mute

chapter 11

Chapter: A Day to Remember

It had been a whirlwind few weeks for Billie. Ever since Odessa became her close friend and dance partner, Billie had felt a sense of belonging she hadn’t experienced before. Dance became more than just an activity—it was a form of expression where her body could release emotions that words could not. Her stims found rhythm in the movements, and her tics, while still present, felt more manageable within the flow of the dance.

That day at the studio, their dance instructor made an exciting announcement at the end of class. The group had been working on a routine for weeks, and every dancer had given it their all. But Billie, in her unique way, had stood out. Not just because of her talent, but because of her determination, her ability to move with emotion, and the way she embraced dance as her own language.

“Today, we’re announcing the top performer in the group,” the instructor said, smiling at the group of students. “This person has shown incredible growth, passion, and dedication, despite facing many challenges along the way. And that dancer is… Billie!”

For a moment, Billie stood still, not fully processing what she had just heard. Her heart raced in her chest, and she felt a rush of emotions bubbling inside her. Then, as the reality set in, she started to stim in pure joy. Her hands flapped quickly, her fingers tapping her palms in quick, rhythmic motions. A happy squeal escaped her, and she spun around in place, letting the energy course through her body. Odessa grinned from across the room, signing congratulations to her.

The other dancers clapped, and the instructor handed Billie a small trophy with her name engraved on it. Billie held the trophy close to her chest, her hands shaking with excitement. She had never felt anything like this before—pride, joy, and a deep sense of accomplishment. It wasn’t just about the recognition; it was about proving to herself that she could do something she loved, something that made her feel alive, despite the challenges she faced every day.

When she got home, the first thing Billie did was burst through the door, the trophy still clutched tightly in her hands. She couldn’t speak the words, but her expression said it all—pure, unfiltered happiness.

Maggie, Patrick, and Finneas all turned toward her, sensing the excitement radiating from her. “Billie! What happened?” Maggie asked, her voice filled with curiosity.

Billie immediately started signing with rapid, joyful movements, telling them how she had been voted top performer at dance. Her hands flapped wildly as she signed, her whole body vibrating with happiness. Her fingers tapped against her thighs as she rocked back and forth on her toes, releasing the pent-up energy that had built up inside her.

“That’s incredible, Billie!” Finneas said, his eyes lighting up. He pulled her into a gentle hug, careful not to interrupt her stimming. Maggie and Patrick exchanged proud smiles, watching their daughter beam with pride in a way they hadn’t seen in a long time.

“We’re so proud of you,” Patrick said softly, walking over to hug her too. “You’ve come so far.”

Maggie nodded in agreement. “You’ve worked so hard, Billie. This is such a huge achievement!”

They had always known Billie had the potential to do great things, but seeing her so happy, so confident, was more than they had ever hoped for. Dance had given her something special—an outlet, a way to communicate her emotions, and now, a moment of recognition that she had earned entirely on her own.

Billie’s body continued to respond to the overwhelming joy coursing through her. She flapped her hands faster, bouncing on the balls of her feet. Her face was lit up with a wide smile, and she began to pace around the living room, rocking side to side and making soft humming sounds.

And then came the happy rolling. Billie dropped to the floor and began rolling back and forth, a common stim for her when she was bursting with excitement. Her body twisted and turned, and she giggled uncontrollably as the energy surged through her. The motion was soothing, helping her regulate the intense emotions that came with this overwhelming joy.

Her family watched with fond smiles, knowing that this was how Billie expressed her emotions. They never tried to stop her stims, understanding that this was how she processed the world—through movement, rhythm, and repetition. It was part of who she was, and they loved her all the more for it.

“We should celebrate,” Maggie suggested. “I think this calls for a cake.”

Patrick grinned. “A victory cake for the top performer!”

Within a short time, they had picked out a cake from Billie’s favorite bakery, a beautiful chocolate one with the words “Congratulations, Billie!” written in colorful icing. When they presented it to her, Billie’s eyes widened in delight. She rocked back and forth even faster, tapping her fingers together in a steady rhythm.

As they sang congratulations, Billie’s excitement only grew. She started humming again, a sound she made when she was especially happy. Her hands flapped wildly as she hopped from foot to foot, her body brimming with the energy she needed to release. After they finished singing, she laughed and dropped to the floor again, rolling back and forth in joyous stimming. Her hands tapped the floor rhythmically, and she kicked her legs gently in the air as she moved, her mind filled with happiness.

Finneas sat down beside her, laughing softly. “You did it, Billie. You really did it.”

Billie stopped for a moment, looking at her brother, her eyes shining with pride. She signed, “I never thought I could do this. But I did.”

“We knew you could,” Maggie added, kneeling down beside her. “You’ve shown so much strength, Billie. We’re proud of you every single day.”

Billie felt her heart swell with love for her family. This was more than just about winning a trophy or being recognized for her dancing. It was about all the small victories she had achieved along the way—every moment where she chose to keep going, to keep pushing through, even when it was hard.

That night, after the cake was eaten and the excitement began to settle, Billie lay in bed, feeling exhausted but content. Her hands still flapped occasionally, a slow, steady stim as her body wound down from the day’s emotions. She closed her eyes, the memory of the day still fresh in her mind, and smiled to herself.

For the first time in a long while, Billie felt like she had truly found her place. And she knew that no matter what challenges lay ahead, she had the strength, the love, and the support to keep moving forward.