Chapter 2

  Ch 2

  

Ben got to school pretty early the next day. He got to the homeroom class and met only two students in. A girl and Juel sitting together at the far end of the classroom. The girl was reading a novel while Juel was solving a math problem. He wasn’t even aware of Ben's presence in the classroom. Yeah, He is a nerd.

Ben wasn’t surprised the students haven’t arrived because he was super early. Juel glanced up as Ben sat down making a little noise.

“Hey “Ben greeted as he sat down.

“Hi” Juel replied and immediately continued solving the math problem. The girl raised up her head from the novel she is reading and smiled at Ben waving a little.

Few minutes later, Ben stared at the door tapping his foot on the floor. Another guy entered and went straight to his seat sighing.

He left his seat and went to ben’s and tapped him.

Ben raised his head to see the guy grinning at him.

“Is ...something wrong ?...”Ben asked slowly.

“Nah, Not really.Am nick “He introduced.

“Nice to meet you. Am Ben “

“I know ...” Nick rolled his eyes.

“That weird,” Ben stated laughing and Nick only rolled his eyes again.

“Would you please stop rolling your eyes “Ben laughed and Nick joined in.

“So ...How are you .....”Nick stopped his statement as someone walked into the classroom.

Ben glanced up to see his seatmate.

“Oops!, We will talk later, “Nick said and got up and went back to his seat.

Ben watched as his seatmate took her seat beside him.

“Look who is early today, “He said smiling. She looks at him and looked away immediately not saying a word.

“Your attitude is beginning to get annoying “Ben voiced out his thoughts loudly and groaned.

What her deal exactly! Is she feeling too big or did she just choose to be a rude jerk?

Nick who heard Ben signed.

“Stop talking to her Ben, “He said and Ben turned.

“Why ?”He asked raising his brows.

“She can’t hear you, “Nick said

Ben got up from his seat and went to where Nick is seated.

“What do you mean ?”He asked

  “She is ....kinda deaf” Nick explained and Ben's eyes widened.

That is the reason she is not talking to him. She can’t hear anything he has been saying to her.

She is not rude but her condition made her like that.

He judged her and now he is feeling guilty.

“She ...She is deaf ?!”Ben stuttered completely taken aback.

“Yeah ..”

“I heard her mom took her to a school for her kind but she was really sad and cried every day saying she is normal and wants to go to a normal school ...Tho she doesn’t associate with anybody here, I guess she is happy and she is actually really intelligent and aced all tests and exams but it sad she can’t hear anything,” Nick said and Ben felt pity for her.

She is really pretty. He could bet she is one of the most beautiful girls he has ever met and all he wants is to be friends with her.

“But why didn’t she say anything. She could have at least let me know she can’t hear what am saying when I was trying to talk to her “Ben said thoughtfully.

“She doesn’t talk with anybody ..that I noticed. The girls here are not nice and they do not associate with her. Well, am guessing it's because girls like gathering together and gossiping or whatever, and she won’t be able to contribute anything because yunno ...” He said.

“That doesn’t matter. They should have at least try to be friends with her “Ben said

“I know right “Nick sighed.

“So she is always herself every time..”Ben signed.

He later left Nick and went back to his seat. She was reading a book.

He tapped her and when she looked at him, He smiled sheepishly.

He moved his gaze from her and brought out his jotter

Neatly, He wrote down.

   ~Hi my name is ben. What's your name?

                                                  Please ?~

He passed it to her and when she read it, She looked at him with surprise and smiled within her.

No one has tried to associate with her ever since she came to the school but she did not really care. She just wants to be among people and be happy.

Ben looked at her hopefully as she finished reading it. She opened her mouth to say something but decided against it.

She wrote underneath the jotter.

         “Am Rissa, Why are you asking ?”

She passed the note to him and he smiled.

“Wow!Rissa !”

He muttered to himself and smiled.

He wrote again.

..............”You got a really nice name, I wanna be                your friend, and please can I hear your     voice ...please ?”

She read it and looked at him. Almost immediately, Students started trooping in.

“Hey Ben, You came early today, “A voice said Almost loudly.

Ben sighed as he stared at Rissa who had started reading a book.

He turned to see Kizzy beside his desk smiling at him.

“Oh yeah ...I don’t practice lateness, “he said dryly.

“Wow !, I love that !”Kizzy winked.

“So .......”She started and started an unnecessary conversation with Ben.

Ben just listened to her ramble as he said just a few words in response to what she is saying.

It feels like she is not leaving anytime soon as she continued talking and all he wants is just to talk to Rissa.

Flora is reading a novel at one side of the classroom. It is still early and the homeroom teacher is yet to arrive.

She feels a presence beside her and she just guessed it Kizzy.

“Finally!... What are you even discussing with Ben ?”Flora breath out not raising her gaze from the novel she is reading.

“Am not Kizzy “A voice said and flora raised her head up almost immediately and her eyes widened seeing Nick.

“Ooh hey...I mean hi .......oh sorry I didn’t mean to be rude by saying hey  .....Like hi .., not hey ....Like how are you ....” Flora spitted out nonsense as she stuttered.

Her heart was beating against her chest and she is practically going crazy.

Nick laughed softly .”You are funny “

“You think am funny! “Flora widened her eyes feeling happy.

Nick was gobsmacked as he stared at her.

“Oh well, You are...I wanted to ask u that ......”

Flora immediately zoned out. Of course, he wants to ask about Kizzy, not her. He likes Kizzy not her.

He isn’t sitting with her coz he wants to but he wants to ask about her best friend.

Nick stared at Flora weirdly .”You are not answering me “He said

“Uh !, What did u say ?”

“I asked what the title of the novel you are reading.it kinda caught my attention. Sorry .., but am a fan of novels “He smiled.

“Oh ....” Flora was taken aback.

“Erm...It ...The title is Wuthering Heights by Emily Bronte ...Here, You can have it “She said giving it to him.

He collected it and observed it.

“Must be interesting, Can you lend me when you are done reading it ?”

“Sure ...you can take it now...I will read it later “she said immediately.

“Oh finish reading it. I will collect it when you are done okay “He smiled and stood up to leave.

He turned to look at her.

“Anyways can I have your digits?”He said and flora mentally slapped herself to be sure she is not dreaming.

She was about to say something when the homeroom teacher, Miss Doris entered the classroom.

“Later then, “He said and went to his seat.

Kizzy left Ben and went back to her seat.

“Good morning students ....” Miss Doris said with a frown.

Oh well!Seems she is always in a bad mood...

Immediately Miss Doris was done, She strolled out of the classroom with an angry face. students started leaving the homeroom class.

Rissa stood up to leave too and Ben quickly holds her hand stopping her.

His hand felt warm on hers and she smiled inwardly.

Ben scratched his head not knowing what to do.

Still holding one of her hands, He quickly scribbled on a paper.

..*” Can we have lunch together during break  .....please ?”*

He gave her the paper and she read it and simply nods her head signaling yes.

He felt happy and she slowly removed his hand from hers and left the classroom.

“Woah !, She is associating with you! What a shocker !” Kizzy said behind him.

Ben turned to face her

“Why did you say that ?”He asked.

“Because she is always on her own “Kizzy shrugged

“Or because you never tried to talk to her. She is human like you and deserves to be treated well. She is always on her own you say ..., Then why don’t you walk up to her and talk to her...Why don’t you make friends with her and see her act cheerful.

At first, I thought she was rude but now I know better. She is not rude at all and is only like this because nobody is making any attempt to be her friend. Imagine you were in her shoes, What would you have done when you don’t have any friends. You just come to school and go back.

Same routine every day. Nobody to make you laugh, Nobody to call your friend. Don’t you think Suicide would be the next thing you would think of ?. Just try to be her friend please and if you don’t want to then it's fine ......okay ?”Ben said and walked out of the classroom while Kizzy just stood there completely Gobsmacked.

Flora's eyes stayed widened. They were both taken aback by Ben’s words.

“Oh well!.... I wasn’t expecting that ...” Kizzy managed to utter.