I never thought I would meet someone like this...

Her hands flew up like it was the most natural thing in the world. I had a hard time watching her; her energy filled the room, and I was overwhelmed.

I signed goodbye and hurriedly left. She followed me. I am not doing this: not today! I whipped out my phone and texted my mother,

`Hurry, pick me up!

I ran outside and climbed a tree. It was the tree I climbed when I was irritated or sad. Today, I was irritated: a lot! Janelle didn't see me climb; she looked around frantically.

My mom's car pulled up to the curb, and I slowly climbed out. Somehow Janelle spotted me and smiled. I ran over to the car; Janelle waved and signed, See you tomorrow!

I waved, annoyed. My mom nudged my shoulder. She hadn't learned sign language, so I lip-read with her.

"Honey! Someone can communicate with you! Why are you not happy?" My mom said. I put my hands over my face and told her to drive. We did. I watched Janelle turn around and walk back into the school. She was sweet, and she liked to show me she could communicate, but when you have been deaf for 3 years and nobody knows sign language, you just get used to it. So I was definitely not expecting Janelle to start signing to me like it was a race.