Road To Happiness ✔

NINE

The first thing Hugo thought when he woke up one morning was 'fuck it'. It was a strange way to wake up, but it was far better than the awful sweaty feeling he got when he'd had nightmares or the nonchalant boredom of normal days. He shook his head with a frown and got out of bed.

He didn't realise what it was he said 'fuck it' to until he was slowly chewing on his cereal. He wanted to go to the GSA. It would be on that night if he was remembering correctly. He didn't have work, so he could go if he wanted to. And apparently, he did want to. A week of thinking about it and he finally figured it out.

He would go after class. It was on the other side of the campus but that didn't matter. But he wasn't going to bring Renee with him. He had no idea what she thought about that kind of stuff and he was too scared to ask her about it. He would go alone, if he needed to speak, he would just write it out if no one understood sign language, which was probably the case. He'd gotten lucky with Renee.

Speak of the devil and he shall appear. His phone flashed with her name and he smirked in amusement. She was calling him for some reason, despite the fact that he wouldn't be able to say anything. It had happened before and usually he wouldn't answer, but he was in the mood for a laugh.

"Hey loser," Renee croaked over the line. "I feel like crap and won't be in today, would you be able to get today's notes for me?" If they were face to face or if she had texted him, he would have said yes. Getting notes for her wasn't going to be an issue. "Hugo, you there? Hugo?" There was a beat of silence where Hugo laughed, the air coming out in short puffs. "Oh, shit, I'm an idiot! Sorry, Hugo! What the hell did you answer the phone for, you arse?"

She hung up, leaving him to laugh in silence in the middle of his dining room, grinning at the phone's black screen. She was sick so it made sense that she had called instead of texting him, but he still couldn't help laughing at her. His phone buzzed again and he texted her back with a smile on his face.

Hugo: I can get you the notes, it's all good

Renee: Sorry I called. I'm really out of it atm. Thank you so much

Hugo: No problem, feel better soon

Renee: Thanks loser

Hugo shook his head at her again. "What's got you looking so happy?" a voice asked. Hugo's father walked into the room, an exhausted look on his face.

"My friend tried to call me," he signed in response. "She forgot."

His father smiled at him. Even early in the morning, he could be in a good mood too. "I haven't seen you laugh in a while. I'm glad," he said. "Your friend seems to be good for you. I want to meet her at some point."

He couldn't explain it, but something about the words made him nervous. Who knew what his father would say or do if he met Renee. "Maybe one day," he replied. "I have to get going or I'm going to miss my train."

Hugo's father waved to him from the door as he walked down the steep driveway. It was such a weird morning. His dad in a good mood, Renee sick and forgetting that he couldn't speak, and him wanting to go to a place where he would no doubt panic. It was strange, but for once he wasn't doubting himself. Maybe some new friends would be good. He spent all his time with Renee and he hadn't seen Stefan in a while because they were both busy.

More friends seemed like a strange idea. He didn't know what he would do with them. He'd told Stefan that he only needed two, but maybe he was wrong. He didn't know what was thinking. It was just a good idea to get out of the house that wasn't for the same three things. If he went, at least he could say he tried, even if it didn't work out as planned.