For The Sake of Science

Chapter 6 - Like A Brother

Emily let out a girly shrill as her roommate tossed decorative pillows in her direction. It was 6:00 AM–Emily had rolled over to confirm the ungodly hour. She groaned and hit the alarm clock that she could barely hear.

She had met Lola at curfew checks the night before, but had only exchanged a few words before Lola promptly turned the lights out. It was apparent she wasn't extraordinarily enthusiastic about sharing a room for the first time in half a decade. Especially with a new deaf girl who's alarm would drone on for what was most likely a half hour. Emily didn't blame her either.

Lola was speaking in a hurried tone, and gestured to the busy bulletin board Emily had noticed the day before. She then turned away, her silky dark curls bounced as she stood on her tiptoes to tuck the covers in on the far side of her lofted bed. Emily couldn't hear whatever she was saying, so she squinted toward the bulletin, then back to Lola. She had a limb difference, and was born with her right arm beginning just above the elbow.

Emily rolled out of bed, copying her new roommate. She assumed it was some sort of room check requirement like her brother had mentioned on his visits home from college. She quickly tidied her bed and looked to Lola again to see if she could lip read whatever she was going on about. Sure enough, Lola nodded toward the hall. She had mentioned something about brushing teeth and breakfast.

They made their way to the bathroom, four girls crowded around the two sinks brushing their teeth. No one seemed enthusiastic to start their day, most sporting dark circles under their eyes.

Lola pointed toward a flimsy plastic bin which was tucked away in the large cubby shelf. All the girls had one, each containing basic toiletries. Her name had been written in purple puff paint across it, and a green butterfly foam sticker. Emily grabbed the toothbrush and toothpaste out of her bin before returning to the sink. In the mirror she noticed Piper who had just stepped out of the walk-in shower.

"Morning," She signed with one hand, the other holding up the towel she was wrapped in.

Emily waved, attempting to sign morning back with her available arm.

When she finished brushing her teeth and washing her face, she followed one of the girls into the quad. Mara was making eggs, pancakes and bacon in the kitchenette and the other girls began sitting around the table. Another girl around the age of fifteen, poured herself a cup of coffee from the freshly brewed pot. She had beautiful dark skin and short hair.

"Can you pour me some?" Piper signed before ducking into her room to change.

The girl looked to Emily, "want any?"

"Oh, no thank you." Em shook her head, taking a seat at the wooden dining table.

"What's your name?" She asked.

"Emily."

"Veronica, nice to meet you,"

"Vee, pour me some too." Lola stole a pancake off the plate and Mara swatted at her hand.

"Momma Mara is going to write you up if you aren't careful," Veronica teased, placing two cups of coffee at the table and sitting next to Emily.

"Mara's snuck two pieces of bacon," Lola chuckled.

"Traitor!" Veronica playfully scoffed.

"We don't usually get pancakes on weekdays, but I think Mar wanted to impress the newbie."

"Ah, I see." Emily nodded, voicing and signing.

"Don't get used to it!" Mara raised a brow and pointed in their direction with the spatula.

"What are we doing today?" Emily asked.

"It's a Math and Science day," Veronica replied.

"Oh, so you do school still?"