They were scared.
They never had to do partner work, as long as they've been going to school.
Yet here this substitute was, telling everybody to get in pairs. Franklin didn't know anyone, of course they didn't. They couldn't see any of the other classmates. Most all of their classes were easy for them, just listen to the teacher talk. They didn't have to do any of the actual assignments. But this was a substitute and fuckall if he cared that they were blind. He was assigning the partners, to add insult to injury. Meaning some unfortunate kid would be stuck with the entitled blind tranny.
"Leigh, you're going to be working with... Franklin."
"Leigh" gritted his teeth and rolled his eyes, huffing silently. He hated being called Leigh, especially when they mispronounced it. And they always mispronounced it.
"Uh- Sir." The kid sitting beside Dan spoke up, eyebrows furrowed. "Neither of them can do the assignment."
But it was hopeless, the old man had already moved on.
Everyone was already in the pairs they were supposed to be, leaving Dan, and another kid. They were staring straight ahead, sitting low, very low in their chair with their hood pulled up, hiding their face successfully. Dan snorted and walked over, feeling the boy's unwillingness to work spiritually.
He leaned over and tapped Franklin's shoulder, causing them to squeak and jump with fright. Their head whipped around and they stared at- or just past Dan, pale blue eyes flickering with nervousness. "Y-yes-?" They croaked shakily, and Dan signed, pointing to his throat.
I'm mute. He signed, watching for some kind of reaction. Frank's face remained the same fear, and they slowly extended a timid hand, touching Dan's chest and immediately recoiling. "F-fuck I'm sorry I didn't see-" They didn't finish the sentence, letting out a frustrated groan. "What's your name?"
Dan sighed a little and continued watching their hands flit around nervously, trying to sign again.
Dan. What's yours?
Still no reaction from the boy, and Dan turned to look for the student he'd been sitting beside. He ran over and tapped his shoulder, then pointed to Franklin, face lined with confusion.
"They're blind, so good luck." He said with an almost sympathetic sigh before turning back to his work, leaving Dan to stare back at his new partner.
They couldn't see him sign. He couldn't speak to them.
This was going to be hard.
