Love Is Deaf, Not Blind

I wanted by the front door, checking out the curtains every couple of minutes, until I finally see the maroon car pull up. I jump up and bonce on the balls of my feet until I see the flashing light indicating someone had just rang the doorbell. I count to 10 quickly in my head before opening the door.

“Hey.” I great Jordan as I unlock the door.
“Hey yourself,” He grins. “So what are we doing?”

I have to think about that, “I…have…an…old…PS2…set…up…in…the…garage. Have…you…ever…played…Boulder’s…Gate?

“Never heard of it.”

“It…is…an…RPG…game…You…fight…things. It…is…a…little…like…Oblivion.” I give up trying to explain it.

“I’ll give it a try.” He gives me one of his amazing smiles.

I grab two cans of Dr Pepper Cherry out of the fridge, “You…drink.”

“My favorite.”

“Me…too.”

I set up the PlayStation and we play for hours with the only breaks to go toilet grab more soda and chips.

Jordan looks away from the game and I hit the pause button before the bugbear and kill him.

’What?’[i/] He frowns at me and I realize all he would have seen is me wag my finger. “Sorry. I...meant…what.”

“All cool. I should properly learn sign if I’m going to be spending a lot of time with you…And I plan to spend a lot of time with you.”

I feel my checks heat up and by the look on Jordan’s face he can see the blush.

“You’re really cute when you blush…not that you not cute when you don’t.” He laughs nervously at the end.

I pinch myself on the arm, good I’m not dreaming. “You pretty cute yourself?”

“Really? I wouldn’t yours the word cute. Godlike maybe.” I read his lips with the slight smile. I wish I could he the sarcastic tone behind the words. Though if you ask me I think he could pass as a demi god like Hercules.

“Yes…cute…you…ha..have…curls.” I laugh.

“Your laugh is so beautiful.” Another moment I wish I could hear.

“So…is…yours.” I laugh at the puzzled look on his gorgeous face. “It…lights…up…colors...in…your…eyes…you…all…see…when…you…laugh.”

He doesn’t say anything for a moment instead he watches me, and he lends in closer to me. Was he really about to kiss me? Only he pulls back and un pauses the game, so much for the flirting.

*** ***

I didn’t want to go to school Monday morning, my hands still hurt, I didn’t want to run into Caleb and I especial need want to see Jay.

When Mom came into wake me I didn’t move or open my eyes. If didn’t open them I couldn’t see the threats she was saying.

I feel her hands leave me and I crack an eye slightly to see her closing the door behind her. I pull the covers over my head and will myself back to sleep, but I’m disturbed by more hands. These are larger than my Mom’s. I open my eyes expecting to see Jace but I meet the wild green eyes of Jordan.
I’m suddenly aware that my hair is a mess and I’m wearing Cookie monster PJs.

“Get dressed. We’ll grab a hot chocolate before school.” He turns and leaves the room, leaving me puzzled.

I decide to get out of bed. I dress in a three quarter sleeve, pale, blue dress. I pull my hair into a loose ponytail after I’d ran the brush through it a few times. A few strands curl down the sides of my face. I grab my school bag and head downstairs.

“What did you say to get her out of bed,” I catch my brother asking Jordan. He just shrugs in response to the question.

I yawn bringing a scrapped hand to my dry lips. I grab an apple and a 16oz bottle of breakfast juice (which I scull half of) from the fridge on my way towards the garage door.

“You…Coming.” I look over my shoulder at them.

“Actually did you want to ride with me?”

I pretend to think about it for a moment before answering, “Sure.” I add a shrug to show I didn’t really care, when actually I was screaming with excitement inside.

Jordan nods his head towards the front door, “I’m parked out front.”

I nod and turn towards Jace. “See…you…at…school.”

‘You too.’ He signs a sad sort of smile on his face.

I walk towards the front door, Jordan intercepts me halfway.

“How was the rest of your weekend?” Jordan asks as we get into his maroon convertible.

“It…was…quite.” I smile.

“Isn’t it always?” He smiles back. I can tell he’s just teasing but if he’d have been my brother I would have whacked him.

“You…know…what…I…mean.”

I watch him as he drives, He’s tapping the steering wheel and nodding his head slightly as if listening to music. But the music is too low for it to make the car vibrate.

When we get to Starbucks he holds open the door for me and I walk in enjoying the sudden smell of freshly brewed coffee. I didn’t like the taste of it, but I loved the smell.

Jordan orders for me again and we take our seats next to a window. I lay my hands palm up on the table while looking at the menu as it stands in the middle of the table.

Jordan carefully picks up my hand and gently runs his fingertips over my grazed palms.

“You cut them pretty bad. Do they still hurt?”

“Only…when…I…try…to…sign.”

Jordan’s face turns sympathetic and he brings my hand to his lips and kiss them softly.

“Feeling better?” I nod, cheeks burning.

I’m glad when the distraction of our drinks, it allows me to gather my thoughts. I bring my mug to my lips while I stare over Jordan’s shoulder not wanting to make eye contact.

“Are you coming camping this weekend?” Jordan asks. They’d changed the week so Caleb could come.

“Mom…said…I…could…since…Jace…was. I…invited…a…friend…too.”

“From school?”

“Not…from…our…school…my…old.”

“Oh cool. Are they deaf like you?”

“He…is…deaf…yes.”

“Oh cool.” Jordan didn’t actually look happy about that.