Meet Teddy (Teardrop), a nonverbal girl starting high school. Despite her introverted nature, she's going to find herself connected to the centers of drama in the new high school. Between her two childhood friends (one of which has an evil twin), a...
"How long have you been waiting for me here?" Teddy asked in ASL.
"Ever since I texted you," Leah replied.
Teddy's eyes widened and she started signing furiously. "Leah, why didn't you go inside when I texted you back?"
"It isn't that cold out here," Leah protested. "It's only September 4! We just barely got out of summer!"
Teddy frowned, about to counter back, until she heard the sound of a door opening. They both turned to see Eve come out of her and Leah's house. Upon noticing her sister and Teddy were already outside and conversing, the redhead gave a dark chuckle and gave a small wave. Somehow, that simple action felt ominous, but then again, Eve always seemed ominous.
"Hey, sister," Eve greeted as she approached them. "Hey Teddy."
"H-hi, Eve," Leah greeted back in a strained voice, a fake smile plastered onto her face.
Teddy gave a hesitant wave to Eve, narrowing her eyes and trying to figure out what Eve was playing at.
Noticing Teddy's expression, Eve asked, "Why are you looking at me so suspiciously? I just want to get to school, same as you." As she said this, she stepped ahead of the other two girls. She turned back towards them. "Are you coming?"
"Yeah, we'll-we'll be right behind you!" Leah called out, taking a rigid step forward. Teddy slowly walked forward as well.
For once, Leah spent the whole walk to school in almost complete silence, only providing short answers when Eve asked something from up ahead. So far, Eve hadn't brought up Penelope or anything that would make Teddy assume she had less than pure motives for talking during the trip, but this felt unusual. Normally, Leah was the talkative one between the sisters and Eve was the quiet, surly one. Today, it seemed as if the situation had reversed.
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Image Description: Leah and Teddy walk to school together. Both of them are wearing backpacks and Teddy is carrying her tote bag behind her. Leah is staring downward with a slight frown on her face and Teddy is looking at her friend in concern. In the bottom right corner, the top of Eve's head is seen as she leads the way. Leah is wearing a dark green jacket over a light green dress and Teddy is wearing a sky blue jacket over a lighter blue shirt with a V-neck. She is also wearing a blue belt and dark blue pants.
Teddy tried to remember what her parents told her earlier about Eve. Maybe she really did only make a mistake yesterday. But still, Teddy couldn't shake this uneasy feeling that Eve was plotting something.
Eventually, the three girls finally arrived at school. Leah said a quick goodbye before dashing off, saying something about Professor Four not wanting his students to be late. Although that was true, Teddy couldn't help but compare the situation to the captain of a ship jumping on the only lifeboat to leave other people to drown. After all, Teddy was now the one who had to deal with Eve alone.
