Gregory knew he was different from anyone since birth. His ears don't work like how they wanted it to be. No sounds could be heard if you were he, like you were in the deep water who was muffling the world's music away from you. His mother tried to get help. Bought him a hearing aid that is more expensive enough than their little apartment. It was supposed to help him but it makes him uncomfortable instead,
The loudness was... New. Unusual and unbearable. If it was not from yelling, it would be the air whispering in your ears that would make him feel that he'd rather not hear the universe ever again. He had gotten used to the quietness and it was his comfort that he didn't know before. Of course, because of his disability, he was bullied by every kid at school. Pulling his hearing aids or screaming right in front of his ears whenever his mom forced him to wear those. Once, they tried to drown him and that was enough for his mother.
They moved far away. Away from everything to "start over", what his mom says. He didn't refused, he wanted to escape too. Wished that everyone to their new home would finally accept him as one of their own.
The both of them stayed at a small town. Start everything from scratch as his mom worked as a waiter at an American style restaurant near their new apartment. Transferred to another school and tried to act tough as to not get bullied again. This time, he did not wear his hearing aids anymore even if his mom argued him to. He'd rather hear the nothingness than hear what will people say to you.
Though, the news of him being deaf did not go unnoticed. Just before he stepped inside the school bus, he saw how many people stared at him with pity or disgust. Some even throw papers at him as he sat in front of the bus but he pretended to not care. He can't let anyone saw him weak. He wouldn't.
But then came another problem.
The school was too big for him. It was not his old school anymore and he doesn't know every layout of the building that much! He tried to read the signs but it's no use of students kept pushing you along with them and then bringing you to another unknown hallway. He doesn't know if this was intentional or not and if it is, it's not really funny at all. He scooted away from the stampede and froze at a corner as he scan the area.
He began to think, where was he? Is this another building? What year are these students? Same as him? He was so lost.
As he zones out in thoughts, a person tapped him on his shoulder which makes him flinch slightly and turned around. He thought it was a boy taller than him. A jock kid who can black him out by a single punch in a face but no.
It was a short woman with a kind face. Dirty blonde hair so long it reached her waist. She was speaking something so fast that Gregory can't even understand it even if he reads her lips so he stood quiet. The girl closed her mouth then speak again fast before Gregory pulled out his notes to write that he's deaf. The girl was shock at first and even tried to apologise but quickly soften after some times and even offered to help him around. Pulling his hand as they walk through the halls.
Not long after, the young girl came to a stop near the English class which makes him wonder why. In front of them was three students—a ginger haired girl, a boy who looks like trouble and...
An angel?
No, impossible. Why would there be an angel on land? They were supposed to be on heaven. Perhaps a guardian angel? But no, it was just an ordinary boy who happens to be blessed with such devine features. The girl he was with spoke to the boy in front. Does she know 'em? They talk and then the golden haired boy made eye contact with him with pity on his eyes. It was so beautiful you could mistake it as a painting of a mourning boy hanging at a museum. What did the girl said to make them look at him in a way he doesn't like. Nevertheless, it was bearable than how the ginger haired stare at him.
She stared like she wanted to commit a murder with those eyes. He doesn't even know her so why is she looking like he disrespected her? What did he do wrong earlier that made her all angry behind them? He tried to ignore her stares, preoccupying his minds with something interesting like how the walls have designs or just stare at the boy again then back to the girl he was with.
They look so comfortable with each other. Surprising for the one man they were with looked like a total gangster. Are they a bad influence to him? Or you shouldn't have judge the book by it's cover? Eventually, after the talk of whatever knows what, the long haired girl pulled the two of them—Gregory and the ginger haired girl with her towards the English class. He didn't made eye contact to the girl. Not at all. Just followed the other one in front as they finally got in the class. Before going in, Gregory turned around one more time.
He saw the two boys having fun and teasing each other as they ran towards their next class as if they had no troubles in their life at all. Oh, how Gregory envied them.
During class, he could tell that some students were looking at him like a freak and then laughing as if they had seen a clown perform in the middle of the class. Gregory pretended not to notice and just quietly writes what was written at the board like a good student. He was not. He hates doing what he was told to. But then again, it's better to be ignorant for once.
He could tell the girl besides him was staring at him for some reason. But he cannot understand why. But he don't want to shoo away those kind eyes that sparkles like the ocean. Seconds later, she turned around and spoke to the boys behind them for god knows what they were talking about. Not long after, she turned back around with a frown on her face. She seems displeased or angry if you ask him. Maybe they said something that makes her mood change? Like commenting about something on her that she didn't like? Whatever it is, Gregory knows that she needs comfort so he patted his hand on her shoulder as if saying that he's here. It was small but helpful.
After the bell rings, Maurie pulled him to one side and mouthed a word slowly enough for him to understand.
Thank you.
And then, she smiled wide before greeting her friends who had just gotten out of their classroom to join them to search for their next ones. The angel looking like boy was to be seen again with his friend who was the total opposite but with another two girls.
****
"Yo! Opal and Ume was also with us in history!" Markl said loud and clear as they marched towards the two, "Where's Connie? I told 'em there was someone new to meet."
"Is this the deaf boy? Gregory, right?" Opal asked as she looked at him. She held out her hand in front of him which he took and then shook their hands together. He was not shocked by it for this girl with curls looked so optimistic and full of energy. Someone who you should be friends with if you want your life to be full of mischief and memories. Meanwhile, the glasses girl just studies him thoroughly before giving a nod.
What does she think? He was an alien or s'mthing? That baffled Gregory. Still, this girl looks kind of you get to know her quickly. Looks smart too. "There she is. Don't be impatient, Markl... She said she wanted to meet all of us, right?" James said as he pointed at a girl who had just gotten out of the room. "Pardon?" Connie frozen in spot as she thought that some mean guy was looking for her only to be them.
"You said you wanted to be a part of our friend group, right? Might as well introduce them as we walk to class! Wait, are you going in the same place as us?" He asked kindly, she shook her head and darts her eyes at the new people around them, "No, it's fine! I wanted to meet them anyway so... Why not now?" "You must be Connie Smith! Markie here says that you're an interesting girl! Stylish!"
Opal compliments freely and makes Connie smile. "Thanks! My parents thinks it ridiculous actually. They said my clothes shows too much skin even though it's just the belly!" "Don't listen to 'em girl, you're rocking! I'm Opal Fritzergarld. Call me anything you like!"
"I'm Ume Smith. Ume for short, I'm the "brain in the friend group" or whatever this guy called me." She explained as she glance at James who was staring into nothingness like he was in deep thought. "Well, hello Ume and Opal...! Wow, you guys are total opposites but still became friends! I've never thought about that!" "Like what they always say, opposites attracts."
"It really does. I'm only friends with people I share same interests with it makes me jealous!" She said, swinging her body slightly as she talk. "Well, people are always welcome here no matter who you are!" Maurie says with glee. She then turned to Gregory who was silent and then pointed at single one of them as she spoke very slowly, "Opal... Ume... James... Mark... Connie..." After that, she pointed to her chest and stared at him in the eyes, "Maurie."
Ma–u–rie. Maurie. That's a soft name like the way she spoke. He nodded as he understands every name and gives an awkward teenie smile for them to see. He hadn't expected to made friends immediately. Especially with his disability. But it felt nice. Overwhelming too after spending the rest of his life being friends with no one but only his mother.