( shot down ) ☹ ( Calum T. Hood )

three

three

A year had passed since Zoey had gone fully deaf and she had come to accept it. She accepted it for who she was and decided she'd go back to school for her last semester in eleventh grade. Zoey had to inform them at the beginning of the school year so that they could install the flashing lights for when each bell rings.

Zoey and the boys had come up with a plan. She had Michael in 2/4 classes, Luke in 3/4, Ashton in 4/4 and Cal in 4/4. They would be sitting beside her and translating whatever their teachers said. It was the easiest way for Zoey to be at school.

Zoey fell into step with Calum and sighed as she looked up at the school. "Everyone is going to be weird. Nobody will talk to me." She signed to her best friend as she saw her other three best friends being dorks and spitting water at one another out of their water bottles.

"Screw them Zo. They are fake people who don't know how amazing your are. I'll be in every class with you, and the others in most of yours. At lunch we'll sit in the auditorium like we usually do." Calum comforted Zoey and she sent him a full smile. Teeth and all. She was happy that most things had gone back to normal.

"I have to go talk to Mr. Slater right now. Are you able to come with me?" Zoey signed softly to the tanned boy. He smiled gently but he shook his head.

"Luke, Mike and I have football. Ask Ash. I'm really sorry Zo. I love you and I'll see you in first!" Calum signed as he checked the time before hugging her and kissing her on the side of the head and running off with Luke and Mike.

"Ash?" Zoey signed as he just shook his head laughing before smiling.

"Yeah. Come on let's go." He signed wrapping an arm around her shoulder and tugging her into the building. Zoey sighed and entered the office with Mr. Slater standing there.

"Hello." Mr. Slater signed and spoke. He only knew a few words in Sign Language but he would still need help.

"Hi Mr. Slater. Ash is here to help out." Zoey spoke for the first time in a week and she cringed at the way it felt. Mr. Slater nodded and motioned them to follow him into his office.

Mr. Slater spoke and Ashton translated most of it. They spoke about what is going to happen during classes and Zoey agreed on most of it except for not being able to walk anywhere in the school without one of her friends. The boys deserved a school life outside of her and she was not happy with it.

The bell ringed and Zoey noticed the flashing red and sighed. "Alright. Let's go." Zoey signed and stood up and finished collecting her things. Ashton grabbed her hand and led them out into the already packed hall. Zoey felt her breathing become quicker as she looked around at everyone. They were all shoving between one another to get to class and she could feel her grip becoming looser on Ashton.

Zoey pushes through a bit and interlaced their fingers so that she wouldn't lose him at all and Ashton sent her a soft smile before continuing their trek through the halls and to their first class. They finally escaped the flow of kids and into their first class. Calum was already sitting down at the back. He was sweaty and still panting as he was drinking out of his water bottle.

They wanted the three of them at the back of the class so that their signing wouldn't get in the way of others view.

Zoey still hadn't let go of Ashton's hand till she sat down and smiled at Calum.