Smile

Chapter 2

Alexia’s POV

“What is she wearing BELLS. I thought I told you to dress her into something sweet and innocent, not this” Max was telling Bella while walking towards me.

You can hear Bella about to laugh when she told Max “Well it’s too late now and you can’t do anything about it.” The younger ones started to laugh when Bella stuck her tongue out at him. Max stormed out the door to the neighbor's house while everyone was laughing at him for his reaction. He’s always been the over protective brother towards me since I’m his only and younger sister. I don’t mind it except when he gets like this even when there is just a bit of my skin showing. You’d be surprised if I told you I’ve never worn any dresses or skirts since I was ten. It’s always been joggers, jeans, and hoodies. It’s always been that way due to the scars I have on my body from the accident. It’s funny how my brother reacted the way he did when only a bit of my legs are being shown and nothing else.

We were walking to the neighbors right behind Max laughing. Once we got to the door we all stopped laughing. Max looked over at Bella and was giving her a death glare as I heard her say “If looks could kill I’d be dead by now.” Then everyone started laughing again. When the door opened everyone became quiet once again. In front of everyone was Mrs. Rodriguez and Mr. Rodriguez. Mrs. Rodriguez had a big smile on her face as she opened the door to welcome them.

“Hi everyone, welcome in” Mrs. Rodriguez told us. Coming down the stairs were their three children. Bella told me there were two girls and one boy and it seemed like one of the girls was the youngest and the boy seemed like the oldest out of the three making the other girl the middle child. As we walked into their home I felt a pair of eyes following me. I held onto Bella and Max’s arm a bit tighter. I could feel Max looking at me with a bit of concern. I decided I’d look at him and give him a small smile. After I smiled at him he seemed to relax a bit but not completely. Bella told me we were in the living room while Mrs. Rodriguez and her daughters Sofia and Emma were taking the food to the dining table. I kept fidgeting with my fingers because I thought what are they going to think of me when they find out I’m blind. Will they look at me with sympathy or with they be like my bully’s and tell me I should just kill myself or would they finally be people who accept me for who I am? Everyone kept making small talk while I was fighting with my fingers. 

Mrs. Rodriguez came back to the living room with her daughters and told us to follow her to the dining table. Max and Bella helped me up and guided me to the dining table. They both sat next to me while my aunt and uncle sat across Mrs. Rodriguez and Mr. Rodriguez who were sitting next to the little ones. Their oldest son who I found out was named Alexander sat across from me with my cousin Logan and his sister Sofia next to him on either side of him. While everyone was passing the food around while I just stayed still until Bella and Max asked me what I wanted whenever they got a different dish of food. 

Once everyone got their food everyone started chatting and eating. I stayed quiet the whole time and ate delicious food. Max and Alexander were talking with Bella and Sofia while I just listened. Sofia and Alexander tried to include me into the conversation at some points but luckily Max and Sofia always answered for me. The whole time during dinner I felt uncomfortable as if someone was watching me the whole time. When dinner was over my aunt and Mrs. Rodriguez were cleaning up the table with Bella and Sofia helping. Max took me away before Mrs. Rodriguez asked me to help because I wouldn’t be able to help even if I wanted to. Alexander told Max if he’d like to go up to his room but I could sense that Alexander was looking between me and Alexander debating whether to go or stay but I looked in his direction and nodded to him and gave his arm a squeeze indicating that I’ll be fine if he left me. It took him a while before he let go of me and started walking with Alexander upstairs but before he left with him he gave me a quick side hug and kissed my forehead. I stayed standing in the same place since I was afraid of bumping into something or breaking something. A couple minutes later Bella came looking for me and took me upstairs with her. We entered a room which smelled like lavender and had a girly feeling to it. Bella helped me sit on what seemed to be a bean bag chair. Soon I heard another door open and out came Sofia from the bathroom.

“Hey girls, so how does it feel to move to a new place.” Sofia asked with a bit of excitement wanting to know. 

“Oh you know, kinda sad but nice as well. It’s a bit sad having to leave your childhood home and town as well as your friends but it’s nice to get a new fresh start.” Bella responded sounding a bit sad but as well as happy.

I just kept nodding not wanting her to know about my past and about the fact that I’ve lived here before. 

“Oh what about for you Alexia, what was it like to move here.” Sofia asked. I knew I wouldn’t get out being asked questions. I started to panic on how I would respond to her if I didn’t speak.

“Oh it’s not Alexia’s first time moving she’s actually lived he-...”  Bella quickly covered her mouth to stop herself from saying anything else. She looked towards me as her face was covered with guilt.

“Oh it’s not? Where did you live before? Have you lived here before? What part of the area did you live in before?” Sofia kept asking question after question. After a while Sofia stopped asking questions and thought for a moment. Then out of nowhere Sofia says “Wait does that mean you guys aren’t sisters?” She kept looking between me and Bella. 

“We are not biologically sisters but we are cousins. Alex and her brothers had lived with us since Alex was 10.” Bella explained to Sofia. “What happened to your parents if you don’t mind me asking.” Sofia asked me in a curious but sympathetic way. My eyes started to water remembering that moment in my life. Bella looked towards me and saw how my eyes were starting to water and she got up from where she was sitting and went to hug me. Sofia looked at us and she suddenly felt guilty for asking. As if I could sense it I poked Bella in the stomach and gestured for her to go talk with Sofia.

“Sofia don't feel bad.” Bella said as she went up to Sofia. “But I shouldn’t have asked her. It was rude of me to ask.” Sofia said. “Hey Hey don’t worry about it. I’m sure Alex is willing to tell you about her past once she gets to know you and once you get to know her.” Bella said. Sofia looked towards me and I nodded my head. I waved my hand to signal to Bella to come where I was and made gestures to her that it was fine to tell Sofia that I was blind and mute. Bella looked at me as if looking for any signs of me wanting to say no before she actually told her. Bella went back to Sofia and sat next to her. 

“Sofia the reason she started to tear up was not because of what you said but because of the things she has lost due to the moment.” Bella paused for a moment to figure out exactly how she was going to tell Sofia about me. “Sofia please don’t treat her any differently from what I’m about to tell you and please don’t tell anyone about it too.” Bella whispered to Sofia and Sofia nodded her head in agreement. “This may not be easy to hear but she wanted me to let you know. Alex is actually blind but mute as well. That’s why during dinner when you and your brother tried starting a conversation with her we’d always jump in and answer for her. And I’m sure you would like to know how it happened but you’ll find out when she is ready for you to know.” Bella said to Sofia. 

Sofia got up from where she was sitting and gave me a hug once Bella stopped talking. It startled me for a moment but soon I hugged her back. It’s been awhile since I've been hugged by someone that wasn’t my family. Through the hug I felt how Sofia wouldn’t treat me differently like other people and she would become an actual friend to me. After we broke the hug Sofia and Bella were having a conversation while I just listened to them.