I stepped into my new school. I was nervous because not only did I not speak Spanish, but I couldn't even talk. I hadn't heard anything in my entire life.
I went to my locker and opened it, putting everything in it. I looked at my schedule and grabbed the textbook for it. I closed my locker and looked for my next class. People stared at me as I passed. I was used to it. I had a skin condition called vitiligo, which caused white patches to show up on my skin. It wasn't anything fatal. It just caused me to be different.
I found my classroom and handed the teacher explaining my situation. She nodded and pointed at a seat in the front row. I nodded and sat down.
I tapped my fingers gently against the table, waiting for class to start. Kids began to trickle in and they all gave me a glance. I brushed them off and stared at my pencil.
Class began and I went through the day, trying to pay attention as much as I could. I didn't have a translator and I could only read lips so far. I got along just fine though.
Lunch came and I found an abandoned part of the school to eat in. I sat down and unpacked my lunch. I watched the few people pass by.
One kid sat on the other side of the hallway. He was kinda muscular and kinda cute. He brushed his hair aside and looked at me, smiling. He waved at me and I returned the gesture.
I continued eating in peace. After I was done, I got up and walked to my class. I handed a note to my teacher. It was the same note for every teacher. The teacher pointed to a spot in the back that I could sit in.
I sat down and waited for class to started. Everyone soon came in and sat down. Before the teacher started class, an attractive skinny kid walked in. He sauntered in and sat beside me. He looked at me and winked. I rolled my eyes and looked at the board.
When class ended, I stood by the door with the other kids. I tucked a piece of one of the braids behind my ear and I made eye contact with the kid who sat next to me in class. He winked at me again.
I rolled my eyes in return and looked away. I waited patiently for class to end. I felt a hand on my arm and it was the kid. He said something and I sighed that I couldn't hear.
He nodded and stepped back. The class ended and I went to find a spot to eat in the cafeteria. I found an empty table.
A girl with curly hair sat in front of me. She smiled and started talking. I stopped her mid-sentence to tell her I couldn't hear.
"It's okay," she signed. "I know ASL. My name is Josephina. I'm a student here and I thought I'd be your friend. You looked very lonely."
I smiled widely. "I'm Athena. I'm new here if you hadn't noticed."
Josephina smiled. "Funny. I love your braids. They're very beautiful."
"Thanks," I signed. "Your hair is very pretty too."
Josephina smiled. "Thanks, Athena. Did you just move here?"
I nodded. "Today's my first day."
"I hope you have fun," Josephina said. "It's crazy here sometimes."
The kid who sat beside me in my previous class sat at the table next to me. He winked at me and smirked.
I nodded to him. "Who's that?"
Josephina rolled her eyes. "That's Victor Puentes. He's one of the most arrogant kids at this school. Cute though, isn't he?"
I nodded. "He is. He looks like a ladies man though."
"He is," Josephina replied. "Every girl in the school likes him but he isn't that cool. He's just got the looks and not the brains."
I laughed. "Maybe so. Do you think he'll talk to me?"
Josephina nodded. "Of course. He's looking at you now but don't make it obvious you're looking."
I glanced over and saw him staring. He smirked and winked. I flipped him off and looked back at Josephina. She was laughing, covering her mouth.
I laughed too and continued eating. The kid I saw yesterday during lunch came and sat with us. He nodded to us and started talking. Josephina started translating for me. I found out his name was Thomas Valles.
Josephina tapped my arm to get my attention. "He wants to know what your name is."
"Athena Sanders," I signed. "Tell him I could teach him ASL if he wants."
Josephina translated for and then turned to me. "He said that'd be great. We could both do it."
I nodded. "That'd be nice. Can you ask him if he knows anything about Victor Puentes?"
Josephina translated and Thomas replied. He was talking for a few moments.
Josephina turned to me. "He said you shouldn't mess with Victor. He's a player and he'll only break your heart. I have to agree with Thomas. Don't hang around him. He's the wrong kind of guy."
I looked over at Victor. "He's cute though."
"Attractiveness has nothing to do with it," Josephina said. "He hangs around with the wrong crowd. You don't want to do that either."
I shrugged. "I won't. It's not like he can convince me otherwise."
Josephina burst out laughing. It took her a while to calm down and explain what I said to Thomas. He cracked a smile, chuckling to himself. I loved my new friends.