Hi! The idea for this fic crossed my mind last week and I decided to give it a try, even though it's probably done a thousand times already. I don't know where mine is going, but we'll see.
Just a little reminder that English isn't my first language, so please skip this fic if that bothers you. I'm doing my best :D
PS: I'm not going to abandon my other fic, but I'm just not the type of person who can focus on one thing at the time, it makes me restless. So to the people who are reading my other story: don't worry :)
"Delphine!" she called through the door of my bedroom, making me groan in annoyance. "Can you please hurry up?"
"Coming!" I responded, irritation seeping through my tone as I glanced at myself in the mirror. I'm wearing the light blue summer dress that Jane had bought me for this special occasion. It's a little too modest for my liking, but I'm not going to argue with her tonight. I reached inside my makeup bag and grabbed my mascara, applying it to my lashes as she knocked on the door again.
"Delphine, your dad is already in the car."
"I'm coming!"
I hastily slipped my feet into my silver sandles, fastened the straps around my ankles and opened the door. Jane looked me up and down, a smile forming on her face when she noticed the mascara on my eyelashes.
"You look beautiful Delphine," she whispered, closing the top button of my dress to cover up my small cleavage. "The straight hair looks great on you."
"Merci," I blushed, following her outside. The hot sun immediately attacked my pale skin and I suddenly realized that I forgot to apply some sunscreen to my face, arms and legs. I'm not looking forward to this stupid barbecue at my father's boss' house, I don't get why I have to come too, but my dad insisted on it and here I am… in the backseat of Jane's luxurious car, praying this wasn't going to take all night. It's Saturday for God's sake, I know all my friends live in Lille, but that doesn't mean I want to spend my free evening at some huge mansion and meet my father's new coworkers. I let out a soft sigh as I plugged my headphones into my iPhone to listen to French music, making me miss my hometown immediately.
My father and I moved to San Francisco during my summer break, to live with Jane, his girlfriend for two years. I'm still angry at him for pulling me out of school. I didn't want to leave my friends, didn't want to give up my ballet lessons. I have to start all over again and it's not easy to make friends when people already know each other for years.
"Delphine," my father said, reaching back to touch my knee. "I know you're not excited about joining us tonight, but please don't keep your headphones in all night, that's not very polite. Try to engage a little chérie, you never know what it might bring you."
"I am not interested in people from Berkeley dad," I sighed, rolling my eyes. "I want to apply to Sorbonne once I finished high school."
"You're already making friends here sweetheart, you're not going to move to Paris when you're graduated."
I ignored him and turned up the volume of the music, blocking out his voice. It's true, I already made friends this week, but I don't want to stay here all my life. My heart belongs to Paris. I closed my eyes and rested my head against the window, humming along with the melody of the song, when suddenly, my phone vibrated in the palm of my hand. I opened the text and smiled to myself when I realized that Lizzie just added me to a group chat.
From: Lizzie
Hi Delphine! We thought it would be nice for you to join our group chat since we're your new friends now :P.
I responded with a little heart after Kate and Ruth welcomed me into the chat.
I instantly felt better, and just ten minutes later, Jane pulled the car up into a driveway. The house isn't as big as I had imagined, but it's still very impressive and intimidating. We stepped out of the vehicle and walked around the house, my eyes widening when I took in the garden. Children were jumping into the large swimming pool, squealing with excitement, three cooks were flipping hamburgers on three large barbecues, a group of waitresses walked around with plates in their hands, offering drinks to at least hundred guests and I even spotted a few horses in the distance. Mon Dieu, this is so far out of my comfort zone… and I can tell it's going to be a long, long night.
"Wow," I heard Jane whisper from behind me, probably thinking the same.
"Antoine!" a tall man with dark hair and blue eyes walked up to us, shaking my father's hand. "Good to see you."
"Thank you for the invitation," my father said, curling his arm around Jane's waist. "This is my girlfriend Jane, and this is Delphine, my daughter."
"Nice to meet you ladies," the man smiled. "Welcome."
A tall brunette with brown eyes, wearing a tight fitting pink dress, appeared at his side, lacing her fingers through his. The woman looks absolutely stunning and I could hear Jane suck in a breath, obviously intimidated by the woman's beauty.
"This is my wife Sally," he introduced her. "And…. where is Cosima, Sal?" he continued, his eyes scanning the garden.
"Inside with her nose buried in a book," the woman laughed. "I'll get her."
She walked inside the house and came back a second later with a short dreadlocked girl walking beside her. I noticed the girl's black-rimmed glasses and nose ring as my palms grew sweaty. My breath hitched in my throat and my heart slammed against my ribcage as they came closer. Mon Dieu, that's the girl from my Biology class, the girl that's described by my new friends as odd, nerdish and freaky because she seems to live in another world. She always sits in front of the teacher's desk, never interacts with others, never speaks, hasn't got any friends and always sits alone at lunch breaks, reading some kind of Greek mythology book. It was my second day at my new school when I saw her for the first time.
"This is our daughter Cosima," Sally smiled, squeezing her daughter's shoulder in reassurance. "She's a junior at Washington High."
"What a coincidence! Delphine just started her junior year at the same school," Jane exclaimed, making me want to shoot her. Merde.
"You know her chérie?" my father asked as I looked at Cosima, my eyes burning into her skin. Her eyes were fixed on the grass below her bare feet, a slight blush covering her cheeks.
"Non."
Cosima snapped her head up and locked her eyes on mine, looking at me confusingly before she focused her gaze on her mother.
"You can go inside baby," Sally whispered, stroking the girl's cheek. Cosima didn't waste any time, turned around and practically ran inside.
"I'm so glad you could bring your daughter with you tonight Antoine. Cosima has a hard time making friends and Delphine is new in the neighborhood, so… Sally and I thought that Cosima might feel a little more comfortable with someone who doesn't know anyone yet."
Ah! So, that's the reason why my dad wanted me to join this stupid party. To befriend his boss' weird and lonely daughter. I scared myself with my own thoughts. This is not me, but Lizzie, Kate, Ruth and all the other people in my school avoid Cosima. I want to be friends with them and I don't think they will be very accepting if I bring Cosima into their group. Merde!
"Okay guys, grab a burger and something to drink and I'll see you around. Delphine, you can just go inside if you want to," the man encouraged before he walked over to the other guests.
"Papa ," I sighed, grabbing his arm to get his attention. "I can't believe you brought me here because your boss' daughter doesn't have any friends. Am I social worker now? I am not like mom."
"Delphine!" he gulped, pulling his arm away. "Do you even hear yourself? This is not you. You're always so sweet and kind to others, especially to the outsiders."
"I know, but the people in my school don't like this girl."
"You just said you didn't know her."
"I don't know her, because she never speaks or interacts with anyone. She's always in her own little world. It's a bit strange."
"This is not how your mother and I raised you Delphine! You can't form your opinion based on what the people in your school tell you. Just go inside, talk to her and maybe she isn't weird at all."
"And what if she is?"
"Then, I'm not going to push you further."
"I'm just scared that my new friends won't tolerate it if I'm going to spend time with this girl too."
"Sweetheart, I know you're sixteen and you desperately want to fit in, but people who'll make a big deal out of this… they're not the kind of people you want in your life."
"Your father is right Delphine," Jane whispered, tucking a blonde lock behind my ear. "I was bullied horrendously when I was your age and believe me… it feels so good when someone actually shows a little interests in you, even when it's just for an hour."
"We don't bully her Jane, she's the one who avoids us."
"Labeling her as weird and strange behind her back, without even knowing her, is also bullying in my opinion."
"Hmm," I hummed in agreement, a blush covering my face. I can't believe I'm saying all these things about a girl I don't even know, but I want to fit in so badly.
"Just go inside okay? Talk to her and see how she responds."
"Fine," I sighed, gathering all the courage I could find before I walked up to the house.
She's sitting on the couch, her nose buried in the book she always carries with her. I cleared my throat to make my presence known, but she didn't look up from the page she was reading. Okay… she's either caught up in the story or ignoring me on purpose.
"Hey," I tried again, my voice shaking. She still didn't acknowledge me and I rolled my eyes in annoyance, tapping her shoulder. Her body jumped at the touch and she dropped her book to the floor. I quickly picked it up and gave it back to her.
"I am sorry, I didn't mean to startle you, but I thought you were ignoring me on purpose."
She didn't look me in the eye while I spoke, but focused her eyes on my lips instead, causing me to feel extremely awkward all of a sudden. This girl is definitely strange. She shook her head and gave me a small smile, blushing furiously as she shrugged her shoulders.
"So… what are you reading?" I asked, trying to keep the conversation going, which is actually a lot harder than it should be.
The dreadlocked girl pushed the book into my hands, pointing at the title… Treasury of Greek Mythology.
"Interesting."
She merely nodded, flashing me a wide grin, while she kept staring at me. Is this going to be a one-sided conversation or what?
"Look, I am sorry if I offended you okay?" I apologized, feeling awkward again as she intensely studied the movement of my lips. "I just…"
"Cosima," Sally's voice filled the living room. "Did you offer your guest something to drink?"
I furrowed my brows together in confusion while Sally gestured her hands in a way I instantly recognized as sign language. I looked at Cosima who was blushing madly, avoiding my gaze as she answered her mother with her hands. Oh… oh my god. The realization suddenly hit me and I felt extremely stupid for not realizing it sooner.
"Can I get you a drink darling?" Sally asked me, already opening the fridge.
"W..water is fine," I stuttered, glancing at the impossibly high heels the woman is wearing. She strangely reminds me of my own mother and my heart clenched in longing as I thought of her.
"Here you go Delphine," she whispered, handing me a glass of water. "Just turn on the TV if you girls wanna watch Netflix or something."
"Thank you Mrs. Niehaus."
"Please call me Sally. No need to be formal."
I took a sip of water, glancing at Cosima who was looking at her hands in her lap, tracing her fingers over the colorful pattern on the fabric of her long skirt. Sally left the room and I swallowed thickly, not knowing how to start another conversation with a girl who couldn't talk.
"Cosima," I said, touching her arm to get her attention. She looked into my eyes, before she glanced at my lips, waiting for me to talk. "Are you… deaf?"
She nodded, a furious flush creeping up her face as tears filled her eyes. Merde…
"You don't have to feel embarrassed," I smiled, rubbing her arm. So… that's why she's always sitting at the teacher's desk, why she doesn't talk to the other students. She must be so lonely, and I don't think my new friends are aware of the fact that this weird girl is actually a deaf girl, closed off from the world around her. I can't even describe how guilty I feel right now.
"You can't talk?"
"I can," she said in an San Francisco accent, surprising me immensely.
"Oh… I did not see that coming."
She let out an adorable laugh and slipped her feet into her black flip flops, standing up from the couch.
"You wanna see my horse?" she asked, gesturing her hands.
I nodded and stood up as well, following her into the garden. We walked in silence, until we reached the wooden fence. Cosima clicked her tongue and slapped her palm against the wood, trying to get the horse's attention. A beautiful white horse pinned his ears as Cosima's voice filled the air. He walked into our direction, not bothering to walk a little faster.
"This is Pegasus," Cosima beamed proudly, stroking his soft nose. "I got him for my seventeenth birthday a few months ago. He's still trying to fit in with the others, just like me."
She pointed to two other horses, but my eyes didn't follow her gaze, I just stared at her, a little dumbfounded by the words that just rolled of her lips. So, she knows she's an outsider, that people talk about her behind her back, but she doesn't do anything to change it. She seems nice, I'm sure people will like her if they give her a chance.
"You don't seem to speak very often," I said. "At least not during our Biology classes."
"That's correct," she nodded, gesturing along with her words. "I don't like talking at school."
"But why? You don't sound like a deaf person at all. You speak quite well is what I'm trying to say."
"I became deaf when I was eleven, so that's why I don't sound different, but the words I learned later on in life… let's just say I pronounce those words differently and they sound weird when I say them aloud. Teens are not very acceptive and like to make fun of other teens… teens like me, but I can tell you're not like them."
I blushed lightly and I don't know if it's because of her compliment or if it's because the way her hands move so gracefully when she speaks. It's very intriguing and fascinating at the same time. I reached out to stroke her horse's neck, smiling as he closed his eyes.
"People who like… stutter, or people who are deaf or blind, they make normal people feel uncomfortable and I don't want that. So, I mostly keep my mouth shut to people I don't know, but once I get to know someone a bit better… I can't stop talking," she laughed. "I really like your dress by the way."
"Oh, merci."
"What?"
"Ehm," I started, realizing she probably couldn't lipread a foreign word. "Thank you."
"We should take Pegasus for a ride sometime," she suggested, gesturing wildly.
"I ehm.."
"Oh shit! I'm too eager, I'm so sorry. Please, don't feel pressured."
"It's okay. Do you have friends outside of school Cosima?"
"Not really. I do have two male friends from my science club, and the house across the street was sold last week. I hope a nice family bought it, a family with a daughter my age. That would be totally awesome. My parents think it would be good for me to have a female friend at this age you know? So I can talk about girl stuff, now that I'm turning into a woman."
"Hmm," I hummed, opening my mouth to ask another question, but quickly closed my lips as Cosima curled her fingers around my wrist, dragging me towards a vegetable garden.
"This is mine," she gestured proudly. "I love to grow vegetables like spinach, lettuce and different herbs."
"You're very lucky to have Sally and Gene as your parents, you have everything you need."
"I do," she smiled, touching my arm again. "We should go back. I don't wanna take up all your time."
"You don't," I responded, but she didn't seem to hear me and guided me back towards the party. My father gave me a wink and Sally suggested that Cosima should show me her room.
"No mom, Delphine isn't here to spend time with me. I'm sure she'd rather talk to those important people from dad's work."
"Cosima," I sighed, rolling my eyes. "I really don't mind okay? I would love to see your room."
She flashed me her canines, and guided me up the stairs as I heard Sally whisper something to her husband.
"Welcome," she smiled, spreading her arms wide as she made a little pirouette in the middle of the room. A huge kingsize bed was placed against a purple wall, study books lay scattered across the floor, and the entire ceiling was decorated with glow-in-the-dark stars and planets.
"Wow. It's perfect."
"Thank you," she giggled, collapsing on the bed.
I felt free enough to lie down next to her, staring up to the ceiling as she rolled herself onto her side, her eyes fixed on my lips.
"Delphine?"
My name sounded strange and unfamiliar coming from her mouth, but that's probably because she didn't know how to pronounce it. I felt the urge to correct her, just like I always do whenever someone says my name wrong, but I quickly pursed my lips together when I realized it took her a lot of courage to even try to say it correctly. She's doing her best and I don't want to increase her insecurity about her speech.
"Yes?"
"My dad told me you and your dad moved here from France to live with his girlfriend. Do you get along with her?" she gestured while she spoke, her voice a little raspy, not used to talking this much.
"I do. Jane is really nice. She loves horses too."
"Where is your mom? Do you still talk to her?"
"Only in my dreams," I smiled, swallowing thickly. "She passed away after battling a severe illness. I was just ten years old."
"I am sorry. I shouldn't have asked."
"Non, it's okay."
"I am happy for you that you get along with your dad's girlfriend."
"Yeah me too, but I am still angry at him, because we had to leave France. I had friends there.. and a boyfriend, but he doesn't know that."
"You know, sometimes breaking up with someone cold turkey is the best way."
"Cold turkey?" I frowned. "What is that?"
"Oh, ehm, it means abruptly."
"Yeah, I guess you're right."
"It still sucks though," she whispered, squeezing my hand. "But you already made new friends right? Lizzie, Ruth and Kate?"
"Wow," I giggled, still staring at the ceiling. "You really observed me this week didn't you?"
"Sorry," she chuckled, still gesturing her hands. "I always pay attention to the new ones, it's fascinating to watch them… they always struggle to fit in."
"I am not struggling."
"Yes you are, just like me. For different reasons of course, but I can tell you find it hard too."
I didn't say anything and closed my eyes, feeling extremely tired all of a sudden.
"You seemed to like Gene's daughter, sweetheart."
"Hmm," I hummed, staring out of the window. Cosima and I fell asleep on her bed two hours ago. Her mother called us from downstairs, because my father and Jane wanted to go home. Cosima acted a little strange the second we opened our eyes, jumping to her feet and apologizing over and over again while her hands flew through the air. I don't understand why she felt the need to tell me that falling asleep together doesn't mean anything. What does that even mean? Julie and I always fell asleep on my bed while we listened to music and she never apologized to me.
I looked up at the sky, the shimmering stars reminded me of Cosima's ceiling, making me smile again.
"Sally told me you and Cosima fell asleep on her bed honey."
"Yeah."
"You must be tired after your first week at a new school. We're almost home," Jane reassured me, looking at me through the rear view mirror. I smiled at her as the screen of my phone light up. I quickly opened the message and read Ruth's text in the group chat.
How was your night Delphine? Did you survive the barbecue at your dad's boss' house?
I smiled to myself and my fingers started typing as I created a response.
It was so much fun :P I can't wait to tell you girls!