Kathryn greeted Emmett and Bay at the door with a warm smile. "Come in, come in! I'll make some hot chocolate!" Kathryn said eagerly. Kathryn got a funny look on her face then ran off to the kitchen.
"So... Do you think you'll go to Gallaudet?" Bay signed. Emmett eagerly nodded his head.
"I have a really good feeling about it, I think that I have a really good chance of getting in." Emmett signed back. Bay smiled. She knew that even though for a little while, Emmett's grades slipped, he would still be accepted into Gallaudet University. Kathryn came into the room with a grin on her face.
"I put some strawberry sauce in the hot chocolate! Go on, try it!" Kathryn said, merrily pushing the mugs toward Emmett and Bay. Bay and Emmett looked at each other, sighed, then took a sip of their drinks. Later that night, in Bay's art studio, Emmett noticed a sad look in Bay's eyes. Her dark brown eyes, usually so full of light, now had a grey tint. Bay was lying on her back, attempting to paint.
"Are you okay?" Emmett signed.
Bay looked up and replied "Not really."
"Do you want to talk about it?" Emmett signed.
Bay, now sitting up, replied "It's just, what if I can never paint again? What if my life as an artist is over? I just don't think I can live like that."
"Bay, you are strong. I know that you can get through anything. But, if I don't get into Gallaudet, I'll stay here with you and not paint." Emmet signed back. Bay playfully pushed at Emmett's arm. She was smiling, so Emmett smiled.
"Yeah, but you'll get into Gallaudet for sure, I might never be able to use my right hand again!" Bay signed angrily.
"Then you'll use your left hand!" Emmett replied. "I believe in you, and so does everyone else." Bay smiled, but Emmett could see that she didn't understand. Bay never understood anything. She didn't understand how much everyone believed in her. She didn't understand how much Emmett loved her. She didn't understand how truly beautiful she was.
(a couple days later at Emmett's house)
Melody watched from across the room as Emmett and Bay eagerly awaited a letter from Gallaudet. The doorbell rang, and Emmett sprung from the couch. Emmett could barely contain himself from ripping the envelope out of the mailman's hands. Immediately after being handed the letter, Emmett tore it open. Even though, he did not know his fate, he would not help himself from grinning. After a couple seconds of reading the letter, Emmett's smile dropped. Bay, assuming he was messing with her, grabbed the letter with a smirk to read it herself. Bay's smile soon was no more. Emmett had been declined acceptance into Gallaudet University.