That would’ve been a long time ago. Cody had kind of been like that to me before we got together, so I understand what she’s saying. Being a jerk to someone is not the right way to express your emotions no matter what. I only wish I’d known not to mistake interest for affection.
“I’m so sorry,” I sign. “I didn’t know.”
“Yeah. Then, when you two got together, he kept you for himself. We never got to hang out, you and I.” Kayla shakes her head, then laughs. “I was kind of surprised when you texted.”
“Looking back, I realized I didn’t make many friends there. I want to say because of Cody, but I have to take some of the blame myself. I don’t know, I was, like, stuck on just him.” I poke two fingers against my throat. Then I reach out my arms and make a pushing motion to the side to reset and sign a new topic. “Where are you at? Aren’t you near C-i-n-c-y, too?”
“Yes, same. I think we might be like thirty minutes apart.”
“Ooh, that’s perfect.” Maybe we could still get to know each other better, even after Brandview.
Kayla lowers her eyebrows in question. “For-for?”
Will she even want to move out? No idea. But I’ll plant the idea and hope for the best. I hadn’t realized it was possible before Shay mentioned the house, so maybe when faced with the possibility, Kayla will be eager.
“Would you want to be roommates again?” I ask.
She leans back, intrigued. “Oh, we could?”
“Yeah, I made some friends who go to Amber Community College, and they’re gonna rent a house.” I smile wide, saving the best for last. “All Deaf.”
“Wow, I miss that.” Kayla hasn’t answered the question yet, but I can see her eyes light up at the idea. “That’s why I wanted to hop on video. I never get to sign anymore.”
“Do you use an interpreter at school?”
“No, my parents didn’t request one.” Kayla shakes her head. “Totally dependent on my implants. It’s whatever; I just have to manage to finish out this year.”
“I understand. Hey, even if you can’t move into the house with me, I’d love to hang out soon.”
“Yeah, let’s hang out! And I’m interested in the house, for sure. What’s the rent?”
We go over the details and plans for jobs and breaking the news to our parents. Izzy mentioned working at the ACC library last I hung out with them. She mostly reshelves books, which sounds ideal, so I asked her to see if they were hiring soon. I tell Kayla my plan, then we continue to chat for another two hours about our families, new schools, and more.
“Yeah, I’m in,” Kayla signs at the end of our call. “I’ll let you know how it goes asking my parents.”
My cheeks are exhausted from grinning. I’m so glad we reconnected.
And when we hang up, I find a text from Izzy with the link to a library job listing. Perfect timing.
Chapter Thirty-two
Jackson
In the evening,a nurse comes to roll me over for an MRI to get imaging of both my brain and my spine. We enter an area of the hospital where a sign saysNo Metal Beyond This Pointand go into another smaller hallway where the exam room is located. The door is open, waiting for us. I can hear thewhooshof the machine before I see it: a giant circular white device with a concave center. The tube where I’ll be spending the next hour or two.
Since I’m still struggling with my legs and arm, the nurse helps me transfer onto the long slab table, placing a warm blanket over my hospital gown as I lie back.How am I supposed to fit in this circle?I didn’t really think I was claustrophobic, but now I’m doubting myself. We overshoot where my head needs to go, so she slides me farther down. I squeeze my eyes shut.
“Oof, dizzy?” the nurse asks. “Are you going to be able to lie like this for the exam?”
“Mm-hmm.”We’ll see, I guess.
She tucks my arms at my sides and unfolds the blanket up toward my chin. The MRI technician takes over from there, raising the table off the ground, wedging foam behind my neck, and inserting plugs into both of my ears.
I think I’m about to go in the machine when she lifts some sort of cage up and locks it into place around my head. I start to panic.
“You’re all right,” the tech says in a somewhat soothing tone.
I try to calm myself. “I just wasn’t expecting that part.”
