I walked into school and looked around, hoping to see Cameron or even Kellin. But I didn’t spot either of them.

                Frowning to myself, I made my way to my locker. I put in my combination and began to exchange my books.

                I kept my eyes downcast on my books. Kids were beginning to crowd around to get to their lockers, and sometimes all the different conversations gave me a headache. All the moving lips.

                I stood up and slung my bag over my shoulder. I shut my locker before turning around to head to class. I jumped in surprise.

                Cameron grinned. “Sorry, I didn’t mean to scare you Lopez,” she said, trying not to laugh.

                I gave her a small smile to tell her it was okay. I was actually just really happy to see her. I quickly scanned the hallway but didn’t see Kellin.

                “I came to get you first. Want to go find Kellin?” she asked, as if reading my mind. Oh, wouldn’t that be a nice thing. I would love it if people could read my mind.

                I nodded at her and we began to walk down the hall together. My eyes darted back and forth, trying to focus on Cameron’s lips in case she spoke, and to look ahead to make sure I didn’t run into anybody.

                Cameron suddenly stumbled forward. She glared in annoyance behind her. I spun around and smiled a little as Kellin smirked at her. They were amusing.

                Kellin’s lips moved as he spoke, but I had no idea what he said. Words I didn’t know. I furrowed my brow in confusion, trying to figure out what he was saying. He stopped speaking and smirked wider at Cameron. I glanced at her.

                She rolled her eyes and gestured at me. “Kellin, I highly doubt Lopez knows Spanish. Can you try speaking in English?” she asked, looking annoyed. Ah, so that’s why I couldn’t understand him.

                “Sorry,” Kellin said with an innocent shrug.

                “Let’s just get to class,” Cameron said, slinging an arm around Kellin’s shoulders. He wrapped an arm around her waist and kissed her cheek. Cameron motioned at me to follow them, and I did. Were they dating? Isn’t that how couples acted?

                They led me over to a set of benches across from the cafeteria and we all sat down. Kellin jumped up and went over to a vending machine with a dollar in his hand.

                I gave Cameron a curious look, hoping she understood my question in it. Was she dating Kellin? I think I would be sad if she was.

                “No, I’m not dating that idiot,” she said and laughed. “We’re just really close friends.”

                I nodded in understanding, relaxing a little. Oh boy. Lopez, Lopez, Lopez. Look at me, crushing on a girl I just met.

                I couldn’t date even if I wanted to. It would just be too hard to be in a relationship when I couldn’t speak or hear.

                “Have you ever had a girlfriend Lopez?” Cameron asked me.

                I shook my head, blushing a little. I pointed to my ears and then to my mouth, shaking my head and shrugging. It just wouldn’t work out.

                Cameron frowned. “Aw, that’s sad. You’re so cute though!”

                I blushed a little more. She just called me cute. Well, that was new. I don’t think I had ever been called cute before. Well, I had been called cute once, but those girls had just been picking on me, so it didn’t count.

                Kellin came back over and sat down. He and Cameron jumped a little and pouted, standing up. I cocked my head to the side curiously, wondering where they were going.

                “The bell rang,” Cameron explained, holding her hand out to me.

                I took it and she pulled me to my feet. I tapped Cameron on the shoulder and she glanced at me curiously.

                I pointed up the stairs with a frown. She thought for a minute before understanding lit her face and she nodded at me.

                “Your first period class is upstairs?” she asked and I nodded.

                “Well, I’ll see you later then Lopez,” she said with a smile, hugging me before winking and walking away with Kellin.

                I stared after her, hoping that I wasn’t blushing too much. I turned and hurried my way off to my first period class, sitting down in my seat and pulling out my notebook.

                I began to doodle aimlessly, my thoughts on Cameron and how glad I was that she wasn’t dating Kellin. I knew I would jealous if she was dating him.

                My phone vibrated and I pulled it out. I flipped it open and smiled a little, realizing that it was a text from Cameron.

                From: Cameron

                Hey cutie ;) We should hang out afterschool. You, me, and Kellin.

                I texted her back, telling her that that would be fun. I leaned back in my seat, my eyes locking on my teacher’s lips as she began to speak, class having apparently started.

                Was Cameron hitting on me? Or was I just over thinking this? I was definitely just over thinking things. She was just being friendly. That was all.

                What chance did I, the deaf mute, have of getting with a girl like Cameron? She was loud, she was a trouble maker, she was wild. And all I could ever do was watch and sign away at her.

                I shook the thoughts out of my head. Friends. That’s all I could ever be, with anyone really. Just friends. And that’s all I would let myself be with Cameron.