Prosthetic Love

In the dark I thought I saw you

Or it was nothing at all

Of everyone I ever knew

I'm giving it all to you

I'm asking everything in return

And I have nothing left to lose

I'll get it back through you

I blow a bubble with my gum as I walk through the gas station; the only thing on my mind being a cherry slushie. I'm still in my beach attire, a swimsuit with a simple coverup that's starting to get imprints from my wet bathing suit underneath. Particularly in the boob and butt region, but that's just an unnecessary detail.

We just moved here about a week ago, so I'm still finding my way around the town and the reservation. I had gone down to First Beach earlier, so the family-owned gas station was the nearest option to get my slushie fix, as it would take too long (since I have zero patience) to get to Forks.

I can feel my flip flops slap against my feet as I walk, not really paying attention to anything around me, which isn't unusual.

I feel a bubble of excitement when the slushie machine comes into view, and quicken my pace.

I quickly grab a large cup- overestimating what my stomach can handle- and pull the lever, watching as the frozen goodness pours into the cup.

I quickly grab a straw and take a sip, not caring if the attendant sees me. I turn around to the other counter to grab a lid when I run right into someone.

The slushie goes flying, all over me and the guy I ran into. I can see his hands start to shake while I just watch in horror as the bright red liquid drips down his shirt.

I slowly tilt my head up and up and up until I finally get to the guys face. He's not even looking at me, but at himself in disbelief. I get worried when his hands start shaking even more, and I can see his lips moving so I know he's saying something, but it's too fast for me to read his lips and his face is just the tiniest bit angled.

I take a step back, and finally get a good look at him. He's tan and has short cropped black hair. He has a very prominent jawline, and high cheekbones, but his face is rough. His nose is a little crooked, like it'd been broken, and he has a scar next to his right eye, but without those things he'd be too pretty. The flaws in his face just add to his attractiveness, so I don't even see them as flaws.

I can't see his eyes, but from what I can see of his face and tall, buff (but not too buff) body, he is hot as hell.

And I just got my slushie all over him.

I'm staring at the tattoo creeping out the sleeve of his white t-shirt in a daze when suddenly he starts gesturing with his hands, and I stare at his lips trying to read what he's saying, but only catch the tail end of it.

"-are you even listening to me? What are you, deaf?" I see his lips form the words, and then I register what he said.

His words hit way too close to home, but all I feel is mild irritation and the teeniest bit of hurt. Mostly irritation, though.

I look into his eyes, a light brown that stands out as a reddish color due to his skin color and dark hair.

His face was dark and angry, but when we lock eyes the muscles in his face relax, and his eyebrows furrow the tiniest bit as he stares into my eyes. He almost looks like he can't believe I'm standing in front of him.

His lips part and he's looking at me like... like I can't even describe. It's intense, and my superficial attraction to this guy just multiplies at the look in his eyes.

I've never seen a guy look at me this way; like I'm everything he needs.

But then I feel a drop of slushie land on my toe, and I remember where I am and what this asshole said.

I look down at the cup in my hand. Only half of it spilled, so I have quite a bit left.

I can feel a smirk come onto my face, and look back at the guy, locking eyes with him.

He had looked shocked before, but now he looks like he's about to start smiling, and I see his lips start to move upwards, when I lift the slushie and pour the remnants on his head. He closes his eyes to avoid it dripping into his eyes, and I let out a silent laugh at how ridiculous he looks. I'm a bit scared of how happy this makes me- him, with slushie dripping down his face and onto his shirt.

He brings his hands up and wipes his eyes, and I see them shaking infinitesimally.

When he opens them, he looks like he can't decide between being shocked or angry. His eyes rove all over my face, taking in everything. Despite the look of anger on his features, I'm not really scared.

I normally don't like to speak, preferring to sign or write what I have to say because my voice is so distorted that it makes me uncomfortable to speak (due to everyone's reactions.) But I feel like I need to say this verbally, even though I won't even be able to hear what I'm saying, and he may not even be able to understand me.

"Yes," I say, the word feeling foreign as I use my voice for the first time in a long time. I sign while I speak, to really get my point across. "In answer to your question, I am deaf."

I grab a stack of napkins from a dispenser and fling them at him. "Have fun cleaning this up, asshole."

I came for a slushie, and I'm damn well going to get one. I don't even look at his face as I walk around him, grab a new cup and start pouring for the second time today. I can see him in my peripheral vision, and he hasn't even moved, seeming to be in a state of shock.

I walk up to the register and pay for the slushie before swiftly leaving, getting into my car, and driving away.

A/N: New Paul/OC story. I know I shouldn't be starting a new story when I haven't even finished any of my other ones yet, but whatevs. I had this idea in my head for this character, so I wrote out a little chapter to see what you guys think.

Btw, I am aware of how atrocious that summary is. A better one will come with time... Lol. And no, there will not be a love triangle involved.

Let me know if you like it! Feedback is encouraged and appreciated :)

-M