Mute

Chapter 3

I walk into the school with an entirely different attitude than yesterday. I ignore everyone around me, feeling invincible.

My counselor told me to go to the office to get my schedule, so I head there first. I walk in, and wait even though no one else is there.

A lady comes to the front desk and gives an obvious fake smile. She waits for me to ask what I need, and I start to panic.

I can't talk to her! She says something, but I can't hear her. So I end up standing there and watching her like an idiot. She starts to get agitated in her posture and she says something again.

However, her words are cut short by another person who's walked in. She looks over to the person and I do the same, still feeling stupid for not doing anything.

Hunter. He gives me a sly grin before saying something to the office lady. Her annoyed expression instantly turns into an apologetic one.

She picks out a piece of paper from a certain pile on the counter and hands it to me. I give her a grateful smile and look down at my new schedule.

Suddenly, it's snatched out of my hands. I look over to the thief with a hatred filled glare. Hunter writes something at the bottom just before I steal it back.

Two classes

Crap. Well, that's just great. I walk away without looking at him again and head over to our table to show Megan and Cameron.

The two have already taken their seats and they're talking about something. Once they see me though, they pull out their white boards.

I just show them my schedule, letting it do the talking. The two look at it with furrowed eyebrows that soon raise upwards with excitement. Megan begins to write furiously on her white board, and Cameron soon starts writing afterward.

I can't believe you have actual classes now! We have second and eighth together! Meg writes with sloppy penmanship. I read it with a smile as wide as hers and Cameron shows me her board also.

Second and third! It says. I open my mouth to tell the two something, but my smile instantly fades as I realize I can't. Cameron is too busy writing something else down to notice, but Meg watches me with her teeth pulling at her bottom lip.

I fake a smile, to which she sees through. She starts writing something on her board as Ryan walks by, stealing Cameron away from us. He gives me a charismatic smile as he walks by with Cameron's hand in his.

Megan finishes and pushes the board in my direction. I reluctantly read the message, already knowing what it'll say.

You can talk, Ash. Just write on the board. No one's forcing you not to. I suddenly feel angry and slide the board back over in her direction. I stomp away in no particular direction. She doesn't understand. Nobody does. I can't talk. I don't know why, but I can't talk just yet. Maybe not ever.

I check my schedule with a scowl imprinted on my lips. Guidance counselor first period. Crap. I thought I was done with that.

Walking into the quaint office, there is one more woman in here than usual. Oh! That's my translator!

I walk forward, extending my hand to her. She takes it and shakes my petite hand in hers. She seems like a nice woman if I judged her by her looks. I don't usually do this, but whatever.

She's very short, still taller than me though. Her shoulder length brown hair hangs down and she obviously takes pride in it. She's a plump lady with brown eyes like Cameron, but hers are much darker.

"Lucy." She says, easily signing out the letters. "I hear you don't talk. Is this right?" My silent response answers her question. "Well, we won't make you, but teachers may. Just a warning." I nod my head, as the scenario of a teacher calling out my name when they know I don't talk has run through my mind more than you can count.