First Impressions

"Hey Elle, don't look now, but that guy who just moved in to town is staring right at you!" Samantha nearly threw herself across the metal, latticed table to get her friend's attention. "Oh my god, he is hot!" She fanned herself with a hand. Sam always had a flare for the dramatic.



Elle couldn't help but look. Sure enough, there he was, standing across the street from the outdoor patio of the girls' favorite coffee shop. Had he been looking at her? Devon was the object of every girl's desire ever since he had moved into town a few weeks before. Elle knew he didn't go to their high school. Rumors abounded about where he did go, but most people figured he was home schooled. Well, that didn't matter, he was gorgeous. Hands stuffed into the pockets of his leather jacket, dark eyes hooded by messy hair. He dripped a rebelliousness that made girls go insane. Elle wasn't alone in her desire to meet him, and then date him, if possible.



She watched him stand there. He was waiting for the "don't walk" signal to change. Then suddenly he was walking towards them. Elle felt her face grow warm, but she kept it together, sitting up straight and drawing her fingers alluringly through her long blonde hair. But he didn't look at them, even though Sam was about talking really loudly about how there were a shortage of cute boys in town, and she wished more could be like that Devon guy.



He walked right past them. Elle felt herself get annoyed. She knew she was widely considered one of the hottest girls in the school. She had never failed to turn a head before. Steeling herself she waved a hand playfully towards his back, "Hey Devon!" she called, her voice high and flirty. He ignored her completely. She watched his be-jacketed figure retreat from view as he turned the corner of the block.



Sam made a pouting face and plopped back into her chair. "Huh. What's wrong with him?" she asked sourly.



Elle was still looking at the spot where he had disappeared. Her mind was made up now. He had been looking at her before. He didn't look at her now because his sexy, rebellious nature forbid it. She had to have him. She would have him.



That night she went straight to her room and flipped open her laptop. In seconds she was on facebook, a separate chat window already open as Sam eagerly questioned her.



Sexy_Sammy: So, what's the plan?!?



ElleBelle: Not sure yet. I want to find out more about him. I'm checking out his page now.



ElleBelle: OMG Sam!



Sexy_Sammy: What?! Tell me before I freak out!



ElleBelle: He's into The Undead Diaries!



Sexy_Sammy: He likes your favorite books?! You two are made for each other! How old his he?



ElleBelle: our age! You need to check out his profile picture. It's really cute. Awwwww, here's a picture of him playing with puppies! That means he loves animals!



Sexy_Sammy: everyone loves puppies L.



ElleBelle: still, it's a good sigh! Oh no! You are never going to believe this Sam!



Sexy_Sammy: WHAT?!



ElleBelle: he's the drummer in a band! Ok, it's official, this boy must be mine!



Sexy_Sammy: so back to my original question. What's the plan?



ElleBelle: well, what I have so far is simple. I take my mom's dog Skeet to the park where I'm pretty sure Devon skateboards on Fridays and when he comes over to pet Skeet I'll strike up a conversation and then he's all mine.



Sexy_Sammy: go get him girl! But hey, if he's not into blondes, let him know that I'm available!



ElleBelle: aren't you dating Josh?



Sexy_Sammy: Barely. Hahahaha. Anyway, for Devon I'd dump the president.



ElleBelle: you are weird Sam. Good night girl.



Sexy_Sammy: it's about priorities L. Good night



Elle fell asleep pondering her ingenious plan. It couldn't fail.



The next day all through school she had a hard time focusing. At lunch some guy flirted with her and she barely noticed. Her mind was consumed with Devon. His dark hair, falling messily over his eyes that gleamed with a certain dangerousness. His slim yet muscular frame. She thought about his lips. She had never really seen him up close yet, but she imagined perfect lips, maybe with a little scar above them. A hint of stubble, she swooned a little. She didn't even hear much of Sam's constant, familiar chatter.



After school she rushed to her mother's house. Barely greeting her parent she snapped a leash on the dachshund and was out the door, heading for the park.



He was there! She almost let out a little squeak of joy, but she kept it together. She waited and watched him skate. He was pretty good, and looked excellent in a sleeveless white shirt. She bit her lip. He had some really nice arms.



The sun was setting by the time he tucked his board under one arm, and threw his jacked over his shoulder. She intercepted him on the way out of the skate park. She wasn't even attempting to be subtle as she stepped directly in his path. So close she could smell is musky scent. "Hey Devon," she said, tossing her hair. A classic move, but guys still liked it.



He looked at her for a long moment, possibly trying to figure out where she had come from. He raised a hand in a vague greeting gesture, his eyes suddenly searching, looking for a way around her she realized with annoyance. No, not today, she wasn't going to be ignored. "I was just out walking the dog. He's got really short legs so he's tired now. He's heavy though, would you carry him home for me?"



He was suddenly looking intently at her face. His expression was so searching it made her a little uneasy. "I can help you," he said.



She stepped back. His voice. His words were slurred, jumbled together. It was like he didn't know quite how to say them. Was he mentally disabled?! Was that why he didn't go to their school. Suddenly she was in panic mode. She grabbed Skeet, hugging the squirming creature to her chest.



"What's wrong?" Again his words were slurred, imperfect. This time he gestured at her too. Tight little motions with his hands.



It took her brain a moment to realize what he was doing. "Oh. Oh god. You're...you're deaf?" She took another step back. This wasn't going as planned at all.



He smiled slightly. He didn't realize that she was starting to freak out. "Yeah," he said in that same difficult speech, though this time his hands moved steadily as he spoke. It was almost as though he was doing it out of habit. He must know that she didn't understand sign language. "I can read lips well. My name is Devon. What is yours?"



"Uhm, I really...I have to...this was a mistake," she fumbled and he watched with concern, still trying to read her lips as her words stumbled past her lips. "I should go."



His brow knitted. Did he understand what had happened? Did he realized that she was deathly afraid of him now? When she had thought him a dangerous rebel it had only fueled her desire, but now that he was deaf, she was truly frightened and she wasn't even sure why. She felt like a deer in the headlights and he sensed it too, she knew by his expression. He made a few quick signs, but did not speak to translate them. They were harsh signs. She knew they were meant for her and she felt a sting in her chest. He shouldered his jacket again and walked away.



She went home quietly. She wasn't sure what she felt, but it wasn't love, it wasn't even like. Not for him, and not for herself.