Unspoken

Chapter 4

The weekend promised warm sun and a cool breeze—perfect weather for a picnic at Angel View Park. Jenna had practically demanded that Mia come along when their friends decided to make it a group outing.

"I've been inside all week," Jenna signed the night before, sprawled on the couch. "And so have you. You're coming to the park. No excuses."

"Fine," Mia signed back, laughing. "But only because I need a break from homework."

Now, Mia stood by the park entrance, a blanket tucked under her arm as Jenna and some others carried snacks and games to their spot. Her phone buzzed, and she couldn't help but smile as she read Jake's text confirming he was on his way.

Jenna smirked as she appeared beside Mia, a knowing look on her face. "That smile says it all. He's coming, isn't he?"

Mia shrugged, her cheeks warming. "Who?"

Jenna grinned. "Gallery Guy? Relax, I like him. "

"Yeah, yea he's on his way."

"Good." Jenna adjusted the bags she was carrying. "He seemed nice. I'll save him some chips. And if he's weird, I'll scare him off."

"You're impossible," Mia signed, rolling her eyes.

Jake arrived about thirty minutes later, looking a bit out of place in the bustle of the picnic but smiling when he spotted Mia. Jenna waved at him from across the blanket.

"Gallery guy!" she signed enthusiastically. "Nice to see you again."

Jake chuckled, setting down a box of cookies. "Gallery girl. Good to see you, too. What are you, Mia's sidekick?"

"Bodyguard," Jenna corrected with mock seriousness. "She needs constant protection."

Jake glanced at Mia, smirking. "I believe it."

Jenna grinned. "You're lucky Mia likes you. Otherwise, I'd have questions."

Mia laughed and turned to Jake, "Ignore her. She likes to tease."

"I can handle it," Jake replied. "She seems fun."

"Exhausting is the word you're looking for," Mia added with a smirk, earning a playful smack from Jenna.

The group passed the afternoon playing card games and tossing a Frisbee, laughter punctuating the easy camaraderie. Jake blended in well, though he spent most of his time at Mia's side, talking or helping her manage the picnic setup.

At one point, as the group sprawled out on blankets to relax, Jake turned to Mia. "So, how do you and Jenna know each other?"

Jenna jumped in with a grin. "Freshman year. We were randomly assigned as roommates, and I got stuck with this one." She pointed at Mia, who rolled her eyes.

"Stuck?" Mia signed, pretending to be offended.

"Fine. Blessed," Jenna corrected with an exaggerated sigh. "She's clean and doesn't steal my snacks. What more could I ask for?"

"That's because you label everything," Mia added with a grin.

Jake laughed. "That's a solid roommate checklist."

"It's close enough," Jenna teased. "But really, we hit it off after a week. I taught her how to microwave instant noodles properly. She taught me how to survive art history classes. It's been magic ever since."

Jake laughed. "Sounds like fate."

"Exactly," Jenna signed with a flourish before pointing at Jake.

"What about you?" Jenna asked, leaning forward. "Roommates? Horror stories?"

Jake shook his head. "No roommates. I commute. Family's nearby."

Jenna raised an eyebrow. "Oh? What's your family like? Deaf? Hearing?"

Jake hesitated, glancing at Mia before signing, "Hearing. All of them."

Jenna's expression softened slightly. "Do they sign?"

Jake shook his head. "Not really. I didn't learn until I was fifteen."

Jenna's brows furrowed in surprise. "Fifteen? That's late. Why'd you start? I mean I'm glad you did but why then?"

Jake hesitated again, then signed, "I got tired of feeling like a stranger in my own skin. Signing felt... natural, once I started."

Jenna nodded slowly, her teasing demeanor softening. "Makes sense. Good for you."

Jake smiled slightly. "What about you? Deaf, hard of hearing, or...?"

"Oh I'm 100% hearing." she said with such seriousness that anyone would believe her.

"Really, wow I was way off." surprised and shocked he added, "Well your signing is amazing! You're so animated!"

Jenna playfully smacked him while laughing, "I'm kidding! Deaf as a doornail. My parents are Deaf too. My brothers, everyone. We're loud in our own way, though."

Jake laughed. "I bet. Man you got me!"

"We'd probably scare you too," Jenna added, nudging Mia. "Right?"

Mia laughed. "No argument there."

"So," Jenna leaned forward and as if staring into Jake's soul she questioned, "Why were you at the gallery that night?"

Jake chuckled and signed, "I was dragged there by a friend. He thought it'd be 'cultural' or something. I didn't expect to actually enjoy it." He glanced at Mia with a small smile. "But it turned out to be a good night."

Jenna raised an eyebrow at Mia, smirking. "He's smooth. I like him."

Mia groaned but couldn't stop the smile spreading across her face.

As the sun began to set, the group started packing up. Jenna tossed the empty chip bag into the trash and stretched her arms overhead.

"Well," she signed to Jake, "you're not bad. I approve."

"Thanks, I think?" Jake replied with a laugh.

Mia rolled her eyes. "Jenna, stop embarrassing him."

"It's my job," Jenna said, grinning as she walked off to help another friend.

Jake turned to Mia as they folded the blanket together. "She's great."

"She's definitely something," Mia said with a laugh. "But yeah, she's great."