I was at a basketball game, my friend sat in the band section. We were losing, it was the last few seconds of the game. The player on our team with the ball took a last minute desperate shot from the Half court line. We watched in anticipation and- and-
I jumped up and the student section were on their feet screaming. We made it we made over time! Some students hopped off the bleachers onto the court, I was pushed from behind and hopped off the bleachers too before I fell.
I kept jumping up and down, someone fought through the students. The basketball player gripped my elbow and spun me to face him. He took my face in both hands and suddenly his lips touched mine and I heard the 'ooh la la's' and cat calls. He pulled back and ran back to his team as security guards pushed us back to the bleachers.
I sat down with a thump, blinking hard. My friend gave me a look which I returned with wide eyes and a shrug. I turned my gaze back towards the game and watched the player. I'd seen him in the hallways before, but never in one of my classes.
Sweat dripped from his face and he concentrated throughout the rest of the game. We won and I waited for my friend to put her instrument away. When she came out she grabbed my arm.
"What was that all about?" She asked me. I shook my head.
"I don't know! I've only seen him in the hallways." I told her. She looked thoughtful and then her mom called her name to leave. She gave me a squeeze and started to leave.
"You have a ride right?" She asked. I nodded.
"Yeah, my mom said she'll pick me up." I told her. She nodded and waved before leaving. I pulled my cream colored cable knit beanie on my head as I waited in the hallway for my mom. A little while later, I saw the boy walk out.
Pushing myself off the wall I walked up to him.
"Why'd you kiss me?" I exclaimed. He smiled down at me with a confused look on his face. I stared up at him with frustration.
"Um, excuse me? I asked you a question. What do you take me for? I don't just go around kissing random guys!" He furrowed his eyebrows with the same smile on his face. He did something with his hands and mouthed words.
I stepped back. "What?" I asked. He signed again and my eyes widened in realization. "You're deaf?" I whispered. He mouthed 'what?' and I pointed to my ear then shook my head. "No hearing?" I asked. He nodded and I took another step back to lean against the wall. I fixed my beanie.
He walked over and leaned on the wall next to me. I turned my head and talked slowly and over exaggerating my words.
"Why did you kiss me?" I noticed myself whispering then thought about how stupid that was. He started signing and mouthing. I read his lips mouthing as he did.
"For good luck, and because you're beautiful." He had mouthed. I blinked rapidly at him then spoke slowly again.
"But why me? There were other pretty girls." I said. He shook his head and turned to grab my hands. I reluctantly let him.
"Luck for me, but you looked lonely." He mouthed. I scoffed and pulled my hands back.
"What is wrong with you! You kissed me because you pitied me?" I yelled. I turned and walked out the door. He caught my hand and turned me around mouthing 'no' hurriedly. He let go then started signing and mouthing.
"It wasn't meant to be an insult, I think that you are beautiful." He mouthed and took my hand again. I realized how cold it was outside and a gust of wind blew snow into my face. It was snowing! Yes! I thought triumphantly. I looked up at the dark sky with a smile.
I felt a tug on my hand and looked back at the boy. He mouthed and signed.
"I'm Emmett, you have cute dimples." He signed then gently pinched my cheek. My nose was going numb and I lifted a hand to touch my cheek were my dimples were. Emmett let go of the pinch and rested his hand on my face. He smiled slightly then bent down and kissed me again. For someone deaf he had some experience with kissing, his lips were soft compared to my chapped and dry lips.
I pulled away with my hand clasped resting against my collarbone. "Why do you keep doing that?" I asked. He shrugged and his hands on my face didn't move. Remembering that I never told him my name I stepped back awkwardly and stuck out my hand. "I'm Cora," I introduced. He turned his head and mouthed 'what?'. I thought for a second before typing out on my phone. "I'm Cora" I typed then showed him.
He nodded then pulled out his phone. He held it out to me with contacts pulled up. He handed it to me then gently took mine. He started typing. I entered my number and my name then handed it back to him ad he gave my phone back. He smiled and was about to sign and mouth when a car horn beeped and I jumped. I turned to him and smiled apologetically.
"Sorry, I have to go now." I said "I'll see you later?" I asked and pointed at my eyes then at him. He nodded then took my arm and rubbed it before turning and heading to a different car. I headed back to my car and got in. My mom blasted the heat.
"Who was that?" She asked as she pulled out. I fixed my beanie.
"Emmett." I answered.
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The next day I filled in my friend, Hayley, about what happened she squealed at me.
"That is so movie cliché! I wish I had that!" She hyped. I nodded then felt a tap on my elbow. I turned to see Emmett.
"Emmett!" I greeted. He shrugged and signed and mouthed 'whats up?'. I shrugged. "Nothing new," I replied and he nodded. Hayley winked at me.
"See you later, Cora." She nodded at Emmett "Emmett" he nodded and waved. I turned and kept heading to homeroom. My phone buzzed,.
Emmett: how are you?
I smiled and texted back.
Cora: I'm good, you?
Emmett: yes, I'm happy that I get to talk to you without confusion
Cora: me too, I'm at class. I'll see you later?
I looked up at him, he smiled and nodded then we parted ways.
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Turned out we were in gym together, and slowly but in the next month I slowly learned sign language. We became friends and I even let him peek in my sketch book.
Emmett was funny and nice, I found out he liked taking pictures and sports. He also was on the soccer team. About three months later he asked me on a date, I accepted. From then on we were inseperable and things got better from there. Emmett was still a great kisser and I learned enough sign language.
Our first 'i love you' was six months into the relationship. We stayed together throughout college. We got married at 22 years old and five years later we had an adorable four boy named Kai, a two year old boy named Jasper and a baby girl on the way.
We lived long and prosperous, he died first and I was shortly after him.
After all; love is blind, but it can also be deaf.
