Firsts

Chapter Five

Chapter Five

I've decided that I am going to leave. I'm going home to do online college. I just need to talk to Trent about it, then my parents. I would be able to leave. It's only two weeks before Christmas break. I was meeting up with Trent and Kim. I'm not telling him yet. I'll wait until I figure out a time with him alone.

I arrive at the place where we are having dinner. I sit with them. That's when I see it.

"Nia!"

Trent and Kim both stand and give me a hug. I smile at them both, though I know it's a troubled smile. I sit down, and we order our food from the waitress. Trent signes to me,

"So, Nia. We have some news for you. It's really great news. I want you to be the first to know."

I look between them confusedly and notice the more than bright smile on both of their faces. They seemed overly excited. "What is it?" I ask. Kim holds up her left hand, showing me a ring. My jaw drops. I quickly recover and smile, making some sort of noise that ks hopefully, maybe a squeal.

"This is great news! I'm so happy for you both! When? How? tell me everything!" Kim begins the story.

"Remember the last time we hung out when you told me to just say it and tell Trent I love him?" She blushes. "I'm still not used to saying that."

Trent looks at her and says with a light kiss, before she can go on, "Get used to it, darlin'." She blushes harder.

"Trent had asked me on a date a few days ago for our six month anniversary. It was at a fancy restaurant. He picked me up while holding a giant bouquet of roses. We got to the restaurant and had everything prepared. I just blurted it out like a fool." Trent interjects yet again.

"Come on, you weren't being a fool. It was cute." She smiles at this comment.

"He looked down, seeming upset. I was really scared and said it was okay if he wasn't ready or didn't feel the same way. He cut me off and said he loved me too. I, of course, was thrilled. I finally asked why he seemed so upset. Trent told me it was because he wanted to say it first. After dinner, he got down on one knee and proposed."

I feel tears of happiness come down my cheeks. "That is so cute! I'm so happy for you guys!"

"Thank you. I'm going to take you with me for Christmas break to meet the parents." She smiles lovingly at him as he says this.

After the dinner is over, I'm feeling a bit sad. I don't know what to do about the whole 'not going to college the second semester' thing. I don't want to ruin the mood of their engagement. At the same time, I know this has to be addressed. When I make it to my dorm, it takes me forever to fall asleep. When I do, I'm restless.

I wake up super early and take a shower. After getting ready for the day, I decide I'm going to make more of an effort. I could try harder to make new friends. Just because I can't hear doesn't mean I can't make friends with my classmates, right? I begin my morning with a walk. I go to my first class with the intention of hanging out with people.

It didn't work. I tried things...things that just made me seem more like a weirdo. My last class of the day gets out, and I feel discouraged. Why can't it be easier?

It's a whole week later, and I now have a few acquaintances. A few even said we should hang out sometime. I'm walking to my favorite beach bench. There are barely any people here because it's Sunday. Normally, Trent and I hang out after Mass. I already went to Mass with Trent, and he went out with Kim today. I didn't feel like third wheeling, so I decided to go for a walk instead. That's when I see him, a random person. He is walking a few feet in front of me. He turns his head to glance at something to the side of him, giving me a view of half of his face. I feel like I've seen him before. That's when I look to his pocket. His phone is sticking dangerously out of it. He sticks his hand in his pocket and I look away, feeling like I was stalking him. As I walk, I see it. His phone is laying on the ground next to me. I look up, hurriedly looking for him so I could return it. I pick up the phone. It's vibrating rather violently. I look at it quizzically. There must be something wrong with it. I see the person turning a corner. I quickly run after him before I can lose sight of him. With a lot of effort, I catch up to him. I tap his shoulder. He slows down slightly in his walk. When he sees me, his eyes widen in what looks like...shock? I smile at him.