Deaf Girl to Deaf Journalist

The Beginning

"This is actually happening!"

This is Elizabeth's first day at Lauterdale University. She is reaching for her dreams. She is finally becoming a journalist. This is what she'd always wanted. As far back as Elizabeth could remember, she'd been writing her own news stories on her computer. Stories about politics, people, events; anything she could think of! It was her thing.

Elizabeth's parents weren't happy with her career choice, but she knew it was her dream. She got a free scholarship to Lauterdale University for the subject of her choice (lucky she is, huh?). She also had twenty seven hundred dollars in scholarship money just in case. Lauterdale was her dream university, and she's finally there.

Elizabeth loves writing. She writes her own copy of news articles and even records herself as if she was on television. She's aiming to get a major in journalism. Maybe a career in television or radio broadcasting. She has it planned out. But no one knows her secret at the university; Elizabeth is deaf.

Elizabeth checked into the residence and got her room key. She has a roommate. Since when did she ask for a roommate? Um, never. Her roommate is a girl who apparently loves to blast music in her ears at night and is also studying journalism. Her name is Britt. Everyone calls her Brittle as she is in a wheelchair because she has bones that can break from the simplest touch.

"Hi, I'm Britt. Who are you?" exclaimed Britt.

Elizabeth didn't understand. So Britt asked again,

"Hello, I'm Britt. Who are you?"

Elizabeth explained to Britt that she is deaf and uses American Sign Language (ASL) to communicate. Luckily, Britt's brother is deaf, so she knows sign language.

"Hi! My name is Britt! What's your name?" Britt signed.

"Hello. Um, my name is Elizabeth." she signed back in return.

"You don't have to be nervous around me, Elizabeth. I don't bite," Britt exclaimed, "What are you studying?"

"Journalism. How about you?" Elizabeth explained.

"Same thing here," Britt replied, "Maybe we'll be in the same classes!"

Elizabeth was getting used to Britt. Their dorm is wheelchair accessible and deaf friendly. They both started putting their things away. Britt got the left side of the room, so Elizabeth got the right. They both had windows and an equal amount of outlets for their electronics.

Elizabeth was just about to put away her last set of clothes when Britt tapped her on the shoulder.

"You wanna go meet my friends, Liz? I hope you don't mind that I call you Liz. It's just more easier to say. It rolls right off the tongue!" she signed.

"No thanks. But thanks for offering. I don't mind if you call me Liz. My parents called me that and so did my friends." Liz explained.

"Okay, suit yourself. Have fun, I guess." Britt left saying. Elizabeth didn't even to get to reply.

That was their first day.

A/N: Ahhhhhh! Hi! If you've read this far, congrats! You put up with me for a chapter!

This is my first story. I'm so excited to be writing it! It's been a long time in the making.

I based this story off of my dream of becoming a journalist one day. Also, I included ASL and deafness because I'm hard-of-hearing, and am learning ASL.

Anyways, thanks for getting this far! I really appreciate it! The next chapter will be up sometime!

Have a blessed day! Muah! Kisses! ❤

-Emma