So, it's been officially one week since we started attending East High, and so far, no problems. Nice teachers, new friends, and great classes.

Gabe and I have made some new friends. I met Kacey Mendez in my AP Chem class, and I met Millie Hendrickson in my Algebra II class. Gabe's new friends are Toby Kennish and Wilke Sanders. Al had began coming with me to school now as well, and so far, there aren't any problems with him following me around. He told me that until I get into a Deaf School, that he would treat me the same way that he did back at Medford. Gabe and I both really are beginning to adjust living in Albuquerque and attending East High.

So, it was 10am. Time for my favorite class of the day.

Homeroom.

Mrs. Villegas is just awesome. She's super cool, and really in-the-know. I've really grown to love having her as a homeroom teacher.

We all sat down to take our seats. Mrs. V had to move me because I have trouble reading lips from a distance, so... I moved up to the front. Mrs. V was making some announcements.

"Okay, so first off, does anyone know about our Leadership class?" she asked, and several students raised their hand. She was about to say something, when a girl walked into the room. She had dark brown hair and clear blue eyes and wore a black knee-length dress, and ripped white jeans. Mrs. Villegas looked at the clock and glared at the girl.

"Simone, you're late," she said.

"The bell didn't even ring," the girl known as Simone said.

"Do you not see everyone in their seats?" Mrs. Villegas countered, gesturing to the students. "Where were you?"

"The bathroom," Simone answered. Mrs. Villegas sighed and pinched the bridge of her nose, and decided to leave it at that. Simone walked up to me, so I'm assuming...

"You're in my seat," she said, irritated.

Yep, I was in her seat.

I was about to sign something when Mrs. V stepped up.

"I moved Gabriella," she said matter-of-factly.

"Why? This chick's deaf, not blind," Simone asked, pointing at me.

"Well, first of all, because since she needed to move to the front, your seat was the only one available in this row, and secondly - "

"She can't read lips from a certain distance, so find another seat, will ya?" Gabe said, finishing Mrs. V's sentence. I turned and smiled at him. Simone crossed her arms.

"There... aren't any seats available," she said, as if trying to find a way to get her seat back.

"Then, you'll just have to sit at the back," Mrs. Villegas said, pointing to an available seat at the back of the room. Simone just rolled her eyes, arms still crossed and glared at Gabe and I.

"Newbies," she seemed to whisper, but I caught it indefinitely.

I turned in my seat towards Gabe, smiled, and signed "Thank you". He nodded and mouthed "I got your back". I smiled widely towards him, then turned my attention back to Mrs. V.

"Now, as I was saying, I'll be passing out Leadership applications for those of you that wanna join. It's a very fun class, anyone can join, and the only way that you won't pass is if you don't participate." I smiled at the idea, turned to Gabe for approval, and he nodded excitedly. I smiled and turned back.

"So... anyone want one?" Mrs. Villegas said with the Leadership applications in her hand. Gabe and I raised our hands as well as Toby and several others. But as she was passing them out... she gave one to Gabe... but not me. I frowned slightly, and turned to Gabe, who just shrugged.

"We'll talk to her after class," he signed, and I nodded.

I wonder why she didn't give me one...? I raised my hand, didn't I...? It has to be because I'm deaf... Figures...

11:10am, and class ended. Al, Leana, Gabe, Reese, Toby, Lissie and I stayed behind. I tapped Mrs. Villegas' arm and she turned around.

"Oh. What's up, you guys?" she asked.

"I was just wondering why G-a-b-e and everyone got a Leadership Application except me..." I signed while Al interpreted. "I raised my hand, so..."

"Is it because she's deaf?" Gabe asked.

"Well... in a way... yes..." Mrs. V said nodding slowly. "But, don't get the wrong idea; I just don't want you being discriminated is all, Gabriella; it's... nothing personal, believe me. Please," she insisted. I paused to consider what she said then signed

"I've been through that in a hearing elementary and junior high school, so... I'm pretty sure I can handle a Leadership class," I signed as Al interpreted. "And as for participation, I'm your gal," I smiled, hoping and praying she would say yes. Mrs. Villegas thought it over a little bit.

"It's a lot of work... and that Leadership Application is pretty long, as you can see... it requires recommendations from all of your teachers, as well as several signatures from your parents," she said.

"But..." Reese said.

"But... with all the effort that you've been putting here in Homeroom... I'm sure you wouldn't mind... one more class with me," she concluded and we all smiled but I was the one that was smiling like an idiot. I wasn't really thinking when I just went up and hugged her.

"Oh! Okay, okay," she chuckled as I pulled away. "But, please... let me know if any of the students are giving you any trouble. I'll take care of them," she said and winked and handed me an application. "I look forward to seeing you in third period," she said smiling.

"Thank you so much; you don't know how much this means to my sister," Gabe said gratefully.

"No problem, Gabriel," she said.

"Looks like we're all gonna be in Leadership,"Gabe said as we were walking out of the room. Next was free period for all of us, so...

As we exited, I saw Simone.

"Hey, Lea," she said, waving.

"Hey, Simone, what's up?" Leana asked, going over to Simone.

"Can I talk to you for a sec? I wanna go over some plays," Simone said. "And... something else, if... you don't mind," she added quietly, but I read her lips.

"Uh... sure, no problem," Leana said as she turned to us. "I'll see you guys later," she said and walked away with Simone.

"Hey," Reese said, nudging me. "Don't worry about Simone. She's a real bitch," he warned as I nodded.

"Good to know; I'll keep that in mind," I signed as Al interpreted. "And before you ask, no, my real voice doesn't sound like a guy," I added and winked.

"I wasn't thinking that," Reese laughed. I nodded smiling.

"Good," I signed.

~ Free Period (Library) ~

We all took some seats in the library, chatted a little, when Leana walked in. I went up to her, leaving Al to talk to Gabe.

"Hey, what did... S-i-m-o-n-e want...?" I signed as we walked to go sit down.

"Well, she did wanna go over some plays... but... there was something else..." she signed, since she was getting better with her ASL lately.

"What?" I signed, but she stayed quiet. "Tell me," I insisted. She sighed.

"S-i-m-o-n-e... just... doesn't like you," she let out. I smiled sarcastically.

"Yeah, because I took her seat; what else is new?" I signed, rolling my eyes.

"No, it's a little more than that," Leana said, shaking her head. "S-i-m-o-n-e didn't like when you, well, 'showed her up' in front of the whole class." I gave her a look that said "Are you kidding me?"

"I didn't even say anything," I demanded. Leana shrugged.

"I guess it's just the fact that Mrs. V sided with you,"she said. I narrowed my eyes.

"What does she have to do with this...?" I signed.

"S-i-m-o-n-e always finds a way to get on her good side; I don't know how, but she does,"she answered.

"Are you friends with her?"

"Co-captains; basketball. Those are the plays that she wanted to go over," she explained. I sighed and pinched the bridge of my nose. I knew it was only a matter of time...

"Hey... if you... had to choose - "

"Oh, no, please," Leana complained, knowing where this was going.

"I'm serious. Who? Me and G-a-b-e... or her...?" Leana just smiled.

"Obviously, you two," she concluded, putting her arm around me. I smiled. "I mean, S-i-m-o-n-e may be my friend and teammate, but last time I checked, friends don't mess with family, right?" she asked, winking at me. I giggled.

"Thanks," I signed.

"No problem," she said and held up her fist. "I got your back." I smiled and bumped her fist with mine.