Regardless of the early hours of dawn approaching us, I couldn’t fall asleep, not even if I tried. First off, because people had music blaring all night long, secondly, because I wasn’t passed out drunk like Alex, Taylor, and Ethan, and finally because I couldn’t stop thinking about Marissa. I’d been staring at a “new message” screen for a while, desperately wanting to text her, but not knowing what to say.
649Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzVLC2j7xb8
Hey, it’s Ashton
649Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYLLeeBIYwV
I sent the text and didn’t expect a reply, but instantly a text came through.
649Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡkzwP7OQ13r
Took you long enough to finally text me!
649Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡevh2pw4d5U
A boiling blush fills my cheeks and I’m unable to break my smile. As I tried to think of something else to say, she sent another text.
649Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1bekLT4Wow
Wanna come smoke with me? I won’t be offended if you say no btw
649Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ97OADudkZl
I felt my heart begin to race and I quickly sat up from the table bed I was sharing with Alex. I threw my jacket on and quickly and quietly escaped the camper.
649Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGrAgiwhn3h
Where’s your site?
649Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡP14UJllL9g
I awkwardly shuffled around in front of the camper waiting for her response.
649Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡpO1rVDbW7F
We’re on the outside, right by the bathrooms with a bunch of tents set up. I’ll watch for you though
649Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUmlllCyW3L
I didn’t even finish reading the message before I started almost jogging to where she was. I was nervous, but overjoyed all at once as I neared the climb of portable toilets. I slowed my walk a bit, trying to not look as eager as I was.
649Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡST7FlU16J1
“Hey! Ashton!” I heard Marissa call, and I turned to my right to see her sitting out in a lawn chair, illuminated only by the burning embers of whatever she was smoking. I walked over, hands deep in my pockets and she grinned widely. She gestured to the seat next to her and I sat down, heart still pounding.
649Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7SWHs0rVnq
“You can’t sleep either, huh?” she asked, taking a drag from which I could now see was a joint. I shook my head as she let out the smoke.
649Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡp5Sru1Jwns
“I don’t regularly smoke this stuff, but this weekend is the time to just do whatever, you know? Do you smoke?” she asked, resting her elbows on her knees and holding the blunt out to me. I grinned sheepishly and took the joint from her, taking a long, deep drag. It had been too damn long since I’d smoked.
649Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhoKfpAlV4I
“Damn, you’re a pro,” she laughed as I handed it back to her. I leaned back in the chair, taking another deep breath. I glanced over at her as she started putting the joint out. She leaned back and looked at me.
649Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvmcPtdoKcV
“I tried smoking that stuff when I was in high school because of my insomnia and it worked miracles,” she sighed happily with a smile.
649Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPYAQa2GGAn
“So, how do you communicate with people if you’re mute? Do you sign or carry something around?” she pressed, genuine interest in her eyes. I cleared my throat, as if I were going to start miraculously speaking, but instead pulled out my phone. She sat patiently and quietly as I typed:
649Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHVVW763c7C
9/10 times I just type because it’s quicker and not everybody knows ASL. I sign to my family and to Alex sometimes because it’s quicker, but I can suffice with typing or small gestures. When I was really young and learning to read and write, I would sign, but I also had flashcards I carried around.
649Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPfmlW6stdx
She read over the text, smiling as she read it. She handed me my phone back and just looked at me for a while. It wasn’t awkward though, I quite enjoyed examining her eyes some more.
649Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFVsFQfjE1l
“Have you ever been able to talk? Also, feel free to let me know if I’m being way too fucking nosey,” she laughed and I smiled, typing again:
649Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3DAEKUZGcA
I could make noises and stuff when I was really little. I could say “mama” and “dada” things like that, but then when I got older I just...I don’t know...I couldn’t speak.
649Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPH6oxEfziA
“Did you go to speech therapy or anything?”
649Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCUAfgOXcLz
Oh yeah. Until I was in high school. I think they just gave up on me after a while.
649Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡli9crtN8SR
“Huh, well thanks for indulging my curiosity,” she sighed, leaning back in the chair and looking up at the sky. I continued to look at her, wondering how such a specimen existed.
649Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡndYEHXXKuR
“I’ve really enjoyed your company, Ashton,” she hummed quietly, looking at me and I smirked, typing out on my phone:
649Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡcHqVptxdk0
Are you sure it’s just because I can’t talk and you can just blab on?
649Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6gdxCZuP7I
She looked insulted, but then laughed.
649Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmpVM8fDnZP
“I can’t believe you aren’t annoyed with me and my constant talking. Like, literally, I never shut up once you get me going!” she exclaimed, throwing her arms up in the air dramatically. I burst out into my airy laugh and she looked at me in awe.
649Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPWAqRCLAN3
“Oh my god, is that your laugh?! That is amazing!” she exclaimed, and I figured the joint was finally getting to us. She took a deep breath and grinned at me.
649Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0tRA2pl4AW
“I’m gonna pass out soon I think, but seriously, text me and we can meet up tomorrow,” she yawned, with a stretch. I nodded, standing up and helping her up from the chair.
649Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡc3Ug3X1hT7
Thanks for sharing your blunt with me, and the night. I’ll see you tomorrow.
649Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmUpghRcKzR
She read it and I winked at her. I gave her and wave and slowly started back to my tent, finally thinking I’d be able to sleep.
649Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡF7U1hMnbuD
649Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMZJ82sdQ8Q
649Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbdbfHcqW4k
