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THE echo of defeat lingered in the air as Lynn Loud Jr. sat slumped on the bench, her basketball jersey clinging to her damp skin.

The cheers of victory from the opposing team reverberated through the gymnasium, drowning out the disappointed murmurs of her teammates.

Lynn's gaze wandered to the bleachers, where a figure stood amidst the crowd, her expression impassive yet striking.

The girl wore the crisp uniform of the student council, her demeanor calm and composed as she observed the game with keen interest.

There was an aura of mystery surrounding her, a sense of quiet strength that piqued Lynn's curiosity.

Lynn's teammates noticed her distraction and exchanged knowing glances. Maria, her closest friend on the team, nudged her playfully. "Hey, Loud! You're not still thinking about that girl, are you?"

Lynn shook her head, trying to brush off her fascination. "No way. I was just... spacing out, that's all."

But Maria wasn't convinced. "Sure, sure. We all saw the way you were staring at her. You're totally smitten, Loud!"

The teasing continued as they made their way back to the locker room, with Lynn doing little to defend herself. Deep down, she couldn't deny the intrigue she felt towards the enigmatic girl.

___

In the days that followed, Lynn found herself stealing glances whenever she could, observing the girl from afar as she went about her duties with quiet efficiency. There was something captivating about her, something that drew Lynn in despite her best efforts to resist.

One afternoon, as Lynn lingered near the entrance of the school, her gaze locked onto the figure of the student council girl making her way down the hallway.

Gathering her courage, Lynn approached her. "Hey," Lynn called out, her voice slightly shaky. "I'm Lynn. I... I noticed you at the basketball game the other day."

The girl did not look at her and walked ahead, ignoring Lynn's approach unintended. Lynn's heart sank at the lack of a try she bears and called for the unknown girl again, "I'm Lynn, from the basketball team-"

The student council girl did not respond and walked further to the hallway as Lynn only left dumbfounded about the kind of response the girl was giving her.

"What the...?"

___

Lynn Loud Jr. slumped into her usual spot at the lunch table, a scowl etched across her face and her basketball bag slung over her shoulder. Her teammates, Maria, Sarah, and Margo, glanced up from their lunches, concern evident in their eyes.

"What's got you all riled up, Loud?" Maria asked, reaching across the table to pat Lynn's arm.

Lynn let out a frustrated grunt, dropping her bag onto the floor with a thud. "It's that darn student council girl," she grumbled, jabbing a finger in the direction of the other table where the student council members sat.

Sarah raised an eyebrow. "What did she do?"

Lynn let out a heavy sigh, her frustration bubbling to the surface. "I tried to approach her, you know, be friendly and all that. But she acted like I was some kind of nuisance or something. Never said a word."

Margo frowned sympathetically. "That sucks, Loud. Maybe she's just busy with student council stuff?"

Sarah glanced over at the other table, her brow furrowed in thought. "Well, maybe she's just not interested in being friends."

Lynn's scowl deepened at the suggestion. "But why? What did I ever do to her? I just wanted to get to know her better, see if we had anything in common, plus I never spoke to her before."

Maria placed a comforting hand on Lynn's shoulder. "Hey, don't let it get to you, Loud. Some people are just like that. Besides, you've got us, right?"

Lynn managed a half-hearted smile, grateful for the support of her teammates. "Yeah, you're right. Thanks, guys."

But as she glanced once more at the student council table, her frustration simmered beneath the surface.

She may have been brushed off by the quiet girl once, but Lynn Loud Jr. wasn't one to give up easily. She was determined to uncover the truth behind the mystery of the student council girl, no matter what it took.

___

As Lynn Loud Jr. entered the bustling gymnasium, her eyes scanned the room for any sign of the quiet student council girl who had been avoiding her for days.

She felt a pang of disappointment when she couldn't spot her amidst the crowd of students and athletes. Determined not to give up, Lynn leaned against the wall, brainstorming ideas to break the ice.

Suddenly, she spotted the student council leaders engaged in conversation with her teammates across the room.

Her heart leaped as she caught a glimpse of the elusive girl standing among them. Lynn's gaze lingered on her, captivated by her serene presence amidst the lively chatter.

As Lynn observed from afar, one of her teammates approached the quiet girl, a friendly smile on her face.

Lynn watched intently, hoping to witness a breakthrough in their interaction. To her surprise, the girl responded not with words, but with graceful hand movements – sign language.

She's deaf...

Recognition dawned on Lynn as she realized the truth – the girl she had been trying to connect with was deaf. A mix of emotions swirled within her – empathy, admiration, and a newfound determination to bridge the gap between them.

Drawing closer, Lynn listened intently as her teammate, Diana, continued to communicate through sign language, their gestures fluid and precise. Despite the lack of sound, Lynn could sense the warmth and sincerity in their exchange.

Feeling a surge of courage, Lynn approached them, a tentative smile on her lips. "Hey," she began, unsure if the girl could read her lips from this distance. "Hi, I'm Lynn."

The girl turned towards Lynn, her eyes brightening with recognition. With a gentle nod, she signed back, her movements elegant yet deliberate.

Lynn turned her head towards Diana, "What did she mean?"

"She knows you." Diana replied, "Of course, you're the best jock in town." and tapped the student council, signing something Lynn could not comprehend.

"How did she know?" Lynn asked and furrowed her eyebrows from curiosity.

"She can do lip-reading." Diana replied monotonously.

The girl tapped Diana and signed back, Lynn looked at them back-and-forth, casually glancing on their graceful hands signing.

As Diana halted from signing with the other girl, she turned to Lynn, "This is the student council you have been following a few days ago. Gwen Gutierrez, she's new and a cutie."

Widening her eyes, Lynn flushed and uttered, "Stop, what if she actually hears you?"

"She can't." Diana utters back effortlessly.

"What were you guys talking about about?" Lynn asked and changed her posture.

"About you." Diana responded monotonously and tapped Gwen to continue their conversation.

As Lynn Loud Jr. got quiet and shy, she leaned against the gym wall, her gaze fixed on the student council girl, she found herself lost in a daze.

Her eyes traced the graceful movements of the girl's hands as she conversed with Lynn's teammate, Diana, through sign language. Mesmerized by the fluidity of her gestures, Lynn couldn't help but admire the quiet girl's effortless communication.

Lost in her thoughts, Lynn failed to notice as the distance between them dwindled. It wasn't until she felt a gentle nudge from Diana that she snapped out of her reverie, suddenly finding herself mere feet away from the object of her admiration.

With a start, Lynn finally looked up close at the student council girl, taking in every detail of her features. She was struck by the natural beauty that radiated from her – the soft curve of her lips, the gentle arch of her brows, and the depth of her eyes, which held a world of unspoken emotions.

For a moment, time seemed to stand still as Lynn drank in the sight before her. She felt a flutter of butterflies in her stomach, a rush of warmth spreading through her veins. In that instant, she realized just how captivated she was by the quiet girl's presence.

A soft smile tugged at the corners of Lynn's lips as she watched the exchange between the girl and Diana. Despite the language barrier, there was an undeniable connection between them – a silent understanding that transcended words.

As Lynn continued to observe, a newfound appreciation blossomed within her. It wasn't just the girl's beauty that captivated her, but also the strength and resilience that shone through in every gesture.

With a renewed sense of determination, Lynn made a silent vow to herself. She would find a way to break through the barriers that separated them, to forge a connection with the girl who had captured her heart from afar.

And as she watched the girl's hands dance gracefully through the air, Lynn knew that she was ready to take the first step towards building that bond.

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author: backstreet's back alright!