Speak Up | Lams DISCONTINUED

fourteen

The hours leading up to supper the following day dragged on as Alex was stuck in his apartment while John was at his classes. He quickly ran out of things to do and there was nothing on TV, so Alex was left napping and falling down weird holes on YouTube. It wasn't much, but it passed the time.
After what felt like an eternity, John came back, but he immediately started doing his homework at the table, so Alex let him be. He could understand wanting to get it out of the way while you were still in a school mindset.

Alex silently observed John as he worked. He took note of how John mouthed what he was reading; chewed the end of his pencil, and wrote in short bursts, almost like he only had part of an idea at a time. Alex thought it was really cute. A smile grew as he continued to watch John.

After a moment or so, Alex remembered he has stuff to do, like go to supper with his friends, so he checked his phone, seeing it was already five thirty.
"John," Alex softly said, not wanting to disrupt him if he was deep in thought.
John turned around a second later, after he'd finished writing, and gave Alex a smile.
He returned the smile and reminded his friend they had to leave in about fifteen minutes to make the supper.
John nodded, and went back to his homework, as Alex went back to observing him.

Time passed, and soon the two were outside Smitty's with Alex's friends. They all excitedly greeted Alex, kind of ignoring John. He didn't mind though, it didn't really seem like the kind of attention he wanted, or the kind he was used to. So, he just stood, patiently waiting to be introduced so they could finally eat.
After everyone was finished gushing over Alex's appearance like he was some big celebrity, someone, a dark haired girl, spoke up.

"So, Alex, are you gonna introduce us to your friend?" She asked.
John just stood there, smiling at everyone, as Alex laughed at himself for forgetting to.
"Everyone, this is my friend, John. John this is Eliza," He pointed to the girl who'd spoken before, then continued to name people and point them out, but John couldn't remember their names. He knew he'd met two of them before, though. He was never one to remember names.

Once everyone was seated, the group immediately broke into, what felt like, ten thousand different conversations. John was a little overwhelmed and confused by this, but kept to himself. He doubted anyone other than Alex could sign, so why even bother?
Eventually, one of the other girls whom he assumed was one of Eliza's younger sisters, spoke over everyone else and asked John about himself.
He just did what he always did, smile, until Alex caught on.
"Shit," He mumbled after realizing the whole table went quiet, waiting for John's response. "Guys, he's mute. If you wanna talk to him," Alex glanced at John to make sure what he was about to say was alright. When he was met with that encouraging smile he'd come to know so well, he continued, no longer concerned. "Feel free, but I'll have to be the translator. Unless any of you have magically learned sign language overnight."
The group laughed.

After the laughter died down, the same girl from before caught John's eye and began to sign a question. He was taken aback, so he missed it.
"Sorry, I missed that,"  He signed to her.
She smiled, brushing it off, before, again signing, "Where're you from?"
"South Carolina. You?"
"Albany."
He nodded. "I think I missed your name before..."
"No worries. I'm Peggy, Eliza's sister."
He nodded again, waiting a moment before continuing on their conversation. "How do you know sign?"
"Our brother, Philip, was hard of hearing, so the whole family learned to make it easier for him."
"That was sweet of you guys,"
She shrugged in response.
Both then went back to focus on the others who were talking about God knows what.

Close to twenty minutes later, the food arrived. For the majority of the meal, John stole fries off Alex's plate, who didn't seem to mind. He stole the odd onion ring from John, so they called it even.
The whole time, Eliza kept making indescribable faces and motions to Alex, which John, thankfully, missed. At times, it seemed like Eliza wanted them together even more than Alex did.
He just waved her off, mouthing 'Not gonna happen' every other time.

After dinner, the group was left outside, waiting for an Uber to arrive. John had gone to stand with the Schuylers as they were the only ones who could hold a proper conversation with him, so Alex stood with Herc and Laf, not wanting to intrude.
"You sure were looking at 'Liza a lot tonight," Laf commented, staring straight ahead.
"So?" Alex asked, turning to face him.
He only shrugged, keeping his gaze set on whatever was in front of him.
"She was looking at you a lot too, y'know. Not just when you two were having your weird silent conversation, but when you weren't looking or were busy doing something else," Herc explained. "You do know she likes you, right?"
"Eliza? No, she doesn't." Alex laughed. "If she liked me, why would she be trying to set me up with someone else?"
"To make you happy?" Laf suggested.
Alex considered this.
"Look, Alex, we all know you aren't getting anywhere with John, and you probably never will. Why don't you just ask Eliza out?"
"Cause I don't have feelings for her?"
"You used to," Laf said in a falsetto'd voice.
"Yeah, USED to. I've moved on,"
"Well, clearly she hasn't. Just go ask her out,"
"Maybe you just repressed the feelings and they'll come back once you two are alone,"
Alex sighed. "Fine."

He marched over to Eliza, not overly thrilled about what he was about to do. He pulled her aside and began speaking.
"Hey, would you, maybe, wanna grab lunch sometime?"
"Sure. Disney marathon after, like usual?"
Alex laughed softly. "No, 'Liza, I mean like a date."
She was a little confused by this statement. "Don't you have feelings for John? It wasn't too long ago I was playing wingman for you..."
"Yeah, but I'm clearly not getting anywhere with him, and chances are I won't ever. But, you and I have always had a special kind of bond, and I think we should see where it takes us,"
She thought it over for a moment. "I guess, then. Tuesday?"
"Works for me,"

The two continued to talk, but John just drowned it out. He couldn't believe Alex was doing this! He knew he didn't have any feelings towards her, and he overheard Alex's talk with the guys. It wasn't fair!
Even though John still kinda had a boyfriend and had shot Alex down multiple times...
It still wasn't fair!
Why did he feel this way? That morning he'd had no feelings towards Alex. Hell, two hours ago he didn't have any feelings for him!
Why now? Why did he only feel jealous when Eliza had him? It's not like Alex was reserved for John. No matter which way he turned it, John couldn't make sense of the situation.

Not long after his internal debate, the Uber arrived.