(Little note before the story, when it's underlined it's being written, and when it's italicized it's being signed because as you can tell by the title of the story, this is about being deaf. Enjoy!)
Thirty First One Shot:
Deaf
Clary POV:
I was walking home from my school like I do every day ignoring everyone around me. It wasn't so hard, being deaf gives you the ability to block out the entire world. It's both a blessing and a curse. I'll never be normal. I was always looked at as the deaf girl in school until my parents decided to send me to a private deaf school. Add on top a school uniform to my deafness, frizzy red hair, and abnormally short body and I'm just about the coolest girl you'll ever met.
I looked up to cross the street and there were no cars coming. I stepped out into the road and began crossing. I was in the middle of sending a text when I felt a body hit me and than I was on the ground. I had no idea what happened, and when I looked up there was an angel above me. I took a deep breath and looked around. There was an angry lady yelling from her car window and I realize now that I was almost run over by a car. I was reading the woman's lips and she was not too pleased. I pulled out my sketchbook and started writing.
"I'm so sorry! I didn't see a car when I started walking." I wrote out and showed it to her, and her anger seemed to subside but she huffed and drove away. I turned my attention back to the angel who was standing beside me. I focused on his lips.
"Are you crazy? Do you have a death wish?" I read his lips and I started writing again.
"I can't hear jackass. I didn't purposely walk in front of that car." I showed it to him and he shut up.
"You're deaf?" I read his lips again and I nodded. "I'm sorry."
"Don't worry about it. Thank you, for knocking me out of the way." I wrote and I showed it to him.
"It was no problem." I read his lips and he smiled. "Do you live close?"
"A couple more blocks. I was just going to get some coffee." I showed it to him, and he smiled.
"I'm on my way to get coffee too, want to join?" I read his lips and I was shocked, but what harm could it do?
"Sure." I wrote and we started walking. I haven't really had a lot of conversations with hearing people, and I felt like I creep when I was talking to them because I had to focus so hard on their lips, and it felt oddly intimate. I tried to stay in the deaf community as much as possible but sometimes I have to venture out and mingle with the hearing.
We walked into the coffee shop, and ordered our drinks and took a seat. I kept my sketchbook out because I assumed he was going to talk to me. After a few moments of silence I saw a hand wave in front of my face. I looked up and he was smiling. He took my pen and began writing.
"I didn't catch your name." He wrote, and I smiled. Normally when people can't communicate with me they stop talking all together, and it was nice that he was trying.
"My name is Clary. You?" I write back.
"I'm Jace." He wrote and I smiled "What school do you go too?"
"Idris School for the Hearing Impaired." I wrote back almost ashamed that I went there. People always made fun of the kids that went there. I may not be able to hear but I am pretty damn good at reading lips and the things kids say are pretty nasty.
"I've heard of that school. Is it all deaf people?" He wrote out and I was pretty shocked at his question.
"Uh, no. People who are going deaf can attend, or those who can hear but know that by a certain age they will no longer have their hearing can go there. It helps acclimate them to the deaf community. My friend Maia, she lost hearing in her left ear when she was 10, and by the time she turns 25 she will have lost it in her right ear. She attends so she can be as accustomed to the deaf world as possible for when she becomes fully deaf." I write and I watch him read, and he seems very interested.
"When did you lose your hearing?" He writes.
"I started losing it when I was 3. I was in preschool and I kept getting in trouble because I wasn't listening to the teacher, but I couldn't hear her. My parents took me to the doctor and basically they gave my hearing 4 more years, and I would be completely deaf. I tried to stay in school but the kids were ruthless. I came home one say and my shirt was stained red. Some girl poured her fruit punch on me, and that was the last straw for my mom. She enrolled me in Idris, and I've been there ever since." I wrote and I handed it to him. After a few moments he started writing back.
"Kids can be so cruel. I'm sorry you went through that." He wrote and I smiled and shrugged at him.
"Where do you go to school?" I wrote and handed it back to him.
"Alicante High School. Just a few blocks away from your school." He writes and I nod.
"I would be there if I wasn't deaf. Do you like it?"
"It's alright. It's probably a lot different from your school but it's an average high school." He writes and I nod. "Do you play any sports?"
"Being deaf doesn't really leave much ability for sports." I write and he looks embarrassed that he asked but I just laugh. "I'm an artist, or I hope to be one day."
"That's cool. I can't even draw a stick figure." He writes back and I laugh but I try to hide it. I hate my laugh and it sounds even worse because I don't remember what sounds sound like. "You have a great laugh." He writes and I blush.
"What about you? You play any sports?" I ask back trying to get the focus of me and my flaming red cheeks.
"Football in the fall, basketball in the winter, and baseball in the spring."
"A man of many talents." I write and he smirks. "You plan on doing anything with those sports in the future?"
"I would love to go to college on a baseball scholarship." He writes and I nod. "What grade are you in?"
"I'm a senior. You?"
"I'm a senior too. Do you have any idea where you want to go to college?"
"I would love to go to NYU. They have a great art program, and it's close to home. I'm a city girl, I don't think I could live anywhere else. What about you?"
"NYU is one of my top choices too. I feel the same way when it comes to the city. I've lived in one my whole life, it would be weird to not go to school in one." He writes and I nod. I look at my phone and realize that I was supposed to be home an hour ago.
"It was great talking, and hanging out with you but I was supposed to be home an hour ago. My parents are probably freaking out. Thank you for knocking me out of the way again." I write and hand it back to him to get one last response. When he hands it back there is a phone number.
"Text me sometime. I really liked getting to know you, and maybe we could do this again." It read and I was shocked. "Maybe next time you could give me a sign language lesson." I looked up at him and he smiled. I didn't know what to write so I just smiled and nodded back. I walked out of the coffee shop and headed home. I don't know what happened today, but I liked it.
Time Jump – Four Months Later
Jace POV:
Clary and I have been hanging out after school for the past couple months and I had really enjoyed getting to know her. She was funny, and smart, and witty, and beautiful, and so different than the bimbos I spend all day at school with. Being with her was real, and easy, and natural. I liked it, and I hoped she did too. It was a Saturday and Clary and I decided to go to a bookstore today. She had been really wanting to go for a while now, and we both finally had the time. I grabbed my jacket and was about to leave when Izzy blocked my way.
"Where are you going Jace?" She asked and I rolled my eyes.
"Out." I said and I tried to move around her but she moved first.
"Out where?"
"What is this? An interrogation?" I ask and her eyes soften.
"You've been disappearing for months Jace. Mom and dad are worried. Are you in trouble? Are you in a gang? What are you doing?"
"Izzy, I promise you I'm not in trouble, I'm not involved in anything illegal, I'm not doing drugs, stealing, or sealing my body. I'm just meeting up with someone." I said and her eyes widened.
"Would this someone be a girl?" She asked and I didn't answer fast enough so she shrieked. "Oh my god, you have a girlfriend!"
"She isn't my girlfriend. She's just a friend."
"But you want her to be your girlfriend."
"I'm not having this conversation Iz. I'm going to be late." I said and she stepped aside. I got to my car, and drive to Clary's house. When I pulled up she was waiting outside. She got into the passenger seat and smiled.
"What took you so long?" She signed and I smiled.
"My sister cornered me before I could leave. She was worried that me 'sneaking off' meant that I was in some sort of trouble." I signed back. She nodded and I drove away. Clary had been teaching me how to sign for the past couple months and surprisingly I was really good at it, and it made communicating a lot easier, although I had no problem writing everything down, I could tell signing was more natural to her.
We got to the bookstore and started looking around. Books were an escape for both of us, and any chance we had to get a new book we took. I was searching through the one section when I heard a laugh that I never wanted to hear again.
"Jacey, what brings you here?" I heard Kaelie asks and I groaned. I turned around and she was leaning on the bookshelf.
"I'm getting a book Kaelie, what does it look like? More importantly, what are you doing here? You can barely read your own name." I said and she just laughed thinking it was funny.
"I'm here with my cousin. He claims picking up girls at a book store gets you the good ones." She said and I rolled my eyes. Sebastian was never the kind of guy who would willingly walk into a bookstore. She started talking to me but I tried to block her out as much as possible.
Clary POV:
I was looking through the one bookshelf when I dropped a book. I went to pick it up when a hand beat me too it. I looked up expecting it to be Jace, but I was met with black eyes. I glanced down at his lips and picked up a couple words, but they didn't make sense. I tried to move when he cornered me. I focused more on his lips now and caught the words 'baby' 'hot' and 'sexy'. He leaned down and I could feel his lips moving against my neck, but I couldn't tell what he was saying. I tried to move but he pinned me against the bookshelf and when I looked around nobody was around. The only thing I could do was yell, but I would sound like a dying cow. His hands started moving up my body and I was getting really uncomfortable and decided it was either continue to get felt up by him or sound like death, and right now sounding like death seemed like a better option.
"JACE!" I yelled and I couldn't hear myself but according to this guys expression he looked really confused at what I just said. The next thing I know Jace is on top of Sebastian and I just sink down onto the floor. A couple minutes later my chin is being lifted and I'm met with golden eyes.
"Are you okay?" He signed and than his hands were immediately back on my face. I simply nodded. He helped me up and we walked back to his car. We sat there for a moment before I turned towards him.
"Did you know that guy?" I signed and he nodded.
"He goes to my school. He's pretty famous for taking advantage of girls." He signed and I took a deep breath. "I'm sorry."
"It's not your fault." I signed back and grabbed his hand.
"Want to go back to my place? We can eat brownies, and watch movies for the rest of the day?" He signed and I couldn't help but laugh and nod. He drove us back to his house. When we walked in nobody was there. "My room is the second one on the right, I'll be right up with snacks." He said and I nodded and walked up, when I got into his room it was the cleanest room I've ever seen. I took a seat on his bed and realized how uncomfortable I am in these clothes, and decide I'll go ask if I can borrow a tee shirt. I walk to the top of the stairs I see Jace standing there talking to a couple of people. I didn't know how long he would be, so I decided to knock on the wall. Once I did, all eyes were on me.
"I was wondering if I could borrow a shirt. I'm really uncomfortable, and I just keep associating this shirt with him." I signed and I could see him laugh a little while the other look confused.
"Top drawer. Pick one." He signed back and I smiled and went back to his room. I took one of his shirts, and changed and got into his bed, and waited for him.
Jace POV:
After Clary left I looked back at my family and they all looked extremely confused. I didn't say anything, just wait for them to process it. After a few moments, Izzy started to talk.
"What was that?" Izzy said and I just smiled.
"That was Clary. The girl I went to go see today." I said and her eyes got wide.
"What is she doing here?"
"We were at the bookstore, and Sebastian cornered her and started kissing her." I said and Izzy looked disgusted.
"And she can't hear?" Alec said and I nodded. "How did you meet her?"
"Uh, she almost got run over by a car and I knocked her out of the way." I said and everyone looked confused. "We went out to coffee, and have been getting to know each other."
"So, she's completely deaf?" Maryse asks and I nod.
"Yea, she goes to Idris School for the Hearing Impaired." I said and they all nodded. "She had a pretty traumatizing experience today, and I promised her brownies and movies. I'll see you guys later." I said and I walked up and went to my room. I walked in and saw Clary sitting in my bed, wearing my tee shirt, and her clothes piled on the floor. I smiled and went over, put a random movie in and joined her in bed. She scooted closer to me and I put my arm around her and she fit perfectly into my side. I was going to enjoy the rest of today.
Time Jump – Graduation
Clary POV:
I was graduating today and I honestly didn't even know where the time went. It felt like just yesterday was the beginning of my senior year and now I'm here, sitting in a cap and gown, watching my classmates graduating while my family and Jace sit in the audience watching. It felt like a dream come true.
Jace and I were both going to NYU in the fall, and I was excited to experience it with him. We had been together since that day at the bookstore, and honestly nothing in the world made me happier. We fit really well together, my family liked him, and his family liked me, and everything just worked out really well. I was standing up when my name was signed and I went a got my diploma and went back to my seat. I just wanted the ceremony to be over so I could go see my family. After a long and boring ceremony I finally got out of the auditorium and made my way to where my family was. Jace was the first one to greet me. He pulled me into a sweet kiss, and when he pulled away he mouth 'I'm so proud of you' and I smiled. I looked at my family and they were bursting at the seams.
"We are so incredibly proud of you Clary." My mom signed and I gave her a hug. I hugged my dad and my brother and we headed home. When I opened the door I was greeted by Jace's whole family and I couldn't help but smile. I turned around and looked at him.
"You did all this for me?" I signed and he looked a little shy.
"They wanted to come to the graduation, but you only had four tickets, and they would have been lost, so I asked your parents if they could come over after and set up the house for you." He signed back and I walked over and kissed him on the cheek.
"You're the best." I signed and he smiled and I went and greeted his whole family. Life was going to be good, I just knew it.
Time Jump – Two Years Later
Jace POV:
Clary and I had been attending NYU for two years now, and it was amazing. I was studying business and I'm on the baseball team, and Clary is studying art just like she always dreamed. She was an amazing artist, and I knew she would make a name for herself. We were meeting by the fountain like we always do but Clary wasn't there. I gave her a few minutes in case she got caught up in class. After about 10 minutes she still was no where to be found so I decided to go to her last class to see what was taking so long. When I turned the corner I was greeted with a horrible sight. Clary was being cornered by two girls, and her books were scattered all over the ground. I was furious, I went over to them and cleared my throat and they turned around.
"Hello Handsome, we're almost finished than we're all yours." She winked and I let out a dry laugh.
"I'm afraid I'm not here for you two." I said and they looked shocked.
"Don't tell me you're here for the mute freak." The one said and I got pissed.
"She isn't mute, she's deaf you idiot. It's completely different." I seethed and I looked at Clary and gave her an encouraging smile. "These two have no brain." I signed and she let out a little laugh.
"You know her?" The one said in the most judgmental voice and I smiled.
"Know her?" I said in a shocked voice. "I would hope so. We've been dating for three years." I said and her eyes widened and her jaw dropped. I walked past them and picked up Clary's things and turned back to them and pulled Clary tight into my side. "If I see you messing with her again, I won't be as pleasant." I said and I started walking away. We finally got to a bench and Clary took a deep breath. "Are you okay?"
"Yea."
"How long has that been going on?" I signed and she sighed.
"They've been leaving me notes telling me that I should drop out and open my own circus act and be a mime." She signed as she let out a defeated sigh. "I haven't gotten one in a couple weeks. I thought they were finished."
"I think they're done now, and if they aren't, please let me know. I love you too much to let you go through that." When I was finished her eyes were wide.
"You love me?" She signed and I smiled. I totally forgot that we hadn't told each other yet. I mean, I've felt it for a while but we've just never said it to each other.
"Of course I love you." I signed and he slammed her lips to mine. We sat there kissing for a while before she broke apart.
"I love you too." She signed and I could help but scoop her up into a hug. She was it for me, and I knew that I couldn't live without her.
Time Jump – Four Years Later
Clary POV:
Jace and I had recently moved into our own place, and we were loving every minute of it. Jace was in the middle of getting everything settled with his fathers will, and everything, and I was still getting all of our stuff settled into the house. I was in the middle of putting all our books away when I felt hands grip my waist and I screamed, at least I think I did. I turned around and Jace was standing there.
"I'm sorry. I should have warned you." He signed and I took a minute to catch my breath, but smiled at him.
"No worries, we haven't set up the light that reacts when the door open. Someone is coming in tomorrow to do that." I signed back and he nodded.
"So, how is everything going?" He signed as we made our way over to the couch.
"Great. I only have three more boxes and than we are officially moved in. How did everything go with the lawyers?"
"Everything went great. I get everything once I graduate, and the acting CEO will show me the ropes, and in a couple months you'll be looking at the new CEO of the business."
"Have I ever signed to you how proud I am of you?" I signed and I saw him laugh.
"Every day since we started dating." He signed and I learned forward and kissed him. I took a deep breath, it was now or never.
Jace POV:
Clary looked like she was thinking really hard about something, and I knew she was debating in her head. She gets this look on her face, which is completely adorable, and when she opened her eyes she smiled and me and took my hands.
"I am so proud of you." She spoke and my eyes widened. She never spoke a single word except for my name that day in the bookstore, and I knew it was because she hated her voice. But I absolutely loved it. It was small, and timid, like her, but always filled with the purest intentions, and I'm not going to lie, I got a little teary eyes.
"Thank you." I said back, knowing she could read my lips, but the look in her eyes, told me she wasn't done.
"I love you Jace." She said and I slammed my lips to hers. I don't care that Clary can't hear, honestly that means nothing to me, she is still just as amazing as she would be if she had her hearing, but the fact that she was speaking, to show me that she truly meant it meant the world to me. When I pulled back I could see she was happy.
"I love you too." I said and she smiled. Something told me that she wasn't quite done yet though. She didn't look like she was going to speak again, but she always wasn't getting ready to sign since we were still holding hands. Slowly she started moving my hands to her stomach and my eyes widened. I pulled them back and smiled. "You're serious?"
"I found out two days ago, and I have been trying to figure out a way to tell you, but we have been so busy getting settled, and you have been meeting with the lawyers so much that we have barely had time to sleep."
"We're going to have a baby?"
"We're going to have a baby." She signed back and I just couldn't believe it. I picked her up and swung her around in a hug and couldn't believe that she was carrying my kid. Clary and I were young, but we were going to be okay, and our baby was going to be the most loved baby in the world. Nothing was ever going to top this moment, and who knows how our future was going to play out, but as long as I had Clary, everything was going to work out.
Authors Note:
This one shot was requested by "Never Trust A Duck Herondale"(I totally would put it the way it actually is with the periods and everything, but than it doesn't show up, I learned this from a pervious author who wanted a story, and I really wanted to give you credit!) and I hope that I have lived up to your expectations! I had a lot of fun writing this one shot and I hope you all like it just as much! Let me know what you think, and leave a review! :)
