Chapter 4: But You're Not Watching
author's note: Oi! Trying to get back on track, so just continue to poke me w/ sticks and I'll try my best to stay focus-oh, look! a bird!
Joey jumped in his car and drove to the park. Even though he couldn't hear, he needed to be somewhere quiet. Somewhere peaceful. He had to think, and he had to think hard. Was Tea telling the truth? Was Seto really planning to sneak him off to the United States just so he could pressure him into getting that stupid implant? It couldn't be true! It just couldn't! Then again, Joey had never known Tea to lie. Even if she was in a desperate situation in which her life was on the line, she would be truthful, and for once, Joey wished she was notorious for lying her head off instead. He sat under a tree, the tree he and Seto had eaten lunch under, and closed his eyes. The wind felt good against his heated flesh, and he inhaled just a little. He could smell nature around him, and nature had nothing to do with coclear implants. His eyes opened when he felt fingers brush against his hand. He opened his eyes and saw Tristan. He smiled weakly and they shook hands the way guys do; a masculine form of hugging.
Tea's upset, isn't she? Joey asked, manuevering himself to face Tristan.
Tristan gave him a sour look, but he smiled through it and signed, she came over to my work balling like a baby. What happened anyway? I couldn't understand a word she was saying.
The blonde boy looked away for a minute. When he looked back, he raised his hands, but then put them down. Tristan stared at him funny.
"Tristan," it was Joey's rarest form of communication-voice, "do you think Tea would ever lie?"
"No," Tristan, though he still had to sign for Joey to understand, spoke as well, "Remember in the sixth grade when Principal Watanabe found out the three of us had put that smoke bomb in the girl's restroom? Tea refused to say she knew nothing about it. Her first detention ever."
Joey smiled slightly, picturing Tea's stern yet proud face as she sat in detention, spouting off nonsense about friendship and honesty. He was silent for a moment, both in voice and sign. He didn't want to have to pick between his best friend and his boyfriend, but he wasn't sure if he had a choice. Tristan sighed and signed, knowing Joey would catch his hands in the corner of his eye, Does this have anything to do with Seto by any chance?
Doesn't every problem? Joey replied hotly, Tristan, if you could give me back my hearing, would you do it? Just say a, um, g-e-n-i-e told you he'd give you one chance to give me hearing or something, whether I wanted it or not. Would you take that offer?
Tristan, surprisingly enough, nodded. His friend's mouth dropped.
Why!
Joey, think about it. Say I lost my ability to walk, and I was perfectly happy in a wheelchair. I'd grown used to it. No worries, no problems, I just grew accustomed to it. But Joey, if I got my ability to walk back, don't you think I'd enjoy it? Just a little bit, anyway?
Joey stood up and grunted as he retorted, It's just not the same!
I know it isn't, Tristan stood up too, I'll never understand your point of view, Buddy, you're the one that can't hear not me. All I can do is sign, so I'll never understand, but Joey, Seto doesn't either. Nor does Tea. Don't let them talk you into thinking they do, because they don't. Tea could learn every sign there is, she could ace deaf culture, but she's not you, Joey. You're right, it isn't the same.
Joey's tensed muscles loosened slightly. Tristan was making a heck of a lot of sense. In fact, he was on the mark. Of course Tea and Seto didn't know! How could they? They could hear! They'd never had their world silenced, so of course they couldn't understand...but, if neither of them knew, what could Joey do to keep them from turning him against one or the other? He smiled at Tristan and Tristan smiled back.
Would you want me to have my hearing back? Joey signed meekly, biting the corner of his bottom lip.
Tristan gave him a hearty slap on the back and replied, I would love it, but I love you just the way you are, Joey. It's up to you what you decide.
Joey nodded and sat back down to think. As it turned out, Tristan was on his lunch break and had to get back to work. He gave Joey one last smile and headed back to his car. The blonde leaned his head against the tree and closed his eyes again. A slight breeze brushed past him and he relaxed.
It was night when he knew what he'd decided. He stood up, dusted the grass and dirt from the seat of his jeans, and went back to his car. As he climbed in, he turned on the radio to it's maximum volume. Slowly, he pressed his fingers to it and felt the vibrations. He could remember noise, but just barely. He remembered voices, but just barely. He remembered sound, but just barely. People were turning on their lights, complaining about the loud music from the vehicle, but all Joey noticed was a slight jolt against his finger tips.
He knew what he wanted, who it would hurt, and who it would please. However, Joey wasn't out to please anyone, nor to hurt anyone. This time, Joey Wheeler was out for Joey Wheeler. Tristan was right, this was a major decision and it was up to him and only him.
To Be Continued...
To the readers (yah, sorry it's been so long)
Where'sMyBagel: No, no, keep your cat! Here's your chapter-though kind of short, but, here it is!
CircleKV12: I think everything will work out to everyone's favor, but, who's to say?
Muchacha: Yah, Joey's not too happy, but things will get better! Look at him now, afterall
Mantha-Kaiba: Yah, my sequel's actually gone rather slow, but I'm really trying now. I'm acutally updating a lot of stuff
Celdria: No problem! (lol) look how late I updated
Vapid b.: Exactly, Tea and Seto both have really strong views. Can you guess who Joey's decided is right yet?
Marikslildevil: Hey now, he may not be upset at the end? wink
Shadow Fluffball: I'm trying! I really am! But thanks for motivating me!
Repmet: So sorry, but my computer just formats this way sometimes!This one isn't, is it?
Jonouchi-Kaiba-Mokie: Sorry I kept you waiting so long! Yah, Tea's furious!
Morghann: Yah, I know Tea's kind of being snotty, and yah, I do suck at description, but I'm honestly trying to work on that, believe me! And thanks!
ChibiSmiles: How about you be the priest, Chibi-chan?
Bakuraluver4ever: Whoa now! Don't kill Tea just yet, and yah, Joey kind of realized (with the great Tristan's help, of course) that sometimes he has to decide things for himself.
I will update ASAP! Just keep pestering me if I stop
BTW, sorry this chappie was kind of short, the next one will be longer, I promise!