Chapter 3! i am so sorry for the wait, but here it is! i personally think it could use improvement, but you know what it's the readers opinions i want. sso please, Enjoy!

don't forget to R.E.R. (read, enjoy, review!)

You're deaf; I'm Mute

Chapter 3

[Gabriella's POV]~~[Saturday]

It's only been two days I saw him. The boy from school; the one whoe wouldn't leave me alone. All the rest of the week he wouldn't stop staring me-very strangely, I might add. Nor, would he quit signing to me. It's not really annoying, but, more or less irritating. And a distraction-not that I mind, I mean, he's good-looking…scratch that, he's sexy. Any way, he's been nothing, but a nuisance all week in school, and I only replied once to his signing, and that was 'hello' and from the moment I did, it was a mistake, because he got worse. Ugh! Doesn't anybody at the school know how to leave newcomers alone?

I am so eternally thankful that today is Saturday, and he-I don't exactly know his name; I mean, I can read lips and I swear that I saw Mrs. Darbus say his name, but I wasn't really paying attention, and I therefore I don't really remember it. I know it starts with a "Tr.." that's about it. The thick blankets that covered me were like my own piece of heaven; warm and comfortable. But, I knew it would end, it always does. In precisely, 5...4...3...2...and 1.

Swoosh!

My blankets were ripped off me and the warmth was replaced by a sudden cold, I pulled my knees up to my chest and curled up in a tight ball. Wanting to hold onto what sleep I am able to get, my eyes shut tightly and I squeezed my self into a tighter ball. Then, I felt two big hands on my scrunched up front, and the next thing I know, I rolled-I actually think I flew for a bit-out of bed and I hit the floor with a thud; but, not before my skull hit my nightstand. That was going to be a scar later on. I put my hand to my forehead and felt it; it wasn't bleeding-much-but it was throbbing a little, like a heartbeat. And, it stung like hell.

I stood up to go to my bathroom, but I stumbled when I bumped into someone; they grabbed my shoulders and pushed me into the night stand; the corners jabbing me in the thighs, and the drawer handles stabbing me in the butt. More bruises were going to be down there, at least people won't see them. This is what happened every morning, a little predictable don't you think? Yeah, I thought so too. I looked up at the person-hello? I'm only 5'2"-and saw the brownish-black eyes of my brother, Lucas. An evil smirk was glued on his face and his dark brown-almost black-hair hung low in his face. He signed while he spoke, "Dad, left earlier, and he left me in charge. Understand, stupid?"

Shakily, I nodded. My brother always scared-never used to, but he does now. I felt tears prick the corners of my eyes, but I willed them not to fall, not after I promised myself long ago that I wouldn't ever cry in front of others; especially Lucas. He sighed, his eyes flaring up again, "understand?" he signed to, but I read his lips. I understood, and I nodded more frantically. He signed, "Good, now get dressed. I have friends coming over." he goes to West High. When he saw that I didn't more-or attempt to move- he grabbed a chunk of my hair and pulled tightly, causing me to wince and cringe when he threw me at the hardwood of the hall bathroom. Once again, the tears threatened to fall, and some did. I heard Lucas chuckle darkly. Great, he saw them. I swear, he loves it when I cry.

I know what you're thinking. You're thinking that I need to tell somebody-poor choice of words, seeing as I can't really talk, well, I can but I prefer lip-reading and signing. You know, me being deaf and all. (A/N: when a person is deaf, they can't hear, so when they talk it is distorted and here's a fact for you: they only catch a 1/3 of what a non-deaf person says.) Any way, it's not like I want this. To live like this, to have it keep happening; I don't believe me. But, Lucas wasn't always like this. Before my mom left-not died, that would be better in comparison to this-no, she left me, my brother, and my dad for another man. That's when everything changed for me. And not for the better.

My dad started to work all the time, we were moving around a lot. But, the worst part was when he wasn't ever home, and then my brother was always pissed off and I was the closest one he could get to, soon after that and from then on to now, he' s always done what he does; which is beat me. Yep, I'm the weak one. According to him.

[Troy's POV]

Five minutes-for me to get in the shower, wash and get out. Five and a half minutes-for me to walk out with a towel around my waist and go to my bed where my clothes were and put them on. And then it took three seconds for me to go downstairs and waltz into the kitchen to get a bowl of cocoa puffs…that is until I caught the smell of bacon sizzling.

My mom was there, and my dad was-or must have been- either still asleep or outside shooting hoops and since I didn't hear the basketball dribbling outside, I'd guess that he's doing the latter of the two. I swear he sleeps more than me, "Good morning, Troy!" mom said, okay maybe I'll have bacon, I mean, I can have cocoa puffs tomorrow or any day of the week. Not just saying that because my mom is the best cook in the world…well, at least better than my dad.

I signed, 'Morning mom, breakfast smells awesome..' insert cheesiest smile here. She laughed, "Ha-ha, thanks and yes, there's plenty for you," my mom, she can read me like a book sometimes. One of the things that both bother me and make me love her more. "don't tell your dad that I'm making bacon though, the doctor said that he needs to lower his cholesterol; so, he's going to be eating veggie dogs most of the time from now on." ah, dad, I believe that I have the right to pity you. Starting after I eat my plate of bacon. She laughed again, I joined her. I like how my parents still treat me like I'm normal; it's better than the pity I get from the people at East High.

"So," she said, looking up from the pan of bacon-my mouth was salivating. "meet anyone this year?"

'Mom..' I signed, groaning. I think I blushed, but I couldn't be sure.

"What's her name?" crap, I must have blushed. Persistent isn't she? That's my mom. I looked down and took one big deep breath. Do I tell her? Should I? you know what? Fuck it! I let out the breath and signed, 'well, there's this girl in homeroom, but she's also in gym with me.'

"That's great!" always so easy to make her happy. "What's her name? tell me about her!"

'She's deaf, beautiful, shy…different,…beautiful. Her name is Gabriella.'

"Troy, hon, you said beautiful twice.."

'What?' I signed.

"Uh-huh. You did." she said, a smile creeping on to her lips. She looked like she was crossed between sucking the juice straight from a lemon or trying so hard to keep a deep, dark secret. It was quite comical actually. I laughed a bit. Then signed; 'What?'

"I just think that you like this girl." she assumed. I blushed-this time I felt it heat my face.

'She' just different is all, I want to get to know her; but, I don't think she'll let me…' I sighed, the bacon was seeming a little less appetizing now that I spilled my innermost feelings…now, I sound like a girl.

"Give her time; she'll come around." she said, placing her hand on mine. Then she gasped, oh boy, she only does that if she gets an idea. This can not be good. "Troy, invite her for dinner!"

Huh? What?, I thought to myself. Mom, can you repeat that, please?

"Invite. Her. To. Dinner." she said, I gulped, this is something that I wasn't prepared for. My mom's wacko plans...then again, it does sound like a good idea.

'Mom...' I signed.

"No but's, on Monday at school, you'll invite her to dinner." She said, a triumphant grin on her face. She knew she won, "now, if you excuse me, I have to wake your father up." she heaved out a heavy breath and walked out of the kitchen, leaving me sitting on a stool, confused. Seriously, what had just happened? How the hell was I going to ask Gabriella to dinner if she didn't even 'talk' to me; well, other than responding to me when I sign, hello. Oh boy, this is going to be an interesting Saturday, and it'll make for a very awkward Monday. Oh, crap. I have got to find out a way to get her by herself so I can ask her to dinner...that is, if she'll let me.

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