Hey You, Have We Met Before?
Brittany
I walk through the halls with a big smile on my face, so excited for the day. I don't really know why, but the reason isn't that important. After skipping up and down the hall a few times, I remember which locker is mine, and proceed to recall my combination. I hear a few snickers as people walk past me, but I ignore them. Like Kurt says; they'll be working for me someday.
"Eureka!" I say, and quickly turn the dial to the appropriate numbers. I learned that word from watching the Dr. Who marathon this weekend.
42-3-12. Got to remember that. I retrieve my Biology, Algebra, and English books from the metal box, and turn to fix my hair in the small, pink mirror. As I brush my bangs a little off to the side, I see a short brunette walking down the hall. She has a woman with her, and I'm wondering why she would need a teacher with her. The girl looks perfectly normal, and she doesn't act like Becky or any of the other special needs kids at McKinley. I turn around and wave at the girl, but she doesn't seem to see me. The teacher with her waves goodbye and then goes down the other hallway. The dark skinned girl moves towards me, and I smile and say hello.
She doesn't answer me, but instead goes to the locker two down from mine and begins to spin the dial on the lock. The girl has her locker open in moments, and I shut mine forcefully. Why won't she say hello? What's her problem?
"Hi! I'm Brittany S. Pierce. What's your name?" I say, right next to her now. She finally sees me, and jumps back a bit. She relaxes, but looks confused.
"I'm surry, whut did you suay?" She slurs, and I frown. She sounded like she had cotton balls jammed in her mouth.
"I said," I stop when I see that she's only paying attention to my lips. "I'm Brittany. What's your name?" I finish, and she nods and lets out a little 'oh'.
"I'm Santanuh. I'm new here," she says, moving her hands into shapes and forms as she speaks. It finally clicks in my head, and I blush.
She's deaf. Duh, Brittany!
"That's cool. Where did you come from," I ask, saying things a little slower so she could understand. When I do, she laughs loudly and shakes her head.
"I caun understand you fyn. No need to patronyze me," she jokes, and I blush a little. Of course, she's probably been doing this her whole life.
"Sorry. I've never met a deaf person before. Can I see your schedule," I ask, and she nods quickly before handing me a slip of paper.
"Do you need help finding these classes," I ask, and Santana shakes her head.
"No, I'm fyn. Thunk you though," she says politely, and I nod in recognition.
"Well, I'll see you later then. Have a good day," I say, and she smiles and waves. I turn away, and walk to biology class.
Quinn, Puck, Kurt, Blaine, Rachel, Mercedes and I are all sitting at a lunch table. Kurt and Blaine are plotting their outfits for next week, and Rachel is busily looking over her enormous pile of sheet music that she plans to show Mr. Shue. As I bite into my PB&J sandwich, I see Santana walk into the cafeteria. I wave my hands high over my head, but she can't see me.
"I'll be right back guys," I say to my friends, and they all nod absently. I hurry over to Santana, who is trying to find a seat. I tap her on the shoulder and she turns around.
"Oh, hi," she says. I point to all of my friends at the lunch table, and ask if she would like to join us. She agrees, and I hold out my hand so I can lead her to the table. She shakes her head, and instead links her pinkie with mine.
"I tulk with my haunds. I doun't like people holding theum," the dark haired girl explains. I nod, and lead her to my friends.
When I bring Santana over, everyone looks perplexed, but eager to see whom I brought over. They all whisper to one another.
I think she's in my history class.
She's hot!
Can she sing better than me? Should I send her to a crack house?
Berry, you're insane!
"Hey, hey guys? This is Santana. Do you mind if she sits with us?"
"Not at all. Hello Santana," Rachel says quickly, getting up out of her seat. She extends a hand for Santana to shake, "I'm Rachel Berry."
Santana shakes Rachel's hand and then lets go of it to respond.
"Hi Raychul. Nice to meet you," Santana slurs, signing as she speaks. Rachel's face immediately turns a bright red, and everyone stops whispering. Santana didn't hear them whispering, so she just looks at me in confusion.
"Deaf people are like everybody else guys. We shouldn't treat Santana differently, just because her ears don't work," I say, and Kurt raises his hand and stands up.
"If I may, President Brittany," he says, and then turns to Santana. "I'm Kurt. I think we'll be great friends, because you can't make fun of my voice."
Santana processes what he said for a moment, and then lets out a loud guffaw. After seeing the Latina laugh, everyone else does too. I put a hand on Santana's back, and pull up a chair for her.
"You can sit next to me."
She smiles, and watches everyone as they talk to her.