Only when it's us

Trial and Error

Y/N POV

It's been exactly a week and two days since I started my sign language journey. My laptop had Countless YouTube and Google tabs open, and my back was hunched over. My eyes were constantly glued to the screen trying these endless, different possibilities to speak in sign language. Although a lot of the signals were almost identical, memorizing them made it hard. The only ones I got down so far were Hello, how are you, goodbye and I'm hungry. So clearly, we weren't off to a good start. 

Monday quickly rolled around and I was determined to try to speak to Eren. Mikasa had a new fix of making at-home coffees so she made me one as well, thankfully. We headed to campus and separated ways when I went to go to Mr. Ackerman's class. When I entered Eren still wasn't there yet so I waited. In the meantime, I revised my syllabus so I can remember what today's lesson was even about. I got used to the campus pretty fast and eventually, I even began to blend in with the crowds. 

Eren finally entered the classroom, backpack hanging off one shoulder. He was wearing a black top with grey sweatpants that just barely covered the hem of his boxers. His hair was a bit messier than usual and the bags under his eyes were a little more prominent. Must've woken up on the wrong side of the bed, but he couldn't have looked better. 

A week has passed, and I've noticed little perks in Eren just by the way he moves and acts. He always has chocolate milk with him, he is usually right-handed, but sometimes his hand gets tired and switches to his left, ambidextrous. I also noticed that he has a tattoo of two doves on his right forearm and black bands on his left. 

As he sat down, in one swift motion he dropped his bag between his legs and pulled out his notebook and pen. I had hesitated to tap him and get his attention but I did anyway. He turned his head to me with furrowed brows, not looking too pleased to disturb him.

 "Hi," I sign and he raises an eyebrow before signing back. 

With hesitation, I sign "How are you?" hoping I did it right. His gaze had softened and signed something that I think meant tired. He had opened his notebook and brought out his syllabus preparing for class. Once he was set up he turned back to me and asked how I was. I didn't want to overcomplicate things so I only said that I was good. 

Mr. Ackerman and Petra had entered the class and began preparing for class. 

Before I lose my chance to introduce myself, I sign my introductory statement, "Nice to meet you. I'm Y/N." He nods momentarily before signing his name.

 I wanted this conversation to continue, so I asked, "Are you the only deaf person in this class?"

 But he had furrowed his eyebrows again, his face confused and laced with a little anger. He grabbed his notebook and ripped out a page. I watched him as he wrote messily on the paper, and I read out 'Did you just tell me to fuck myself?'  I quickly slapped my hand over my mouth and vigorously shook my head, no. 

I took my pen and wrote, 'I'm sorry. I'm still learning sign language. I did not mean that... lol.'

He nodded and crumpled up the paper, shoving it into his bag. He faced back to the front and that's when I knew I messed up. We didn't talk for the rest of the class but it's not like Mr. Ackerman would allow us to anyway. The bell rang bringing me out of the pit of thoughts where I had buried myself. I packed away my things and felt a nudge on my shoulder. I looked up to see Eren already ready to leave the class. He waved to me and signed "It's one finger, not two." I nodded and signed an okay before he turned around and left. 

Idiot.

The rest of the day went by in a blur. All these assignments were quick to pile up and I did not know if I could get them all done in time. I had left my final class to meet Mikasa outside and I found her with two guys that I hadn't seen before. One thing I learned from being at this university is that everyone knows each other, and I don't mean in a best friend kind of way. Word spreads fast in these types of places and the next thing you know your name is all over the school.