SILENCE | Salvis

Hey Paper Face, Why So Sad? | Chapter One

Sal Fisher was excited and anxious. It was the first day of middle school, how many friends would he have? Would he even have friends? Would the teachers like him? Would anyone know he was deaf and it would make him look mean? He sighed, opening his dad's car door and sat inside next to his backpack. His dad smiled in the mirror.

"First day of middle school, huh? They really grow up so fast." Sal stared out the window, sometimes his father forgot he couldn't hear him and respond.

After driving down the main road, turning left into the school's driveway. His father parked and smiled at his son, touching the tip of his middle finger to his chin and then twisting his hand towards the front.

"Good luck.'"

Sal smiled, starting with his fingers of his dominant hand near his lips. He moved his hand forward and a bit down in the direction of Henry while opening the door.

"Thank you.'"

He grabbed his bag before stepping out into the new environment. He shut the car door, looking at the school. He waved to his dad before walking inside. He wandered the halls full of children, he was pretty sure that they were talking but... he couldn't hear what they were saying. Was it about him..? He gulped and opened his classroom's door, eyes immediately darting towards him. He froze up, diverting his eyes to the teacher and forcing himself to walk inside.

"Oh, I forgot to mention. Class, this is our newest student, go ahead and introduce yourself." Sal blinked before getting what he said and reaching into his bag. He pulled a notebook with everything prewritten out.

'My name is Sal Fisher.'

He flipped the page.

'Please use this notebook to talk with me.'

He flipped another page.

'As I cannot hear you.'

He flipped the last written one.

'I am deaf.'

Kids' instantly eyes instantly widen as they began to whisper.

"Oh yes, I forgot." He pointed to a desk next to a blonde boy, signaling that his desk was there. He walked over, sitting down and opening his notebook.

'Hello! My name is Sal.'

He drew a couple smiley faces on the page and tapped the boy on the shoulder.

"Huh?" Sal showed him the page and handed him a wooden pencil. The boy mumbled something and wrote in the book before breaking the pencil. Sal gasped and took the book back.

'I don't want your trash.'

Sal looked up at him, sadness in his eyes. He was laughing with his friends. There was a blue haired boy and a brunette girl.

"That's so mean, Travis!" The girl whined. Of course Sal didn't hear that though.

"Hey Sally, what's the mask for?" Travis spoke in a mocking tone, quickly unclipping the mask and taking it. Sal gasped and quickly covered his face.

"Ew! What the heck is wrong with your face?!" Travis laughed and held the mask high.

"C'mon Sally! Stop covering your face and take the mask back already!" The girl backed away slightly, almost like she was concerned.

"Travis give it back, the joke is over-" She was cut off by Sal kicking Travis, causing the boy to drop the mask.

"Ow! Did you just kick me?" Sal clipped the mask back on and sat back down in his desk.

"Travis Phelps! Sit down now!"

Sal had a bad feeling about middle school.