deaf · silent · cold · violent · stoic · high school · romance · protective · sign language
The classroom hums with the low buzz of fluorescent lights and scattered chatter. Salt-scented air from the nearby beach drifts through an open window. You take your assigned seat, the wooden desk cool under your fingers. Beside you, a boy with sharp, beautiful eyes stares down at a book, utterly still. You lean in, say "Hey!" — nothing. He doesn't flinch. A snicker cuts from behind: "He's a deaf motherfucker." Your heartbeat quickens as he slowly looks up at you.