Stalker or Friend?
It was raining and I was already running behind. I tugged my boots on and zipped up my raincoat before I stepped outside and started my hike to school. It was still dark out and occasionally a car drove past with headlights on, splattering mud from the tires. One of those cars stopped; it was Mike, offering me a ride. I greatly accepted it and the drive was warm compared to walking. I like the rain but not in the early morning when it's cold. Mike tries to have a conversation with me but we don't get far cause he knows zero ASL and I don't like writing in the car. It'll make me nauseous and I don't want to cause an accident by making him read and drive so most of the ride passed in silence, at least on my part.
When we got there Mike walked me to building six, reassuring me that he'd see me later. I am not your worried girl friend! I thanked him for the ride and went inside, sitting alone. Mr. Jefferson gave us back our quizzes and we started off the days assignment which was pretty easy.
In second period Mr. Mason took attendance without complaining about my silence so I thought he had given up the whole doctors note thing and instead told us to divide into groups of two. I was prepared to stay forever alone when a girl around my size with black short hair sat next to me. I gave her an inquisitive look.
"Hi. I'm Alice."
I smiled shyly and waved.
"What's your name, again?"
Here we go! ASL: "Nixie."
"Nice to meet you, Nixie."
ASL: "You understand me?!"
"I do. I just-"
"Nixie," Mr. Mason interrupted Alice. I stared at him with obvious disdain; I'd rather talk to Alice then him any day! "Did you bring a doctor's note, today?"
I rolled my eyes and sighed no! I don't need one!
"I believe I explained this to you yesterday! I'm going to need a note from-"
"If you need to speak to a doctor, I can always get my father on the phone." Alice offered politely, but the warning was clear. I looked back and forth between the two and waited for a response. The room was still with anticipation, waiting to see what would happen next. After a moment Mr. Mason said, "Um...that...won't be necessary...well..." he looked at me, then handed the days assignment to Alice. "Carry on, you two!" And went about his business. I smiled triumphantly at Alice.
ASL: "Thank you!"
Alice beamed. "You're welcome!"
I've already found my seat at lunch when the Cullen's enter the cafeteria. I look up, the first sign of interest I've shown in anyone. Alice looks at me, smiles and waves. I wave back then return to my book.
One month later
It's a Friday. I know everyone here now but I still don't have any friends. Mike is still chasing me around and it's getting old. I've made enemies with Tyler because I won't date him and keep beating him in gym. Alice and I still do things in class together but that's about it. Jessica and her friends are still calling me deaf even though the whole school knows I'm not. I've given up on the possibility of making friends.
I had just gotten my food and was walking to my seat when Tyler snatched my Hershey off my tray. I faced him angrily.
"Yeah! That's right! I got your candy! What are you going to do about it?!" He taunted.
I looked around for a nearby place to set my tray.
"You want it back, right? Jump for it, then! Come on, deaf girl!"
I took a deep breath and held it, seriously wondering how much trouble I'd be in for biting him but before I could move, Alice's brother Edward came out of nowhere and took the candy from Tyler.
Tyler spun around in surprise but when he saw who it was, he backed off. "Yo, Edward! Chill man! Chill!" He quickly retreated to his table. Edward turned his gaze to me. My eyes met his and I resisted the urge to look away. Can I have my candy back?
Rather then giving it back he returned to his seat and placed the candy at the only empty spot left at his table. I looked at him quizzically. Are you inviting me to sit with you? He looked away from me and waited. I bite my lip and ask myself how important that candy bar is to me. I should at least go get it back...
Cautiously, I approach and sit down slowly. I glance at everyone else, they aren't looking at me, like I'm not here. As if looking will scare me off. Who knows; it just might. I take my candy back and hold it in my lap. I could feel it instantly starting to melt and was about to leave when I felt my shoulders relax and my heart stopped racing. Wait! Why am I calm? I don't like these situations! I hate being around other people! What's happening to me?!...I guess this is ok.
The awkward atmosphere was gone; I started on my pizza and Alice finally looked at me.
"Ready for next weeks test, Nixie?" Alice asked, starting the conversation. I looked at her.
ASL: "No way!"
"Well, are you looking over the notes?"
I bit my lip. I hadn't removed the notes from the folder I stuck them in when I first got them.
ASL: "I haven't gotten around to it."
"I can help you with-" Alice was interrupted by Emmett.
"Oh! Stop talking about homework! We've got the camping trip this weekend!"
"And we need to finish studying before we go!" Alice shot back.
"I already know everything!" Emmett bragged. The guys laughed and Rosalie rolled her eyes; I felt like I was missing out on an inside joke. I looked at Alice.
ASL: "I've always wanted to go camping." ...why am I being brave like this?!
"It's a lot of fun!"
"We are extreme campers. You wouldn't be able to keep up with us!" Edward spoke to me. Does he know ASL? Edward smiled slightly, as if to himself.
Emmett laughed, a loud sound that attracted some brief stares. "You have no idea!"
Edward's smile got bigger as if he found what Emmett said funny. I was having a vision of myself camping; watching wild animals, going fishing, swimming, climbing rocks...
I've finished my pizza and chips and can't help but notice no one else is eating. Edward looks at me and I realize I'm staring at his food so I look away. He takes my empty tray and replaces it with his own. I smile and take a bite.
"You're welcome." I assumed he was pointing out the fact that I hadn't thanked him. Ok, Easy fix.
ASL: "Thank you!"
Lunch had been fun today. With help from Alice and Edward I had been able to have actual conversations with everyone at the table. I knew them all by name now where as before they were Alice's brothers, sister, and boyfriend.
I had just started the walk home when I heard Tyler coming up behind me. I turned around abruptly and gave him a look of loathing. What do you want now? Stop bothering me!
"Hey, so why you still walking? Your new friends not taking you home?" Tyler was trying to be hurtful; two can play at that game! If I had a voice...
"You know they only invited you to sit with them cause of what you have in common, right? They've been in the foster system, too. They just pity you!"
I rolled my eyes. I highly doubt that! No one pities me! They just go "aw! The poor deaf girl! Sucks to be her!" ...but why did they talk to me?
"Hey, you know they're from a rich family? You don't fit in with them! Look at these worn out hand me downs!" Tyler grabbed my hood, pulling it off my head. I turned and slapped his hand away, hard as I could.
ASL: "Don't touch me!"
"Hey!" Oh great! Here comes Idiot two! "Come on, Tyler! Leave her alone!" Mike tried to guide me to his car. "I'll drive you-"
"Oh stop it, Mike! She's not interested in you!"
"I'm not...I was only..." while Mike was stumbling over his words I took two steps away from him; things were heating up and not just between these guys!
"Oh, please! Who are you kidding? Stop wasting your time!" Tyler got face to face with Mike. "She's too good for you!"
"And what? You think she's into you?" Mike was getting more and more defensive.
I rolled my eyes and turned, planning to leave them there arguing. I nearly collided with Emmett; he came out of nowhere! Looking down at me he asked, "Are they bothering you?"
I wasn't the only one that noticed him; at the sound of his voice Tyler and Mike stopped with the pissing contest. They looked worried. A smile crept onto my face. I kept my back to them so they wouldn't see the impending doom about to descend on them and nodded.
"Oh really?" I nodded again. "I can make them go away if you want." My smile got a little bigger and that was all it took. Emmett walked around me and approached the guys who had been bugging me since day one. I took a step to the left to watch.
"You two have bothered her enough. Move along, now!" I took notice of how big and menacing Emmett looked and felt really smug.
Mike looked at me as if hoping I'd defend him. "Don't look at her!" Emmett warned. "Your car is that way! Go on!" Mike took the opportunity and left in a hurry. "And what are you supposed to be? A playground bully? Only elementary schoolers steal candy! I would advise you to step up your game but it'd be safer for you to just walk away and don't look back! Now go!"
Tyler left just as fast as Mike had. Emmett turned to me. He grinned. "You enjoy that?"
I laughed and nodded, giving him a thumbs up.
ASL: "Thank you!"
"Yeah, don't mention it! Need a lift?"
Being modest I hesitated, not wanting to burden anyone.
"Unless you want ride with your admirer!" Emmett teased, as he made for the silver car. I ran after him, tried pushing him in an attempt to beat him there (didn't work) and I still came in second.
"Emmett, the car is full." Said Rosalie.
Sure enough, six people, five seats.
"Thats ok. She can ride with me. Look how tiny she is! There's plenty of room!" Emmett got in the back with Alice and Jasper. I gave him a confused look, not seeing how this was going to work out. Edward, who was about to get in the drivers seat, laughed at my hesitation.
"Your choice."
"Come on!" Emmett urged me. I removed my backpack and put it on the floor then found myself sitting in the big guy's lap. Rosalie rolled her eyes and got into the passenger seat, slamming the door a little too hard. Edward gave her a look that could kill. I made a mental note never to do that as Emmett closed our door and secured his arms around my waist; a human seatbelt.
"Nixie, you got any plans this weekend?" Alice asked as we drove away from school.
ASL: "Not really. I'll go hiking in the woods. Colleen and Jaider usually go out Saturday night so I'll be watching Wesley."
"Who's Wesley?"
ASL: "He's Colleen's baby."
"Where do you go hiking at?" Edward interjected.
I was confused as to how he was part of the conversation, having to focus on driving and not my ASL but I answered anyway. I signed to Alice, asking her to tell Edward what I said.
ASL: "In the woods behind my house. There's a small creek with fish back there and I saw a beaver one time."
"A beaver?" Edward kept his eyes on the road.
ASL: "Yup. And sometimes I see a fox or deer." Maybe he's glancing in the rearview mirror and I just miss it.
"Foxes are annoying." Rosalie grumbled.
"And small!" Emmett agreed.
"There'll be bigger animals where we're going!" Alice reassured them.
ASL: "What kind do you think you'll see?"
"Mountain lions." Edward answered first. It still confused me how he was managing this while driving!
"And grizzly bears!" Emmett sounded excited at the thought of an angry bear in the wilderness. I wouldn't mind seeing one, just from a safe distance.
ASL: "Do you guys take pictures?"
There were two seconds of silence as if they were deciding what to say. Then Alice spoke.
"The best moments in life are the ones where you don't take a picture." Everyone snickered. I thought about it and smiled.
ASL: "True!"
We kept talking about camping for the rest of the drive. As Colleen's house came into view I frowned in confusion; I didn't tell Edward where I lived, did I?
Wesley was sitting in the sandbox outside playing with tractors. When he saw me get out he yelled happily and signed I love you!
ASL: "I love you too, Wesley!"
"Aw. Is that Wesley?" Alice cooed. "He's so cute!"
ASL: "Yeah, he is. Thanks for the ride. Have fun camping!"
As they drove away I heard Emmett say something about having a "bloody good time"! Rosalie groaned as if he'd made a bad joke while Edward and Jasper just laughed.