Signing To The New Boy

Chapter 2: Meeting The New Boy

I stared at the blank top of my desk. Ignoring the stares and ignoring my work. I waited patiently for my phone to buzz, signaling lunch time.

The one thing I actually am looking forward to today.

I felt a tap on my shoulder and looked over to Shane. I consider him my one and only friend even though he's in college. We briefly talked throughout my classes when I had time between work and the lectures. We talked about anything and everything, it was nice. I honestly forgot what it felt like to have a friend, or a conversation that lasted longer than a few seconds.

You ok? He asked.

I'm fine, just hungry. My reply received a chuckle from him. I silently laughed along and finally felt my phone buzz.

I immediately jumped out of my seat and threw all of my things into my backpack. I looked up to see Shane staring at me with an amused smile. I smiled sheepishly back, and began speed walking out of the classroom. He quickly caught up and I turned to ask him a question.

What are you doing for lunch? Since you don't need to interpret anything for me. The question has been lingering on my mind the entire period. I knew I would be alone again for lunch, but I couldn't ask Shane to sit with me. He probably has his own college friends he'd rather go out with.

I sighed, I can't wait for college. I'll get a fresh start. I won't be the newly turned deaf girl, or the once peppy and fun Charlotte. I'll just be me. I can only hope that college students will be more mature and be willing to talk to me.

One thing I knew for sure, was it had to be better than high school.

I looked back to Shane when I noticed he began signing.

I'll just tag along with you if that's ok?

Are you sure? You can go get lunch with your college friends if you want. I can't imagine that high schoolers are who you'd rather be spending time with. I quietly chuckled at the end, realizing that when I'm in college, the last thing I'd want to do is spend it with high schoolers. Especially some lame, deaf, junior.

He shook his head, Positive. You seem a lot more fun than my "college friends" as you put it.

I gave him an incredulous expression. I'm deaf. I doubt I'm any real fun.

He gave me a look, Being deaf doesn't determine your amount of fun. Your personality is a hundred times better than my friends' and you crack some good jokes.

I smiled at him, Whatever you say old man.

He scoffed, Hey! I am not old.

I'm 17. To me, your old.

I'm only 21!

I just gave him a "really" look, and continued walking to the cafeteria. I quietly chuckled at the thought of what his expression could be. I briefly glanced back and started full out silently laughing, the reality ten times better than my imagination. He glared at me when he noticed I was looking. I shrugged innocently and turned back around to continue walking, only to crash right into a wall.

Correction, a moving wall.

I felt the wall vibrate, as if someone was talking, and then I realized that it wasn't a wall I crashed into, but a person.

I looked up to see who I had ran into, only to find an unfamiliar face.

A hot, unfamiliar face.

Only, his face showed confusion mixed with slight irritation. Oh, he's probably mad that I didn't respond to whatever he said. Out of a newfound habit, I signed an apology.