Muted Model

Chapter 1

Humming to myself as I wipe down the counter of the cafe' where I work, trying not to think about my failing career as a model. Being a deaf model is harder than I thought it would be; I was young and naive when I signed with the agency, accepting the idea that the manager was correct when he informed me that I didn't need my hearing to have photos taken of me.

Josh Greene promised that all I would have to do is watch the photographer's hand as he motioned where and how I should stand. Boy, was I wrong when I believed and agreed to this line of work; not many of the photographers wanted to work with me; claiming that they found it difficult to remember that I needed them to make hand motions before I would move even if I was paying attention to them.

Photo shoots were easier if I had another model with me but even at times that was stressful if they didn't want to work with me. As I continue to wipe down the counter, my watch on my right wrist vibrates as does my phone that's on the counter.

My cell phone has an app that when the door opens and the bell chimes,it vibrates as it sends a notification to my watch that vibrates as well allowing me to know that the door has opened or closed.

Glancing upwards toward the door my breath hitches in my chest at the sight of the handsome man who has entered the cafe'. The man is around six feet tall with a head full of chocoloate colored curly hair that is slightly long, held back by a head scarf. He's lean in build with the right amount of muscles and the mossiest green eyes I have ever seen.

The man who is probably a year or two older than myself, walks toward the counter with his fuzzy lined coat damp from the rain outside with a smile gracing his plump lips.

Thankfully I've learned to read lips of those who are facing me directly and talking slow enough for me to catch enough of what's being said to know what I need to do.

The regulars here know how to speak directly facing me and slowly, there are even two men, boyfriends even - Liam Payne and Niall Horan; who have learned some sign language and for that I cannot express my appreciation on that.

I have become friends with Liam and Niall over the last year and a half and I greatly enjoy their company here and outside of work.

"Can I have a black coffee, please?" the man in front of me asks with a slight upward curve of his lips in a small smile.

Nodding as I quickly walk to the counter behind me to make his coffee in a tall to go cup; securing a lid on the cup before placing the cup on the counter in front of him.

Holding up a finger for him to give me a moment as I place his order into the cash register to point at the amount on the screen that he owes. The man in front of me raises an eyebrow at me as I do this without a word as he hands me the correct amount.

Watching his lips as he speaks, catching part of what he says; "Cat has your tongue?"

Grabbing a pad of paper for taking orders on, writing on the page; "I'm deaf."

Knowing that there was no way this man could have known about my hearing, the comment still stung slightly. I have always hated being deaf but I have never been able to afford hearing aids nor could my family when I was younger.

Even with my modeling and selling of my photos to magazines and some doctor and dentist offices, I have rent to pay on my flat and need to live, causing me not to have enough money left to pay for the 15,000 dollars for each hearing aid and the maintenance that is required for the devices.

The man in front of me has a slack jaw at my words for a second before he is laughing; thinking that I am teasing. Frowning at his laugh, even though honestly I wish I could hear that sound, which is probably beautiful. Shaking my head at him as I tap the words on the paper as I stare at him intently until he stops laughing and frowns at me in return.