Your name is Dave Strider. You're seventeen year old and you're mute.

You were born mute. When you were a toddler, you couldn't squeal for attention, letting your bro know when you were hungry or needed a change. You resulted to throwing your toys at his legs to get his attention. When you entered school, you thought it was unfair that all of the other kids could talk while you had to have an interpreter present to be able to communicate. The other kids often even called you weird when they found out you couldn't talk. The teachers stood strong by your side, but you felt the moral support wasn't enough from them. When you went into middle school, things got worse. You started to find notes in your locker from kids. The notes said things from teasing to just plain rude and offensive; you wouldn't dare repeat them and you could care less if you forgot them right after your eyes left the paper. This went on for three extremely long years. It wasn't until you got into high school and you finally felt like you were okay. Freshman and sophomore years were simple enough. Bullies had backed away and you didn't have to have an interpreter to answer questions anymore. The only disadvantage is when people try to grind out jerky and nervous signs like they think you're completely deaf and stupid.

On the first day of Junior year, however, your life took a turn for the definite best.

You saw him walk into class the first day, fumbling with his messenger backpack and shoving books into it. He had messy black hair - that almost looked like he didn't comb it through when he rolled out of bed - along with flushed red cheeks and black rimmed glasses that borderlined square hipster frames. During roll call, you learned his name was John Egbert. From your corner of the classroom, you looked at your desk and mouthed his name. It felt nice slipping silently off of your lips. You peeked over your aviators and gazed at John. Something about him was fascinating, but you couldn't place your finger on it.

After the last bell of the day, you grabbed your friend, Rose, and headed for her car. She signed with you for a while until your attention was turned to the quirky dark haired boy situating his new locker. You tapped Rose on the shoulder and pointed in John's direction.

You two approached John and Rose cleared her throat loud enough to get his attention. John's head jolted up and he gulped loudly. He raked his braced teeth over his bottom lip and stared expectantly at you two.

"Rose Lalonde. This is my friend, Dave," Rose pointed to you and you gave a weak wave in response. He waved back and Rose continued her statement. "I think Dave wanted to tell you something." You nudge her in the side and you point at John. You point to yourself and then hook your right index finger into your left. You unhook your fingers and flip your hands, hooking your left finger with your right. Then, you flatten your left hand and rub the middle of your chest.

"Will you be my friend please?"

Rose translated for you and John happily nodded.

Around December, you and John were best friends. You were always referred to as a pair; it was unnatural to hear just "John Egbert" or just "Dave Strider" in a conversation. Some even doubted the fact that you guys weren't dating. John viciously denied every allegation, saying he was "not a homosexual" and that you were "his best bro". It made you a little jealous because you weren't sure if you felt the same way. Little things about John made your heart leap up into your throat and your stomach tighten. Like how he went off onto tangents about terrible mid-80s movies and psuedo-90's music taste during sleepovers ("I swear, MMMBop will always make me want to dance. Ultimate party song, every other upbeat pop song can go home. Oh, and Asleep by The Smiths will always make me want to cry, as lame as that sounds. It sounds so pretty. It used to make me fall asleep when I was a little kid.").

It was a few days after your birthday and John was staying at your house. He brought a movie (which was actually really good and funny) called Ferris Bueller's Day Off. During one of the scenes, Ferris, Cameron and Sloane go to an art museum and Ferris kisses Sloane in front of a blue stain-glass mosaic. The blue light sillouhetted the kids and the light 80s pop tune playing in the background set the mood even more. It was one of those clichès in movies that would be spoofed by some dumb movie or cartoon, but it was a nice scene, you had to admit. During the scene, however, you felt like you wanted to... Kiss John? No. He's your best bro, why would you want to kiss him? It was ridiculous. You tried to push the thoughts into the back of your mind, but it was no use. Impulse control wasn't something you were good at. Your hands worked faster than your head. With shaky hands, you pointed at John, then at yourself. Then, you put the pinky-edge of your hands together and brushed them past your mouth. Then, you flattened your hand against your chest and rubbed a circle.

"Will you kiss me please?"

John looked confused, so he asked you what the swiping by your mouth meant. You pointed to your lips, then drew and invisible line to his. John got the hint and his eyes widened. "D-Dave..."

You look down. You should have been prepared for rejection from the moment you signed it. A warm hand cupping your cheek brings you out of your thought train. You look up into his eyes. He was expectant; like he was waiting for something. Your eyes darted from his eyes to his lips and before you knew it-

Whoa.

You're kissing John. And... He's kissing back?

It had to easily be the best few seconds of your life. You almost wanted to whine when his lips left yours. You looked into his eyes and that goofy Egbert grin spread across his face, revealing his braces and slight overbite. He rolled over onto his back, giggling and snorting periodically.

Oh, you also loved when he did that, too.

You and John were a secret item, at his request. During school, you were just friends. After school, however, you walked him home and helped him out with his homework. On good days, you would crawl into John's lap and pet his hair until he agreed to kiss you. It got him riled up, which was cuter than cute ("Dave, no. I need to nip this chemistry study guide in the bud. Get off of... No, not the face... Okay fine, I'll kiss you.").

When you started taking John on midnight walks, it was there that you realized something. A feeling that had been gnawing at you stomach for weeks on end. It almost was a pain, but not quite. It came when you two walked through a little stretch in the woods, hands laced together, while your iPod was in your back pocket playing some indie rock love song. You would look up at him and watch the moon bounce off of his face, the blue glow astounding you every time. The feeling would hit the pit of your stomach and you'd start to appreciate exactly how beautiful John is. How perfect he looks when he smiles and reveals his braces. How wonderful his voice, his laughter, his cheesy jokes sound.

This is love.

On one of their walks, you lead John to the edge of a calm lake. You let him choose a song (he chose Asleep by The Smiths) and then you looked him straight in the eyes. You waved your right hand out, then pointed at John, poking him in the chest and letting out a breathy laugh. You pointed to yourself and you held out your left palm, facing upward. You put a mock "L" on your chin, then dropped it down onto your palm, bouncing it and tucking your thumb back. You cross both arms over your chest then rub a circle on your chest.

"Will you fall in love with me please?"

John's face lit up. He knew exactly what you said, because he began to sign something back. He pointed to himself, then faced both palms towards him and shook them out to face you. He tossed one of his hands back dramatically, as if throwing something over his shoulder.

"I already did, a long time ago."

**AUTHOR'S NOTE: I kind of wrote this with a lot of (I guess) indie rock songs in my head. The song that Dave and John listen to when they go into the woods and walk is Somewhere Only We Know by Keane. Whata cliche, yeah? Haha, so yeah. Hope you enjoyed! No more chapters after this, sorryyy D:**