Two By Two

Chapter 9

Her lips were soft. He had never kissed a girl before but he liked it. Especially kissing Kassidy. His hands cupped her cheeks and broke apart from her lips. He noticed her face was a deep red and couldn't help his own cheeks filling with the same color.

I'm sorry, it just seemed like we both needed relaxation from all this stress. I shouldn't have done that, he signed quickly, scared she would never want to speak to him again.

Kassidy smiled slightly, Its fine. I enjoyed it.

His heart was overwhelmed with joy and he kept tapping his fingers against the floor, not able to keep still.

Kassidy signed, what does this mean now?

Jamie shrugged, whatever you want it to be.

Her eyes glanced at the ground and then back to him, i should probably focus on my studies right now. Senior year is starting in two weeks. I really like you though Jamie. You're the first person I've ever felt this connection with.

Jamie frowned, he understood where she was coming from but at the same time he wanted more than a friendship with her. She seemed more than perfect for him. He knew it was too good to be true though.

It's okay. I understand, he signed slowly.

Kassidy smiled and rested her hand on top of his in contentment. After a few seconds Kassidy's eyes widened and he saw fear flash across them.

She jumped up quickly and Jamie signed, what's wrong? Are you okay?

The phone. My mom picked the house phone up. It's the doctor.

Jamie felt his heart drop to his stomach. All this work for nothing.

What's she saying?

Kassidy waited before signing back, she keeps saying it's a mistake and I'm not going.

There was a long pause and she sat on the bed, she hung up.

Jamie was about to sit next to her when the door opened. Kassidy's mother entered the room and slowly shut it behind her. Her chest rose with a deep breath. Jamie saw her eyes and they were stone cold and focused on her daughter.

Her mouth opened and she said something he couldn't hear.

Kassidy's eyes were filled to the brim with tears and when her mouth opened they were let loose. Both mouths were open now. Arguing over each other.

Even though he couldn't hear the words Jamie winded at what was going on. Her mother obviously didn't care that he was in the room as well.

A million thoughts rushed through his mind but the one thought that kept coming he wanted to fight back but couldn't. He opened his mouth and spoke for the first time since he sent deaf.

"Hey! Leave her alone! I did most of it. I'm the one that hacked into your email..."

Kassidy rapidly signed, Jamie, don't do this please. It's between us.

He wasn't listening, "you're daughter is amazing and she deserves to be able to do this study. I know you're concerned about what will happen but what if it works? Your daughter will be healed! Don't you want that for her or do you want her to live her whole life sheltered?"

He didn't know what his voice sounded like but her mother was speechless. She opened the door and slammed it shut behind her.

Kassidy knelt to the ground sobbing into her hands.

Jamie knelt besides her and reached his hand out to hug her. She stopped him and pushed his arm away, I told you to not say that. It was between my mother and I. You should go to bed Jamie. After tonight I probably won't be allowed out of the house for a long time so this is probably goodbye too.

Jamie shook his head, no, no, it'll be okay.

Kassidy's lips were trembling and her eyes were red from crying. She opened her mouth and Jamie read her lips. Go away.

He was hurt, he was only trying to help her. He nodded his head and walked out of the room into the spare bedroom.

The next morning he didn't see Kassidy before he left. He got into his moms car and she signed, how was it?

It was interesting, he signed back. He rested his head against the car window and watched Kassidy's house as they started to drive away.

Before it was out of sight he saw the purple curtains in Kassidy's room open and her face peek out. They were quickly shut.

He couldn't help feeling that he ruined another friendship.