Riley's shadow, otherwise known as Jana, was already sitting in her chair next to Mr. Matthews's desk at the front of the classroom when she and Maya led Lucas in. Jana smiled at her, and signed, 'How was lunch?'

Riley shrugged. 'Fine. Cafeteria food is-' Riley made the sign for vomit, which made Jana smile and Mr. Matthews frown.

'Not funny, Riley,' he signed without speaking. 'Respect the cafeteria workers.'

Riley rolled her eyes, and Maya smiled, waving hi to Jana.

'How are you, Maya?' Jana signed, and Maya shrugged.

"Let's get going on some learning," Mr. Matthews began when everyone had taken their seats, and Jana began to interpret. "But first, everyone say hello to our new student, Lucas Friar."

Riley turned, and Lucas waved to the general class, though his eyes did not leave hers. Riley could feel a blush rising to her cheeks along with a smile, and she almost forgot that she was in class until her dad put his hand on top of her head and turned her face to him.

"Hi Riley," he said and signed, "want to pay attention?"

Riley smiled sheepishly and turned back to her dad, taking notes as he talked about the Civil War, and Jana signed.

Riley liked Jana; she was a fairly young woman, in her late twenties, and she had gone to Gallaudet University - the famous college for the deaf - for a BA in interpretation. She had told Riley that she was a CODA - a child of a Deaf adult - and although she was hearing, she had two sisters and a brother who were all deaf, along with her parents. Jana had been Riley's interpreter for six years, starting at the time she had just finished college herself, and Riley was eleven and was beginning sixth grade. Riley knew that not all deaf kids had the privilege to have the same interpreter for their entire school experience, and that her parents had requested that Jana stay her interpreter. Jana had basically watched Riley grow up, and Riley saw her as a friend and mentor figure that she respected. She hoped to go to Gallaudet when she grew up too.

But there were parts of having an interpreter that Riley didn't like. For one, the fact that there was a woman sitting in the front of the class moving her hands in front of her body and making faces seemed to annoy some of her classmates, but they usually didn't say anything. It was more about their behavior towards her. For another, she had a stalker that showed up in every one of her classes, and she couldn't escape it. And then there was the fact that she depended on Jana to understand what was going on in her classes, and she didn't like to be dependent.

But really, she always felt like she was dependent. Either on Jana, or Maya, or her brother Auggie. Not even her parents were fully fluent in sign language, and sometimes Auggie, who had grown up signing and therefore had learned faster than their parents, had to interpret something between Riley and them.

She didn't realize she had zoned out until her watch buzzed against her wrist, signifying that the period was over. Slightly panicking, she realized that she hadn't been paying attention and she had no idea what her dad had rambled on about half the period.

As she shoved her stuff into her bag, she signed to Maya, 'What did he talk about? I zoned out.'

Maya smirked. 'You're asking me?'

Mr. Matthews stopped her at the door. "Riley, would you mind staying back a moment? Jana, if you could stay too, I would appreciate it."

Riley paused as her classmates filed out around her, quickly signing to Maya that she would meet her in math class.

Maya shrugged, signing, 'Good luck.'

Riley moved back over to her desk and leaned against the edge as her dad shifted uncomfortably.

'Do you know what this is about?' Riley signed to Jana, and Jana shook her head.

"Do you remember that conversation your mom and I had with you a long time ago, about hearing aid options?" Mr. Matthews began, and Jana began to interpret.

'Something about surgeries when I was five,' Riley recalled, and Jana spoke her words. 'I didn't like the idea; I was fine being Deaf.'

"Your mom got a bonus at work, and she's being promoted. She'd like to put the money away for you, in case you want to get a cochlear implant."

Jana's own eyebrows raised as she signed, looking to gauge Riley's reaction.

Riley hesitated, a little surprised at the question. From what she'd learned recently about cochlear implants, they were getting more and more effective. But it was still an invasive procedure, and it required a surgery to implant part of it inside her head, while the other part would connect through a magnet outside her skull. It would, supposedly, make her hear, although not in the same way that hearing people could hear. Plus, they didn't work as well when you got them later in life.

And, there was the fact that Deaf people generally didn't like cochlear implants - they saw it as hearing people trying to 'fix' them, and they didn't need to be fixed. They had their own culture and world and language, and it wasn't a disability to them. She didn't have any Deaf friends or family, so she wasn't really a part of that community. But part of her wondered, if she ever did join that world, would they reject her if she had a cochlear?

'I need to think about it,' she signed.

A/N: I got a lot of positive feedback on this story :) I'm going to keep writing, although I don't have a drama plot outline (which are generally the kinds of stories I write) so it may take some time before there becomes a real story. It seems like some of you are okay with fluffy filler bits of Riley just being Deaf and interacting with Maya and with Lucas, so I'll write lots of those!

I'm not sure how much I will be updating on this book. I still have to finish Chrysalism and get somewhere on Fanaa, and I'm pretty blocked right now on both of those. I'm also trying to be productive this summer, in some way, during quarantine (I hope everyone is staying safe!).

I'm thinking about doing something with Riley feeling conflicted over whether she wants to get a cochlear or not, as well as stuff about Lucas wanting to learn sign language and their relationship :)

I've met some Deaf people, but I've generally stayed with my own herd. If anyone has any ideas about how to write about the Deaf world, DM/PM me! I'd love to chat!

(Grace: Thanks so much for reviewing! I'm so glad you've learned about ASL and the Deaf world in school, I feel like that's a great class that all schools should offer! If you have any tips about writing about the Deaf world/cochlears, I think your knowledge might supersede mine haha - especially since you've taken classes specifically for the knowledge of Deaf culture and ASL)

(Nat: I'm so glad you liked the beginning of this book! It's always cool to connect with people who have family members who are Deaf/HOH. Representation is important!)

(Guest: Thank you so much for your compliment on my writing :)))) I've got a few other stories on this account, and I loved your reference to The Fault in Our Stars haha)

Please review! All feedback is welcome and appreciated!

Kisses,

C