The Silent Reader

Chapter 1

This all started the day we moved in next door. The same day I met you. -Luca

Age 8

I didn't understand why we had to move to a new town. Mom and dad explained that they got a job promotion or something like that, and the company needed them in a new town. I understood that, but what I didn't get was why I had to move too. I had all my friends that I didn't wanna say goodbye to, and I didn't like the idea of making new ones. I even tried convincing my parents to let me live with Aunt Alice, but even I winced at the idea of living with her and her cats.

She loves wine more than children.

I was surprised to hear that my big sister Lizzy loved that we were moving.

I'm starting to wonder if I was adopted.

When we got to our new house I was amazed by how big it was. The yard was big enough to play in with our family dog Bud. It was hard trying to hate this place when it looked so awesome. When mom showed me my new room, I felt like crying because it was my dream bedroom. That's why I'm sitting on the porch steps pouting and sulking.

"Could you quit being such a big baby?" Lizzy asked as she sat down next to me. I frowned at her when she nudged my shoulder with hers.

"Why do you like it here so much?" I questioned. All she did was shrug. "You do know we're going to have to make new friends, right? don't you miss Carly? " I asked, Carly was her best friend from our old school. All Lizzy does is roll her brown eyes at me.

"Duh, of course, I miss her, and I don't mind making new friends." She says, then gets up ready to go back inside. But before she does, she says, "mom says there's a park around the corner if you wanna take Bud out to play." and then she goes inside.

I waited until she was inside before I quickly ran to my bike and paddled to the park with Bud happily following. Once we got there safely, Bud was already chasing birds. The park seemed empty, expected for an old couple sitting on a bench feeding the birds that Bud was chasing away.

I sighed and slapped my hand over my face at my hyperactive dog. The couple doesn't seem to mind as they pet him. Bud then found his next victim. A boy who was sitting on the grass was nearly tackled by my crazy dog.

"Buddy!" I called out, but he seems to be enjoying his free belly rub from the boy to care. I jog up to them and apologize to the boy. "I am so sorry about him. Bud is just a really friendly dog." I say with a nervous chuckle, but the boy doesn't look up. He was completely ignoring me. Rude. Just because he looks a little older doesn't mean he has to be rude. "Dude!?" I try to get his attention again.

"The boy's deaf, son. He wouldn't even hear an explosion go off even if it was right in front of him." The elder man chuckles, making me feel like an idiot. I then noticed that he had an earpiece thingy, but I don't think it's switched on.

The boy finally noticed me when Bud runs to me. The boy smiles at me and waves. He wasn't rude at all. He was deaf. I hesitate before I wave back. I want to introduce myself but I don't exactly know how to speak... deaf?

Mommy always says I should introduce myself when I wanna make new friends. I turn to the old couple for help.

"How do I speak deaf?" I asked in a whisper even though I knew he wouldn't be able to hear me. They simply laughed at me.

"Oh, sweetie. It's called sign language." The elder woman explained.

"I'm Lucas, but everyone calls me Luca." I introduce myself to them. And find out that this was Marly and James.

"And that sweet boy over there is Thomas." Marly points to the deaf boy that's trying to stop Bud from licking his face, smiling nonetheless.

"And that little girl over there -" James points to a tree, and right underneath it is a girl reading a book. "- is Kathy." I couldn't see her very well as it looked like she was hiding her face. She had a white sundress on, and her hair looked like it could be dark red. She looks like she was my age.

"They're brother and sister?" I ask, and they nod. "Is she deaf too?" I ask, not taking my eyes off her.

"Why don't you go and see for yourself, little charmer." Marly gestures me to go ahead. She doesn't have to ask me twice because I find myself making my way towards Kathy.

She doesn't notice me when I stand in front of her. Is she deaf too?

I clear my throat loudly and nearly choke in my on a spit when she snaps her head up.

"Whoa." I gasp when I look at her. Wow, she was pretty. Her eyes were bright green like the grass she was sitting on. She had little spots on her face called crumbs, I think. I can't remember what they're called. I was too hypnotized by her eyes and red hair.

My cheeks heat up when she frowns at me, making me realize that I interrupted her reading when I saw the thick book in her lap. "I- um, I'm Luca, but everyone falls be Lucas." Her red hair falls over her shoulder as she tilts her head to the side in confusion at my mistake.

I give my head a little shake and start from over, taking in a deep breath, "Hi, my name is Lucas, but everyone calls me Luca." I rush out the words. She blinked at me before giggling.

She heard me?

"You're not deaf." I blurt out as I sit down in front of her. She shakes her head. "Then why don't you speak?" I ask, and she sighs almost sadly. "Can you speak?" I ask, and again, she shakes her head no.

Sudden sadness fills my chest, but it disappears when Thomas and Bud run over to us. Thomas moves his hands around in a weird way, and so does Kathy. It almost looks like they're arguing about something, and she wins. This must be sign language. Thomas sighs and then does something with his earpiece.

"Hey Lucas, I'm Thomas, and this is my little sister Kathrine." He speaks. I gap at him with wide eyes.

Kathy's hands move again, making Thomas roll his eyes, "I'm not being formal. Anyways, Kathy just wanted me to tell you that she's mute. Even though she can speak. She just has trouble speaking." I nod my head like I understood what he just said.

They shared a look and chuckled.

"Will you guys please be my new best friends?" I blurt out, making them look at me like I was a weirdo. "Please." I say, this time flashing my charming little grin.

They shared another look and smiled

That day, we played with Bud in the park until sunset.

Which was also the same day I found out we lived right next door to each other. Tommy and Kathy's parents invited my family to have dinner with them because apparently, someone wouldn't shut up about me.

I would find myself wanting to spend more time with Kathy and was relieved to find out that we went to the same school. When school started, I noticed how mean the other kids were towards her. Calling her a nerd because she read a lot and calling her crazy because her hair was always a bit messy.

I got into my first fist fight at the age of 10 to protect her.

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Welll... Tell me what you think....
It's Unedited and you may find a few mistakes, and if you do, please tell me.
Hope you enjoyed it.