The Effects of Vertigo Ch. 25
Disclaimer: See chapter one
Author's Note: I'm not happy with the flow of the chapter, but hopefully you'll enjoy it anyway.
Previously: "Yeah, I think so." Sam replied with his first real smile in a long time. He was looking forward to actually learning how to talk with his hands. For the first time in a long time, he felt like he had a future again.
Feeling excited, yet also anxious, as the first day for the ASL class rolled around, Sam slipped out of bed early and made his way down to the bathroom so he could take a shower. He was nervous about going to his first sign language class and wondered how the other students would accept him once they learned of his disability. It scared the hell out of him to think that everybody would stare at him and feel pity for the deaf boy and he didn't think he could handle going to class everyday if that happened. But that wasn't what scared him the worst, it was the thought of disappointing Dean that caused his heart to beat more rapidly. He so did not want to disappoint his big brother after everything Dean had done for him. Knowing he had to get his feelings under control before Dean woke up, he took a calming breath and walked into the small bathroom so that he could get washed up before the others awoke.
Stripping of his clothing before stepping into the shower, He prayed that he would be able to just blend right into the class. He knew he shouldn't be so self conscious about what others thought, but he just couldn't help it. Bowing his head under the steaming water as he rested his hands on the shower wall, he allowed the liquid to sluice over his naked body as he relished in the feeling of the pulsating water hitting muscles. He wished he could stay there forever and let the water wash all of his troubles away, but he knew it wouldn't be too long before his brother awoke in need of a shower also. As if to confirm his thoughts, he felt the vibration in the wall as someone pounded on the bathroom door. "Be out in a minute," Sam called out with a wistful sigh as he quickly washed his hair and then lathered up his sinewy body before rinsing off and climbing out of the shower.
Toweling off quickly, Sam pulled on his boxers and blue jeans and then pulled on a blue, long sleeved, Levi's denim button up shirt since he wanted to make a good impression on his first day of class. Taking another few minute to brush his teeth and comb his hair, he finally exited the bathroom.
"Sorry," he whispered sheepishly upon opening the door as he saw his brother standing there impatiently waiting for his turn in the shower.
"Don't worry about it Tiger." Dean replied as he clasped Sam's shoulder and gave it a light squeeze. He knew Sam couldn't hear him, but hoped he would understand the meaning of the message anyway. He would be so glad when they learned enough sign language to start actually communicating with each other on a daily basis. Pantomiming eating, he motioned for Sam to go get himself some breakfast and then took a quick shower himself. He knew just how much food his little brother could pack away when he was hungry and he wasn't about to miss out on Bobby's special homemade waffles.
~~Supernatural~~Supernatural~~Supernatural~~
Arriving on campus nearly two hours later, Sam and the others walked across the quad and entered the building where the ASL class would be taking place. Strolling down the long hallway of the humongous building until arriving at the classroom, Sam hesitantly pushed open the door and entered the room with Dean and Bobby walking in behind him. Scanning the faces of the students that were already seated inside, Sam took a deep breath and made his way to the front of the room where he could see the monitor that had been put into place specifically for him. Sitting at one of the desks, he felt more secure when Dean sat directly behind him and Bobby took a seat across from him.
Thrumming his fingers on the desk nervously as he waited for the teacher to enter, Sam looked up at the clock on the pale green colored wall to see that it would still be five minutes yet before class started. Turning sideways in his seat so that he could see his brother, he noticed Dean intently observing the layout of the classroom as well as the faces of all the other students. He was just about to tell his brother to relax when his eyes caught sight of the door opening. Glancing over to see who was entering, his chin dropped in shock upon noticing just who the person was. "Dad," he whispered as he saw his old man stride in as if he owned the place.
Upon hearing Sam's declaration, Dean spun around quickly to face the door and nearly fell out of his seat at seeing it indeed was their father. "What the hell is he doing here?" Dean thought as his father started entering the classroom.
Surveying the room as he entered, John smiled upon seeing his family sitting at the front and he couldn't help but chuckle a little at the look on his children's faces. He hadn't known when he signed up for classes that it would be the same time as his boys were taking the class. He had hoped to surprise them with it later, but oh well. Strolling casually to the front of the class, he sat down in the only other seat beside Sam. "Hey boys, good to see you," he said with a self satisfied grin.
"Dad, what the hell are you doing here?" Dean whispered as he leaned forward so that only Bobby and his father was able to hear his words.
"What does it look like Dean? I'm here to take the class." John answered with a whisper, just as the teacher and her assistant walked in forcing them to delay their conversation until a later time.
"Okay you idjits, time to shut your traps." Bobby groused as he watched the two women walking up front and stepping behind the podium. They didn't need to start things off on a bad note.
"Good morning class. Before we get started, I think we should have introductions all around so that we can learn who everybody is. My name is Yvonne Daniels and I will be your instructor for this class." The professor signed in ASL while speaking at the same time. "The woman standing beside me is Miss Terry Jones and she is my assistant and will be available to assist those of who require extra help. Now that you know who we are, we'd like to know you're names and why you chose to take the class. Let's start with the gentleman up front." "Yvonne stated as she motioned towards John.
As Sam read the monitor, his face blushed when he got to the part where the teacher said she'd like to know their names and why they were there to take the class. He didn't know he would have to talk so soon in the class and it left him feeling self conscious about doing so.
Clearing his throat, John gave his spiel quickly. "Hi, my name is John and I'm taking the class so I can learn to communicate in sign language with my deaf son who is sitting right here beside me." He figured it would be best for Sam's condition to be out in the open as soon as possible and hoped the others wouldn't be too mad at him for doing so.
"Damn it Dad." Dean swore under his breath as he noticed how the room got really quiet for a few seconds before the whispers started circulating throughout the room causing him to tense slightly. The last thing he wanted was for Sam to start feeling uncomfortable on his first day. Glancing at Bobby, he could see the other hunter squirming in his seat also.
Seeing the looks on the faces of the men before her, Yvonne decided to take control of the situation before it could escalate to the point where the family walked out and didn't come back. She knew how they felt from personal experience and wasn't about to lose a family who so obviously needed to be there. "Nice to meet you John." She signed as she talked. "I'm so glad that you and your family chose to take the class. It will hopefully be a wonderful experience for you all. Next person please."
"H-hi, my name is Sam and I'm here be-because…" Sam trailed off as he became nervous at the though of what his voice might sound like. Hanging his head, he was about to sit down when he felt a supportive squeeze on his shoulder. Turning around, he smiled gratefully at his brother for the encouragement and decided to continue. "I'm here because I los' my hearing and want to l-learn to sign so I can com-communicate with my family."
"That's wonderful Sam. I know how daunting the experience of attending class can be for you since I have a deaf brother of my own so it means a lot to know that you're willing to give it a try" The teacher signed while Sam read the monitor. Her heart nearly melted at seeing the young man smile for the first time after reading her words and she knew she'd do whatever it took to make sure he and his family succeeded in her class.
And so went the first day of class with everybody introducing themselves and the teacher handing out a sheet of paper with the syllabus attached which listed her expectations for the class and the book that the students would need to purchase for study. Dismissing the class early once everyone had finished with their introductions, Yvonne thanked her students for a wonderful first day and told everyone she hoped to see them back again tomorrow.
"Well Sammy, what did you think?" Dean wrote quickly on a piece of paper and handed it over to his brother.
"I think I'm going to enjoy the class." Sam answered with a grin as he slung an arm around his big brother's shoulders. He always did like school and it would be nice to get back into the swing of learning something new once again.
~~Supernatural~~Supernatural~~Supernatural~~
Sitting on Bobby's front porch later that afternoon as he intently studied the signs in the book The Joy of Signing, Sam never noticed the fire engine red 1975 Ford Thunderbird that came roaring into Bobby's driveway and parked just beside the Impala. He never heard the sound of Caleb shouting at him to get inside as he quickly exited the car and ran up to the front porch.
"Damn it Sam, I told you to get your ass inside." Caleb yelled as he grabbed the eighteen year old by the arm and hoisted him to his feet. 'What in the hell is the matter with you?"
"Caleb?" Sam questioned fearfully as the book slipped from his grasp and fell to the floor, his head beginning to spin as a bout of vertigo assailed him from the unexpected event.
"Just get your ass inside now kid." Caleb retorted as he pushed Sam towards the door. He didn't have time for all the questions the youngest Winchester was known for asking. Once they were safely inside, he grasped Sam by the arm and spun him around. "Where the hell is Bobby and the rest of your family?"
TBC Uh oh, just what is happening now?