The Mute

02 | two

Melinoë Brewer

My mom was friends with the principal of the school, so she understood my case very well. When I go here, she told me that if I ever need a quiet space to work or just have some time to myself, I'm welcome in her office. The school I'm going to is called Liberty Winters Academy. It's a dorm school, but I'm not staying in a dorm, unlike Isaiah. I couldn't be away from my mom that long or even share a room with someone I barely knew.

"Are you ready?" My mom asked as we stared at the principal's office's doors.

I nodded.

She smiled and planted a soft kiss on my forehead. My mom opened the doors and smiled at Mrs. Williams. There were two people in the room with her—a girl and a boy who looked around the same age as me.

"Hey, Sianna," Mrs. Williams greeted.

"Hi, Ashlyn," My mom smiled.

"Melinoë, how are ya, honey?" Mrs. Williams asked.

"I'm ok. How are you?" I signed.

"I'm great. Thanks for asking. You remember my daughter Selene, right?" Mrs. Williams gestured towards the girl.

I nodded.

Selene was always in my class until I switched to online school. We were friends, but we were young and didn't know how to keep in touch. Since my mom and hers were friends, we saw each other once in a while, but the interaction would always be short.

"And she told me that you might also know Ace," She gestured to the boy.

I nodded.

Ace was also in my class until I switched to online school. Selene, Ace, and I all made a trio. We would do everything together. Ace was always very protective of Selene and me, and I think it's because he saw us as little sisters. But we also saw him as an older brother.

"Great! They're going to give you a tour of the school. Isaiah will also be coming with you while we talk about the courses you're taking and any precautions we'll have to take, okay?" Mrs. Williams smiled.

I smiled back at her, but I was nervous. I haven't seen these people in years. We couldn't go back to being five-year-old best friends in a matter of five minutes. I fiddled with the necklace around my neck. Us kids walked out of the room, and when we got out, I immediately grabbed hold of Isaiah's hand. He smiled down at me and rubbed my hand with his thumb.

"It's nice to see you again, Melinoë," Ace smiled.

"Nice to see you too," I signed.

"We missed you so much. We always asked our moms when you would be coming back to school," Selene chuckled.

"That's sweet," I signed.

"Shall we start the tour?" Isaiah suggested.

"Yes, we shall!" Selene marched away, and Ace chuckled and motioned us to follow after her.

Ace and Selene hadn't changed much; Selene was very social and outgoing, Ace was intimidating and reserved but friendly.

Near the end of the tour, I accidentally tripped over my shoe and fell into Ace's back. I immediately moved away as tears fell down my face. "I'm sorry," I signed over and over again while my hands were shaking.

"It's ok," Ace said. "It was an accident."

"I'm sorry," I signed.

"Do you want some water? The water fountain is right around the corner," Ace asked.

"I don't want to trouble you," I signed.

"It's fine," Ace held his hand out. I just stood there for a second, trying to process what had just transpired. I bumped into him, and he didn't get mad, and now he's trying to take care of me, even though I fell into him. This does not make any sense.

"You're not mad?" I signed.

"Of course not. Let's go get you some water," Ace smiled. He motioned for me to come, realizing that it wasn't likely for me to hold his hand. I looked over at Isaiah, and he tilted his head, telling me to go. I let out a deep breath and followed Ace to the water fountain. Selene said that we would meet back up at Mrs.Williams's office.

"You feeling better?" Ace asked.

I nodded.

"High five?" Ace raised his hand.

I smiled and gave him a high five. Ace looked like he wanted to hug me but resisted because he didn't want to make me cry. I entwined our fingers and felt my cheeks heat up.

I usually don't do this with people, but Ace is......different. I don't know! His skin was warm and comforting. It made me feel like I wanted to sink into a soft couch and sleep. Like when my mom hugs me. I quickly realized what I did, and pulled my hand away. Ace gave me a confused face and entwined our hands again.

"Come, let's go," Ace beamed as he pulled me towards Mrs.Williams's office. When we got there, my mom looked over at Ace and me and realized we were holding hands. Her face was shocked and confused at first, but then she seemed happy. My mom thanked Mrs.Williams, Selene, and Ace for everything. Then we went home.

"Ace and Mel sitting in a tree. K. I. S. S. I. N. G~" Isaiah teased.

"Shut up," I signed.

"First comes love, then comes marriage," Isaiah continued.

"Stop teasing your sister," Dimitri chuckled.

"He's my friend," I signed.

Because I already know my soulmate will reject me.