Mute.

xxxi.

Her.

i waved my sister goodbye today at school

and even hugged her

before i left for english class

i looked over my shoulder a few times

in fear that i would see the brown eyed boy

but i didn't

i saw ashton at our table

and sat across from him

already taking out the odyssey from my backpack

when he looked up and noticed me

his pretty green eyes seemed to light up

as he took out a second book from his own backpack

and gave it to me

i slowly took it

and examined the cover

it was a sign language guide book

i carefully flipped through the pages

until he spoke up

"i was practicing all weekend," he said

"i thought it would be an easier way for us to communicate."

some of the directions in this book were familiar

i remembered

when mom and dad tried to teach me

a few years ago

it didn't work out

because dad was too impatient

and easily frustrated

that was usually how arguments started

between them 

i'm not sure if my mom

or even my sister

still remembered 

but i did

only some of it

i flipped through a few more pages

and looked back up at him

"you don't have to if you don't want to," he said

"i just want you to be able to communicate in whatever way is easiest for you."

after flipping a few more pages

and looking back up at him

the way he looked

and the fact that he wants me to communicate easily

i couldn't resist

those pretty green eyes

i slightly lifted a hand from the book

and signed

okay.