From Scarred to Healed

Chapter 5, Meeting

Arya's way of speaking

Bold = Texting or Writing

Italics = Sign Language

*Arya's POV*

We walk in and I'm immediately nervous about the amount of people here.

Jack is the first one to speak, "Everyone this is ---- Um, what's your name?"

This is one of the few times that I really want to laugh. He completely forgot to ask my name earlier and now he has to show his ignorance to the rest of his mates.

Slowly, I sign that my name is Arya and he looks at me with slight frustration as he remembers he doesn't know sign language.

But I'm startled as the only female in the room, besides me, speaks up. "Her name is Arya. You didn't tell us she was deaf."

Jack is blushing slightly, probably because of his mistake, and says, "Um ---"

I interrupt him and sign to tell them I can hear.

Thankfully the lady interprets my signing. "She says she can't speak but she can hear." I'm glad that she's here because it would be a lot harder if she wasn't.

Smiling at the lady, Jack speaks again. "Well ok. Let me introduce the rest of you. Arya, Jess is the one currently interpreting for you. Mario and Luis are the ones in the corner still laughing at me. They also helped when we brought you back to dry land. Hoppo is the boss and tells us what to do while eating chips on the sofa. Max is the blond boy and works to save little kids castles at the beach. Joel and Trent were also working today they just couldn't come."

I look at all the different people in turn as Jack names them. Not surprisingly when he says Hoppo all I can think is a bunny.

But bunnies aren't very commanding. I see Jack go to sit down and I debate as to whether or not to join them sitting.

My head suddenly spins and the decision is made for me. Having to grab onto the wall, I slowly make my way over to the rug.

I'm probably turning very white but there isn't much to do about that.

Then as if everyone realized at the same time at the same time, they all asked, "Do you need help?".

My face cracks into a gigantic smile. While everyone else bursts into another fit of laughter. Lowering myself carefully I sit on the rug as there are no other chairs.

It took them a moment to calm down from the laughter and notice. Jess gets up, "Here, do you want to sit on the sofa?"

I shake my head no because I know if I tried to get up now, I'd fall over. With my right hand I motion for writing supplies.

It would be to hard to try and sign the entire thing with one arm. Jack catches on and goes to find the supplies.

That's when I remember I haven't eaten anything today. "Can I have some food?"

Everyone looks at Jess as she translates. They're startled for a minute but say yes.

Hoppo gets up and goes to what I assume is the kitchen to get some food. At that moment Jack comes back and for some reason I'm glad to see him.

He's got a couple pieces of paper and a pen. "Now can you tell us the story behind your injury?"

I nod and begin to write. "No questions till the end." Everyone voices their acknowledgement.