Author's note: I realized there have only been 3 characters in this story so far. Well that's going to change in this chapter.

Hope you like it.

Disclaimer, I don't own Switched at Birth.

Bay had been going to Carlton for over a month now. She fell into an easy routine. Riding to school with Emmett on his motorcycle. They'd walk together to their lockers. Giving each other a quick kiss before running off to their first class. The second class of the day, they had together, and would sit next to each other. Emmett would try to distract Bay, and Bay would make him pay attention. Then third hour was spent apart again. Same with fourth, but their class rooms were right next to each other. So after class lets out, Bay would wait at the door for Emmett, then they'd go to lunch together. Then, the rest of the day, they had classes together.

Once school was done, they'd head home, or sometimes go out for a bit to eat. They'd do their homework together, and sometimes make out. By the time Melody would get home, Bay and Emmett would be cuddling on the couch, and a few times, they'd try to start dinner, but that didn't work out too well.

A kiss goodnight, then they'd go to their separate room.

And that's how it went for those weeks. There were some days when Bay would be in a mood, so she's lock herself in her room, instead of hanging with Emmett. Of course there were a couple times when they were in a minor fight, but it never lasted long. That's what they did. They'd fight over something stupid. Then make up.

It was just one of those days. Bay was in one of her moods. Emmett chose to give Bay her space. He's let her work it out, or wait till she wanted to talk. Though, he had noticed that Bay had been less willing to talk lately. In class, Emmett would pass her a note, and she'd just read it then tuck it in her back pack. Before, she'd poke him and try to make him concentrate.

So, Bay went up to her room, and Emmett was left alone downstairs to work on his homework. It was definitely not was fun without Bay. She made everything more interesting.

Bay wasn't unhappy. But, she wasn't happy either. Sure, she had Emmett. And she was doing well in school. But it's been a month, and she hadn't made a single other friend at school. Was she that unlikable? She hadn't had many friends at Buckner before. Sure, she knew her brother and his friend Wilke. And her ex-best friend Simone. And, she guessed, there was her ex-boyfriend Liam. But who else did she really know?

So, why had she thought it would be different at Carlton? That she's suddenly have friends.

The next day, Bay knew she needed a change. She couldn't keep hiding inside herself. Her first class of the day was science. This year she was in chemistry. Her lab partner was a girl named Maddie. Bay had barely acknowledged her, except when necessary. Maybe it was her fault she didn't have many friends. She needed to...reach out to them. People wouldn't just suddenly be her friend.

So that day, Bay made an effort to be nice, and start a conversation.

Hi What do you say to someone who you've sat next to for a month, but never talk to?

You need help or something? It could have been meant in a mean way, but the smile on Maddie's face said otherwise. She was genuinely trying to be nice.

Yes. Bay signed. It was technically a lie. She understood chemistry just fine. But it was an excuse to talk to someone and hopefully make a friend. On problem 5. Do you think you could explain it?

Sure. Maddie went on to show Bay that all you had to do was plug the right things into the right equations. Either it was a Volume-Pressure, Pressure-Temperature, or a Temperature-Volume problem. Bay thanked her so much for her help. So what if it was a lie. It was nice to not be stuck in her head by herself.

After that conversation, Bay and Maddie continued to talk in class. Once or twice they were even called out on it by the teacher. As it turned out, Maddie was also in Bay's English class. Bay had been too wrapped up in herself to notice it before. They were becoming fast friends. Maddie enjoyed art also. She didn't have the talent Bay had. Nothing close to it.

But, Maddie was in the school's choir. Which wasn't really a choir. But Bay went to one of their practices with Maddie and was amazed by the beauty of it. It was all about the signs, and just watching everyone move together, in sync, like that. It was incredible.

Bay would show Maddie some of the paintings she was working on. And they'd just hang out. Bay wasn't sure she'd ever had a friend like this before.

They learned a lot about each other. Like how Bay was staying with Emmett, though that hadn't been much of a secret to begin with. Bay also revealed that she'd lied originally about needing help. Maddie hadn't been angry

And Bay learned that Maddie lost her hearing when she was young. Around age seven, she'd said. But, she didn't go into any more detail, and Bay didn't push. She, herself, was definitely not read to talk about it.

Maddie started eating lunch with Bay and Emmett. Emmett seemed happy that Bay was making friends. Or a friend. Their routine changed. Bay wasn't spending every second of every day with Emmett or thinking about Emmett. It made their relationship better. Emmett would go and hang out with some of his other friends sometimes, while Bay would do girl things with Maddie. It wasn't like Bay was Maddie's only friend. But she made time for Bay. And introduced her to some of her other friends. They were all really nice.

It was during one of these lunches where Maddie asked Bay if she wanted to come to a sleepover she was planning.

And Emmett, you are not invited.

OK. Bay hadn't been to a sleepover in a long time.

But Maddie saw the hesitance on Bay's face.

Come on, it'll be fun! We're going to stay up late, watch bad movies, eat popcorn, gossip.

I said OK, didn't I? Bay signed, but she was smiling now.

YAY! Bay, this is going to be so much fun! It's Saturday night. And I'm going to keep reminding you all week so you don't forget and I'm not letting you back out of this. Maddie signed at the speed of light, or close to that, anyway.

True to her word, Maddie pestered Bay about it all week.

Saturday night came sooner than Bay hoped. She was excited, but also really nervous. Maddie made it sound fun, yes. But in theory and in practice were completely different.

Less than an hour later, Bay had almost completely forgotten about her previous worries. She was sitting in a circle with the other girls, and were about to start in on a game of Truth or Dare.

OK, Bay you first. Truth or dare? Maddie asked.

Dare. Bay signs after a second.

Dang! I was hoping you'd say truth.

You could always dare her to answer your question truthfully. One of the other girls suggested.

Nah, they'd be like cheating. OK, so Bay I dare you to, Maddie paused to think it over for a second, then signed, I dare you to go to the kitchen and get the bottle of ketchup, then swallow a mouthful. And you can't wipe any of it off your face. Maddie added.

Bay made a face. It sounded disgusting, normally she didn't even have ketchup on her burger, so plan was even worse. She did it anyway.

The game continued, and the dares got sillier and stupider.

When it was Bay's turn again, she chose truth, and regretted it immediately. It was one of the other girls, Bay wasn't sure of her name though.

How far have you and Emmett gone? That was her question. Bay's face instantly turned bright red.

Do I really have to answer this? Bay asked.

Yes!

Fine. She bit her lip, out of habit, then signed, 2nd base. Sure they were living in the same house, but that didn't mean they were doing a lot. Most of the time, either Melody was there, or they just wanted to cuddle, or they had other things that needed to be done.

The girls nodded.

Soon the game ended. They settled in to watch another movie. Bay followed Maddie to the kitchen to make some more popcorn.

Thank you. For inviting me. This has been a lot more fun than I'd have thought.

I'm glad. And it was nothing, really.

They returned to everyone else and snuggled into their sleeping bags to watch the movie.

Author's note: notice someone missing? Just wait for the next chapter ok.

Please review and tell me your thoughts. Hope you liked my OC. :)