Crystal Eyes

~(03)~

~*E l l e r y*~

      All through History class, I had my eyes on Rhonda who stood at the front signing every word that Mrs. Tannon spoke. On the rare occasion I drew my eyes away, I'd find that James was gazing at me curiously from his seat in the back corner. 

     His dark brown hair was tousled and cropped short on the sides. His deep blue eyes, like a midnight sky, glimmered with amusement. I dropped my eyes back to Rhonda, afraid if I gazed back I'd lose something important connecting the lesson. 

      Everyone around me was studying Rhonda closely as her hands departed in motions they attempted to read. A smile was on her face, their stares didn't seem to faze Rhonda. I aspired to be that way. Maybe I'd ask Rhonda to guide me, she seemed kind enough. Or James, he seemed sociable. I still couldn't believe that he could do ASL. He was deft at it, too. I suspected that he had been doing it for a few years, maybe longer. 

      My mind settled away when Rhonda waved her hands at me to drag my attention to her. The teacher marked me curiously and repeated what I'd just missed as Rhonda signed it again. I could've dropped dead of boredom. History was my worst subject, had always been. I discovered absolutely no interest in the subject. Ever. 
~~**~~

      My eyes fluttered open and closed as the wind flowed through my eyelashes. My posture drooped and my steps were lazy. I was exhausted beyond words. I couldn't wait to get home and fall asleep in the content space of my room. After explaining every waking detail of my day to my overbearing brother who was assumably waiting for my arrival on the sofa. Counting every second ticking by that I was late.

      I staggered my steps onto the bus. I felt the engine rumbling beneath my feet and saw the student's heads popping above the rows. I lowered my head as always and crumpled myself in to avoid attention. 

      Vibrations shivered my body, I teetered down the aisle as a few more girls boarded and had their seats. The doors slammed closed as I staggered further to the back where some clear seats were. 

      The bus swayed and I was forced into the nearest seat. I bumped into a blonde who'd been watching me keenly as I teetered down the aisle. If looks could kill, I'd be six feet under. She glared at me as if I'd slaughtered her grandma in cold blood. Her green eyes were piercing my soul. The blonde looked right at me and moved her lips slowly. Over pronouncing her words.
'deaf bitch.'

      I parted my mouth and felt a flourish of panic. I didn't even know this girl and she loathed me...The bus rocked back to a pause and I dived into her unexpectedly. A gasp left my mouth as she shoved me brutally out of the seat. I crash-landed in the hallway with a grunt and rolled my body over. 

      My fleeting headache cleared. I peered up to find James barking at the girl and pointing at me. What was he saying? Was he trashing me or defending me? I'd never be able to identify. I sucked in a breath and boosted myself to my feet on the wobbling bus. James' hands closed around my shoulders, he shifted me into his seat and pitched me against the window, his body blocking mine from her.

      Are you okay? I'm so sorry Ellery, he signed hurriedly, his fingers a little shaky and wild. 
I'm fine, just confused. It isn't your fault. I don't even know her. James drove a hand through his short hair and bowed his head. It is my fault. That's Sarah...my former girlfriend. She must've seen us talking at lunch and thought something further. We ended on a strange note.