Love Is Mute

Chapter 2

The first full day at a new school is rough. I am not a fan of being stared at or whispered about because I'm one of the new kids but it's worse because I have siblings that attend this school and I'm mute.

Once I parted from Mitchell and Shelbie at Mitchell's locker, they thought I was going to hang around until they were done with practice in two hours. Once they are out of sight, I head to the front doors, walking out without incident thankfully and head toward home on foot.

Five minutes into my fifteen minute walk, a horn honks at me as a car pulls parks by the sidewalk five feet in front of me. Ignoring the car and person inside thinking they were just warning me that they were parking, I continue walking past.

As I pass their window, I hear, "Hey Taytum, climb in and I'll give you a ride home!"

Turning around I find myself starting at Taryn, whose smiling broadly at me as he motions for me. Shrugging my shoulders, I figure this is far easier than walking or waiting.

Shrugging my shoulders, quickly walking to the passenger side of his car and type my address into his phone's GPS with a small smile.

I love that despite having S.A.D. I have connected so well with Taryn with only just meeting him but honestly I think what helped it he knows sign and doesn't expect me to talk to him with my voice.

He drives us to my new home silently knowing full well we can't have a conversation, well I guess we could have a one way conversation. He pulls into the drive, parking behind Markus' car, which I'm surprised he is home so early; normally he doesn't arrive home until 6 p.m.

Turning toward Taryn with a bright smile, signing, "Thank you for the ride, see you tomorrow?"

He returns my smile, "You are very welcome, Taytum. Of course I will see you and hang out with you tomorrow. You want to start riding home with me after school from now on?"

Blushing at his simple offer, nodding my head a little too eagerly. Embarressed I quickly grab my bag as I open door to climb out as Taryn gently takes my arm in his hand. Glancing back at him he smiles at me, whispering, "Don't be embarressed that you want to hang out, Taytum; I do as well."

Nodding with a shy smile, I pull my phone from my back pocket, handing it to Taryn with my empty hand outstretched waiting for his. His smile wides as he takes mine before handing me his, each of us inputting our names and phone numbers into the others phone and then hand them back.

Giving Taryn a little wave, I climb out with my belongings, shutting his door before heading to the door of the house. Turning when I reach the stoop, I wave again which he returns before backing out of the drive and heading away.

Entering the house with a small smile, I find Markus in the kitchen and he turns when he hears me enter with a surprised look on his face.

"Hey Tay, I thought you were riding home with Mitchell and Shelbie later?"

Shaking my head, I sign "Figured it would do me good to walk home but I didn't make it far before I was given a ride home by my new friend, Taryn."

Markus smiles. "Taryn?" he asks as if he already knows but how would he.

"Irwin," I spell back to him and he nods with a smile.

"The princpal's son right?" Nodding I quirk my head to the side in question. "I'm friends with his dad, he and I went to high school together."

Nodding I give him a small smile in understanding as I head toward the stairs after grabbing an apple to snack on as I finish my homework.

"Hey Taytum, are you planning on walking home everyday if you don't need to be there?" Markus asks as I step onto the bottom step.