Bet

"Bet I can go higher than you." They were on a swing set at 8 o'clock at night. Luca sitting idly watching Clara try to make the swing go around the bar. The darker of the two smiled at her girlfriend and shook her head.

I'm not making any bets, she signed as the brunette slowed her swinging to see. I know you and I'm not stupid. Clara stuck her tongue out. The two continued to swing and sit for a few more minutes before Luca signaled for attention. Clara came to a halt on the swing and turned to the other. She didn't mind when the other wouldn't speak and instead signed. They had known each other long enough for Clara to know it was more of a safety blanket than her ignoring her.

When they first met, Clara had thought Luca was deaf. She hadn't heard the other speak before and no one seemed to talk to her. It wasn't until Luca had found her after class and asked her- in a rather trembling voice- if she would like to go on a coffee date. Clara had been too stunned to answer; Luca had thought that was a no and almost ran. She hated her voice. She hated speaking and the stutter she had and the way her words never came out right. She partially blamed her mother for never speaking English at home; partially knew it was because she hated her voice. It was why she learned to sign.

And it was why Clara had found her almost a half hour later in the bathroom. Clara had spent most of her lunch period looking for her and was breathless when she did. "Wait!" She stopped her from walking out of the bathroom. "Yes. Yes, I'd love to go on a date. I just," she had to pause to catch her breath. I didn't know you could speak. She had signed nearly perfect back to Luca. The other was shocked. Clara explained rather rushed that she had a cousin that was hearing impaired and learned to sign when she was younger. It meant everything to Luca to have someone who understood. And the rest was history.

Back on the swing, Luca couldn't help but smile remembering the flustered look Clara had on her face. "I love you." It was barely a whisper but she got it out.

"Damnit I owe your sister $20 now! You couldn't have waited just one more day to say- wait." Clara was always one to make bets, even if it was about who would say 'I love you' first. "You actually said it. Spoke it." Luca shrugged and looked at her feet. The brunette got up from her swing and pressed a tentative kiss to her girlfriend's lips. "Thank you. I love you too."

To most, speaking wasn't a huge deal. But to Clara, whenever Luca did speak it meant the world.