Silent Corners

SILENT CORNERS

Sam and I with some other friends sat at the bench of our school's football field. We decided to go see how the boys were playing soccer. We had already started a conversation before the boys started their match . When they started ,I totally forgot that I was with people. Others had an impression that it's because I was enjoying the match but in reality it wasn't the match that had my attention ,it was Henry. Sam somehow managed to figure out and she leaned closer, looked at my face and gave me that mischievous smirk she always had when she thought she’d discovered something.

“You like him, don’t you?” she whispered, drawing out the words like a secret she’d been waiting to spill.

“Who?” I asked quickly out of shock, though my facial expression and the smile pulling my lips betrayed me .

“Henry.” She said his name as if it were the simplest truth in the world. “I’ve seen the way you look at him, Chris. You can't deny it.”

I tilted my head opposite her, I began to blush. “It’s not… it’s not like that” I said timidly.

But Sam wasn’t buying it. “Come on. You go quiet every time he’s around. And the way your eyes follow him? Please, you’re so obvious.” She nudged me playfully, her grin wide and knowing.

I exhaled, giving up the fight. “Maybe… maybe I do.”

Sam’s smile softened into something more tender. “Then don’t be afraid of it. Sometimes, the best things happen when we stop running from how we feel.”

Her words lingered long after the bell rang, and even as the days passed, I found myself wondering if she was right — if Henry was something I didn’t have to run from.

Meanwhile, at home, the tensions between my brothers and Dad left a mark and home didn't feel the same again. After the heated event, Jimmy continued to maintain his focus and shine in school. His grades got even higher and his teachers never stopped praising him. In no time, he became some sort of celebrity in our school. He was famous for his steeze and his calm, steady nature which earned him the respect of his fellow students and teachers.

But Daniel… Daniel began to sink further. Jimmy still tried, for a while. I’d overhear him offering gentle words, urging Daniel to let go of the crowd that dragged him down. But the more Daniel resisted, the more Jimmy pulled back, until one day he gave up entirely.

Dad noticed the difference. And when he looked at Jimmy and me, there was pride in his eyes. He would sit at the table, nodding with satisfaction at our reports, and say things like, “Christine, Jimmy — you make me proud.”

The more Dad was praising us,the more Daniel would frown. He’d sit there, jaw clenched, staring at his untouched plate, his silence heavier than any argument. For him, praise for us was proof that none would ever come his way. At some point he couldn't bare it anymore and he then stormed off to his room. I began to feel bad for him and I wished I could help but I could see how I could.

Mother and I decided that on this coming Friday night after school, we should imitate a movie night to help gather the family together and restore the smile that was. The living room smelled of buttered popcorn, the lights dimmed, and we all had our seat at our usual positions in the living room but Daniel wasn't present.

Jimmy and I sat together, trading quiet jokes while the opening credits rolled. As the movie began, Daniel was still absent.

Halfway through the film, I glanced round the room. Dad had already dozed off with his head towards his right shoulder, while Jimmy had drifted into sleep with his head bent downwards. I adjusted his head backwards to avoid him collapsing . Mom kept her eyes on the screen, but I knew we was only physically present. After a few minutes, she stood and quietly left the room.

Minutes passed and I couldn't help to be curious where she was and what she was doing. It was unlike her to leave unannounced during a movie night. She is the type that pauses the movie and gets back quickly but this time she didn't even bother about the movie. Careful not to wake Jimmy or Dad, I slipped away and tip toed down the hall until I heard Mom speaking calmly. I traced the voice amd it was coming from Daniel's room.

“…I know it lately it's as if you're family is looking down on you by praising others around you and receiving non from anyone. But shutting yourself out won’t fix it. Given the fact you don't like it doesn't it mean you have to turn a new leaf ? Show us you can change. Show your dad. Show yourself.”

Her voice was calm, steady, carrying a kind of quiet strength I’d only ever heard in moments like this.

I leaned closer, hidden in the shadows as she continued, softer now:

“Your father isn’t trying to look down on you. When he praises Jimmy or Christine, it isn’t to shame you. It’s his way of showing you the right path, of reminding you that you can do better. He wants more for you, Daniel — he just doesn’t always know how to say it kindly. But believe me, every word comes from a place of wanting to see you succeed.”

I held my breath, waiting for Daniel’s answer, but all I heard was the faint creak of his bed as he turned away.

Mom sighed. “It’s up to you, son. We can’t walk this road for you.”

Then came the soft click of his door closing.

I stayed hidden in the corner, her words still echoing in my ears, the weight of Daniel’s silence pressing heavier than any argument ever could.

Just as I turned to slip back down the hall, Mom’s voice cut through the quiet.

“Christine,” she said gently, without even raising her tone. “You can come out now. I know you’ve been listening.”

My heart froze in my chest.