Not As Different As They Thought

Chapter 1

Riley's POV

I walked into my English classroom and took my usual seat in the very back of the room. I usually get in last, maybe a little late, but I was feeling like being an okay student today so I got in a little earlier. Earlier meaning only half of the class was in the room.

As soon as I sat down, I heard a huge group of guys laughing and low and behold Mr. Perfect came waltzing in with his group of meatheads. Beck Addams. I swear he's the polar opposite of me and that's why I hate him. Sometimes, behind his back of course, I sign swear words at him. It's fun cause I can't get yelled at because no one besides him would know what I'm signing. Ha.

"Okay class, settle down. Today is the day you've all been waiting for. Projects." Mrs. Smith said with a big smile. Meanwhile, every kid in the class was groaning. I was too, on the inside. Maybe I can find a way to work on it by myself.

"Yes, Ava?"

A girl raising her hand spoke, "Do we get to choose partners?"

"Good question, no. I'm challenging you. Today I will pair you with someone you have one thing in common with, and the thing you have in common will be your topic."

Beck raised his hand with a notecard in his other hand, the teacher took it and read it.

"No, you won't be presenting these. You'll make either a website or powerpoint, or something technological and email it to me. Good question."

I couldn't see his face, but he probably had a huge rediculous smile on his face. Ugh. He sort of makes me feel nauseous. He's way too peppy.

"If there are no more questions then.. yes Jack?"

"Are you telling us the topic or do we have to figure out what we have in common?"

"I'm going to tell you, because many of you probably have multiple things in common with each other. This makes it less confusing and more unique. Any more questions? No? Okay, I'll tell you your partners and topics now."

She walked to the back of the room to her computer and started talking again, "Matt, Jack, you both are planning to apply to the same football college. I'd like you two to explain why it's an exceptional choice."

"Ava, Nick, you're both in marching band. I'd like you two to explain how that is a good way to expand your brain."

And the list kept going. I kind of tuned out until I heard Beck's name.

"Beck, you will be paired with Riley. I want you two to explain the deaf and mute cultures and how they're brought together by sign language. Okay?" Beck nodded and the teacher looked back towards me. I didn't move, but she continued anyways.

When she was done, she walked back to the front of the room, "We now have about 15 minutes left of class, get with your partners and get together a schedule when you can work on this because you won't get class time. We're starting a book club type unit during class. Okay, get to it."

Immediately everyone got up and went to their partners but I didn't move. I can't believe I have to be partnered with him. It's ridiculous. We have nothing in common. I barely use asl. And mute isn't even a culture. Mute people are usually just traumatized in some way so they don't feel like talking.

Someone waved their hand in front of my face. I looked up.

'Hey, want to work on a schedule?'

Not really.

'No'

He looked shocked, 'What?'

'Mute and deaf aren't similar. All we have in common is asl. That's it. I'm not doing this.'

I finished signing, wrote something on a piece of paper, and I got up and showed it to the teacher and I left.

I asked if I could go to the bathroom, but I don't plan on coming back.

***

My last class of the day.. math class. I almost hate it more than PE. Especially because the teacher is a strict asshole and tries to make me participate. Meaning he asks me to go do problems and write on the board how I did it. He's awful. I also have this class with Beck. And usually he makes Beck fix whatever the hell I did wrong and explain to me how to do it right. I hate it. It's humiliating and only makes me hate them so much worse. If I could talk, I'd fucking cuss the hell out of him. Who cares if I get expelled? It's not like I get good grades or have friends here or anything.

"Mr. King. Would you care to come do this problem? Obviously you know how to do it because you weren't bothering to pay attention."

I shook my head.

"Why not come up here anyways?"

I shook my head again. And he looked pissed. Which made Beck look behind at me. Just for fun, I called Mr. Vear an asshole in asl. Beck's eyes got huge, I almost laughed.

"What did he say, Mr. Addams?"

Beck's neck turned red and he started writing. He isn't gonna sell me out is he?

"He said he's sick?"

Beck nodded.

"Take him to the nurse then."

He nodded again and got up and gave me a look that told me to follow him, so I did.

As soon as we got into the hallway, he glared at me.

'Why did you call him an asshole?'

'Because he constantly humiliates me! He does it on purpose, he doesn't like me because my stupid sister.'

'Well get your act together, you can't go around telling teachers they're assholes.'

'I didn't tell him, I just called him one.'

He rolled his eyes and sighed, 'Whatever. Can we work on a schedule now?'

I groaned in my head, 'Didn't I make myself clear earlier?'

He smiled, 'Nope. I must not have heard you.'

'Asshole.'

He laughed. 'How about you come to my house after school tomorrow?'

I sighed, 'I can go over tonight if you're not busy.'

He smiled again, 'Tonight it is.'