#stay tuned for tomorrow to see what ash thinks of our deaf mads

[calpalirwin]

According to Plan

A/N: And now we go back a few years to watch their story unfold.

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Chapter 1

Madison

September 2015

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The house looked a lot like our old house- a typical two-story home. The only difference was that this house supposedly had a basement. “Looks good, huh?” Mike asked.

I nodded.

He grinned. He had been excited about the move ever since Mom had been offered a new job. I was slightly less thrilled. Starting over at a new high school my senior year wasn’t exactly the plan I had for myself- the deaf new girl.

Mike, on the other hand, well, he had broken up with his girlfriend and was grateful to be across the country from her. And not being deaf himself, he was looking forward to living it up as best his could.

“Wanna check it out?” he asked.

I shrugged and we got out of his truck, heading for the house. Sure enough, it looked like every other two-story home, just with a basement like the pictures had shown.

“I’ve been in that car for too damned long. I’m gonna change then head over to the school. Use their field for a little practice. Mads, wanna come with me?” Mike asked when we had all checked out the basement. It had been a huge selling point for all of us because there wasn’t a basement at our old house, and we all wanted to see how big it was because we all had dreams of turning it into something for us- Dad wanted a home theater, Mom wanted a proper office, Mike wanted to turn it into his apartment bedroom, and me, well I wanted a dark room for my photography.

I nodded. I liked going with Mike when he wanted to practice. We’d run together in complete silence and then I was left alone while he played soccer against imaginary players. Plus, going with him know would give me a much needed chance to take photos to buff up my portfolio for Yale. New school or not, I was still determined to get into Yale on early decision. I had the grades, I had the extra-curriculars, I had the test scores; I just needed something extra for my portfolio, and so far, nothing I had struck me as Yale material. Maybe a new town was just what I needed.

“We just got here, don’t you kids want to relax for a bit?” Mom asked.

 We both shook our heads before heading upstairs to find our rooms. My room looked exactly the same as it had at our old house. My bed was pushed up against one wall, perfectly in the middle, a nightstand on either side. My couch was pushed against the foot of my bed, with my television on its stand at the wall opposite my bed. My bookshelf with my books, movies, and CDs was set up next to my television. I double-checked that everything was alphabetized. Warm sunshine spilled across the bedroom floor from my open window. My desk was neatly lined up with one corner of my room, my laptop on the surface, closed and charging. My school books and schedule were neatly stacked next to my laptop for me. I opened my closet, on one side hung my jackets with my shoes lined up underneath. The other side had my dresser and clothes hamper. I opened my drawers to find my clothes neatly folded and all in their place.

I smiled to myself looking at my room. It was exactly how I wanted it to be- everything with a place and everything in that place. I quickly changed into workout clothes, put my hair up in a ponytail, and grabbed my camera. Okay, I signed to Mike as I came downstairs. I’m ready.

“Awesome.” He turned to our parents, “We’ll be home for dinner.”

“Okay,” they answered in unison. Both were already curled up on the couch watching something on television. “Have fun, be safe.”

We drove in silence over to the school. Then, we walked in silence out to the field. Not because we couldn’t- we both knew sign language, and I could read lips really well- but because the silence was soothing.

Three boys and three girls around our age were already on the field. “Shit, sorry,” Mike whispered to me, looking at me so I could see his lips move. “I thought we’d be alone. C’mon, I’ll drive you home. I can practice later.”

One of the boys shouted out to us as he came jogging over, the others following close behind. “Came to play a little soccer?” the boy asked once he was closer, looking at Mike’s soccer ball. He was tall, probably close to six feet, if not a little taller, broad shouldered and muscular. Definitely athletic, I decided. His brown hair curled over hazel eyes that were splattered with flecks of green and gold. My heart raced a little in my chest as he smiled at us. I wondered what his voice sounded like, but it probably sounded just as good as he looked.

“Uh, yeah,” Mike said. “I didn’t think anyone would be around.”

“Yeah, this place is pretty empty for now. School doesn’t start until Monday,” the boy answered again. “I’m Ashton Irwin, by the way. This is Luke Hemmings, his girlfriend, Sierra Deaton, Calum Hood, and his girlfriend Riley Henderson, and Crystal Leigh.” They all nodded as they were introduced- a blonde-haired, blue-eyed boy, a pretty brunette, a very tan boy with dark curls and even darker eyes, and two equally pretty blondes.

“I’m Mike Clifford. This is my sister, Madison,” Mike introduced us, shaking their hands. The six strangers looked to me, waiting for me to say something. Unsure of what to do because Mike had introduced me so there wasn’t much left for me to do, I looked at the ground, studying my shoes. “Uh, sorry,” Mike said when I just stood there. He waved his hand in my face to get my attention and gave me a thumbs up, while raising his eyebrows- the classic “You following?” without having to admit to anyone I had complete deafness.

I nodded, then from Mike’s cue, shook their hands. Ashton’s hand set my heart racing again as he gently squeezed and his smile was directed full force at me.

“You can join us if you want. Plenty of space. Besides, playing against these two gets a little dull,” Ashton said after introductions had been made.

Luke gave Ashton a shove, “Fuck off. We’ve been playing soccer together since we were kids. We know what the other is going to do. Kinda defeats the purpose of playing, y’know?”

“That’s cuz you both suck,” Calum laughed.

Mike chuckled a little. “I know what you mean. Uh, sure. I could use the practice. That okay, Mads?”

I nodded. With people to play with Mike would be distracted just enough so he could relax without worrying about me, and I could take my time scouting for good pictures without worrying about him worrying about me.

“We can keep you company,” Riley offered. “The boys are starting to bore me anyway.”

Calum scoffed, “Woman, I am offended!” He tilted his back when he laughed.

“Oh, hush!” Riley told him, “I’ve spent all summer watching the three of you play soccer.”

I shook my head, declining her offer, before turning to Mike. I held up my camera and gestured around, letting him know I was going to take some pictures and look around.

He nodded, then “Keep your phone on you so I can find you later, okay?”

I nodded before walking away, waving my hand behind me. I could picture the conversation going on behind me, even if I couldn’t hear it. I knew Mike would just say I was shy, or introverted, or both. He was always good at letting me decide whether or not I wanted to let people know if I was deaf or not. “It’s not my business until someone’s an asshole,” he always told me, “because protecting you is always my business.”

I pulled out my class schedule I had folded up in my pocket. We had missed registration, but when Mom and Dad had flown in the week before to do a bunch of busy work with setting up the house and their new jobs, they went to the school to get us situated for the school year. All Mike and I had to do was get our school pictures taken. And show up, of course. I studied my schedule, committing it to memory before flipping it over to study the school map, memorizing that as well. I stuffed the paper back in my pocket when I felt a tap on my shoulder. I jumped.

“Sorry, didn’t mean to scare you,” Ashton apologized.

I waved my hand dismissively. Then, wondering how to simplify my sign language, I made an “okay” symbol hoping he’d know I meant it was all good. I knew he hadn't meant to scare me. He didn’t know I couldn’t hear.

He looked at me confused for a second, then his brain put the pieces together. “Oh! Can you hear me?”

I shook my head, but pointed at his lips.

“Oh, I can sign if that helps,” he said, signing as he spoke.

My eyes lit up, You sign?! Besides my family, I didn’t know a lot of people who signed.

“I took a year in 8th grade. I can understand it better than I can do it myself,” he signed with uncertainty as he spoke, his fingers slow and clumsy.

That’s okay, I can read lips.

“Cool,” he nodded. “Cool camera,” he said, pointing out my camera I had around my neck. “You like photography?”

I nodded, then pointed at him to ask if he also like photography.

“I like looking at them, sure. But taking pictures myself isn’t really my thing. I’m better at cars and soccer.”

I could tell you liked soccer.

“Yeah,” he chuckled. “You could’ve stayed if you wanted, you know.”

I wanted to leave.

“Oh…”

Did I hurt your feelings? I asked, genuinely caring about his answer. Not being able to speak for myself left a lot up to how my signs were interpreted. I hadn’t meant it rudely.

“No. I was worried that we had upset you, actually.”

Social situations make me uncomfortable. I like being alone.

“Oh. Well, you can come back with me if you want. You don’t have to talk to us if you don’t want. Just being there is fine enough.”

As long as you all know I’m not actually ignoring you guys.

“Yeah, like I said, being there is fine enough with me.” He smiled again and I realized that that smile would be the absolute end of me.