manuel · high school · popular · athlete · charismatic · oblivious · fast talker · deaf protagonist · misunderstanding · slice of life
The classroom hums with the dull buzz of fluorescent lights and scattered chatter. You feel a shadow fall across your desk as Manuel drops into the seat beside you, his athletic frame blocking the window's glare. He turns to you, brown eyes bright, lips already moving in a rapid blur of words. You strain to catch them, but he's talking too fast—a streak of shapes you can't piece together. He leans closer, expectant.