BlackLynx17: Here is my second favorite everyone! Hope you like!

DAY 5: Gradually

Alright, this was it. Today was the day. Today was the day that he was going to walk over and talk to her. Any minute now, any minute. There she was by herself on the park bench, just like she was every Sunday afternoon, feeding the pigeons pecking at her feet as she read a book. This was it. This was it. Just do it. Do it. Do it!

Mest jumped to his feet and started walking over; his pace was so fast that he scared the pigeons she was feeding away. All of them started flying off and Mest reached his hands out to try and stop them.

"No, wait! I'm sorry! I didn't mean to!" He yelled out.

Great, he just scared the pigeons that she was feeding away. Great first impression Gryder. Mest sighed and looked over at the girl, seeing her wide brown eyes just staring at him. He should walk away, he should just walk away and try again next time, but he told himself today and he was not about to back out now!

"Hello, I'm sorry about doing that. I didn't mean to, boy do those things scare off easily though huh? Hahaha... um, my name is Mest Gryder! It's nice to meet you," Mest started talking to her.

All she did was blink at him and tilt her head slightly. Mest felt like an idiot when she didn't say anything to him, a real dummy. Of course she wouldn't want to talk to him after scaring her birds away, she probably thought he was a psycho or something. All of a sudden she was shaking her head and pointing at her ear.

"You didn't hear me? Um, I'm Mest Gryder! Sorry about the birds!" He started yelling.

She started giggling and Mest smiled a little, wondering if he got through to her just now. Her hand lifted up, and he thought it was for a handshake, but it stayed in the air and started doing weird stuff. Bending and making shapes sometimes, moving at what seemed like the speed of light. Mest was dumbstruck staring at it. When she finished it was his turn to tilt his head.

"Huh?"

She pointed to her ear again and shook her head, waving her hand in front of her mouth. Mest blinked, finally getting it.

"Oh! Oh! You can't hear! You're deaf!" He said shaking his head while pointing at his ear.

The crush he's had for two months now, always coming to the park early in the morning on this day nodded her head up and down at him. She was deaf. How did he not know that? Duh, because he never talked to her and no one else ever did... he sure was an idiot. So what now?

"Sorry, sorry, bye." Mest waved and bowed before running out of there.

He was really, really an idiot.

He spotted her at the same exact time the next week, feeding her pigeons again. He thought about giving up on her before, but... he wanted to talk to her. Get to know her. How though? Mest looked up learning sign language and saw how complicated it looked, read how it took months to learn for the really dedicated. Was he really dedicated to learn just to ask a girl out? Was he?

The most he learned was hi, and he was lying to himself right now. Hi was always a wave, everywhere in the world it was a wave. Mest shook his head and groaned as he started walking over, trying to convince himself he didn't need a plan before he backed out. Again, the pigeons flew away because of his pace and the girl stared up at him again with her wide eyes.

"Hi," Mest smiled and waved.

The girl blinked at him before digging in her purse; she pulled out small notepad and started flipping through the pages. Mest watched as she started writing something down and held it up to him.

Hello, you were the man who tried talking to me last week. Is there something wrong?

"No, no, nothing wrong!" Mest said shaking and moving his hands.

She didn't understand him though and held out the notepad and pen for him. Mest took it as he sat down next to her, writing back his reply.

No, there was nothing wrong. I just wanted to talk to you.

He handed it back; the girl read it over with her eyebrows furrowed together.

Why? What about?

Mest blinked and it took a while before he wrote down a stupid and dumb answer.

Nice weather we're having today, huh?

When she got it back he spotted her smile and look up, nodding at him.

Perfect weather to feed birds!

Mest chuckled lightly.

Yeah, sorry for scaring them off.

Oh no problem, they always come back.

I'm Mest by the way. Mest Gryder.

Wendy Marvell, pleased to meet you Mest.

… This wasn't so bad. Mest always had a problem talking with girls and right now he wasn't having a problem because technically he wasn't 'talking' with a girl... he was writing to her, which totally made a difference. She continued to converse with him as they talked about silly things, the weather, the birds, their days, what type of bread she fed the birds, baguette edges that her roommate doesn't like to eat.

An hour or so passed and Mest got the notepad back, reading her question. He got ready to write his response... there wasn't any room though. He flipped the page and found the end of the notepad... what to do now? He started flipping through the whole pad, but didn't find a space big enough for him to reply at. Wendy watched him frantically flip through the book and knew what happened. She dumped the rest of her bread crumbs on the ground and folded up the paper bag, handing it to him with a smile.

Sorry, there was no more space for me to write with and I was afraid I couldn't reply to you.

Don't worry, it's actually time I go now. Thanks for spending the morning with me though Mest. I had a nice time talking with you.

"You're leaving?" He asked her, not being able to write it down since she took the pen back.

Wendy smiled at him and bowed lightly, waving a goodbye as she started heading off. Mest stayed behind, pigeons surrounding him as they waited for more food. It was a connection... it was, right? A small one. She said she had a nice time talking to him... he certainly had a nice time too. So was he going to do this? Was he going to take this seriously?

He hoped so yeah; she seemed exactly like the type of girl he'd want to date... except she doesn't talk.

"Hi Wendy," Mest signed horribly at her.

Wendy's eyes widened though and she started clapping, signing right back to him. He had bought a fresh new notepad that very same day, two in fact, so they would never run out of room to talk again and so that just in case he couldn't keep up he could bring it out... he brought it out right at this moment and started writing it down.

Sorry, I've only been studying for a week and I've only learned how to sign your name.

That was very good though! I'm impressed! You messed up and spelled Mendy on accident, but I totally got what you were trying to say.

Mest blushed and hung his head down, embarrassed. Wendy giggled and patted his back.

I'm still learning, I'll get better.

I'm sure you will; I could even help if you want? In return you can help feed the pigeons? Or keep me company? Birds can't talk and write, so I'm pretty much talking to myself here.

Mest chuckled lightly.

Sure, I always come here anyway. It's nice talking to you.

So? What made you want to learn sign?

Mest froze. He couldn't very well say because of you... right? Well he could say it, but how would she take that? A compliment? Insulted maybe thinking he's only learning to ask her out?

I've always wanted to learn it, so I finally decided what the heck and gave it a shot? Who knows? It's a skill that might come in handy in the future.

Wendy didn't write a reply, but looked over at him and smiled nodding her head. Mest's heart started beating out of his chest and for a minute he was glad she was deaf so she couldn't hear it racing. Their small little chat lasted an hour and a half this time, at the end Mest getting her number so she could help tutor him. It was for the wrong reason, but hey at least he got it. She started signing words at him and Mest blinked, tilting his head.

I signed, bye Mest.

Oh! Bye then too Wendy! I'll definitely learn that for the next time we meet!

She smiled and went on her way, Mest staying behind again. He got her number, her got her digits! He wasn't so clueless like his friends had told him! Now only if he had the courage to use it!

Despite having her number, he never did use it. Instead he just met up with her every Sunday and had their lessons there while feeding the pigeons. After their fourth meeting he was really getting good, learning his whole alphabet and getting a fourth of what she tried to sign to him correct. She always laughed when he tried, it sounding like bells chiming or angels singing. They were having a real good time together, or at least, that's what Mest thought.

What did she think though? He wanted to know. Were they just friends? Or did she think of them as more? Know he was flirting with her? Wanted to be more? It was all very confusing to say in the least, this little dance they had going on, but at the most they were friends... and that wasn't all that bad. Gradually she got more comfortable around him and he got more used to talking to her.

One day his sign language teacher, which he did start taking a class because the internet could only go so far, praised him for his progress. That all went straight to Mest's head as he waited for her at their bench that next Sunday. He planned on asking her out, knew all the ways to do it with his hands. They've been friends for a little over two months now, meeting a total of nine times. That was certainly a good thing... right?

She came a little late, dressed beautifully in a green dress with blue and yellow patterns really complimenting her shape. She was holding this huge loaf of bread and was running over with sparkling eyes, already signing things over to him as soon as she spotted him.

Mest made out, roommate bought wrong bread, have whole bread for birds, look how big it is. He started laughing and she started waving it around in the air when she got to him, showing it to him up close.

"Yeah, if we try to feed them that all together they're going to choke," he signed to her.

Wendy started laughing as she sat down next to him, breaking off a huge chunk and handing it to him. Mest started scattering it out on the walkway, the birds flying down and flocking to them.

"Wendy," Mest said looking at her.

Her eyes were shining as she threw large chunks for bread into the air, really happy about the size and quality of the thing. Mest gulped and placed a hand on her shoulder, catching her attention.

"Wendy," he said again signing to her.

He signed the rest of the words very carefully so she couldn't mistake it or anything like that.

Would you like to go out on a date with me?

Her lips slowly moved as she read the words, when she was done her eyes widened up as her face flustered. She moved the bread between them, hiding behind the big loaf. Her hand reached up and she started signing back to him.

Was the whole reason you started talking to me and learning sign language was to ask me out?

He was... he was... not expecting to answer that on the first date, nor his first asking her out. He didn't know how to sign the words he wanted to explain to her in a rush to make sure she didn't get the bad idea and struggled to pull out his pen and notepad. He started scribbling word after word in there, crossing out some that sounded stupid, and rereading it twice before he shoved it in her face.

I've seen you around the park always feeding the birds and always wanted to try talking to you! Not stalkerish seen you, just seen you though! When I finally did and learned that you can't hear I still wanted to talk to you badly, so I started learning and trying. Yes I did start to learn because I do like you and would like to go out, but I really did want to talk to you and I'm totally cool with you saying no because it's weird! I'm weird! I'm sorry, please don't be mad or offended. I just really, really wanted to say hi and compliment you by saying how pretty you are and ask you out for a cup of coffee or strawberry lemonade that I discovered is your favorite drink!

She took a while to read it, once she wad done though she just stared at him. She did a weird symbol with her hands, her thumb and finger making a circle together while her other three fingers were stretched out wide in the air. Mest didn't know what that symbol meant, but he had a bad feeling it was a rejection and hung his head.

He heard soft giggles though and a hand lifting his chin up. She did the same exact symbol again, except this time she started mouthing the words. Mest made out an "O" but had problems with the-

"O... K... o...k... ok, okay? That's, that's the okay! That's an okay! Really?!" He smiled standing up.

Any man who learns sign language just to tell me how pretty I am can definitely take me out to buy a strawberry lemonade. Especially when they share my love of feeding birds.

"That's great!" Mest sighed, "want to go now? Or later? Or tomorrow? Or? Or?"

Now is fine.

Mest grinned and signed his thanks.

So after we're done feeding the birds? Lemonade? My treat?

Wendy nodded her head and grinned.

It's a date.

Mest's never felt so happy before and started throwing the bread high in the air, spinning around a bit with the goofiest smile Wendy's ever seen. She started laughing again as she stood up and joined him, spinning around lightly as she threw crumbs up into the air.

Mest.

Mest blinked and nodded at her.

Honestly, what took you so long to ask? I'm mean your sign language was not that bad a while ago, why didn't you ask me sooner?

Mest gulped and scratched the back of his neck.

I guess I was a little afraid of rejection? Wait- did you know about my little crush?!

Wendy blinked and started giggling.

Let's just say I noticed you as well a couple of times sitting here in the park.

How come you never came up to me? Or asked me out?!

Same as you, embarrassing, besides? Who would want to go out with a deaf girl? It's kind of freaky if you think about it.

Right when she signed it Mest shook his head and grabbed her hand, holding it tightly in his as he signed back to her.

I would. It's not freaky or creepy at all. If you would have walked over and tried signing or writing to me, I would have considered myself the luckiest man on the planet.

Her blush got worse and she turned away, peeking at him out of the corner of her eye.

It may have taken a while, but at least we're finally on the same page now.

"Hahaha, yeah, same page," he said signing it to her.

There was no more signing as Wendy reached her hand out, wanting to hold his hand. Mest reached his out as well and grabbed hers, the two squeezing tightly before they started walking through the park.

Question, technically I did make the first move by giving you my number first. How come you never called?

Mest started scratching the back of his head.

Believe it or not for some reason I thought you wouldn't be able to understand unless I signed or spelled it out for you on paper.

Wendy started laughing hard as she signed back to him.

Mest you sure are -

"D... O...P...E... Dope? I am not a dope!"

Wendy continued laughing and Mest couldn't help but smile because of her. It might have taken a little way, but he was certainly glad that the two of them were finally one the same page. It was all worth the wait being her friend first, learning the troubles of being able to talk to her, because Wendy...

You were really worth the wait.