Muted

Chapter 1

I'm late! Very late! I was running and I was dodging any cameras that may spot me along the way. Allow me to explain myself.

Hi. I'm Rilian Murphy. Most people just call me Riley though. I'm 18 years old and most people would consider you stay away from me. After all, I am bad luck. Now why am I running you might be wondering? Well, it started with my alarm clock going off an hour late! Again! I was supposed to be at school about twenty minutes ago and I have class in exactly three minutes. To make matters worse, I don't have a car. I don't trust cars because all of the money that goes towards cars and the fact that I've seen more car accidents than the average person.

With one minute to spare, I bursted through the door to Mr. Callaghan's class room. I looked like a mess, I'm sure of it. I was in no way out of breath but my face was red from the wind hitting my face.

"One minute to spare Murphy. That's news. You're actually not late," Mr. Callaghan joked. I just signed and mouthed I'm sorry and rushed to my seat, pulling out last nights homework assignment along the way. Mr. Callaghan was a young teacher, and a very good looking one at that. Not to mention, he wasn't exactly the stereotyped 'evil teacher' in fact, he is the coolest one I have.

Now your probably really confused! Well, I'm deaf. I've been deaf since as long as I can remember, which I actually have no memory of. All I know is that my mom said it happened in a really bad accident when I was younger, she wouldn't want me to remember. So I don't really have any memory of sounds or anything before I was deaf. I can read lips which is the only thing that has ever saved me from awkward interactions with people. I took a seat next to my best friend Rebel and he had the goofiest smile on his face.

"What," I signed.

"You're late. Again. No shocker," he said then signed back 'shame on you'.

I rolled my eyes then signed, "Oh I'm sorry Einstein, I can't hear my alarm clock," he just smiled. A few minutes into re-learning about the French Revolution, Rebel caught my attention and signed to me: "Do you know what's up with Dillon lately? He's been distant from his friends and every time he's near someone he looks nervous as hell." I just signed back 'no'.

Dillon Carter is who rebel was talking about to be exact. Dillon Carter is a dangerous man according to Rebel, whom actually knew Dillon when they were little. It's uncertain if he really is as dangerous as people make him out to be, but it is confirmed that he plays around with girls because he loves watching them beg to take them back after he leaves them

"I can find out if you'd like," I signed. Rebel just shook his head.

"Please don't, he's such a dick to you."

I looked away from Rebel and started thinking. The only reason Dillon Carter is a dick to me is because I accidentally scratched his car with my bike. I don't think I've ever seen a man with such a red face in my life. He looked furious. Do you remember me stating that I was running earlier? Yeah, well after my first encounter with Dillon he may or may not have driven over my bike.

He didn't even let me explain to him that I cannot hear, and he still has no idea I can't hear, and that I didn't hear my bike brush up against his car. He doesn't even know me in general. This was over three months ago, and I haven't encountered him since. Rebel doesn't believe that though because after that day I've been getting letters left and right shoved in my locker telling me to 'stay away' from Dillon.

Dillon is the type of bad boy who had rumors left and right that surrounded him, but sometimes I wouldn't be shocked if they were true. Some rumors consisted of him being from Sydney, Australia, he's been to prison and broke out, he killed a man because he wanted his dog, he slept with half of the girls in this school, and he has a reputation for hitting women.