Page 98 of On the Bright Side
Ellie
The Deaf houseis getting pretty good at throwing gatherings, and preparations for New Year’s are going like clockwork. We’ve scattered around some of the seating options from the parent intervention. And we’ve gottonsof strategically placed mood lighting to keep ASL visibility in mind: Christmas string lights, little tabletop lamps, glow necklaces, and more. The decor creates ambiance and accessibility at the same time. And the music is blasting. The neighbors don’t seem to mind, given the occasion.
I pace around the living room, waiting for Jackson to get here. Almost all the other guests, mostly friends of my roommates, have shown up already. It’s a bigger crowd than I expected. I pass by the window, looking outside eagerly.
He asked me tosave him a kiss.
Kayla is replenishing the bowl of chips, standing around with some of our new friends from the Deaf Night Out. Of course, Arun is here,laughing about something with Shay. They’ve been inseparable since that night. Izzy and Alex are cozy in the corner, signing with a friend from ACC. They wave toward me, so I’m about to join them when I realize that they’re pointing at the door.
I turn around. Jackson is there across the room.
He looks good, dressed up for the night. Standing tall, confident, with arms wide open. I run to greet him with a hug. He staggers backward slightly but lifts me a few inches off the ground, squeezing me tight.
“You got my text?” Jackson asks, a grin growing across his face.
“Yes.” I bite my lip and play coy. Slinking back down to the floor, I straighten out my dress.
“You look nice,” he shouts over the music.
“So do you,” I say and sign.
He motions around to all the people and folding chairs and boxes. “This is new.” He’s reduced his volume but is trying to carefully mouth his words.
“Oh, yeah, they’re from the intervention.”
“Intervention?” he asks while bending his index finger forward to punctuate the question.
I smile, appreciating the effort. “Long story,” I say and sign. “For our parents.”
“Now I—” Jackson realizes I’m struggling to hear him and tries to lean toward my ear, but he immediately backs up so I can read his lips. “It’s loud in here.”
I shake my head and shrug. “Yeah, I can’t really hear you!”
“Sorry,” he says and signs. He looks around at everyone else, signing. We’re the only ones trying to have a spoken conversation. I’m not really making this easy. I don’t want him to feel too out of place.
“Come here,” I sign, then reach for Jackson’s hand and lead him over to my room. He walks in while I lean against the door, now closed to block out some of the noise.
“It’s a cool party,” he says. “I don’t want to keep you from it. We can go back out there.”
“It’s okay; we can stay in here for a little bit.” I take a step toward him, wanting to be back in his arms but not wanting to cross any boundaries. I’m not sure where things stand between us. Jackson’s left it murky, and I’d rather give him space than push him away. “I’ve missed you,” I say and sign. Next, without speaking, I reverse the signs, asking Jackson ifhemissedme.
“I miss you,” he signs. “Really,” he adds, tossing his finger out from his chin. He continues the movement, reaching to tuck a stray hair behind my ear, sending a shiver down my spine. I dare to tilt my head and press a soft kiss to the back of his hand, which he lets linger along the side of my cheek and then traces down my collarbone.
“I know it’s not midnight yet, but—” I reach out, latching onto Jackson’s shirt.
With the same urgency, he whispers, “Happy New Year,” and presses his lips against mine.
Fireworks. Going off as my heart races, and I don’t want it to ever slow down. I run my hands up through his hair, undoing in seconds how nicely he styled it. My knees go weak as he takes a brief detour to plant a few kisses along my neck. I draw him close, ready for whatever the night has in store for us.
As much as I love to curse the unfairness of the universe, somehow it got me here, exactly where I need to be.
Chapter Fifty-two
Jackson
Ellie and Ihave been inseparable since New Year’s. When the school year ended, we decided to make up our missed Sign Museum date. She picked me up and we drove over together for an afternoon of wandering. The neon lights here shine brighter than Times Square, drawing our eyes toward the names of pizzerias, barber shops, and hotels from years gone by. It’s mesmerizing.
In the middle of the Main Street USA display, Ellie says and signs, “Let’s take a picture with these ones.”
