[ WP ] Years after waking up deaf due to an unknown cause , you bump into someone that you can hear .

I walked into the busy coffee shop and pulled out my phone, taking a seat near the front of the cafe. I connected to the wifi and scrolled through some news feeds, the world around me still moving, not noticing my silent presence. I glanced away from my screen, watching the bodies around me. Some male, some female, some old, short, smiling, scowling. Most were talking to other's close to them, and I could make out some of what they said, but not much. Lip reading only does so much. 
 
 Most of the shop stopped and turned to the door, where a tall teen strolled through the doors, his own phone held up to eye level. Many quickly turned away, ignoring him, but some kept their eyes locked, glaring. I stared at the teen, his pants ripped, hair long, shoes worn in, wearing a *Nirvana* shirt. Everything had been done on purpose, to accomplish looking like a poor rocker kid from a 90's movie. 
 
 I shook my head, smiling to myself, secretly wishing I could hear the music too. All I had were vibrations, and his music was n't nearly loud enough to give me that. I moved on from the teenager and continued my daily routine of people watching. I did n't have many regular conversations. Most were done through signing. I found that after my loss of hearing, I could n't control my voice's volume or really much of what I said. Hearing aids had n't worked either. Something strange in the middle of the night. One second there, the other, gone. I worked around it, built up a life again. Learned ASL, how to read lips, control my own voice's volume as best I could. You can only do so much. 
 
 The coffee shop was a fairly new one. Local, rather than a chain. It had become popular because of its low prices and quality coffee, and I had just as quickly become a regular. I was sitting at a round table with a leaning back, red chair. I had a view of the counter and the line of people that constantly filtered in through the propped open door. Sheets of sunlight hit the marbled floor at the right angle to shine it just above my head. It smelled of espresso in the mornings, and at the right time of day, the sweet goods that they baked fresh in the back. 
 
 I set my coat on the chair and stood, stretching as I got up. I moved the few feet over and took place in the line, the rocker kid only a few ahead, and his music still obviously blaring. The line moved quickly enough, most leaving as less entered. It was getting close to ten, and the workers needed to start working. I had a lecture later that afternoon, but I had a routine of coming here to work on my assignments. Everywhere was silent for me, so wherever I was, I could generally work. 
 
 I reached the front of the line, and the young blond woman smiled at me. She had been working here since the store opened a year back, and always gave me a warm greeting. 
 
 She mouthed, *The usual? * 
 
 I nodded and passed her the change. She did n't count it, knowing I come with either debit or exactly the amount I need. Her nametag said Bella, but I had never gotten to call her by it. Her bright blue eyes and dark blond hair distinguished her from everyone else. I wish I could have the chance to get to know her more, but our communication had always been limited by *The usual? * I did n't have many friends, but those that I had kept in touch with after I lost my hearing had all told me to just make a move. I was always too afraid to disturb the unheard contract between us. 
 
 She passes me my cappuccino in a to-go cup, everything already prepared. I take it from her and respond with the motion for thank you. I could speak, and apparently pretty well, I just never took chances in public places unless I had to. Unlike the rocker, I'm not one to draw attention to myself. 
 
 I turned back to my table and noticed a figure now sitting opposite to my regular seat. I sighed to myself. It was always so difficult to explain something to someone.I debated about just grabbing my coat and leaving, but I did n't have anywhere to go but my apartment. I inched forward and moved across the room to my table. I tapped on her shoulder through her dark brown hair and kept my distance as she faced me. Her deep brown eyes widened as she realised she was sitting at my table, and opened her mouth to speak. 
 
 `` I'm so, so, so sorry. I just needed the table for a moment.'' 
 
 Her voice rang in the deafening silence of my head, echoing as I stared straight at her smooth jawline. The coffee slipped out of my hand, and the girl in front of me jumped, making sure none of the hot liquid fell on her. I felt it burn my leg, but was only focused on her. Everything quickly went back to the quiet that I was used to as she started moving and getting up to leave or grab someone to clean up the mess, confused by my reaction. I reached out and grabbed her arm, saying a silent word. 
 
 *Stop. * 
 
 And the world seemed to slow. 
 
 
 *** 
 I'm a little rusty here, sorry about that! 
 
 /r/TheArchersWriting
