The Love Built On Silent Lies

nor

emed limitless, was now scrutinizing the crumpled cheat sheet, h

ingly gentle, but firm. "Is this you

t speak, not out loud, not yet. My silence, a decade-long habit, was bot

ly, a hint of frustration creeping in. "I need

out the silence that had swallowed my voice whole. He just saw a di

in his temple. "Your silence is n

calling your homeroom teacher, Ms. Jenkins." The words

r, the little mute. Can't even defend herself. Probably too busy practicing how to

usand tiny needles pricking my skin. My face burned. My gaze darted to Bry

. He glared at Astrid, a silent threat that usually se

another scene in their twisted play. Their "game" to make me cr

ed with concern, but also a hint of exasperation. The scen

sk Elinor what happened? Please?" She looked at him, then

to the class, his hands moving in the familiar, fluid motions of sign language. Elino

rything felt different. His hands, once a source of comfort, now felt like a conduit for bet

me. "She... she admits it," he said, his voice low,

en look at me. He just told them. The betrayal

. A cold, hard resolve. I wouldn't let him win the

at made everyone jump. I looked at Bryan, then at Ms. J

fusion on his face. He shook his head, a sile

ld, clear letters: "I cheated. I am sorry." Then I handed it

line. She took my arm, her grip firm, and led me out of th

ed. Her smug smile faltered, replaced by a momentary fla

is shoulders sagged. A tremor ran through his body,

ormal disciplinary record. Ms. Jenkins, I learned later, had fought for me in the princ

y skin, but I felt nothing but a chilling cold. The wor

ve. Their game ends now. I swore it to mys

arted muttering, "Cheater, cheater, pumpkin eater," under her breath, a

hand down, and in sharp, clipped signs, Shut. Up. Then he came to my desk, pushing back my c

s hands signing those familiar words, Are you okay? It was a ritual

'm fine. My hands moved, but m

y quiet. I could feel Bryan's gaze on me, heav

l going to DC for college? It was a test, a final confirmation o

said we would. His response was immedia

ble movement. Then I turned and walk

ines. I filled out a new application, a new university, a new city: Washi

ther. Our paths, once intertwined