Sixteen years later…


After moving once again because of the bullies who picked on her son nonstop because of her own affliction, Amy unpacked the last box in their new house. For the past sixteen years, she’d watched her son grow into a teenager who appeared to be as miserable as she was. Unlike her, he’d been born with the magickal ability to hear, so he could hear things in his surroundings and even speak. He tried describing the things he heard to her, and even though he had a way with words that most others didn’t, he still couldn’t fully describe the experience of hearing birds chirp, the wind whistling through the trees, or a loved one tell you that they loved you.

One of the things she hadn’t seen coming on the day of his birth that wintry day in 1990 was him being teased and bullied for having a mother who couldn’t hear or speak. Her son didn’t seem to mind that she couldn’t hear or speak, although she knew it was just as frustrating at times for him as it was for her. It was the rest of the world that couldn’t seem to deal with a deaf-mute.

She sighed as she threw away the last piece of offending cardboard, hoping that this was the last time they would have to move because of her. She knew from the vibrations in the house that her son was upstairs, most likely unpacking his last box as well, even though she couldn’t hear him. That was the one special thing about being deaf: she could still sense the sounds around her because of the vibrations that moved through the air. That was the only way she could sense her son talking, be it to himself, her, even though he knew she was deaf, or someone else. The vibrations of his footsteps on the floors above her head travelled down the studs in the walls and were transferred to the countertop she had her hands on.

It wasn’t long before she could feel the areas being affected by his footsteps change, and she soon sensed him walking up behind her. Before he could even tap her shoulder to get her attention, Amy turned around to face him, saddened at the expression on his face. He didn’t have very many, if any, friends, and because of the bullying, there wasn’t a doubt in her mind that he was scared to start school the next day. Without giving him the chance to sign anything, she wrapped her arms around his tall, lanky form and rubbed his back.

I’m scared, Mama, he signed to her, a tear rolling down his cheek. What if people bully me here, too?

I can’t stop people from bullying you, son, Amy signed back. All I can do is be here for you and try to get you away from dangerous situations, just like I always have.

It’s so hard, though. I get bullied for having a deaf-mute mother, on top of the way I dress, the makeup I wear, and the music I listen to, he told her. It’s not fair that life’s so hard on someone who hasn’t done a thing to deserve it!

Andy, look me in the eyes. What do you see?

Anger, sorrow, and despair.

Do you want to know why you see those things?

He didn’t make a move to sign anything, which would be his silence as he waited for her response, were she able to hear and communicate with him like everyone else.

You see those things in my eyes because those are my true feelings. I’m angry at being a deaf-mute because I never got to hear my mother tell me she loved me. I can’t hear your voice, or you telling me you love me. You see sorrow because I know I miss out on things every day, especially things concerning you. And you see despair because there are times when I’ve wanted to give up because I can’t experience things that others can, and hold on because I know you need me.

Why haven’t you ever told me you felt like this? Andy signed in shock.

Because I didn’t want you worrying about me. You’ve got enough on your plate, what with your schoolwork and trying to keep the bullies away, she answered, a tear sliding down her own cheek. You don’t need to worry about me any more than you already do.

I never knew life was so hard for you. He wrapped his arms around her, her head resting on his shoulder since, even though he was only sixteen, he was already so much taller than her.

They stood there in that silent, comfortable embrace for a good five minutes before they pulled away and wiped each other’s tears. Amy sniffled as she turned to start on dinner, something she was extremely careful with since she couldn’t hear, while her son went to the living room. She could tell by the vibrations in the air that he was watching TV while she cooked, most likely his favorite cartoon, Batman.

She couldn’t help but smile as she thought about the childlike nature her son withheld from the world, as well as the very adult dreams of making it big as part of a band. The thought of her son singing his heart out or playing an instrument in a band made her want to cry again because she knew she’d never hear the beauty of the music he and others made. It was heart-wrenching to know that, as much as she wanted to hear him sing and play, as much as he wanted her to be able to hear it, that would never happen. Yet another tear fell down her cheek as she finished the alfredo she’d planned for that night’s dinner.


The next morning, Andy groaned as his alarm clock blared Mötley Crüe’s Girls, Girls, Girls in his ear. He only picked that song because of the revving motorcycles in the intro before the shredding guitar and pounding bass riffs began. Anyone who could sleep through that when it started playing must be either one very deep sleeper, or like his mother…a deaf-mute.

As he crawled out of bed so he could get ready for the day before going to wake his beloved mother, he couldn’t help but think about what she’d told him the day before. She’d basically told him that, had he not been born when he was, she would’ve given up on life altogether after living in silence for twenty-three years and being unable to communicate with most people because of that. He felt so sorry knowing that he was about the only thing keeping her alive anymore, especially knowing how badly she longed to hear his voice when he said “I love you,” or to hear herself say those three words to him.

He sighed as he pulled on another pair of black skinny jeans and a Misfits T-shirt, his usual attire. This was accompanied by a pair of black combat boots and a couple studded belts, one of which was strategically placed to cover his crotch. He’d either get made fun of by the guys who weren’t as well-endowed as him, or constantly hit on by girls he wasn’t attracted to, simply because he was hung. It wasn’t something he could help, but that didn’t mean he had to show it off.

Once his clothes and boots were on, he headed to the bathroom down the hall from his new room. In there, he grabbed several bracelets and slid them on his wrists to hide the scars and fresh wounds while his straightener heated up. Since it wasn’t quite ready, he decided to go ahead and get his makeup on, which only consisted of heavy black eyeliner, which made his icy-blue eyes pop, and a bit of clear lip gloss to enhance the look of his full, pink lips. It didn’t matter where he went; there was always someone waiting in the shadows or in plain sight, ready to make fun of him for being a guy who wore makeup, so why not show the people at his new school who he was right off the bat? As that thought exited his head, his straightener beeped, letting him know it was ready, and he set about taming his mass of wild, raven-black hair.

When he was done getting ready for the day, Andy headed back to his bedroom to grab his bookbag. Since he had no books as of yet, it was empty except for a couple of notebooks he never went anywhere without, his iPod, and a handful of pens and pencils. He was quite the artist and lyricist, but very few people knew how talented he truly was. Now that he was dressed and had everything he needed, cell phone and license included, he walked down the hall to the master bedroom to wake his mother.

What is it, Andy? she signed sleepily when she rolled over.

I’m gonna be leaving for school soon, and you have to get up, he signed back. Even though she was a deaf-mute, Amy still worked as a graphic designer, communicating with her boss through emails since she always worked from home.

Yeah, I suppose I should since I have work to do today, she signed, grudgingly getting out of bed. Try to have a good day, and don’t let anyone get to you.

I’ll try, Mama, but I get the feeling that’s gonna be easier said than done.

His mother wrapped her arms around him and hugged him tightly, knowing that he went through a lot on a daily basis. He chuckled as he realized just how tall he was since, even at sixteen, her head rested on his shoulder as she hugged him, knowing she could feel the vibrations reverberating through his chest. He returned the hug and kissed her cheek before grabbing an apple, which he tossed in his bookbag, and left the house.

“Please let there be no one who wants to beat my ass just because my favorite color is black,” he muttered, rolling his 2007 Harley-Davidson Heritage Softail backwards out of the garage.

Considering that he was far from “normal”, as the majority of the population defined it, he didn’t mind being a tall, lanky guy with long hair and makeup that rode around on a Harley instead of driving a car. Yeah, it’d taken extra work to get his motorcycle endorsement, but it was well worth it if he could have something that was more fun and didn’t use nearly as much gas. And thankfully his mother had faith in him and his abilities, even if that faith wasn’t extended to other drivers, and allowed him to get both the bike and the endorsement required to ride it.

It wasn’t long before he roared up outside his new high school, already uncaring in regards to some of the questioning looks he got from the few early birds waiting outside. Once he was in the space his parking sticker, which he’d picked up the previous week, had on it, he dropped his feet to regain his balance before kicking out the kickstand. Once the bike was resting on the silver piece of metal, he killed the motor and locked the handlebars before removing his keys.

Andy paid no attention to the people who were staring at him as he crawled off the bike and unstrapped his helmet, which he hung on the bookbag he grabbed from the saddlebag moments later. With his bike as well-protected as it could be in a high school parking lot, he strode off toward what he figured was the courtyard to wait for the first bell. Since it was still only about seven-thirty, he had a while to wait, so hopefully he’d get to pick a quiet spot to write some more lyrics before then without someone trying to start a fight over his appearance. He sighed as he thought about the possibility of that dream becoming a reality was slim to none, but still forged ahead like the strong man his mama’d raised him to be, anyway.

“Hey, you’re the new kid here, right?” someone asked as he sat down on the sidewalk.

Naw, I’m just an alien that teleported from outer space to suck your brains out your ear with a straw, he thought sarcastically. “Yeah, actually I am,” he answered instead, looking up to find a guy about his age with a similar appearance standing over him.

“Name’s Christian, but you can call me CC,” the guy said, extending his hand. “I get the feeling we’re gonna get along pretty well.”

“Whatever gives ya that idea?” Andy asked, trying to curb his sarcastic nature.

“Well, other than the fact that we seem to dress alike, unless it’s just a first-day-here act, you’re one of the only other bikers here at this school,” CC laughed. Boy, did he seem hyper or what?

“Oh?” he asked curiously, somewhat confused.

“Yeah, I couldn’t help but notice the Harley you rode in on,” he told him. “Nice bike, by the way. What is it? An ’07 Heritage Softail?”

“Actually, it is. Good eye.” He chuckled. “Not many people can guess what it is to a tee like that.”

“Hey, I’m a biker myself. I know my bikes.” The other guy laughed along with him. “C’mon, and I’ll take ya to where the rest of the gang hangs out.”

With a shrug, he tried to calm the slight anxiety building up as he followed the guy in silence. He wasn’t too sure he wanted to trust him just yet, even though he was the complete opposite of what he was used to, because it was only his first day here and he didn’t know him. They arrived at a tree behind the school, where he saw three other guys and a couple girls standing. Like the one who’d introduced himself as CC, they all wore black skinny jeans, a band tee of some kind, and either combat, or in one’s case, cowboy boots. Along with that, they all had long, black hair and heavy eyeliner on. And this he could tell from at least twenty yards away, which meant he had a really good eye.

Once they joined the group, everybody standing under the tree engulfed CC in giant bear-hugs and greeted him warmly, completely ignoring the newcomer who hadn’t been introduced yet. Since he was used to being ignored, Andy merely stood on the sidelines, taking in their appearances and actions, wondering if they really were similar to him, or just putting on an act. Besides, he was the quiet, observant type, so one never truly knew what was going on in the head behind those icy eyes.

“Guys, I found the owner of that Heritage Softail we saw ride in,” CC said, suddenly turning to him. “Sorry, I feel like an ass for never asking your name.”

“It’s okay. I’m Andy,” he answered, reaching out his hand. Apparently he startled them, particularly the girl furthest to the left, with how deep his voice was.

“Nice to meet you. I’m Jake,” one who stood at about five-ten with hazel eyes said, accepting his handshake. “To my right you have Jeremy, though he prefers to be called Jinxx, and to my left you have the player, Ashley. You’ve already met CC, and the girls are mine and Jinxx’s girlfriends, Ella and Sammi.”

“Great meeting you guys. It’s certainly a change from the last high school I went to,” Andy said dryly.

“Got picked on for the way you dressed?” Ashley asked curiously.

“That, the makeup I wear, and the music I listen to,” he answered. “Along with something a little more personal.”

“If it’s your sexuality, don’t worry about it. This little group is strictly made up of oddballs and outcasts,” Jinxx told him. “We couldn’t care less. We just care about you as a person since the majority of this school probably won’t.”

“No, it’s not that,” he assured them. “It’s something else.”

“Care to tell us about it?” Ella asked.

He shuffled his feet nervously, not really wanting to tell them about his mother.

Suddenly, the girl Jake’d introduced as Sammi tapped Jinxx’s shoulder and started moving her hands and arms furiously. Andy immediately recognized it as signing and locked his gaze onto her, paying close attention so he could find out what she was saying. Apparently no one in the group knew sign language, although Jinxx seemed to be trying his best to learn for his girlfriend. The rest of the guys and Ella were watching him, wondering why he was just staring at her as if mesmerized.

“Ugh, I hate not knowing sign language,” Jinxx groaned. “It sucks since I can’t really communicate with my mute girlfriend.”

“Did you catch any of what she said?” Ella asked.

“Something about needing to go to the bathroom, but not wanting to go alone. I think,” he answered, unsure.

Without waiting for the rest of them to try guessing, he tapped her shoulder to get her attention since he didn’t know if she was also deaf and began to sign to her. Sammi’s eyes lit up like a Christmas tree when she realized that there was finally someone in their little group who could understand and communicate with her, which was apparently something new for her.

Are you also deaf? he signed.

Unfortunately. I can’t do anything on my own without feeling extremely paranoid since I live in silence, she signed in return. How do you know sign language?

My mother’s also a deaf-mute. I had to learn so I could communicate with her growing up, Andy explained.

Ah. Is that what you weren’t wanting to tell the others a minute ago?

Yeah, it is. And I’m guessing you can read lips pretty well?

That’s the only way I can really tell what Jinxx is saying to me. She finger-spelled Jinxx’s name. He doesn’t know how to sign, although he’s trying to learn, so I have to read his lips if he doesn’t write notes to me.

Give him time. It’s something that takes practice, although I’ll be glad to help. He gave her a reassuring smile. What were you trying to tell him a minute ago?

I have to go to the bathroom, but I don’t wanna go alone so I don’t get attacked by some of the jocks. They beat me senseless last year because of the way I dress and who I’m dating.

“You were right, Jinxx,” he said, moving his gaze to her boyfriend. “She does have to go to the bathroom, and doesn’t wanna go alone.”

“How did you know that?” he asked, shocked.

“Going back to the other thing I got bullied for…my mother’s also a deaf-mute,” Andy explained. “I had to learn how to sign so I could communicate with her growing up.”

“What you mean, your mother’s also a deaf-mute?” Jinxx asked, confused and curious.

Does he know you’re also deaf? he signed to Sammi.

No. I haven’t told him that I can’t hear his voice when he talks to me, she answered. She ducked her face for a moment to regain her composure.

Do you want me to tell him for you? he asked after he used a finger under her chin to raise her face.

It’s embarrassing for others to know you can’t hear. That’s why I haven’t told him. A single tear slipped down her face.

“Sammi, what’s wrong, baby?” Jinxx asked, catching sight of the lone tear.

She merely shook her head, not wanting to tell him.

Your secret’s safe with me. I won’t tell him that you’re also deaf if you don’t want me to, Andy promised, smiling at her.

Well, he does kinda need to know. She looked torn for a moment. It’s been a year since we started dating and I still haven’t told him. I suppose it’s about time I did.

So do you want me to tell him?

Sure, go ahead. At least now I’ve got someone around who can act as a translator sometimes.

“Jinxx, there’s something you need to know,” he said, turning to the young man. Being the shortest out of the group, he really had to look down at him.

“What is it?” he asked. He sounded scared and defensive since he had no clue what his girlfriend was telling the newcomer.

“Don’t worry, she’s not leaving you,” he said with a small smile.

“How’d you know that’s what I was thinking?”

“Because I can read your eyes.” He looked at him for a second. “Yet another one of the things I had to get good at growing up since my mother’s also a deaf-mute.”

“Okay, you keep saying your mother’s also a deaf-mute,” Ashley piped up, moving to Jinxx’s side.

“Yeah. What’s that all about?” Jake asked.

“Sammi here has to sign because not only is she mute, she’s also deaf,” he explained.

Everyone in their little group besides he and the other deaf-mute gasped in shock.

“What?” Jinxx asked, sounding strangled. “You mean she’s never once heard my voice in the year that we’ve been dating? God, I feel like such an ass.”

“Don’t beat yourself up about it, Jinxx.” Andy put a hand on his shoulder. “One thing I’ve known since long before Sammi told me is that it’s embarrassing for others to know that you can’t hear. She can read your lips well enough to figure out most of what you say to her, which is why you haven’t been able to figure out she was deaf before now.”

“And she told you all of this?” he asked suspiciously.

“Yes, she did. She also told me that you’ve been trying to learn how to sign to help the communication between the two of you,” he answered.

“Yeah, I have, but I thought it was merely because, other than writing notes, that was the only way she could communicate since she’s mute,” Jinxx told him. “I had no idea she was deaf, too.”

“Well, since you’re apparently still struggling, I don’t mind helping you learn.” He shot him a reassuring smile. “It takes some practice, but the simple words and phrases are pretty easy to catch on to.”

“You’d seriously be willing to help someone you don’t even know learn how to sign?”

“Of course. I’m not an ass, although I can be quite sarcastic.”

The entire group chuckled at his words, and he saw Sammi’s shoulders shake in silent laughter after he stopped signing, given that he’d been signing to her the entire time he was speaking.

“That’d be a huge help to me,” the other guy told him. “Especially since you can talk as well as sign.”

“It’s no problem, really. And I don’t mind being a bit of a translator for you guys while you’re learning and practicing.”

“Wow, who would’ve thought the shy, Harley-riding new kid was so nice?” a new voice sneered.

Everyone turned around to see a big-breasted, blonde cheerleader standing behind them with a scowl on her face. It was obvious that she was faker than Nicki Minaj’s ass, which was pretty fake, after all the plastic surgery she’d had on it and various other parts of her body, and Andy could tell he’d never get along with her. Judging by the looks on the others’ faces, they weren’t too keen about her, either, although Ashley appeared to be the most upset with her presence.

“What the fuck do you want, Kina?” the tanned young man growled.

“What do you think, Ashy?” she cooed in response. It was obvious that they weren’t quite what they appeared.

“Go away, Kina. I broke up with you last year for a reason,” Ashley snapped.

Okay, that explains a lot, Andy thought.

“Why? I just wanted to come say ‘hi’ to the new kid,” the girl, whose name was apparently Kina, said sweetly…too sweetly.

“No, you didn’t. You were trying to get close to me again, and you also wanna size up your next ‘victim’. I’m not the idiot you claim I appear to be.”

“Well, you are in fact that idiot, Ashley. Just because you never deviate from your man-whore ways doesn’t mean I can’t change.” The bitch stalked off with a huff.

“O…kay, then,” Andy said, feeling somewhat uncomfortable.

“Yeah, when Jake called me a player, he wasn’t kidding,” Ashley told him sheepishly. “I’ve been known to date and sleep around because I just haven’t found that one girl that seriously catches my attention. I see no problem with experimenting to find out what I like.” He shrugged.

“Well, unless you count the numerous STDs out there none of us wanna see you catch,” Jinxx said seriously. “Ella, would you mind walking Sammi to the bathroom? I don’t want her alone now that I know she can’t hear anything.”

“Sure, Jinxx. We’ll be right back,” Ella answered. The pair walked off after Andy signed what’d been said to the young deaf-mute so she’d know what was going on.

“Honestly, Jinxx, when put that way, Ashley does have a point,” Jake agreed.

“Yeah. Not everyone’s into the whole no-sex-before-marriage bullshit,” CC agreed wholeheartedly. “I know I’m not, but I’m not into being a man-whore, either.”

“I honestly wouldn’t know,” Andy admitted, flushing slightly. “I’ve had interests in a few girls, but none serious enough to go that far.”

“So you’re a virgin?” the hyper guy asked.

“Sadly, yes.” He blushed harder.

“Don’t worry about it; so am I.” He wrapped his arm around his waist since he wasn’t tall enough to reach his shoulders in a bro-hug. “I may not’ve slept with anyone yet, but that doesn’t mean I’m not open to experimenting, as Ash put it, to find out what I like once I go that far with a girl.”

The five of them stood there talking and getting to know each other for a while longer, soon being joined by the girls once again. Once Sammi returned, Andy’s hands and arms were pretty busy as he signed everything he possibly could to her while either talking or paying attention to their responses so she’d know what was going on. He’d grown up with that habit once he was old enough to sign to his mother, so anytime she or another deaf person was around, he just started doing it out of habit. But it appeared that she enjoyed being able to keep up with their conversations now, especially since she had a translator of sorts to translate what she said.

Shortly thereafter, the first bell rang to signal that classes would be starting in five minutes. CC and Sammi agreed to show him around the campus after looking at his schedule and realizing that all three of them were in the same classes. Some of the others were in classes with them, but they were the only two constants he had so far. Besides, it would do Sammi some good.

Everybody agreed to meet up under the tree they’d been talking under, then they’d head for their bikes to head over to Andy’s house. They were gonna go over there not only to do their homework, but to allow his mother to help Jinxx learn how to sign so he could give his hands and arms a break. That, and get to know each other better in a more private setting with no time constraints since they could be themselves a little more without having to worry about teasing and bullies messing with them.

Notes