Hear No Evil

        "Did you hear about the new kid?"

        "New kid?" We hadn't had a new kid at Shelby Middle in my class... Well, ever. The last time we had a new kid was in the fourth grade. That was Shannon, and now we're in the eighth grade.

        "Well, is it a boy or a girl?"

        "Girl."

        "What's her name?!"

        "I don't know! Geez, chill the freak out!"

        "Shan, you're still the new kid in our classes. And you got here four school years ago! How are you not excited about all this?!"

        "Well, I remember how it was being the newest kid and everyone fighting to get me to be in their circle of friends. It sucked."

        "Sigh. Okay then, where is she?"

        "Over there. I still don't understand why you say sigh and gasp instead of just sighing and gasping like the rest of the population."

        "Exactly. Then I would be like the rest of the population. And you know we can't have that."

        "Okay, can we just go?"

        "Sure, sure."

        We walked across the courtyard and saw nearly everyone looking straight at her, taking turns talking to her. We finally got ours. But first I had noticed something peculiar... Each time someone spoke to her, they left shortly after arriving and had strange facial expressions. They all looked puzzled and confused.

        "Hi! My name is Haley, this is Shannon, and that guy over there in the plaid shirt with buttons is Nate. I heard you were going to be in nearly all of my classes and wanted to introduce myself so as to make the first day in classes go a little bit easier for you."

        "Uh, Haley... I don't think-"

        "Shh! I want to hear her reply."

        "But, Ha-"

        "Shh! What, don't you care about what she has to say?!"

        "Haley, I think you should listen to me!"

        "Fine, what?"

        "Look in her hair near her ear..."

        "Hallo, my name is Katelyn... I'm sorry, I had to make out your words by reading your lips first. But I didn't see what... Shannon, is it? I didn't see the last thing she said. But I have to try determining who's worth speaking to by seeing what they say first. And I think you said your name is... Kailey?"

        "Haley. Haley A. Stephens. This is Shannon Jamesly."

        "Oh! Haley! Okay, now I see! That's one of my very favorite names. So is Shannon. And you can call me Kate if you want to be friends."

        "Awesome. Hold on just one second, please. Nate! Nate, can you come over here?" Within seconds he was at my side.

        "Yeah, what's up?"

        "This is Kate. She's new here and this is her first day. And this is Nate Moore. Kate, Nate; Nate, Kate."

        "Hi, Kate. Where are you from?"

        "Just flew in from Detroit. And you're probably all wondering why I talk a little funny and people walked away from me with puzzled expressions, aren't you?"

        "A little bit. It's just that Shannon, Nate, and I didn't want to offend you."

        "Oh, you wouldn't have. Thank you for being so considerate, though. But it's this little monster right here. I absolutely hate this thing."

         We all stood in silence as she removed her hearing aid. Shannon and Nate thought it was just that her hearing was bad. It wasn't until I thought for a moment that I figured out that I had just befriended a deaf person without even knowing she couldn't hear me. I thought she had a mouth condition. It was really a hearing condition.

        "Where is your first class today? Maybe we have it together."

        "Oh, I hope so. I'm going to be so lost otherwise. My old school was smaller and quieter and didn't have to wear this."

        "You went to a deaf school?"

        "Yeah. It was pretty cool. Anyway, my first class is with someone named... Hodgins?"

        "Yay! You're with Haley, Nate, and I!"

        "Maybe this day will be better than I had expected!"

        First class seemed to sprint by at the speed of sound. And in the hall I found out that Kate was also in second class with Shannon and I, but Nate is sadly not in that class with us. Now maybe Mr. Disallia's class will be a bit easier on me.

Reviews

[Rae]

Hahah, thanks.(: I try to include a few different types of people. I have those with mental/medical problems, and those without mental/medical issues... That have been introduced.(:

[etxcp]

You are awesome! I think it was nice of you to include a deaf person!