The Bird That Couldn't Sing (GBFF)

Chapter 24 - Sang

A/N: unedited...

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I've realized it's hard cooking with other people if you can't speak. You try getting their attention to politely 'ask' them to pass you the ingredients you need, but you fail in the process because they don't know what you're pointing to. So you have to grab it yourself.

And while Jessica and I had a difficult time actually making the soup, it tasted great. When the boys insisted on helping us in the kitchen, we'd kicked them out. Apparently, none of them have ever heard the phrase "too many cooks in the kitchen." Well, at least not until I told them.

Erica had returned home conveniently right after Jess and I finished making dinner, and she'd been very pleasantly surprised, insisting that it was unnecessary. But the smile she had plastered to her face while she ate made my heart swell. She'd told me many times how thankful she was and how delicious the soup had been. The boys agreed with her claims, and at that point, my heart felt like it was so swollen it was about to burst. No one has ever seemed so grateful for my food. And for years, I was never allowed to actually sit and eat it with everyone, as a family.

But I've found that their generosity and kindness has spurred on a stronger feeling of refuge and family with me, more than my real one ever could, and I feel so honored to be able to laugh along with them and even make a few jokes myself.

Now, we all sit around the huge table, enough to sit, conveniently, twelve people. And most of the boys are clutching their stomachs, slouched in their seats. And instead of finding the scene to lack table manners, I find it very cute and endearing.

"Wow, trouble! I know I've said it before, but that was really amazing. I'm fu-freaking stuffed," Gabe swiftly changes his wording when he sees the look Erica is giving him. I giggle at the sly grin he throws her, gaining a few looks from the guys at the sound for reasons still unknown to me.

"Now, now, pookie. What did I say about the giggling?" Sean smirks at me; my laughter ceases at the pools in his eyes, like a lake of green envy and infatuation.

"Okay, I'd say it's about time to clean up; it's getting late. Boys, you can do that. I've had a hard day at work and Sang and Jessy made dinner. So you all can do the cleaning," Erica instructs.

Jessica shakes her head. "Not really, Sang did pretty much everything."

"So not true. You helped with a lot," I quickly jot down on the notebook I have sat on the table. Normally I wouldn't have set anything on the table while eating, because some could find that action rude. But seeing as it's my only way of communicating besides signing, it's my only option. Though I know I won't have to do that for long; the boys, and Erica and Jess, all promised they'd take up some lessons from Luke, Gabe, and Mr. Blackbourne. Apparently, much to my surprise, he knows it as well. But I'm also not that shocked; it only adds to his perfect persona.

"Yeah, right," she jokes, a raised brow and a smile on her pretty face, her pink glasses slipping down for a brief moment before she slides them back up her nose. Her and Kota look so much alike.

"Boys," Mr. Blackbourne stands, gesturing for the guys to do the same. His air of power and perfection comes off of him in waves, and I just know he's like their role model. I was stunned when I found out, along with Sean, he is only 19. While they both look young, he seems much more wise and authoritative for his age. And Sean is a doctor, for God's sake! I don't even know how that's possible. He must be much smarter than he wants people to believe.

They all nod and rise; I do along with them, grabbing mine, Jessica's, and Erica's plate in the process, making my way over to the kitchen. Voices call after me.