Smile

Chapter 8

Alexia

For the past couple of days Bella and I have hung out with Sofia while Max has hung out with Alexander and his friends. Surprisingly whenever someone tried to talk to me I’ve always been able to avoid talking to them. 

Now it’s Friday and with the help of Mrs. Lee I was able to continue drawing during art. While I was drawing someone pulled off one side of my headphones. At first I tried to ignore it and put them back on but they wouldn’t let me. I was getting frustrated with the person that I smack their hand away. 

“Hey! What was that for?” 

I knew that voice quite well now. It was none other than Alexander himself. I just ignored him and put my headphones back on and continued on with my drawing. I could feel his stare on me as if he were trying to read me or figure me out but I just continued to ignore him. 

“Mr. Rodriguez, leave poor Miss Parker alone and get back to work.” I heard Mrs. Lee say.

I could feel Alexander looking between me and Mrs. Lee until I heard a grunt soon come from Alexander. I couldn’t feel his gaze on me anymore which meant he probably did get back to his work.

As class came to an end I felt a tap on my shoulder. I took off my headphones and waited for whoever tapped me to start speaking.

“Thank you Alexander. So class starting on Monday we will begin on a project. Everyone will have a partner and the both of you will have to do an artwork that reflects something meaningful in both of your lives. And before you pick your partners I already did it.” Mrs. Lee said.

I heard groans and whines all throughout the classroom but all I could think about was who was going to be my partner and if they were going to be friendly.

“So partners will be…” I stopped paying attention and went back to drawing.

After a while I felt someone move next to me and soon I heard “Hi partner my name is Hazel. Do you have anything in mind for the project?” I kept my focus on my paper already dreading this project but thought might as well make the best of it. 

I reached for a blank piece of paper next to me and wrote Hi my name is Alexia but I go by Alex and to be honest I’m not sure what to do. Do you have anything planned?

I could feel her gaze on me the whole time until she whispered “Are you blind? Do you not speak because you can’t or because you don’t want to?”

I felt my face go pale as white as a ghost. Soon I felt her hand touch mine.

“That must be cool like if you are mute you don’t have to talk to people at all and if you are blind you don’t have to look at those slutty girls but like I mean it must suck because you can’t see hot looking guys or their abs that are drool worthy.”  

I couldn’t help but chuckle at what she said. I felt like she could be someone I would end up trusting. I’m both blind and mute. I wrote down.

“Ohhhhh. Well you my lucky human have just gotten yourself a new friend and if you are wondering what I must look like. I have brown hair with blue highlights and blue eyes and tanish skin.” 

I started to smile as she reminded me of my friend Luca back in Washington. He always found the best in everything no matter the situation. As well as their appearance. Last time we hung out back in Washington Luca had just gotten blue highlights in his hair and had fallen off his skateboard when trying to do a trick.

“So we will meet everyday after school to work on the project at this cute bakery cafe. I will be taking you there after school so no need to worry about who will be taking you there and if you’d like I’ll take you back to your house as well.

As I was nodding, liking the idea I wrote down I just have to inform my family. Then faced it towards her direction. “Okay.”

With that the bell rang. “Hey I’ll help you getting to who I’m assuming is your brother and sister outside in the parking lot.”

I nod as I grab my backpack from the ground and stand up. She links her arm with mine and starts heading towards the door. 

Once outside Max comes up to us and gives me a hug. 

“Hey lil sis. How was art?” Asked Max.

I gave him a smile and a thumbs up. I let go of the hug and motioned for Hazel to come closer. 

“Hi. I’m Hazel.”

“Hey. Max” I could feel Max smiling towards Hazel.

Once I felt his gaze on me again I signed she is my new best friend. 

“Congrats lil sis you made a new friend that isn’t a boy” he said while laughing.

I could feel Hazel starting between me and my brother confused as I chuckled. Once Max calmed down he explained why he said that.

“You see Alex here has never had a girl best friend or friend for that matter, that's a girl other than her new friend Sofia and our two cousins, who are girls. All her other friends have all been guys either younger or older.”

“Ohhhhh. Make sense now.”

☀️☀️☀️

At dinner everyone is sitting enjoying my aunts lasagna. All throughout dinner everyone mentioned how their day went while I just listened.

“Guess who made a new friend?” I heard Max say with a smile looking towards me.

Everyone soon turned towards me and I couldn’t help but give a small smile at the mention of my new friend.

“Is it true honey?” My aunt asked.

I nodded. I heard my aunt and Bella squeal.

“Omg!! What’s her name? What does she look like?”

I signed She told me she has blue highlights in her brown hair, blue eyes, and tanish skin.

“You are going to let us know more about her later in your room after dinner Alex.” Bella said.

I nodded.

Soon the lights started to flicker and my uncle Hunter asked, “What’s draining the lights?” I pointed to myself and signed, "It’s me, I’m getting stronger,” and then the lights went out. Couldn’t have been better timing. I thought.

“Don’t worry I’ll go get the candles.” My aunt says.

“I’ll go and help.” Bella said.

We all sat there in silence eating until they came back.

“We got the candles.” Bella said

I heard them place the candles and get the lighter to turn them on. Once they were done lighting the candles on we heard the doorbell ring. I heard Jason and Olivia get out of their seats and run towards the door to see who it was. 

“Don’t open the door until I get there.” Max yelled at them while getting up from his seat.

“Hiii” Both Jason and Olivia said to the people at the door.

“Hi little ones” I heard Alexander say.

“Hi little bugs” I heard Mrs. Campbell say.

“What are you doing here?” Both Olivia and Jason asked them. “And where are Emma and Sofia.” 

“Right here” I heard Sofia say.

“Power went out at our house and thought it might have gone out here too. So we decided to spend the rest of the day here with you guys if that’s alright with your parents. We got games and…” I heard Alexander say.

“Alex! Alex! Alex! Alexander brought games and candy for us.” Both Jason and Olivia came running into the dining room when I was standing up and jumped onto me and tackled me to the floor. 

 We landed on the floor with a big thud. You could hear Jason and Olivia’s laughter all throughout the house and I couldn’t help but smile. When the laughter died down I felt them get off of me.

“Come on Alex. Let's go outside on the swings and eat the candy. We won’t give any to any of them. They will just be for you, Olivia, and me.” Jason said as he helped me get up on my feet and lead me outside.