Chapter Text
The room was spinning as Alex slowly opened her eyes. “Where am I” she said rising from a bed. She removed the covers and slid her legs around to sit on the edge of the bed. “Yeah…this isn’t my room.” Alex walked to, what looked like, the bathroom. Upon her return she was startled by a figure that entered the room. “JESUS…” Alex leapt back in surprise. “Tobin? You scared the crap…oh right you’re deaf, duh Alex.” Tobin just looked at Alex. Something was off, Tobin seemed so…confident almost. The way she stood, her body mannerisms, everything. Alex walked to grab Tobin’s notepad and pen she saw by the dresser and scribbled a messaged on there. Tobin had yet to take her eyes off of Alex.
Alex then walked to Tobin and showed her the message. Tobin glanced at it and then bit her lip in thought. Alex was definitely confused right now and it showed on her face. Tobin then grabbed the notepad and placed it on the ground, never breaking eye contact with Alex. She then stepped dangerously closer to Alex, enough her to feel Alex’s heart start to race. She placed her hand on her heart and smiled a devilish smile.
Alex glanced down to where Tobin’s hand was resting and back to Tobin’s eyes. Tobin then moved her had to the bottom of her shirt and raised it over her head to reveal a nike sports bra. Alex’s eyes practically bulged out of her head. Tobin was really, really fit. All Alex could do was stare. “Oh my God Tobin, why did you just take your shirt off…” Tobin backed Alex against the bed.
“ALEX…ALEX WAKE UP!” Kelley voice rang loud in Alex’s ears. It was just a dream. Alex opened up her eyes. She was in the training room laying flat on one of the beds. Tobin was hovering over her, smiling her 100 watt smile. Alex giggled a little at the site of Tobin’s nose. She was already starting to bruise. Tobin then turned to Hope and signed.
“Tobin wants to know if you are ok” Hope said with her usual emotionless expression. Alex turned her head and moved it up and down. “Sheesh Alex, you must have a pretty queasy stomach to just pass out at the sight of blood” Kelley said removing the rag off of Alex’s forehead. “Yeah I guess so…there was just so much blood. Is Tobin ok?” Alex asked Hope. “Yeah, it’s broken but nothing a little surgery can’t fix” Hope spoke and signed so Tobin would know what the conversation was about.
Alex sat upright. Her eyes glued to Tobin. “Oh God my dream” Alex thought. Tobin had to remove her shirt due to the blood that got all over it. Kelley snickered under her breath. Hope looked from Kelley to Alex. She too couldn’t help but grin. Alex broke the stare and grabbed the water bottle that Kelley was holding.
Tobin turned to Hope and started signing. Hope lightly smiled and turned back to Alex. “Tobin said she was surprised to see you today. She hates that you passed out but she admits it was kind of funny.” Alex smiled. “Tell her a little birdy informed me of something I’d be interested in seeing. I had no idea you played, and are so good. I’m glad my unfortunate event brought comedy to you.” Alex said jumping off the bed. Hope turned to Tobin and signed. Tobin laughed. Hope went to her bag and grabbed a shirt. She signed something to Tobin that made her turn 50 shades of red. “Dangit I need to learn sign, and fast” Alex thought. Hope then through the shirt to Tobin and she put it on pretty quickly.
“Well as much fun as this was, I really need to be getting home.” Alex said to Hope, who signed it to Tobin. Tobin’s face showed instant disappointment. Tobin starred at Alex and then had a thought. She signed pretty quickly to Hope. “Tobin wants to know if you two want to go to the pool hall tonight. My brother owns the place and we can get free drinks.” “Uhm I don’t…ouch!” Kelley had kicked Alex. “Sure we would love to!” Kelley grabbed Alex’s arm and pulled her out of the room before she could object. “Text me the details” Kelley yelled.
Alex stopped Kelley when the got to the parking lot. “Kelley what the heck?! Why did you agree to that?!”
“Oh come on Alex, you know you want to go!” Kelley said.
“Actually, I don’t.” Alex lied. “Oh really now?! So why did you have a dream about Tobin then?! Kelley giggled. Alex’s eye practically shot out of her head. “What the hell are you talking about Kel?! Kelley busted out laughing, so hard in fact, that she laid on the car to keep from falling over. “Dude, you were talking in your sleep…something about Tobin’s shirt being off?!” Alex placed her hands on top of her head.
“Fuuuuucckkkkk.”
“Uh huh…and Hope heard it! Of course Tobin didn’t. Poor thing was confused. She wanted to know what you said. Hope had to lie. Well I told her she better lie.”
“Oh my God. I can’t believe Hope heard that, how freaking embarrassing.”
“Yeah well at least Tobin didn’t know. So…what was the dream about?!”
“Nope, not happening Kel.”
“Fine then, but that’s why we are going, you’re clearly sprung!”
“Yeah right Kel, we’re going so you can play patty fingers with Hope all night.”
“I mean if that’s what she wants to do…” Kelley joked. Alex just shook her head. She guessed going out couldn’t do any harm.
Alex and Kelley got ready at Kelley’s house. She figured it would be easier to just spend the night there.
“Alex don’t let me drink to much. You know how blabber mouthy I get. I would hate to spill my guts to Hope.”
“Don’t worry Kel, you’ll be fine.” The two go into Alex’s car and drove off. Hope had texted Kelley the directions to the place. They pulled up and parked. In front of them stood Hope and Tobin. They were leaned up against the window of the pool hall signing back and forth. Tobin look great. She wore a black snap back with a cut off and skinny jeans. Alex glanced over at Kelley who couldn’t take her eyes off of Hope.
“Like what you see Kel?” Kelley was startled by the question. “GOSSSSHHHHH ALEX. I don’t think I can do it. I’m freaking out. She looks great, I look like crap.” Alex just laughed at her. “Remove the flannel, show off your guns. They’re pretty impressive.” Kelley’s hair was down and curled. Alex thought she looked fine. Alex herself wore a simple button-down shirt with cutoff shorts and sandals.
“Alex why do you gotta out stage me….”
“Kell hush…be confident!” Kelley just nodded and the two exited the car. Tobin was the first to notice the pair and began to wave and smile. This made Alex smile.
Alex wanted to hug her, but she opted out of it. Hope opened the door for them all and they entered the pool hall. The place looked like a college scene. They were definitely not supposed to be there “Legally” but nevertheless there they were. Hope walked past them and went to speak to, what Alex and Kelley assumed, was her brother. He grabbed Tobin and gave her a big hug. It was clear that they were all close. Hope waved Alex and Kelley over.
“Mike, this is Alex and Kelley. They go to our school and play soccer with me.” Mike stuck his had and greeted them both. “Nice to meet ya both, glad you all are here.” “So here are the rules, you can order any drink you want as long as you don’t go crazy. Ill inform my bartenders.”
“Thanks bro!” The girls walked over and all ordered a few shots to start of the night. They took them at the same time. “God did it burn”, Alex thought.
“Alright, let’s play some pool.” Hope said. Tobin began to sign to Hope. “Alright Tobin said her and Kelley verses me and Alex.” Alex figured Tobin would have wanted to be on her team, but she also figured she’d enjoy trash talking. “Ok let’s add a drink game to this. Every time someone sinks a shot, the other team takes a shot.” Everyone agreed to it.
So far Kelley and Tobin were slightly winning. Alex was feeling all the shots, but it helped her with flirting. Shed bend over the pool table and make contact with Tobin, wink, and sink the shot. It made Tobin blush every time. Kelley on the other hand managed to clumsy her way to earn a smile from Hope. Hope would never let her see that though. Kelley began to feel a little bummed.
“Winners!!!” Hope said and a celebratory shot was taken. Alex and Hope barely won, but won nonetheless.
Tobin couldn’t be a great listener, so shes always been a great observer. She observed how hard Kelley was trying, and how hard she felt she was failing. Tobin grabbed her trusty note pad and wrote “ Hey wanna talk on the patio?” Kelley read the note, confused, but nodded in agreement. The two grabbed a drink and walked outside.
“I wonder what that’s about?” Alex asked Hope. “I’m not sure, but since they are gone, I have been wanting to talk to you.” This made Alex nervous. “UH sure” she replied. The two walked over to a booth and sat down.
“Ok so what are your intentions with my best friend.” Hope wasn’t subtle at all, this caught Alex off guard.
“ I heard your conversation in the locker room, I know you like her. To be honest, I didn’t even know you liked girls.” This caused Alex to speak up.
“First of all RUDE, second of all rude.” Alex joked, but was slightly offended.
“I’m sorry, you just scream “straight girl.” Hope laughed taking a drink of her beer.
“Yeah well I’m not. Everyone just assumes that I am. I mean I’ve dated a few guys, but I prefer girls.”
“Well ya fooled me. Now back to Tobin… you like her huh?”
Alex froze up. She’s usually way more confident.
“I take that as a yes” Hope said.
“Look I just don’t want my best friend to be hurt. If this is just a game, or whatever then I advise you to quit. But if it’s something more, then I give you my blessing. I didn’t like you at first, but I’m starting to slowly like you.”
“Gee thanks…”
“Look I don’t fully know how I feel about her, I just know that I feel something. I don’t know how to act. I usually feel completely in control, but with her I don’t. Shes got me doing this teen romance shit, and im not used to it.” This made Hope laugh. She reflected on the Tobin charm for a few seconds.
“Yeah I understand, but just take your time, no need to rush on anything.” Alex smiled. She was seeing a different side of Hope, a caring Hope.
Alex wanted to ask Hope about Kelley. The two continued on about Tobin.
Tobin sat down at one of the tables outside. Kelley sat across from her. Tobin smiled and began writing. When she finished she handed the notepad to Kelley
“ We’ve been going to school since forever, yet we hardly conversed. I’m glad that’s changed! Anyway, I was watching you during pool. You like Hope don’t you? I can see it. You’re trying to hard. Hope’s got a hard exterior shell, if you act like yourself, you may just be the first person to break through.” Kelley read this and smile. She grabbed the pen Tobin handed her.
“ I’m glad we’re talking now too, ive always wanted to, but was scared because…ya know, referring to the deafness… am I that obvious with Hope? I’ve always liked her. Ever since middle school I think. I just feel like I’m failing in every way with her. I don’t know if we are just too different or what but I feel like she gets annoyed with me.”
Kelley handed the notepad back to Tobin, who read it pretty fast and began writing back.
“Yes, you’re very obvious. Look Hopes been burned in the past. She didn’t exactly have a great “coming out” experience. In 7th grade she had a massive crush on a girl and the girl found out and made fun of her. Ever since then its just been me and her. Its almost like she’s afraid to let anyone in. She puts on a big front though, I can tell she likes ya.”
“OK Tobin, if you say so. I just hope she starts reciprocating! I’m running out of options lol. Anyway thanks for talking with me. I appreciate it, we better get inside before come out here.” Tobin read it, then ripped it off the note pad and stuck it in her pocket. She figured shed need this for later. The two walked back inside, Hope made eye contact with Tobin and held up a finger meaning they just needed a second more.
Tobin walked to the bar to get another drink, leaving Kelley to practice her pool shots more. A guy, who had been watching Kelley all night walked up to her. To be honest her was a very attractive guy. He came up behind Kelley
“Hey, I’m Jack.” Kelley turned around. She didn’t know what to think, but introduced herself as well. “You’re not to bad at pool, can I show you some tips?” Kelley being Kelley, she agreed.
Hope saw the whole thing go down. Alex had been talking to Hope, but noticed Hopes attention was dragged somewhere else. Alex turned around and saw the interactions going down between Kelley and this mystery man. “Oh crap…” Alex thought. This guy was getting extremely close to Kelley. Alex looked at Hope and noticed her jaw was extremely clinched. Alex looked around to see where Tobin was and saw her waiting for her drink at the bar. She grabbed it and turned around and starred at the interaction as well. A few seconds later Tobin looked turned her head to see if Hope was seeing this and made eye contact with Alex.
Jack was now behind Kelley, teaching her a “special way” of shooting pool. Kelley was beginning to feel uncomfortable. She had too many shots and was feeling herself getting drunker by the second. Jack knew this. He then suddenly turned so fast, throwing her off guard, and started making out with her.
Hope jumped out of her seat. Kelley was trying to push him off, but her strength was no match for his. Tobin and Alex both ran over to where Hope was rushing.
“Back off of her you douche bag!” Hope yelled grabbing him and pushing him off of her.
Jack was drunk as well. He grabbed Alex instead. “Well this one will do just fine too then.” He started touching her. Alex struggled to break free. Tobin saw red…Enough for her to start speaking. “Let go!” She yelled. Jack just stopped. “Haha what are you retarded?!” Jack was referring to the sound of Tobin’s voice when she actually spoke. Hope grabbed him by the neck. “Get the hell out of here.” This actually scared Jack and he went running.
Everyone was in shock. Tobin just stared at Alex and instant tears started flooding her eyes, she ran out completely embarrassed. “Tobin wait!!” Alex called out. Hope grabbed Tobin’s stuff. “Hope!” Kelley yelled. “No Kelley…” Hope stared into Kelley’s eyes for a split second then ran after Tobin.
“What the hell just happened” Alex and Kelley said in unison.