I walked down the halls alone. But I wasn’t actually alone. The halls were crowded with kids rushing to their next class. But they paid no attention to me, they hardly knew I was there. I was just another face in this school.
I turned the corner, finally reaching the hallway containing my locker. A1501, A1502, A1503… A1523. Finally, my locker. I spun in the combination and pulled open my locker. To my surprise, a paper floated to the floor from my locker. I bent down, picking it up carefully.
My name was written neatly on the folded sheet of paper. I didn’t recognize the hand writing, though. It wasn’t as neat as a girl’s hand writing, but it wasn’t sloppy by any means. Who would actually write me a note? I wondered.
I sighed, I didn’t have time to open it now. I couldn’t be late to class, Mr. Thompson would probably give me detention until I graduated at the end of the year. I quickly grabbed the books I needed for English and shut my locker, making my way back down the hallway.
I barely made it into the class before the tardy bell went off. Mr. Thompson shot me a small glare for almost being late. I smiled sheepishly and made my way to my designated seat. I didn’t want to get on his bad side any time soon; my brother, Zach, had said his bad side was a scary place that no one should be. But then again, Zach was on everyone’s bad side, that’s just who he was.
When I was finally situated in my seat, I pulled out the printed notes I had for today’s class so I could follow along. A lot of people thought I was a teacher’s pet because I had these, but they couldn’t have been any farther from the truth. Most of the teacher’s hated that they had to type out every note and lecture every day for me. But no one bothered to find out the truth, they just rolled their eyes at me and continued on with their lives.
English class rolled by quickly, but it seemed that forever passed until I saw everyone get up from their seats and leave, signaling that the bell had rung. I gathered my things slowly; my next class was lunch so I didn’t have to rush. As I was getting ready to leave the class, Mr. Thompson waved me down.
He handed me tomorrow’s printed out notes. I watched him as he mouthed words to me slowly, making sure I understood. “You’re working in groups tomorrow.” I nodded, I understood. But I wish I didn’t, working in groups never worked out for me.
When I made it back to my locker, I remembered the note. I had shoved it into my English folder before class began. Since I was headed to lunch, I figured I could read it there without anyone reading over my shoulder. I pulled out the note and tossed my books into my locker.
Shutting my locker, I turned on my heel and headed towards the library. I always had lunch with the librarian Miss Park; she was the only one here that knew how to sign. She was also my only friend in this school; I could go to her for anything.
As I made my way into the library, I saw Miss Park come out of her office. She waved when she saw me and walked over to where I was.
“Hey Margo,” She signed. “How’s everything?” I shrugged in response; everything’s been the same as always.
She motioned to my hands, “What’s that?” I glanced down, looking at the paper in my hands. I almost forgot about the note.
“A note I found in my locker,” I signed as I walked over to the tables. Miss Park took a seat across from me and set her sandwich off to the side. She leaned towards me with a tender smile, telling me to open it. I gave her an apprehensive smile as I unfolded the paper. I read it slowly, trying to find out what it was.
Hey Margo,
Um… this is probably weird. Actually, it is weird. But anyways, I’m writing you this note to tell you that I think you’re amazing the most beautiful girl I’ve ever seen. You take my breath away. You probably won’t even want to talk to me, but I want to get to know you. And not in the creepy way, I promise.
-H
P.S. If you do decide that you want to talk, leave me a note with Miss Park, I know you have lunch with her. She’ll give it to me :)
I looked up at Miss Park, giving her a questioning look. “You knew about this?” I signed. She nodded slightly, smiling widely at me. “Who is it?” I asked.
“I can’t tell you,” She signed, shaking her head at my pouty face. I sighed, grabbing a pen from my bag. I wanted to know who this was and Miss Park wasn’t going to tell me, no matter how many pouty faces I gave her. I thought for a minute, and then it was as if I knew exactly what to write.
To H,
I don’t think this is weird, sweet sure, but not weird. I’m just shocked confused, though. What would you like to know about me? I’m not really the type of person people usually wanted to know. Who are you? :)
-Margo
I reread what I wrote and decided that it was good enough. Folding the paper back up, I handed it to Miss Park, who just took the paper and placed it in a book she had. She gave me a small smile before we both started to eat. I hope this person responds soon.
∞
I walked into my math class, the last class of the day. I couldn’t have been anymore ready for the day to end. I could hardly concentrate in any of my classes, I just kept thinking about the note. Miss Park didn’t budge, so I never figured out who it was. All I knew was that it was a boy in my grade – Miss Park did tell me that- and that his name began with an H. And in my grade, that was about twenty different people. Ugh.
As I took my seat, I noticed that there was another note sitting on the top of my desk. I glanced around me. Everyone was in their seat and no one was looking at me. Was H in my class? I gave the note one last glance before I opened it.
Margo,
Glad to know I didn’t scare you off with me first note. And you shouldn’t be confused, anyone would be lucky to get to know you. I’m lucky that you even wanted to respond to me. And you’ll figure out who I am eventually, but for now… let’s get to know each other better. So let’s play 20 questions…?
I’ll go first.
-
What’s your favorite color?
-H
P.S. Leave your response where you found this :) but you can’t wait for me to get it.
I bit my lip, trying to refrain from smiling. He thought he was lucky to get to know me. Even though I wanted to know who he was, I knew the only way I could was if I followed along with his little notes. I quickly wrote my response:
H,
Even though I find it hard to believe that you feel lucky to be able to communicate with me, I’m actually flattered. No one really wants to get to know me.
And in response to your question…. My favorite color is orange and lime green. What’s your favorite color(s)? (Does that count as the next question? I don’t think it does, so I’m going to ask you a different one)
-
Do you read? If so, what’s your favorite book? :)
-Margo
I folded the paper back up quietly and put it under my book, I’d leave it on my desk before I left. I turned my attention to Mrs. Reece, who was scribbling equations on the board. I pulled out my notebook and scribbled down what she wrote.
Before I knew it, class was over. I packed my things up slowly, I wasn’t in a rush. As I stood from my seat, I made sure the note was safely placed on my desk. I wonder when I’ll get another one. I smiled to myself as I left the class. I couldn’t wait for tomorrow.
∞
The next day at school, I walked with a bounce in my step down the halls. I didn’t feel quite as alone today as I had yesterday, and I actually had a smile on my face. I woke up extremely happy, I couldn’t wait to find out if H wrote me another note. I was so anxious.
Class by class flew by, and before I knew it I was at lunch with Miss Park again. But, there still wasn’t any sign of a note from H – which had brought my mood down slightly.
“You seem happier today,” Miss Park mentioned, giving me a knowing look. I shrugged, biting my lip slightly. I couldn’t help the blush that made its way onto my cheeks. She didn’t comment any further on the matter, but I could tell she knew.
As I was getting ready to leave the library, Miss Park handed me a book – Wuthering Heights - telling me to open it once I got to my next class. I nodded, quickly walking from the library. A few minutes later, I made my way into history class. People were just starting to file into the classroom as I took my seat.
I pulled out Wuthering Heights, opening it to the first page. A paper was folded neatly and tucked in the page. A smile broke out on my face as I pulled the paper from the book. I opened it eagerly.
Margo,
To answer your first question my favorite color is blue, the color of your eyes. (I’m sorry if that sounded really creepy and/or really cheesy) But your eyes are so beautiful, just like you.
And to answer your next question, I do read. My favorite book is Wuthering Heights. In case you haven’t read it yet, I asked Miss Park to give you a copy of the book with the note. This is my book, so you can keep it however long you’d like. What’s your favorite book?
-
What would you like to be when you grow up?
(Leave your response with Mr. Bram, the History teacher)
-H
I smiled, he was so adorable. He noticed my eyes,and he thought they were beautiful. He thought I was beautiful. I felt the blush make its way back onto my cheeks. I pulled a pen from my bag, scribbling down my response before class began.
H,
I actually haven’t read Wuthering Heights yet; I’ve been meaning to read it for a while now. Thank you, I promise I won’t keep your book for that long. I don’t really have a favorite book, but any book that is in the teen romance genre is my favorite.
When I grow up, I’d like to be a photographer, or someone that deals with digital media. How about you? What do you want to be when you grow up?
-
Pen or Pencil?
-Margo
I smiled, folding the paper back up. I placed it on the desk as I looked at the book. I can’t believe he’s letting me borrow his book. I flipped through the pages, the smell of the books’ pages hitting my nose. I loved that smell.
Mr. Bram walked around the classroom as we took our quiz. He would stop once in a while to help someone with a question. When he passed me, he grabbed the note I had left on my desk. Giving me a slight smile and a nod, he returned to his desk and dropped it onto his computer. I smiled to myself; I couldn’t wait for the next note.
∞
The next few weeks were the same: I’d get notes from H and I’d respond to him, leaving the note where he told me to. I’ve learned a lot about him so far. He’s 17, turning 18 in about a month, he lives with his dad and younger sister - his mom passed away a few years ago – he’s on the football team and wants to go pro when he’s older, he prefers pens over pencils, he likes books better than movies, he loves dogs but he likes cats, and so much more. I really liked him.
When I saw my locker, a smile tugged on my lips. Taped on my locker was an orange flower. Attached to the flower was a small paper. I read it with a smile on my lips.
Margo, meet me after school in the library? –H
I nodded, even if he couldn’t see me, and smiled. I couldn’t wait until school was over. I opened my locker, swapping the books I didn’t need out for the ones I did. I placed the flower carefully on the shelf; I didn’t want to damage it.
I willed my day to go by quickly so I could meet H, but that just seemed to make my day drag by slowly. Each class seemed to be hours long and I couldn’t sit still. Miss Park noticed this and teased me about it; she knew I was going to meet him today.
What felt like hours later, I was finally leaving math class after the last bell signaled the end of the day. I rushed to my locker, a permanent smile on my face. I quickly dumped my books in my locker and grabbed the flower, heading towards the library anxiously.
What if he isn’t there? What if he changed his mind? What if he thinks I’m a freak? Does he know I’m deaf? He has to if he wants to meet me, right? What if this was just a joke? These thoughts swirled through my mind as I walked through the library doors.
I looked around the library, not really knowing where I was supposed to meet him. I walked down the aisles lined with books, finding myself in the fiction area. My hands ran over the bindings over books, my eyes scanning for titles that sounded interesting. When I found one that sounded good, I pulled it from the shelf. But what I didn’t expect was the pair of eyes that were on the other side; they were looking at me. I jumped slightly, dropping the book. They squinted slightly, as if the person was smiling. I stepped back, smiling slightly. Was it him?
His eyes disappeared from behind the shelf as he walked down the aisle. I looked down the way he went, waiting for him to walk into this aisle. Please let it be him, I thought. A second later, he made his way into my aisle. I didn’t know who I thought H was, but when Hunter Jones walked towards me, I can honestly say I was surprised. Hunter was the star quarterback, Mr. Popular. He was the soon to be Prom King. Every girl wanted him and every guy wanted to be him.
Hunter stopped in front of me, biting his lip nervously. I blinked, still surprised he was even looking at me – someone like him doesn’t usually recognize someone like me. He waved nervously at me and I waved back, even more nervous than he was. I saw him take a deep breath as a smile made its way onto his lips.
I watched him as his hands rose from his sides. To add to my shock even more, he began to sign to me. “Hey Margo.” Hunter was H, and he knew I was deaf. He knew how to sign. He didn’t think I was weird, he didn’t run because I was deaf.
My eyes began to water as I put the flower on the book shelf gently. I signed back to him, “Hunter? You’re H? And you know how to sign?” He nodded, responding to every question. “Why?” I asked. He thought for a minute before he responded.
“When I first saw you Margo, you stole my breath away. I didn’t know what to think. I asked around about you, but no one seemed to know who you were or where you came from. I noticed that you didn’t speak to anyone and I also noticed that you didn’t listen to people whenever they’d talk to you.
“One day, when I came to the library to finish up some homework during lunch, I saw you and Miss Park signing to each other. That was the first week of school. It shocked me when I found out you were deaf. Since then, I couldn’t get my mind off of you. The next week of school, I begged Miss Park to tell me about you. But she didn’t say much.” He paused, biting his lip nervously again.
He continued, “Once I learned your name, I vowed to learn your story, from you. But I couldn’t do that if I didn’t know how to sign. So, Miss Park helped me learn how to sign. Every time I saw you in the hall I wanted to talk to you, but I was too scared. So I wrote you a note. It took me a week to actually put it in your locker.
“When I finally did, I was glad when you responded. After every note passed, after everything new I learned, I fell even more for you.” He paused again, taking a deep breath. “Margo, I think I’m in love with you.”
A tear fell down my face as I smiled at him. “I think I’m in love with you, Hunter.”
<3