to 'Cry Me a River'. You're not really that alone." He laughed again, looking her in the eyes. "It's okay."

Marissa died inside. She absolutely did not want anyone to hear her sing. She was selectively mute, only spoke to people she deeply trusted. But singing? She wanted no one to hesr that. But now suddenly three strangers snuck in and hear her sing. An utter embarrassment. She sniffled, trying to hold back the tears that were threatening to come up. How long could she keep her composure? Not long probably.

She got uncomfortable as Rosie sat next to her, Marissa was not fit to talk at that moment. Mari was shivering up to the point where Anatole started to rub her back. She froze instantly. He’s touching me! She instantly wanted to scream. Mari stayed frozen and stared at the door, wondering if she could sprint off and lose all three of them. They were bound to run after her or tell everyone else at the school. She found it even more nerve racking when they tried to complement her. Did not help at all, but Mari stayed frozen as Anatole continued to rub her back. What would Claryssa think? She would probably be hurt, or disappointed. Marissa then curled up into a ball and covered her ears with her hands. She was not dealing with this very well.

Rosie gulped and shifted uncomfortably, standing up. "S-Sorry." She muttered, she put her hands into her robe pockets and let out a sigh. Rosie couldn't do it. She didn't know how to deal with people who were so shy, she wasn't used to it. Rosie would just make the situation worse.

So, with that thought in mind, Rosie raced out of the Rehearsal Room, making the room less empty for Marissa.

Rosie came to the conclusion that to make Marissa feel better, she had to.. Not be there. Rosie turned the corner and left the room, making her way down the corridors and finding somewhere else. Somewhere she didn't bother or overwhelm Marissa.

When Clary asked Rosie to look over her sister, she thought it'd be a lot easier. Of course, it wasn't. Rosie didn't know WHAT she should do. It's not like she could force her protectiveness onto a girl who just hid all the time. The stress made Rosie's head pound, and she rubbed her eyes as she walked away. She was tired. Maybe she'd nap for a little while, that sounded nice. Maybe do some work on the assignments she ignored.

Anywhere but that room. At least for now.

The Gryffindor boy looked up at Rosie, who, for some strange reason, couldn’t handle the predicament at hand. It was a rather simple one, and that’s what set in Anatole’s confusion this time. ”Rosie, wait!” Anatole got to his feet, about to run after her, but she was too fast and Anatole decided it would be better to stay with Marissa, because she is who needed help the most. Rosie’s anger would be rather short term and she would be back to normal in a few moments, correct? That was Anatole’s hypothesis.

The boy sat down, falling over and lying on the dusty Rehearsal Room floor. He stared at the equally bland ceiling, looking up and just saying things out of the blue. It was as if since he came here, he had grown less and less conscious of what he said. He had lost the finesse he once had, and he couldn’t figure out why. ”You should sing again,” Anatole commented to no one in particular, ”I would like that. Last time it was pretty, so this time would be even more gorgeous.” The room was silent besides Anatole’s voice, echoing off the walls and being absorbed by the curtains in the front. ”Please…? Would you please sing again…? I could um...I could…” Anatole got to his feet, trying to figure out what he could do to help her break out of her shell. ”Piano!” he shouted, running towards the grand piano in the back and gesturing towards it like a flashy, opulent showman. ”Eh? I only know a couple songs since I’m self-taught, but maybe you know one too!” The boy slid onto the bench, blowing more dust off of the keys and looking at Marissa. Anatole continued to beg. ”Pleeeeeeeease?”

Marissa looked at Anatole as if he was crazy. Know him, he probably was. She liked how confident he could be with such ease. She took a deep breath and started to sing.

“Birds flying high..
You know how I feel.
Sun in the sky~
You know how I feel~
Breeze driftin' on by~
..You know how I feel”

Marissa paused, looking at Anatole nervously before closig her eyes, looking away.

“It's a new dawn..
It's a new day..
It's a new life~
For me~
And I'm feeling good..
I'm feeling good~“

She took a deep breath, finding it rather difficult to carry on.

“Fish in the sea..
You know how I feel~
River running free~
You know how I feel..
Blossom on a tree..
You know how I feel~”

Her voice started to sound more confident, clearly she was getting used to singing in front of him.

“It's a new dawn..
It's a new day..
It's a new life~
For me.
And I'm feeling good~”

She paused. Her eyes were open but not looking towards anyone.

“Dragonfly out in the sun
You know what I mean,
Don't you know?
Butterflies all havin' fun
You know what I mean
Sleep in peace when day is done
That's what I mean”