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“Let me think on it. If I do give you different assignments, I’ll talk to the school and see if we can get you an independent study class going on in this period. For today, you two can converse amongst yourselves. But be aware, I may or may not be watching to judge your ASL. To truly know your skill level,”Mrs. Embers signs.
“Thank you so much for thinking about it and for hearing me out!”
I turn back to Kade so he and I can sign to each other.
“Oh, my God. I really like this teacher. She seems like a genuinely nice person. I’ve seen her be super nice to Paisley too. Like the other day when she let her go to the nurse. I feel like none of the other teachers would have let her do that,”Kade signs.
“I know! I like her too! I’m so happy she is going to think about giving us a test so we can be more at our skill level or at least not do boring work,”I sign excitedly.
“I can’t complain. This is a lot easier than all of my other classes. This is my easiest class and I have weightlifting second period. If I had to pick any language class to take, I’m glad I got this one. I don’t struggle with this,” he signs.
“Well, of course you’d pick this one. You already know this one. It’s an easy A,” I sign back.
“No, dumbass. It’s because of my dyslexia. I don’t have to worry about letters and numbers being mixed up. Here, it’s just signs. It’s so much easier for my brain to process. I usually get a headache when I have to focus on words for too long. This is a nice and needed reprieve from all of that during the day,” Kade signs.
Eventually, as our conversation goes on, I see the lights flash, signaling that school is over.
Kade and I pack up our stuff and head to the parking lot to meet with Mateo and Atlas.
CHAPTER17
PAISLEY
Walkinginto first period on Monday with my head down, I immediately sense the guys’ eyes on me. I know I can’t hide from them and I know I won’t be able to hide what happened. They will see it, if they haven’t already.
* * *
Waking up, I stretch as much as possible before it starts to hurt my body. I know I need to get up, but I just want to enjoy the freedom for a little bit longer, since I have no clue when Mother will be home.
Creeping out of bed a few minutes later, I get up and throw on an old, baggy t-shirt with some very worn-in jeans. They have some rips in them, but they aren’t meant to be the stylish kind. Grabbing my backpack so I don’t have to come back to my room, I head to the bathroom and brush my teeth.
Heading downstairs, I see that the lights are on. I thought I had turned those off last night. As I’m walking into the kitchen, I stop dead in my tracks.
Mother is waiting at the peninsula, looking very pissed off.
She looks to her right, and then back at me. I’m afraid to look at what she did, but I know if I don’t, I’ll get punished more than I already am going to be.
Looking over, I pale.
No. No, no, no, no.
I forgot to do the dishes last night. How did I fucking forget that? I never do that.
I’m starting to sweat everywhere, internally freaking out, not knowing what she is going to do.
In a matter of seconds, she has the pan in her hand coming down on my left arm.
Before I’m able to stop myself, I cry out in pain. Pain is radiating from the spot that she hit, and blood is running down my arm onto the kitchen tile.
This is the worst pain I have ever felt. I know she has broken something this time.
“What the fuck did you do last night? I leave you for one night and you think you can just eat what you want? You can just do whatever you like?!” Mother screams.
She starts throwing all the dishes on the floor and screaming like a maniac.
“Worthless!”
“Waste of space!”
