Not As Different As They Thought

Chapter 3

Beck's POV

After Riley zoned out majorly yesterday, I haven't stopped worrying about him. He's right, I don't know much about mute people, but I do know that most are mute because of traumatizing events. And he got really scared. I didn't know him before he became mute but I do know he hasn't talked since freshman year and something really bad happened. People got suspended and some expelled. I know it was a prank of some sort.. but what prank could have gone so far as to make him not talk for 2 years?
I came to this school towards the end of freshman year and no one really talks about what happened so I've been wondering for a while. And now I'm really worrying.

***

"Hello everyone, I will be your substitute teacher today because Mrs. Smith is sick."

Jack, one of my friends, raised his hand but I didn't catch what he said because he sits in front of me. (To tell what people say, in school or in public, I read lips. But I prefer people to talk to me in asl if they know it. It's easier.)

"Her notes just say to work on your projects, whatever those may be. So, have at it. Please don't get too loud though. I'll inform you when we have about 10 minutes left of class."

Everyone started getting up and moving so I did too. When I turned around and started walking, Riley was just sitting there like last time. Hopefully today he'll actually help.

'Hey'

'Hi'

'So I thought more about your idea to do this as individually as possible and I decided to offer a deal.'

'What sort of deal?'

'We can do our own slides about our conditions or whatever..' he smiled a little at me quoting what he said the other day 'and come together when it's time to talk about asl. But.. '

'But what?'

'One day, we need to sit down and talk-'

'-Like that's gonna happen.'

I rolled my eyes, 'One day, we need to sit down and sign.. and tell each other more about deaf and mute people. Because we are supposed to be educating ourselves, along with the teacher.'

He just sat there, I'm guessing he was thinking about it.

'So?'

He thought for a little while longer, and he sat up in his chair, 'No.. I'll work with you.'

'Really?'

'Yeah. I was being an asshole yesterday.. it wasn't a good day for me.'

'It's okay. What happened?'

'Something a while ago.'

'Okay.. well we should probably get working. I can ask the sub if we can go to the library computers.'

'Okay.'

I quick wrote on a piece of paper 'May we go to the library to work on the computers?' and I brought it up to the substitute.

She read it and smiled and nodded, "Yes you may."

I just smiled in reply and Riley and I left to go work in peace. I would say the quiet but.. I always have quiet haha.

***

'So that's it for the first deaf slide. Should we finish the deaf part or do the first mute slide? And continue alternating?'

He thought for a minute. He really thinks through what he says before signing, unlike me when I somehow manage to blab and uncontrollably sign random crap all the time.

'We can alternate. It'll sort of help us remember the information we've already learned about the other's condition or whatever.'

I laughed, 'Is that how we're gonna continue to describe our being mute and deaf?'

He laughed a little, I think, and smiled, 'Yes'

'So. Explain to me mute culture and I will type up a summary of what you signed when you're done.'

'Ok, let me think.'

(Author's note!!! I don't know much about mute, or even deaf cultures, so I'm sorry if I get something wrong. You can correct me in the comments if you know for sure something I said was wrong.)

'So mute originally isn't just people with troubled pasts. Mute actually means someone who doesn't speak, either from an inability to speak or an unwillingness. So either deaf people, like yourself, someone unable to use articulate language, or, like me, someone who's had traumatic experiences and chooses or is now unable to speak.'

He thought for a second then continued, 'Some use asl, or write, or type or whatever to still be able to communicate.. even just a little. But others refuse to communicate at all, those are usually the more troubled people.'

I hesitated before asking, 'Which are you?'

He didn't look offended or anything but he did look a little taken aback and slightly nervous, 'Usually I never communicate.. '

'If you don't mind me asking.. why? Like not why are you mute, but why don't you talk to people?'

'That revolves a lot around why I became mute so I'll be vague. I don't like people. I only learned asl in case I was like forced to communicate. I figured at least one person would know it.'

I nodded. That makes a lot of sense.

I smiled, 'Well I hope you learn to at least tolerate me.'

He smiled too and I saw his shoulders shake a little, so I assume he chuckled, 'We'll see.'

I smiled wider and started typing up information in the slide.

I can tell Riley is a screwed up kid. He's had a hard life and it doesn't look like he coped well. I hope I can help him. Maybe he'll open up to me eventually and I can at least comfort him a little bit. That isn't even "the gay talking". I'm just a really caring person and I hate to see someone in clearly so much pain. Maybe not physically, but mentally.

I felt someone tapping my shoulder and I looked over and Riley was standing besides me, 'Class is over, the bell just rang.'

I looked at the time, then back at him 'Ok, I'll see you later.'

He smiled a little, 'Bye.'

I waved as he turned around and left. Soon after, I logged out of the computer and left for the next class also.

I think he's warming up to me. He partly smiles when I crack jokes.

He'll get there.