Harder Read Online Free Page B

awkwardly to mimic the way I’m using them, but after dropping the same piece of chicken three times, gives up and throws them on the floor.
    I put a piece of chicken in my mouth to hide my grin. Food is the best excuse not to talk.
    “How are you so good with those things?” She grabs her fork and starts eating. More delicately than I would have guessed.
    “Just good with my hands,” I say.
    “Oh yeah. Like sign language. How did you end up a TA anyway? Does it pay well? Kind of a fancy pants job.”
    I grin and swallow. “The teacher is my dad.”
    “Nepotism!” She shakes her head. “Should have known. Wait, so your dad’s Deaf?”
    I nod. “My mom too.”
    “Ohhh everything makes so much sense now. You’re a CODA. Child of Deaf Adult. That’s why you don’t talk a lot.”
    I shrug. “It’s my second language. I was raised with sign.” Somehow admitting that makes words come more freely. Like something loosens up inside me and allows the words out.
    I’m expecting her to ask questions, to want to meet my parents, but she surprises me as usual.
    “So you could tutor me, huh?” She winks at me and continues to eat. “Damn, this is sooo good.” She sighs after she finishes and looks at the plate with a sad face.
    I push my plate aside. “I’m done.”
    “You’re not gonna eat that?”
    I shake my head. “Go ahead.”
    She grins and takes it, eating again with that delicate but voracious way she has.
    “I could, though,” I say.
    “Could what?”
    “Tutor you.”
    She stops mid bite and drops her fork. “Really? ‘Cuz I’m sucking it up in school. Especially Sign Language. I keep voicing when I shouldn’t. I can’t seem to shut up.” She glares. “Wait a minute, is this a trick? Trying to distract me, so you can move in on my job?”
    “We have the same job.”
    “You know what I mean. Knight’s watching us.”
    “You can have the promotion.”
    “Ha! Reverse psychology. I know what you smarty-pants do to manipulate people. Not falling for it. Watching my back.”
    “We could trade.”
    “Trade what?”
    “You could tutor me.”
    “In what?” She finishes the meal and sits back. “You’re just as good of a lifeguard as me. I guess I could help you be more of a badass, but I don’t know what else.”
    “With people.”
    “With what?”
    “I want to talk to people.”
    “You what? Just talk to them then.” She dismisses the idea with a wave of her hand.
    I sigh and clasp my fingers together. I shouldn’t have said anything.
    “Oh, you mean like girls?” She sets down her fork and her eyes light up. Want me to help you get girls? No problem there. I’m great at picking them up, and I’m not even into them. I don’t suppose you’re into lesbians though… Still, I bet I could help you with normal ones.”
    I put my hands over my face. This is going all wrong. I don’t even have the social skills to tell her I need better social skills.
    She pulls my hands away. Her hands are firm, and rougher than I would have guessed. “Hey, no need to be embarrassed. I think you could do well with the ladies. I mean—”
    I look up with interest.
    “I just, if I weren’t your competition, you know, I wouldn’t find you ugly.” She starts to blush. “I mean, don’t make nothin’ of it, but yeah, you aren’t bad looking. Besides that nasty hair.”
    “My hair?” I reach up to touch it. I don’t want to lose it. It’s soft. It’s the perfect wall to hide behind. I can touch it when I’m feeling unsettled. It sets me apart as unique.
    “Oh, don’t look so depressed. It’s nice hair, I was just being a douche.”
    I sit up, relieved. I check my phone and stand. “We should get back.” I just want her to forget I ever asked her to help.
    “Hey, wait.” She takes my elbow. Her touch is electric, and I pause. “Let’s do it. I’ll help you date, and you help me with schoolwork. It’s perfect.”
    I nod. “Perfect.”
    She opens the door for me and I head out