Winter's Lament by Autumn Rivers

Author:Autumn Rivers
Language: eng
Format: epub
Tags: neurodivergent characters, young adult, novel, indie author
Publisher: Autumn Rivers
Published: 2021-12-01T00:00:00+00:00

Chapter 11

Keeping Secrets

The school day started out like all the others. Isa, Jack, and I were all walking to school. Isa was talking about the art that she was making. She said that she was making a lot more now, and that she never knew she had such artistic skill before she went to that camp.

“I’ve been making all sorts of stuff,” she told us. “Oceans, grasslands, forests, mostly nature stuff. I’ve dabbled in trying to make art of industrial buildings, but I think I still need work on that.” She then turned to me. “You should come over again! I’d love to show you what I’ve made.”

“Oh, sure!” I said. “Maybe I can go over after school today.”

After walking for several minutes, we arrived at the school entrance, where Faith was waiting. She had her blue butterfly pin in her hair today, which was something I hadn’t seen her wear for years. The last time she wore it was when we were graduating from Audrie Middle. The teachers told her she couldn’t wear it during the ceremony, but she ended up doing it anyway.

“Hey,” she said. “You three really like traveling in a pack, huh?”

Isa giggled. “You make it sound like we’re animals when you say it like that.”

“Well, humans are technically animals,” Jack said. “Difference is from most animals, we have opposable thumbs... and civilization... and technology... okay, we’re a bit different from most animals.”

“You’re wearing your butterfly pin today,” I decided to bring that up to Faith. “You haven’t worn that since graduation. What, are you feeling nostalgic?”

“Oh, that,” she said. “I just found it while searching for something else, figured I might as well wear it instead of letting it collect dust in some random drawer.”

“Yeah, I guess that makes sense. It looks nice on you.”

“Ah, thanks...” Faith gave me a smile. I liked seeing her smile.

Just after that, the bell had rung, which meant it was time for us to get to our first period classes. Jack, Faith, and I all walked together towards the special ed wing of the school and Isa went towards the science wing.

“Remember how my therapist started me on new meds?” Faith asked, as soon as we were out of the crowd of people. “I can really start to feel them working now, they’re helping a lot more than any of the other ones before them. I’ve been able to focus a lot more and get things done, and it’s helped me feel a lot better about myself.”

“So, is that why you’re wearing the pin today, then?” I asked.

“Partially, yes.”

“Why didn’t you bring it up before?”

“Isa is... well, she’s neurotypical. And we all know how neurotypicals are when it comes to medicine and all that, you know?”

“Aren’t I neurotypical?”

“Well, yes, but...– “

“–you’re different.” Jack said. “You’re more like us than she is, if that makes sense. You’ve also been around much longer.”

“I guess that makes sense,” I said. “but Isa is obviously an ally, she’s never made fun of any of you for your conditions before, doesn’t that count for something?”

Jack shook his head.

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