I was so surprised, I actually smiled at her. This girl really must be smart if she’d figured out the art of interpretation. It was . . . something. But still not enough to convince me this whole hearing school thing wouldn’t turn out to be a complete and total disaster.

Chapter 3

CHAPTER 3

READY? Kathleen signed, nodding toward the open door.

I was so not ready, but I signed, SURE, anyway and gave a shrug.

My first class at a hearing school was about to begin, and more than anything I wanted to turn tail and run as fast as my legs would carry me.

Kathleen just gave me a smile and squeezed my shoulder. I couldn’t decide if her perkiness was encouraging or annoying but at least it was reliable. Consistency had to count for something when your whole life had been turned upside down.

The bell must have just rung with the way people straightened up in their desks, looking toward the front of the classroom. The teacher, Mrs. Richardson—whom I’d already met last week—was sitting at her desk up front, shuffling stacks of papers around. She looked up with a smile as Kathleen led me over.

I watched her say, “There . . . are, Maya.”

EXCITED FOR CLASS? Kathleen added when Mrs. Richardson spoke too quickly for me to understand what she was saying.

YES, I signed. I wished people would stop asking me that.

SEAT FOR YOU HERE, Kathleen interpreted as Mrs. Richardson got to her feet, pointing to the other side of the classroom up in the front.

The desk Mrs. Richardson was referring to was currently occupied by a girl who had somehow mastered the art of the flawless makeup, messy bun, jeans, and T-shirt look I’d seen on Pinterest lately. I could see her texting on the iPhone not-so-tactfully hidden in her lap and she didn’t look up until Mrs. Richardson tapped a finger on her desk to get her attention.

Mrs. Richardson had her back to me, so I couldn’t lipread to try and figure out what was being said. Whatever it was made the girl scowl.

“I like here . . . spot . . . the best . . .” the girl said, though the gum she was chewing on made it difficult to lipread.

I gave Kathleen a look, giving a pointed glance toward the girl.

Kathleen took a moment to listen in, then began to sign, TEACHER SAY GIRL NEED MOVE, WHY? YOU NEED SEAT NEAR TEACHER. GIRL NOT MOVE, WHY? SHE HERE FIRST.

Wow. Class hadn’t even started yet, and already we were running into issues. That had to be some kind of record.