Air

13. Radios, Nicknames, and Buses

Chapter 13

(Lily's POV)

When the girl (I didn't quite catch her name) came up to the stage to tell her story, I was touched. After all, my mom had died from colon cancer when I was seven. It was really hard on me because my mom was always there for me during speech therapy and supporting me and helping when I couldn't understand what people where saying.

I decided I would go visit Jackie in the hospital. 'Hi, I'm Liliana Paige Lacey.' I'd say, because I always introduce myself with my full name. I like saying it, but I don't know what it sounds like when I say it.

As I'm getting ready I turn on my radio. It's ten in the morning, so my dad and stepmom are already up. They won't mind my blasting music. I turn it up as loud as possible. I rest my hand on the speakers and feel the vibration. It shakes the floor and makes my hand wobble and fills me with a warm feeling. 

Music is my favorite thing in the world. It took a lot of convincing, but I got my dad to teach me guitar. I still don't know whether I'm good or not. But I love it. I don't care that I can't hear it and I don't have a desire to hear it. I like the way I am.

I pull on a big hoodie and leggings. I dig through my closet to get my black Chucks. I throw my blonde hair into a ponytail and swipe on mascara. I've never been a big fan of overdressing or wearing lots of makeup.

I feel a vibration that isn't my radio and realize I have an Oovoo request from Gracie, my best friend from school. I click the except and sit down so she can see me. Her face pops onto the screen. She has beautiful dark skin and really curly black hair.

"Hello Lily." she signs.

"Hey Gracie! What are you doing?" I sign back.

"I just got ready. Are you going to visit Jackie?" she asks. I told her about Jackie and asked if she wanted to come with me but she couldn't make it because she has a softball game.

"Yeah. I don't really know what to expect. If she's going to be awake or not, if she's on a lot of those pain medications they give you. If she'll be really irritated or sad or anything."

"I guess. But she just got out of surgery and will definitely be sore. I'd love to talk more but I have to get to Irwin High early to practice. See you!

"Good bye." I sign, and close out.

I run down the stair and kiss Layla, my stepmom. Almost. She and my dad are engaged, but she asks me to call her my stepmom. 

"Good morning, Lily Lacey!" she says. I've became really good at reading lips. She was really shocked when after three dates with Dad, she found out that he has a deaf daughter. Lily Lacey is sort of Layla's nickname for me, even though it's my real name.

After I eat two blueberry muffins and chug a glass of orange juice, I race upstairs to pack my purse. I turn on and adjust my hearing aid, which doesn't help much but the doctor's make me wear. Sometimes I can pick up a faint hum. But the doctor's have promised that I won't be healed. Ever.

I'm one of those people who signs and talks. I wonder what I sound like sometimes, probably hard to understand because once and a while people have no idea what I'm saying. I sign with my deaf friends. I have some friends who sign but never talk.

I through some Blistex chapstick into my purse. I add my cell phone and headphones. Like I said, sometimes I manage to hear hums. I shrug and through in my little teddy bear, the last thing Mom gave to me before she died. I got a lot of things from her after her death, but this is much more special.

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"Seriously?" Amber protests. "I know this isn't about me but we have to take a bus! Those are so gross! And no seatbelts?!"

I nod and pretend to be fascinated while I stare off. I can't see her lips, I don't know what she's saying. That's a perk of being deaf.

Amber taps me on the shoulder. "What's your least favorite thing about buses?"

"The swear words written on the back of the seats. And when they turn they feel like they'll flip over."

"They'll fish Oprah?" she asks.

"Flip. Over." I put extra emphasis on these words. It's so frustrating. I've heard of a lisp, and I guess I have one. But you can't blame me. I can't hear what I'm saying. Sometimes she doesn't understand me, then I can't

"Sorry about that."

"It's okay."

"Oh!" Amber says excitedly. "I love your mascara! It makes your eyes really big! I wish I had your eyes!"

My eyes are plain and gray. Her's are dark brown and they match her dark brown hair. "You don't want my eyes. Yours look better on you."

Kirsti motions for all for us to load into the bus and Amber plops down next to me. I stare out the window at the sky. It's bright blue with fluffy clouds. I wonder if anybody else is looking out their window and thinking of how beautiful it is.

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When we walk into the hospital room, a boy with blue eyes and brown hair is sitting in a chair next to Jackie. He bends down and kisses her on the lips before whispering what I think is a goodbye and exiting. 

Jackie waves at us. "Hey guys!" Her voice cracks and her eyes are puffy from crying. "So glad you could come."

A.N. No biggy... I just decided.... I'M WRITING A SEQUEL! I think it will be called Water... Then maybe even a third book called Fire! I'm so excited, guys! Thanks for the 200 some reads! Love ya! ❤❤❤❤❤❤❤