actions speak louder than words {karlnap}

chapter 27

(Alex POV)

Nick, Karl and I are alone in Nick's car, being caught up on everything that's happened since Karl started college. Which I don't think is necessary, because Karl has already corrected Nick about different things twice. 

I relish the time Karl spends talking, since he's warned be that he won't be talking unless he's sure we're alone. Honestly, I forgot he's selectively mute, since he's been talking to me. Though, I guess I have a part in that, considering I told him to stop using ASL.

...I'm an asshole.

Karl suddenly gasps. I look up from my phone; we're in a residential area, a neighborhood with condos and two-storeys, all houses that look like they were made in the 60's, not a single modern house in sight. It's honestly a relief, considering most of the houses I've seen since landing in America have been big and beautiful and modern. In Mexico, they aren't really like that. This is a good change of pace; familiar, almost.

Nick smiles as we pull into the driveway of a white two-storey, where a woman with long black waves falling over her shoulders and a kind smile is waiting for us. Karl doesn't even wait for the car to stop before throwing open the door and racing to meet her. Nick giggles, shutting off the engine. 

"That's my mom," he tells me. "Karl says she's been more of a mother to him than any of his foster moms."

I frown. "Damn."

Nick approaches the two, Karl's arms locked tightly around Nick's mom's torso. Nick laughs and gently pries him away from her. I stay a few feet back, unsure of what to do with myself. But she notices me and smiles. 

"You must be Alex!" she says, walking over with her arms extended. "I'd say 'I've heard so much about you' but Nicky doesn't tell me anything." She wraps her arms around my neck, pulling me into a motherly hug. 

She looks ridiculously young. Either she has a fantastic skin care routine or something like that, or she had a teen pregnancy, or something else I can't think of off the top of my head. 

"Hi," I say, forcing my smile to stay steady. "I'd say the same thing, but Karl doesn't tell me anything either."

She giggles, but Karl and Nick both glare at us. 

"Well, it's lovely meeting you," she says. "It's a relief to finally have someone I'm taller than in the house. Nick finally outgrew me last month, and Karl-" She pauses and turns to look at them. "Back to back," she says. 

Nick whines incessantly, like he already knows his predetermined fate. And would you look at that, Karl is two inches taller than him. He's, like, three or four taller than me, which is enough of a blow to my ego.

She laughs. "Well then, Karl is the tallest one in the house right now then!" 

False, he signs. What about Cherry?

Nick's mom gives Nick a look. He only shrugs. I don't know who Cherry is. 

"Yes, well, I suppose," she finally sighs. "Cherry is built like a freaking Amazonian, I swear."

Their friends' car pulls into the driveway next to Nick's, a bright green car that I'd like to burn so I never have to look at it again. 

Nick's mom immediately smiles, and walks over to hug everyone who gets out. 

"Her name's Betty," Karl whispers. 

I jump, and suddenly, he's standing right next to me. 

"What?"

He nods towards Nick's mom. "Her name is Betty," he repeats. "Short for Elizabeth."

"Like from Archie?" I joke.