I have this insanely bad habit of getting people to do what I want. It's not like I do it on purpose, I mean I try not to unless it's an emergency. The thing is, it's not a good thing. It's scary, and dangerous because their eyes kind of glaze over (like someone who just drank their weight in vodka), they nod in agreement, and robotically repeat what I've asked them to do right before rushing off to do it like it's their one true passion. I don't like doing it. In fact I absolutely despise it, but I can't turn it off unless I just don't speak.

I discovered this issue in the seventh grade. I had shouted (really loudly like people do in public on accident) in the middle of class for one kid to shut up, keep in mind this was the kid who would talk back if anyone asked him to be quiet, and he just nodded in compliance. He kept his mouth closed for the rest of the period. I didn't know if it had worn off or not because it was the only class I had with him. Then it happened again at my friend's karaoke party during my freshman year of high school. I had jokingly sang to her and she did exactly what the lyrics described, much to every 15 year olds horror. Coincidentally it's how I discovered I was Bisexual (but that's not really the point of this). 

Anyways, I told my mom about it and she said not to worry (like I knew she would), but when I did it to her, I asked to be taught sign language. It was a very long process that we both went through since we're bilingual, and then even longer because we had to teach my dad, who's not even American. He's a French immigrant who works for the government. Well, I don't actually know if he works for the government. He's gone a lot and that's what he says to my mom every time she asks. There's a working theory that my dad's a spy for the French embassy that my friends came up with, but there's no way for me to prove or disprove it. 

"Vivi, what's up with you today? You're acting like you're caught up in your thoughts." My friend Meredith asked. I looked over at her and felt momentarily jealous of her naturally stick straight hair. 

'I'm ok, my dad's out because of some recruitment for his job.' I signed. 

"Okay. But that still doesn't account for everything." Our other friend Addie said. I nodded in agreement. 

'True, but that's the only thing I know is bothering me.' I signed, not wanting to share that a feeling of dread came along with my dad's suddenly prolonged absence. 

I was grateful that my friends had learned sign with me. It eliminated a barrier I was stuck behind with the rest of the world. We were sitting on Meredith's bed supposedly doing homework, but not actually doing it because none of us enjoyed math. 

"Mere, I gotta run, and I'm Vivi's ride. We'll catch you later yeah?" Addie said, suddenly gathering up her stuff. I followed suit in confusion. Meredith didn't seem to notice the change in Addie's tone. 

"Alright! See ya'll tomorrow!" She waved goodbye, and Addie practically dragged me out the door. 

'Addie! What is going on? You just freaked out!" I asked as soon as we got into Addie's car. 

"Nothing, just my mom instated a new curfew that I forgot about until I looked a the time. She's going to kill me for being late if she hasn't seen my science grade already." 

I flopped my hands into my lap, the signal we agreed on as being 'oh' or 'oh shit' while Addie or Meredith were driving. She nodded in agreement and anxiously sped just under five above the legal limit.