Not As Different As They Thought

Chapter 10

Beck's POV

After the movie, which by the way was hilarious, I took Riley to Olive Garden.

We just finished struggling through ordering, because neither of us can talk and I can't hear.. it makes things kind of hard. But we got through it. We just typed our orders on one of our phones, on the bottom explaining why we can't voice our order. The waiter was very nice about it and faced me as he talked, knowing I could probably read lips and Riley can hear. I love when people are so understanding and have knowledge on how to properly communicate with deaf people. And mute people too, for that matter.

Soon enough, after some semi-awkward small talk, our waiter came back with my chicken alfredo and Riley's gnocchi soup.

While we were eating we couldn't really talk to each other obviously, so we just made goofy faces at each other to make each other laugh. Gosh I wish I could hear his laugh.

Once we were mostly done eating, and just lightly snacking on the remains of our meals, I decided to ask him something.

'So I have a question.'

He smiled, 'Ask away.'

'So, your image makes you look all rebellious and like a badboy. But you act nothing like that. What's up with that? Not that you don't look amazing, I'm just wondering.'

He laughed again, 'Well thank you. But believe it or not, I have a reputation. The emo kid in the back of the class that no one approaches. You gotta dress the image too, you know.'

I laughed and shook my head, 'Is that the real reason or are you just being smooth?'

He smirked, 'Depends... was it working?'

I rolled my eyes, still smiling, 'Sure.'

He smiled genuinely, 'No I just dress like this because for one it makes me comfortable, it feels like a shield, and for two.. kinda the same reason. It keeps most people away, and I like that. I'm usually a loner.'

I nodded my head, 'I get that. K, now you can ask me something.'

He thought for a minute, 'Why are you so smiley all the time? It's cute, but no one can be that happy.'

I smirked, 'Oh so you think I'm cute?'

He blushed and I'm guessing scoffed, 'No... why would you think that?'

'Well for one, you just said me smiling a lot is cute. And for two, when I pointed it out your face went bright red.'

His face got even more red and he laughed, 'Whatever. Answer the question.'

'I don't know. I guess I've just tried to take on as positive an outlook on life as I can. Being deaf since I was like 4 years old, and being in high school, you kind of have to. It's hard making friends if you can't hear, can't talk, and look like you're judging everyone. Cause I've been told that that's what my straight face makes me look like.'

'Yeah that makes sense. We took completely opposite ways to cope then.'

'Yeah. And yet, here we are. Having a nice dinner and communicating very well. And may I say, smiling quite a bit.'.

He laughed, 'Yes, that is true.'

Once the waiter came with our check, both me and Beck reached for it at the same time. But I beat him to it.

I smiled at the waiter as saying thanks and he smiled back and left. I turned my head to see a pouting Riley.

'I was gonna pay, it's the least I can do for you taking me out tonight.'

I laughed and smiled, 'No no, that's not how it works. If you wanna pay, you gotta ask me out.'

I replied winking and then I put my credit card in with the check. Our waiter came by and took it and soon after gave me my card back and a receipt.

He then faced me and said, "You two have a great night.'

Me and Riley just smiled at him, we would have said you too. But we couldn't really because he wouldn't know what we said.

Riley smiled and waved to him as we walked out into the starry night and he waved back, and soon we were in the car and driving back to his house. I didn't want this night to end. But by now it's already pretty late.

I parked in his driveway, hopped out and ran to his side in time to open his door for him. He took my hand, smiling, and signed thank you with his free hand. I walked him up to his front door where we paused and he signed.

'Thank you for taking me out tonight, I had a really fun time.'

I smiled back, 'No problem, I had lots of fun too. I'll text you tomorrow. Good night.'

'Good night.'

He was about to turn to open his front door when I put my hand on his arm, and pressed my lips softly on his cheek quickly.

His cheeks turned bright pink and his smile widened. He then opened the door, waved goodbye at me and after I waved back he closed it behind him.

Tonight really was an amazing night.

But it didn't stay that way for long.

**

At about 1 in the morning I woke up to my phone vibrating like crazy. I checked, and I had 30 missed calls from Riley. And one text.

R- This is Riley's mother. He's in the hospital. I think you need to come see him

No. No. And hell no. This cannot be happening. Why is he in the hospital? Is he okay? There are so many things I want to ask. But I just want to see him now more than anything.

I sat up in bed, quick replied to her, and bolted up to get dressed.

B- I'll be there in 30 minutes

I got dressed, left a note to my parents so they wouldn't worry, and then I ran out to my car and left for the hospital. His mom texted me after I replied back and told me which hospital.

As soon as I got there, I bolted inside. I quick typed on my phone and asked what room Riley King was in and the lady told me. I stayed in time to read her lips and catch the room number, before I was racing up the stairs to the floor and to find his room.

As soon as I saw it, I slowed down and controlled my breathing and I lightly knocked on the door before walking in.

And a tear slipped down my face, seeing what happened to my baby.