Jasper's Deaf Mate (1) (Rewrite in Progress)

(1) WELCOME TO FORKS

Before you get confused, when you see "...", it means the person is talking and when you see '...', it means the person is using sign language. If the words are in italics, then it means they wrote those words. If the words are underlined in between "...", it means someone is interpreting what they said, and if it is underlined in between '...', then the person is talking and signing.

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The smoldering sun attacked me as I slowly exited the only home a remember living in to move in with my father, who I have never met. My father, Charlie, lives in Forks, Washington which will be my new home for the rest of my high school career. Even though I am excited to meet my father, I am freaked out by everything else, especially going to a hearing school. You see, I was born deaf to hearing parents, so going to a school that does not sign, much less understand my language, ASL, is kind of scary. The last time I went to a hearing school, I was in kindergarten and everyone was mean and cruel. My first year in school was the worst memories I...

My mom gently shakes my shoulder to gain my attention, interrupting me from my thoughts. I look to her as she signs, 'We are about to leave, so you can start getting in the car.' Right after she stops signing, she engulfs me in a hug and plants a small kiss on my cheek before doing the same to Bella. Another reason for my fear of moving to Forks is that I have never been without my mom. Bella has taken month long trips every summer to see dad when she was younger, but I never went along. I know I have Bella, but I fear trying to settle down in the small town without my mother's support.

As I walk toward the car, I see Bella, in the corner of my eye, soaking in as much of sunlight as she can get. I understand how she feels, probably more then she does because we all know that Forks rarely gets sunlight with all the raining that happens there. At least, Bella has the experience of being in the constant cover of rain clouds at least for some time. I will be completely new to this.

Phil waves his hands in the air while saying, "Guys, I love you all, but we got a plane to catch." I followed Bella into the back of the dirty grey car and closed the door. When my mother was getting into the passenger seat, I looked out the window to give a final goodbye. I really am going to miss this place, especially since I have a feeling we will never see this place again. Goodbye, house of my childhood. Goodbye, heat of Phoenix, Arizona. Hello, Forks, Washington.

Phil pressed on the gas to take us to the airport, which will take about twenty, so I looked over at Bella to ask her something, but she was busy reading Wuthering Heights again. I think she has read that book over a hundred times. Don't get me wrong. I love to read, but I read different books. Bella has found an interest in reading the same book repeatedly. Well, the only reason I found a love for reading is because when mom, Bella, and I are out in public, I use me being distracting with my book as an excuse for me not being interested in talking to anyone. If only I knew about that trick in Kindergarten. 

Being deaf was not a problem because that is all I knew since I was born deaf. Even with mom and Bella, they treated me like I was normal. So, the first time I fully realized that I was not normal was my first day of Kindergarten. I walked into the harsh reality that not everyone is like my family.

Once we got to the airport, mom would not stop convincing us not to go through with going to forks. I don't know Bella's reason for wanting to come to forks since I know she hates forks, but I really want to meet my dad. Before we went our separate ways, Bella and I hugged mom goodbye. Bella grabbed my hand and we made our way onto the plane and sat in our assigned seats.

Before Bella could take out her book, I signed to her, 'What is Forks like? And Dad, what is dad like?

Bella laughed and responded, 'Forks, a small town in the Olympic Peninsula of northwest Washington state, exists under a near-constant cover of clouds and rain. So, the complete opposite of Phoenix. And dad is, basically, opposite of mom. You know how mom is outgoing, well dad is a little socially awkward, kind of like me.'