Alley's Bad Luck

I feel as though the world is against me. That is the craziest thing to think about on a day like today. It's my 16th birthday and I should be excited today but I feel like something bad is going to happen. (Alley come down for breakfast please) my mother texted me. She was cooking and couldn't come up here so that's why she texted me. I got up and texted back (I will be down in a few got to shower.) (hurry up or you're going to be late for school.) she replied. I grabbed my clothes and went to take a shower. When I got out and got dressed I walked downstairs. Tapping my hand on the counter had my mom turning around. *Good morning, your plate is ready* my mom told me. I grabbed my plate and sat down to eat *where is dad this morning?* She replied with *still asleep he doesn't have to work today.* That's odd my dad works Monday to Friday every week and he has never called in sick at least not that I can remember. Mom sat with me and we both ate in silence but it was a good silence. When we finished I took our plates to the sink, when I turned around my dad was standing there with a big smile on his face. *You look happy this morning* I told him. He didn't say anything just held out a scarf *whats that for* I asked. He showed me that he was gonna use it as a blindfold then said to me *turn around we have a surprise for you.* So I turned around and let him put it on me, usually I never get blindfolded because I'm deaf but we have a system set up for when I do get blindfolded. What happens is my mom will be on one side my dad on the other and when we get to the front steps they will touch the leg that is next and move up or down to let me know when I get to them. So we get outside and down the steps without me falling but then I get pulled to a stop. My dad takes off the blindfold and right there in front of me is a little ford car with a big red bow on top. I turn to look at them and my dad is holding a set of keys, my mom then said *the car is yours but we have one condition.* *the car is mine? when did you get it and how? I thought we didn't have the money to get me a car.* I asked in a hurry. *We got it yesterday but had them deliver it this morning so it would be a surprise and don't worry about the money.* my dad cut in *we have one condition for you to have the car* *what is that?* I asked trying so hard to focus on them and not the car. *We ask that you be careful and you got to take your sister to school and bring her home.* My dad said. *She is in the third grade they let out about an hour before the high school does. How am I going to be able to pick her up?* I looked at both of them as I asked. *We called the school and told them that your mom and I have jobs now so you would be picking her up after your school lets out. They told me that they have an afterschool program where she would stay till you get there.* *So that is all I have to do to keep the car? Then I will take that deal. I can't wait till my friends see it. What is the name of the color?* My dad laughed at how happy I am because it makes me sign very fast. *The color is called candy apple red.* My phone vibrated in my pocket so I pulled it out and saw it was my alarm to tell me it was time to leave for school. I went inside and grabbed my things told my sister lets go. She was ready to go before I had gotten my things. When she saw the car she got the biggest smile on her face then asked *can I sit in the front please?* *No it's not safe for you to ride in the front because you are so small right now. Don't rush to get big because you will wish you could turn back time.* I replied to her. She said okay then got in her seat that my mom put in the car and I helped her buckle up. I got in and off we went to her school. It's different when I am the one driving because it's harder for me to see if anyone is trying to talk to me. We finally pulled up to Abby's school and she looked at me and said *I know that you can't really look at me while your driving right now because you need more practice and that we are short on time but next time can you turn on the music please and I love you and see you later.* *I love you* I told her and I really do. She understands more than she lets on or mom and dad talked to her about it before we left. My phone vibrated in my pocket again while I was driving to my school but I left it alone. When I got to the high school my friends were all standing by Katie's car waiting for my mom to pull up but when I parked beside her car they all stared at me. I got out of the car and locked it then turned ready for all the questions that I knew was coming. I held my hand up before they could say anything and said *I got it this morning and no I didn't know that I was getting it.* They all looked at each other then all at once they all said *happy birthday Alley* What surprised me is that half of them don't know how to sign at all and they said that in asl. *You learn that for me?* I asked them and they said yes. *we have been taking classes to learn.* It was mostly spelled out but it was better than nothing at all, I mean it helps not have to work as hard. I gave them all hugs then walked into the school, the problem with where I live there is no school for the deaf so I have always been in regular schools and it hasn't bothered me much. So as soon as I walk into the school my interpreter is standing there waiting for me. Her name is Miss. Davis but I get to call her Dani because she has been with me for the past 6 years. *Happy birthday Alley. How are you?* *I'm good my parents got me a car.* I tell her as we walk to class, we have become good friends over the years and I'm thankful for it. We walk into the classroom and go straight to the back so we don't distract the other kids. The teacher starts class as usual but the only thing that happened differently than every other day is the "Dean" stops by the class to introduce a new student. This is a very high-class school so the principal is called "Dean" like at a university the only reason Dani even told me what the Dean was saying was because the new student was deaf. I turned to look at the new student, he is kinda cute and he was looking around the room at everyone. All the girls were waving at him and flipping their hair trying to flirt but he just brushed them off but the guys did the guy greeting which was a nod of their head. The Dean said something to Dani and she answered then I felt a tap on my shoulder I turned and Dani said *He doesn't have an interpreter so he is in all of the same classes as you because the school won't pay for another one.* I turned and looked at this new kid and waved him over to us. He was reluctant at first to move but when the Dean nodded to him he finally walked over. *Hi, my name is Alley* I spelled my name first then showed him my sign name. *Hi, I'm Damian.* he replied doing the same then Dani told him that he could call her Dani. She then told us that the teacher is getting back to class after class was over I tried to get to know Damian a little better. *Seeing as we gonna be "stuck" together for a while we should be friends and get to know each other better.* I said and at least I got a laugh out of him. *I guess it would be that bad to have at least 1 friend while I live here.* So we walked and talked on the way to our next class. My phone vibrated in my pocket so I took it out and saw where my mom tried to call me when I was driving then saw that she sent a text (I am so proud that you didn't answer the phone while driving but I thought I would let you know that we have a new neighbor. I hope they aren't like the last ones but let me know when you are on the way to get your sister. I love you and remember to be careful at all times when you drive.) Wow, my mom texts a lot when she needs to talk gossip but it doesn't bother me much. I felt a tap on my arm I look up and its Dani *Who was that?* *My mom letting me know she is proud of me for not answering her phone call while I was driving and telling me we have new neighbors.* I told her. *I'm glad you don't try to talk on the phone and drive at the same time. It's hard enough trying to sign to a person in the car and drive.* Damian looked at me and said *You have a car? You don't look old enough to have a car.* *I just got it this morning and I have my restricted because I'm not old enough to have my full one yet.* I told him it's not like I hide anything anyway. *Is it a red ford 4 door car?* he asked me. *Yea why?* He looked amused *Me and my parents are your new neighbors.* he said matter of factly. *Really?* I couldn't believe that he was my neighbor. We get to class and everything continues as normal other than Damian and I continue to talk and get to know each other. It's finally lunchtime *okay so my friends are going to want to talk to you so be prepared for that some of them know ASL others are starting to learn but the ones who know more will let us know what they said.* He smiled then said *what about Dani?* *Well she is an employee of the school so she eats in the break room for teachers or outside but we can't sit with her because that's not allowed.* *That's better than my old school. he had to stay with me at all times if I went to the bathroom he was right outside the door. He even had to sit at lunch with me because of the "what ifs" that could happen.* *Well here they tell Dani if we are gonna have a fire drill and when it's going to be so she will be ready but she is not allowed to tell us but if it's at lunch she is never too far away.* I told him and he seemed happy about that. We walked into the lunchroom and got in line to get food as we continued to talk. When we got to the register to swipe our cards well my card, he has a number for now. They took my tray from me and was trying to talk to me but I couldn't understand what they were saying. Cadence found me just in time to tell them that I couldn't understand them because I am deaf. The lady told Cadence something then she turned to me and said *she was trying to tell you to step to the side and wait a moment because they have a special meal for you and Damian whoever that is.* I looked at her and told her *This is Damian he is new and also deaf. Also, what do they mean a special meal for both of us?* She shrugged and the three of us stepped to the other side of the lunch lady like we was told to do and a few minutes later a different lady walked out of the back with a cart and handed me and Damian trays that had food that looked so good that you could tell it wasn't school food. *What is this?* I asked and Cadence asked them for me. She looked back at me after the lady told her what was going on. *So they just told me that Damian's parents paid the school to hire a good cook to cook food for him and any other deaf kid in the school. Also, the 2 of you no longer have to pay for your food because it is covered by his parents.* she looks scared. I turned to Damian and asked *did you know about this? I don't understand why we are getting special treatment over everyone else.* He looked just as confused as me as to why we were getting the food then he said *I didn't know they have never done this before. So I have no idea what's going on here but I'm going to figure it out.* We walked to the table and as soon as we sat down he pulled out his phone and video called his parents.