Chapter 1: American Gothic

"It's kinda like hanging out with Grandpa," Toby joked.

Bay smiled at her brother's attempt at a joke, the sound of a roaring engine drawing her attention causing her to look over her shoulder and out the back window. The source of the noise came into view as a figure on a motorbike turned into the Kennish's driveway. Bay sat in complete shock, clueless as to whom this mysterious individual could be. She was the only person in the family who could possibly know such a shady figure in all black and riding a 'death-trap' as Kathryn would describe it.

Daphne suddenly stood up announcing the identity of the mystery man who had piqued Bay's interest. "My ride's here, so-" she mumbled, ready to get out of the kitchen, which had a sudden, awkward atmosphere after her rhubarb comment.

Bay rolled her eyes as her parents practically sprinted after Daphne. She knew this wouldn't end well and was delighted that for the first time someone other than her was about to be reprimanded. The other three members of the Kennish family were surrounding the motorbike before Bay could even be brought out of her thoughts to go and greet the new arrival. Bay took her place next to her older brother just in time to see the teenager on the motorbike begin to sign. Bay raised her eyebrows with interest, realizing Daphne's friend was also deaf, which actually made a lot of sense when she thought about it.

"He says he traded a rookie Mark McGuire for you," Daphne interpreted.

"Huh, why?" John asked curiously, attempting to keep as calm as possible with a teenage stranger attempting to whisk his daughter off on a motorbike.

"'Cause he was nine!" Daphne teased Emmett. "He read that you were cut from your high school team and you didn't give up and he really liked that."

Emmett smiled at John, excited but also quite uncomfortable with meeting Daphne's almost, sort-of family.

"You get an autographed picture, my friend," John stated proudly.

"I happen to have one in my wallet right now," Bay cut in, mocking her father.

"Uh, this Toby and this is Bay," Daphne introduced as Emmett asked who they were.

Bay smiled with a slight wave, making eye contact with Emmett for the first time. He smiled back at the curly haired girl, instantly feeling drawn to her. Bay bit her lip and looked down at her feet with a blush on her cheeks, causing him to smirk to himself.

"How long have you two been together?" Kathryn asked suddenly, making assumptions about the two seemingly inseparable teenagers.

"Oh, no we're not together, just friends," Daphne explained as both her and Emmett flailed helplessly, embarrassed by the question. Bay bit back a smile at the news of Emmett's apparent single status.

"Well, I'm happy to meet you anyway," Kathryn laughed embarrassedly as Bay gave her an amused look.

"Hey, sweetie," Regina greeted, descending the stairs from the guesthouse to greet the 16 year old she considered to be family.

"I didn't know you could be so young and still drive a motorcycle," Kathryn suddenly announced causing Bay to roll her eyes as her mother finally vocalized what all the Kennish's knew she was keeping inside.

"You just need to be 16," Regina explained, knowing that Kathryn was obviously more concerned with Emmett's hearing, or lack thereof.

"Oh, wow. I didn't know that."

Bay silently grimaced as Regina reconfirmed her statement."Well, you better get going," Regina signed to the two deaf teenagers as Daphne climbed onto the back of Emmett's bike, wrapping her arms around him. The two sped off leaving four shocked looking Kennish's in their wake.

"Okay, uh, what just happened?" Bay asked in an accusatory tone.

"I think she just left on a '66 Triumph Bonneville TT," Toby answered sarcastically.

"Oh, so I drink half a beer and get grounded for a week, but she gets to whiz around the city on the back of the friend you just met's motorcycle."

"Don't worry, we're gonna fix that," John stated firmly, determined to get his daughter off the back of that boy's bike.

"You're gonna un-ground me?" Bay asked sweetly.

"No, but nice try."

"Why does she get to do whatever she wants," Bay whined sadly, annoyed that her parents were giving their newfound 'real' daughter special treatment.

"Okay, you're grounded because you were arrested," Kathryn reminded.

"And now you two go off to school, bye-bye," John shoed his children, knowing that an argument with Bay was never-ending.

Bay glared at her parents before stomping away grumpily towards Toby's car. Bay sat silently on the ride to school, her thoughts consumed with Emmett and his mysteriousness. She was definitely determined to see more of him.

Bay crouched behind the bushes outlining the guesthouse entryway, surprised by the sound of what she now knew to be Emmett's motorbike. She watched silently as Emmett and Daphne pulled into the driveway. Daphne climbed off of Emmett's bike and set her helmet down smiling at her best friend. Bay fumed with jealousy as Daphne hugged her best friend goodnight.

As Emmett pulled out of the driveway Bay decided to emerge from the bushes and make herself known to Daphne. Throughout her conversation with Daphne, Bay couldn't seem to push away the feelings of guilt and annoyance that were building inside her. She had just met both Emmett and Ty and she was developing feelings for both of them and was at a loss for what to do.

The next morning after the confrontation between all the Kennish's and the two Vasquez's all three teenagers made their way out of the house. Bay watched as Daphne tried to settle herself on the back of Emmett's motorbike where he was waiting by the door. Bay took the opportunity of Daphne's distraction to wave happily at Emmett. He smiled back at the girl in front of him.

Bay took a deep breath, seemingly preparing herself for something. Emmett stared curiously as Bay squeezed her eyes tightly and began tentatively signing. "Have a good day," Bay signed and said quietly, unable to look at Emmett as she did so. She had looked the phrase up online and was really hoping it was right and she wasn't just making a fool of herself.

When Bay opened her eyes she saw Emmett was smiling widely and reciprocating the polite gesture. She jumped suddenly as Toby honked his car horn, impatiently waiting behind the wheel of his car. Bay sighed before giving a small wave and skipping towards Toby's car while Emmett watched her with a smile. Daphne tapped his shoulder lightly, signaling she was ready to head off to school.