What's good ya'll! Just a heads up, I'm probably gonna be working on this story a lot harder than "Taste the Rainbow" because this plot is fresher on my mind. I hope that's okay with ya'll. If not...TOUGH! Introduction to an OC in this chapter! Enjoy!

25 year-old Jazmine Dubois slowly wondered through her childhood home, which was now permanently hers, in her PJs (a black, cotton, long sleeve shirt with a button V-neck and navy blue and dark green plaid pajama pants). It still smelled of fresh paint and new carpeting. The U-HAUL crew did an excellent job of setting up her furniture, upstairs and down. All that was left was to unpack all the boxes that were stacked up everywhere in the house. She would get started on that later but now, she just wanted to take it all in.

So many memories filled her head as she walked through her halls. She remembered having her birthday parties here, helping her mother cook dinner, having movie night with her father, playing video games with Riley (believe it or not), having reading sessions with Huey. And also, the countless nights she laid awake in bed listening to her parents fight and argue.

She was upset at first about her parents separating and taking her away from her home and friends, but as time passed she never held it against them. As she got older, she came to understand that marriages end, families break apart, but that doesn't mean you stop loving them. They were perfect parents to her and raised her properly together or not. But neither of them could predict the unfortunate circumstance that was bestowed upon their daughter.

She flicked on the light switch of her old bedroom, which also had stacked up boxes and just a desk and chair on the opposite wall. She was moving into her parent's master bedroom, so this room would be her office space. She went over and opened one of the boxes and pulled out a picture. She smiled genuinely at it as she stroked the frame. But then her eyes welled up with tears.

She sat down in the chair and kept gazing at the picture as tears fell down her cheeks. She had been away for so long. So much has happened. So much has changed. She was happy to be home again, but she still wore the damages deep within her. She wasn't the same girl who once resided here 12 years ago.

DING DONG! DING DONG!

Her thoughts were interrupted by the doorbell. She quickly wiped away her tears and placed the picture standing up on the desk. She ran downstairs and looked through the curtain on the door. She smiled as she saw who it was and unlocked and opened the door.

"HEYYYYYY J! MY LIL' MUTE MUNCHKIN! Bring it in girl!" Trisha exclaimed extending her arms out for a hug. Jazmine jumped with excitement as she hugged her and let her in.

Trisha was also 25 and Jazmine's best friend and her personal interpreter. She was a gorgeous tan, Italian woman with deep, brown eyes, long, brown wavy hair with golden streaks and highlights, and freckles that ran across her cheeks and nose, and natural plump, pink, lips that would put Kylie Jenner's to shame.

She grew up with a deaf father, so she's known sign language since she was a little girl. She earned her Bachelor's and Master's degrees in American Sign Language and Deaf Studies. She has been working with the deaf and dumb for almost 10 years since she was a teenager, but no client she enjoyed working with more than Jazmine. She enjoyed her so much that she agreed to move to Woodcrest with Jazmine to continue working together.

As she stepped inside she looked all around at her friend's home.

"Wowwww, so this is where you grew up?" she asked in awe. Jazmine nodded with a grin. "Girlll if I grew up in a place like this, I would never complain again!"

'It looks so much different than when I was little. Even more so with the new paint and carpeting,' she signed. 'Want me to show you around?' she moved her right finger around her left fingers which were compressed together.

"Hell yeah girl! Lead the way!" Trisha gestured for Jazmine to go ahead of her.

She gave Trisha the full tour from the main hallway, to the living room, to the dining room, the kitchen, the downstairs den, her master bedroom and bathroom and all around the rest of the house. Until, they finally got to Jazmine's old bedroom, where the picture still sat on the desk.

'This is going to be my office room. I'm going to be working from home for the first year or so just to be safe,' Jazmine walked around her room. She saw Trisha walk over to the desk and pick up the picture. She sighed heavily as she softly grinned and looked up at Jazmine.

"He sure did love him some you, didn't he?" Trisha said just above a whisper. She shook her head as she tightened her lips. "I know you must still miss him." Jazmine nodded but waved her hand off at the thought.

'I'm fine. Don't worry about me. I'm just going to leave the past in the past. That's what this move was all about.'

"That's my girl!" Trisha bumped her shoulder. She put the picture down and reached into her purse. "And besides!" she pulled out a Cabernet Sauvignon wine bottle. "I brought the good stuff!"

Jazmine clapped excitedly and they both left the room and headed downstairs.

*this next scene is in complete silence. There's going to be quite several scenes with this dialogue, so just bear with it ya'll!*

The both of them sat on the couch, facing the fireplace in silence. Jazmine had gotten a few old logs from the shed in the backyard and started a comfortable fire for them. They simply sipped their wine and stared into the flames enjoying the peaceful quietness, except for the occasional cracking and popping coming from the blazing firewood. Until Trisha tapped on Jazmine's thigh.

'So,' Trisha touched her thumb with her other 4 fingers, with her palm facing outwards. 'What will be your plans living back here in the city you grew up in?'

'Just to pick up where I left off,' Jazmine made a thinking face. 'While starting all over again at the same time.'

'What's the last memory you have from here?' Trisha signed with one hand while taking a sip out of her wine glass with the other. Jazmine stared off into space for a second before answering.

'Waving goodbye to my best friend, as he watched me drive away for good.' Jazmine kept her right hand over her left hand, facing upward, for a moment as she paused again. 'I've never felt more alone after that day.' She took a huge gulp from her glass but held her finger up, telling her to hold on. 'Until today, I saw him again.' Trisha's eyes widened in excitement.

'Him?' Trisha pointed with her index finger as she inched closer. She knew where this was leading. Jazmine rolled her eyes as she smirked. 'How come I'm just now finding out about this Mr. Best Friend? Details girl DETAILS!' She frantically pointed her right index finger at her left index finger which was pointed upwards. Jazmine silently chuckled as she took another sip of wine and put her glass down on the table.

'There's no details to discuss Trish,' Jazmine followed with an L-O-L. 'Just that… His name is Huey Freeman. He stays there across the street,' she gestured through the blinds of the window behind them.

Trisha immediately sat up and looked through the blinds a little too unsubtle. Jazmine shook her head but continued.

"And he was my bestest friend in the whole world, up until I moved away. We were almost inseparable, despite the fact he was always trying to get away from me.' They both silently laughed. 'But… today when I saw him, I don't know why, but I panicked!' she frantically shook her hands in front of her with her fingers facing each other.

Trisha touched her temple with her right fingertips and pulled it down, extending her pinky and thumb out and curling her other fingers in. 'Why'?

'I didn't recognize him at first. I haven't seen him in over 10 years. But he recognized ME! He called me by my middle name, which is something no one else does.'

'Awwwwww,' Trisha made puppy dog eyes as she touched her chin with her index and middle fingers and curled them down.

'Yeah..but he didn't know that I'm mute now,' Jazmine's tone in her hands changed.

'Oh…' Trisha signed stoutly. 'I can imagine how awkward that must've been….so what happened?'

'He kept asking me questions that I desperately wanted to answer, but I couldn't without writing them down. And he asked why am I not talking to him and then when I started to 'sign', that's when he knew.' Jazmine picked up her wine glass and began sipping again. 'I was so embarrassed, I just ran inside without another word.'

'You mean…another sign?' Trisha laughed out loud. Jazmine rolled her eyes as she poured more wine into her glass, and did the same for Trisha. 'Thanks, girl. But I'm sure it just came as a shock to him. You should try and rekindle that friendship if it meant so much to you both. If you two were as close as you say you were, this shouldn't come in the way of anything!…..is he hot?' Trisha sipped again raising her eyebrows at Jazmine.

Jazmine smiled shyly but shrugged her shoulders. As much as she wanted to scream FUCK YEAH THAT NIGGA FINE!, she wouldn't allow herself to think that way about another man. It was too soon for her.

'I wasn't really focused on his looks,' she half-lied. 'I was just shocked from seeing him, period.' Jazmine sipped her wine trying to avoid eye-contact, because even through sign-language, she couldn't tell a fib to save her life.

Trisha pursed her lips and looked her up and down as if to say "Mmmm-hmmmm," but let it alone nonetheless. 'Well sounds like to me, he still has a fondness for you, dear,' she pointed out.

'Oh, please,' Jazmine gave her a 'whatever' look. 'What fondness could he have for a mute woman? He would get bored with me quicker than when we were kids.'

'You really need to stop downplaying your condition J. It's not self-appealing.' Trisha advised her.

Jazmine gave a solemn look. She was right. She did have a habit of speaking negatively about herself and her disability, but she was learning to deal with it.

'From what you've told me, he was the last one to see you off before you left town, the FIRST person to see you when you returned, recognized YOU first, AND still referred to you by your middle name…that sounds like fondness to me,' Trisha finished off her whole glass.

"Whewww! Shit, I'm just getting drunk over here," she said aloud followed by a small laugh. "You mind if I stay here tonight friend?"

Jazmine nodded and signed 'Of course! You can use the guest bedroom. The blankets and pillows should be in the bags by the bed.'

"Thanks girl," Trisha stood up and stretched and yawned. "I think I'm gonna hit the sack now…I'm bushed. I'll see you in the morning ok?" Trisha bent down and gave her another hug. Jazmine returned the hug and squeezed her tightly.

She was honestly the greatest friend anyone could ever ask for. There were a few times where Trisha would decline payments from Jazmine because the insurance paid her more than enough and she was happy doing this out of the kindness of her heart. But Jazmine wouldn't hear of it. Trisha always went the extra mile, and as a friend, Jazmine wanted to make sure she paid her handsomely for the trouble.

Other professional interpreters probably wouldn't go all out the way Trisha did. That's what made them so close. Trisha was more than keen to interpret for Jazmine even in the most uncomfortable or awkward situations, because it was more than just a career to her. She actually cared about Jazmine and wanted to make sure communication was as effortless and indifferent for her as possible. Thanks to Trisha and her amazing coaching and guidance, Jazmine learned sign language in no time and had no troubles conversing with others.

'I think I'm gonna stay up a little longer. But you go ahead and rest,' Jazmine gestured her to go on ahead.

"Okay, hon'" Trisha walked towards the stairs before placing her right fingertips on her mouth and bringing them down over her left hand.

'Goodnight!' Jazmine signed back to her and watched her as she walked up the stairs.

When she was out sight, Jazmine reached into her purse that was on the coffee table and pulled out her pack of cigarettes and her zippo lighter. She lit the end, inhaled and quickly exhaled the smoke. She wasn't going to make a habit of smoking inside her house, because her parents would probably still rip her a new one, even if it is her house now. But for now she was just basking in her surroundings.

She fiddled with the silver lighter as she opened it and lit it and flipped it closed repeatedly. She traced over the customized rose that stemmed diagonally across the base along with its leaves and thorns. She ran her fingers over the other side too, that had an engraving which read 'In a world full of daisies, YOU are my Rose,' and two initials: M x J with a small heart.

She took another puff from the fag and held it in between her fingers as she turned around and slightly separated the blinds from the window and peered across the street at the Freeman residence. Their porch light was on, as well as a few lights from scattered windows, except Huey's.

She began to feel silly as she thought back on how she left him on the porch like that. She remembered the shocked, but hurt look in his eyes as she spoke with her hands. She couldn't bear the embarrassment she felt at the time. After all these years, she couldn't properly say "Hello" to her best friend. Lord knows what he was probably thinking…

Huey laid in his bed in the dark, with his hands behind his head as he just stared at the ceiling. He's been dwelling over this for the past 3 hours. The image of her signing those three little words, mouthing them, her voice nonexistent, replayed in his head a dozen times.

The way her mouth quivered, the tears running down her cheeks, the fearful look in her eyes. She left him standing there on the porch with that dumbfounded look on his face and he didn't have the nerve to stop her. He couldn't. He honestly didn't know what he would say to her at the time. She has changed so much.

He could only imagine what she must have gone through during her time away. She was always such a meek and fragile girl when they were kids. It didn't take much to scare her or to make her cry, but to make her go permanently silent? Huey tensed up at the thought.

He had always teased her and cruelly told her to 'shut-up' whenever she was crying or telling him something she thought was important, but he didn't. The last thing he remembered her saying to him was how she was thankful to have a great friend like him in her life. He remembered how he rolled his eyes and just continued to read his book. She told him how she admired him for how intelligent he was and that even though he didn't want to admit it, he had a very good heart.

Those words rung in his ears like he could hear them in real life. That was the day before she left. She was telling him something meaningful and heartfelt, and he didn't pay her any mind. Now, he would never hear her voice again.

Her voice…her sweet, beautiful, angelic voice.

His thoughts were interrupted when he heard the front door open and a group of people coming in. Huey rolled his eyes and sat up, getting off the bed. He was not in the mood to deal with people right now.

"All I'm sayin' is, that bridge felt kinda weak homie. That's just my opinion," Caesar informed Riley with his hand up.

"It did kind of feel repetitive, Reez," Cindy, Caesar's girlfriend, informed him.

"Man fuck both of ya'll! My shit tight! Ya'll don't know nothin' 'bout MUSICALITY!"

"Reez, you used the phrase 'Fuck dat hoe' 27 times in the whole song…" Cindy pointed out. "Which was only two and a half minutes long…"

"I ain't listening to this. Ya'll some fuckin' haters!" Riley threw his hand up and made his way to the kitchen.

Riley was working on his rap career, which wasn't really going anywhere. Caesar was a pretty popular DJ in all of the northeast, from Maine to Ohio. He even made beats that famous musicians sampled from. He was currently helping Riley out in the studio.

Cindy was a professional lab technician during the day, and a competitive basketball player off the clock. All of Maryland knew about Cindy 'Fearsome' McPhearson and wouldn't dare challenge her to a game of one-on-one.

As they followed him to the kitchen, Huey came down the stairs and joined them.

"What's good, Huey?" Caesar walked up to him and they engaged in a clap-and-dap. Huey sat down on one of the high chairs, without answering him. "Yo..you good man?"

Huey nodded, still trying to figure out a way to tell them.

"Aye, Fro-boy, I couldn't help but notice there was a car parked and light coming from Jazzy's old house. Ya'll got new neighbors?" Cindy pointed behind her with her thumb. Okay..so maybe he didn't have to think so hard.

Huey simply nodded again. "Yeah..more like neighbor," Huey stood up and went to the liquor cabinet and got out his good Scotch. He got a glass and put a few ice cubes in before pouring him a decent amount.

"You met him already?" Riley asked. "Is he cool, or what?" Huey remained silent and took a small sip of his drink and swallowed slowly.

"Yo, Huey, you bein' crazy intense right now, homie. What's up?" Caesar said opening his hands. At this point, all of them were intrigued. They waited for him to say something.

"We got an old neighbor for a new neighbor…" Huey stated before taking another sip.

"What the fuck you talkin' bout nigga? Will you quit with the suspenseful cryptic shit?" Riley said in agitation.

"It's Jazmine…" Huey simply stated before taking a huge gulp from his drink. The whole kitchen fell silent. They all either didn't hear him correctly, or they were in shock. Until, Cindy broke the silence.

"MY JAZZY BABY IS BACK!? AND YOU'RE JUST NOW TELLING US!? WHAT THE FUCK WE DOIN JUST SITTING HERE YA'LL LET'S GO SEE HER!" Cindy screamed hopping up and headed out the kitchen.

"Wait, Cindy!" Huey shouted after her. She stopped mid-stride and turned around. "There's something you need to know…something important."

"Well, what?" Cindy asked. Huey exhaled through his nose, preparing himself to tell them.

"She's mute now…." Huey muttered almost painfully before he chugged the rest of his drink. The whole kitchen fell silent again. Cindy covered her mouth with her hand as tears began to flow in her eyes. Caesar deeply sighed as he hung his head. Riley just sat there confused as all get out.

"Sooo…what does that mean?" Riley asked breaking the silence and looking back and forth between them all. Cindy smacked her lips and rolled her eyes.

"It MEANS dumbass…" Cindy gave an exaggerated sigh. "That she can't talk….. at all." Her voice cracked a little as tears fell down her face. Riley blinked a few times in sudden realization.

"So…she can't just…whisper? Like…her voice is…GONE gone?" Riley asked like a kindergartener.

"I don't know." Huey said frustratingly. "I saw her unloading earlier today and when I went up to talk to her, she was only able to talk to me through writing." Huey started to re-fill his drink.

"Can I get one of them Fro' Boy," Cindy asked. Huey internally groaned, because he was particularly stingy when it came to his best Scotch. But this was big news, so he gave her a pass. He got out one more glass and poured her a pretty large amount over ice. "Thanks," Cindy raised her glass up before chugging it whole, followed by a groan and an 'ahem'.

"Anyway, I finally understood why she was writing because she started to sign to me, stating that she couldn't speak. I don't know if it's a physiological thing, or selective. Either way, her voice is nonexistent. That's all I know. She ran inside her house as soon as she told me. I don't think anyone from her old life knows….except us now."

"Wow…"

"Damn…"

"Oh my God…" Caesar, Riley and Cindy all said simultaneously.

"Well, we should have her over for Sunday dinner! I'm sure she would be happy to see us all! It'll be just like old times! It could be like an official 'Welcome Back' dinner. Just cause she can't speak doesn't mean she isn't the same Jazzy we used to know!" Caesar stated optimistically.

I'm not so sure about that, Huey thought.

"That's a great idea! Granddad always talked about how the table seemed so empty without the Dubois'…although it did seem a little more…drama-free. But having Jazmine back would make it feel like the whole family is back together."

"I don't see why not." Huey sipped from his glass again. "I'll go ask her tomorrow." They all nodded in agreement.

"In all honesty…and ya'll can tell me I'm goin' to hell if you want…but I'm just glad I ain't gotta listen to that crying ass annoying ass, squeaky ass voice of hers."

"SHUT THE FUCK UP RILEY!" Cindy screamed.

"The fuck wrong wit you!?" Caesar punched him in the shoulder.

"Shut yo dumb ass up!" Huey simply smacked him upside the head.

Ctfu! Riley and his mindless thoughts lolol! Tune in next time for another Chapter! But ONLY! If I get some reviews! Thanks to Schweetpea1870 and Chel29 for the input! Til' next time! XOXOXO!