Chicago Private School for the Deaf Chapter 2
The dim light from my desk lamp flashed, signaling that someone is at my door. I look at myself in the mirror and fix a piece of hair before turning around to open my bedroom door. My brother Caleb is standing on the other side, with him palm on the button next to my door getting ready to press it again for my signal lights.
"Are you ready to leave yet, we don't want to be late for the first day," he signed hurriedly.
"Would you calm down I'm ready to leave," I sign back and turn around to pick up my new backpack off my desk chair.
"Thank you," he spins on his heel and heads for the staircase downstairs. I follow behind him.
Heading through the kitchen to the garage, I grab an apple and kiss my mother on the cheek before heading out to meet Caleb in his car. My mother's hand waving at me trying to get my attention catches me eye. "Have a nice day sweetheart," she signs and shoos me out of the house.
"So are you ready for your first day of high school," Caleb spoke slowly so I could read his lips while he kept his hands on the wheel of his 2016 silver Aston Martin.
"Just a little nervous you could say," I spoke so I won't distract him. My parents have been taking me to a speech therapist since I was a little girl so I can communicate with the people around me that don't know sign language.
"Well don't be, you and Christina have each other's backs. And if someone needs to step in I am just a text away." Caleb is a junior at the sister school across the street from my private school for the deaf. Christina is the daughter of our parents' family friends, not to mention my best friend since age 5. She lost her hearing when she was 3. Her family got into a car wreck in the middle of the night that permanently damaged her ear drums.
A hand suddenly waved in front of my face. "Hello? Anyone there?" Caleb laughed.
"Yes, yes I was just thinking about stuff."
"Beatrice there is nothing to be worried about, everyone at that school is hard of hearing just like you."
"You know I like to be called Tris," I complain.
"We are here Tris, would you like me to walk you in or are you too old for that," he jokes with me.
"Haha so funny but I think I can survive until I find Christina."
"Love you!"
"Love you too," I sign and close the door.
He drives away right as I turn around to stare at the big building in front of me. Taking a deep breath, I take my first steps into a high school cafeteria and look around for any familiar faces. A tall girl with shoulder length dark hair and tan skin has her back to me, waiting in line to see the list of home room teachers. I walk up behind her and tug on her hair and immediately turn my back to her. I smile as I imagine her wiping around to see who would do such a thing and feel a tug on my own hair. I pretend to not feel it and pick at my nails when she walks in front of me.
"You stealthy thing you," the tanned girl signed with a smirk.
"Oh hey Christina I didn't see you there!" I signed, a fake surprise face painted on.
"Yeah sure," she signed back chuckling.
"Have you seen home rooms yet?" I asked.
"No I was just waiting in line when a rude blonde pulled my hair."
"Well it looks like it is your turn now," I smile and gesture her up to the posted paper on the wall. I peek over her shoulder and find the teacher and room number next to the Ol-Pu last names: Turner D122.
"Who do you have?" I sign to Christina as we walk away.
"Baker C208. You?"
"Turner D122. I have no idea where I'm going," I spun in a circle looking for a sign to direct me. Christina reached out and gripped my arm, stopping me.
"I don't either but I think we can just ask someone," she laughs at my show.
"Good thinking," I laugh back. She looks over my shoulder and spots someone as she grabs my arm and drags me to a teacher who just finished pointing a student toward their classroom.
"May I help you ladies?" she signed to us.
"Yes we need to know how to get to C208 and D122 please?" Christina asked.
"Well C208 is right up those stairs over there and to the left and D122 is right down this hallway and to the right," she pointed to the different directions.
"Thank you so much ma'am," Christina and I both signed with thankful smiles.
"Glad to help," she smiled back.
"Text me your schedule as soon as you get it," Christina demanded before running off to her class.
I watched her until she got to the stairs and waved a goodbye. Turning around I walked down the directed hall and read every class number until I walked upon D122. Walking in, the class was very empty with few people occupying the desks. I chose a seat in the middle of the class and waited for the lights to flash, signaling the beginning of class.
This will be fun, I thought as the teacher walked in, shutting the door behind her.
A/N: Hope everyone likes this chapter! Please leave a review of your thoughts and comments :)