Ch. 1: TEMPERANCE

My dark waves fell in my face as I stared at the huge school before me, I couldn't believe somewhere in there my best friend and first love walked and laughed with his friends. Puckering my lips in thought I didn't notice the tall lanky guy walking my way. His sun toned hair was bleached blonde and his skin was sun kissed with a slightly golden tone that brought his Cali boy good looks into focus. "You know, It s considered creepy in most societies to sit and stare at... Anything." He said in a smart alike way. He smirked a readjusted the laid of books in his hands, Noticing Me flinch slightly at his voice his smile dimmed slightly. My raised eye brow look at his book made him sigh, "I'm being sent to boarding school so I have to turn in my books. But you're going to miss me right, now that you've seen my charming good looks. Laughing out right he extended a hand to me, "Wilke by the way" He told me his eyes brightening at my laughter.

"Temperance" I whispered and sighed at the same time, his eyes furrowed slightly before a glimpse of understanding lighted his eyes, before he could say it I shook my head. "I'm not deaf I just prefer using ASL. I don't like to talk." I explain and cock my head to the side amusement flashing deep I'm my moss green eyes. "Do you know Toby Kennish?" I ask and purely entertained look crossed his face and he waved me to follow him. Dusting myself off I picked up my well loved purple canvas bag and followed him like a lost puppy.

It had been years sense I last saw Toby and I was worried he wouldn't remember me, or worse hate me. I did leave him without a word, blinking my eyes I kept myself from crying. "There he is, my man" Wilke suddenly said a smile on his face. I saw a pretty girl draped over the pale haired and blue eyed boy I knew instantly. I could tell she was pleading for forgiveness and that Toby wasn't ready to give it. "Look who I found, She seems to know you." The Cali Boy said and pointed at me. Toby's eyes met mine and he jerked away from the brunettes hold and quickly walked the few feet toward me. He had grown, He was probably about 6 foot and it dwarfed my 5'1. Looking up at him I saw him relax when his giant hands touched my cheeks. "And you know her" I hear Wilke say softly in the back ground.

Pushing him back slightly I smile, "Hey, Long time no see Tboy" I say using my old nickname for him. He looked like he had alot of questions to ask but I refused to let him make a scene in the middle of his school, and make himself look like a fool. "I missed you, Its been awhile sense I last saw you...Only..uh...Three years. I really hate talking.." I said while my hands rapidly signed what I was saying as I said it. "How are you? Are you ok? You looked upset when I walked up? Oh... Now its getting worse..." I rambled and closed my eyes in an effort to make myself shut up. Tweaking my nose he looked down at me through confused sea blue eyes.

"Stop rambling, its cute but your making yourself look silly." Toby said and brushed my cheek. The feeling of his fingertips gliding over my baby soft skin caused me to shiver. "I missed you too, Yes three years. And Tempy dear, I've Had to deal with alot." He said, his voice was smooth and calm with a hint of depression. "You wouldn't believe how my life has changed." the whisper made me smile sadly at him.

"Umm...Hello?" Came a snotty shrill girl voice, Looking at the wavy haired brunette I raised my eye brows and rapidly started signing at her in tell she looked irritated. Laughing in almost evil way I couldn't help but smile. I saw both Wilke and Toby back away concerned. "Who the hell are you?" She asked, her voice was raising and she even took a step forward.

Pulling my waist length hair into a bun a went to step forward but I felt Toby grab my waist. "This is my best friend, Sorry Wilke, I met her when I was nine. She is very temperamental and can kick ass. And Simone, I will let her if you don't walk away. You cheated on me, and you helped an angry Emmet cheat on Bay. Bay is my god damn sister!" He glared at her and I could feel him tense up. Intertwining my fingers with his I squeeze and I relax against him. He relaxed visibly and she backed up with a confused and sad look on her face.

Wilke had watched the exchange silently and I could already tell it was odd for him, "I have to turn in my books, Toby you're going to have to text me." He said and I almost could see the two of them being girls giggling and gossiping over the guys they liked. Keeping the mental picture to myself I waved as he walked off and looked up at Toby only to notice that a small crowed had started to watch the 'show'.

Signing fast at the crowed making them feel awkward I smiled at Toby when everyone had wondered off. "Im sorry" I said calmly and he kissed my forehead it was a simple and gentle way of him telling me that he missed me too. "Lets go get ice cream. I want sherbet" My voice was growing rough because of the sudden use, normally I only spoke when I had too or when singing. Shaking his head he looked down at me with sad eyes, ones that made me feel guilt ridden. "Please don't say no…" I whisper before he cups one of my cheeks in his hands his calloused fingers tickaling the soft flesh.

"I have too" He said and walked away as tears flowed down my face, I knoew he would say no but why did it hurt so much? Why couldn't I deal with this little bit of pain? I had gone through worse, but maybe its because he had always been by my side and now, he wasn't…