It was the third time you had walked this path today,trying to remember all the talking points the guide would go over so you could translate them. As you were walking you noticed a girl who was looking around frantically,like she was trying to find someone. You had seen her with a group of people not too long ago so she probably got separated from them. Before you could think of how you should approach her,there was a gust of wind that blew her beret off. Lucky you were standing in the perfect spot to catch it. She ran over to you and you could see that she was talking,probably thanking you although you couldn’t hear. Now that she was closer,you got a better look at her,she was beautiful. So beautiful that you didn’t realize she had been rambling for the past two minutes. You put your hand up signaling her to pause,you pointed to your ear and shook your head. You could tell there was an ‘oh’ on the way,that was everyone's first instinct when you told them. Pulling up your phone you opened your notes before handing your phone to her. It only took her a few seconds before she gave it back to you.
‘I lost my friends,can you please help me find them?’ Putting your phone away you gave her a nod and a smile,before reaching up to fix her hair and put her beret back on. You gestured for her to hold on to it,making her laugh. You had seen her group a couple of times now so you sort of knew what they looked like. As you were walking you noticed that she was walking very close to you,you were sure she'd be holding your hand if you hadn't just met. When you walked by one of the local bookstores that one of your friends worked part time at,you glanced at the window to see if she was there and she was.She smiled before saying something and walking out to meet you.
“Y/N,what’s up?” She signed before quickly adding “Who’s your new friend?” You rolled your eyes knowing what she was implying.
“I’m just helping her find her friends that she got separated from. Have you seen a group of French people? Like five boys and four girls,have you seen them?”
“I did just see a group walk by here a like 10 minutes ago”
“What direction did they go in?” She turned to the girl before answering you,you turned to see that she was talking and turned back to your friend who thankfully translated what she said. She had asked your friend for the time.
“It’s 4:50” You saw her face drop and a look of panic took over,she started rambling so fast that your friend struggled to keep up. But you understood that she needed to get to a meeting point before 5:00.
“Do you know where it is or any of the buildings around it?” She told your friend the name of a nearby cafe,and you knew if you hurried you’d get there just in time. You gestured for her to follow you before you waved to your friend. You led her to where your scooter was parked,quickly unlocking it before handing her your extra helmet before you put yours on. She got on and put her hands on your shoulders,you tapped her hand and pointed to your waist instead,she moved her hands to your waist as you put in the key and started driving. You felt her hold you tighter as you picked up speed. A few moments later you noticed her grip got less tight as she was distracted looking around,you wished you could’ve seen her face. You reached the cafe and she got off,handing you back the helmet. You saw a group approach you,looking closer you recognized that they were her friends. They started talking,they must’ve said something about you because she turned back to you and quickly back to them. You took off your helmet,fixing your hair as you stood up,giving them a wave hello. She must’ve told them about you not being able to hear since they all waved back. There was a few minutes and you spent them ‘talking’ to the girl which consisted of you passing your phone back and forth,writing everything. You learned that her name was Imogen and you told her yours. You asked her for a photo of the two of you before she left. Before you posted it to your Instagram you handed your phone to her so she could tag her account. Her friends called her over since it was time for them to leave.
***
"Imogen!" I bolted up,looking at Sahar. “I called your name like five times,what are you looking at that’s more important?” I quickly put my phone down,so she couldn’t see that I was scrolling through Y/N Instagram.
“Sorry the whole break up thing has me a bit annoyed” I lied,not wanting to tell her that I might have feelings for a girl,let alone a girl I had just met not even 12 hours ago.
“If you’re thinking of taking him back,don’t. You did the right thing,you deserve better”
“You’re right,I shouldn’t think about him” I stared at the ceiling for hours questioning everything I thought I knew.I didn’t know what was happening or what I was feeling but one thing I knew was that I wanted to see her again.
I barely slept last night and spent the entirety of breakfast yawning,which made everyone ask if I was okay. I still couldn’t get her out of my mind,spending every moment I could on the profile. As we were on our way to the Eiffel tower I took another look,to find that she had made a post to her story. It was her with a tour group,the caption was the locations they’d been going to. The other locations had been crossed out leaving just the Eiffel tower. Just the thought that I might see her again made me both excited and nauseous.
***
The tour was almost over,your hands hurt from how much you signed,the new script was way longer than last years. You couldn’t wait to go grab a coffee and relax,you just had to get through your last stop. There were only three talking points and you were quickly done with the tour,letting everyone wander around and enjoy the view. Just as you were about to leave you saw a black beret flying towards you,you caught it before it could hit your face. You fully turned and once again you were face to face with Imogen. She laughed as she waved to you,walking up. You fixed her hair and set her beret on top of her head once again. You held up two of your fingers,she laughed as she spoke. Despite not hearing her words you could tell she said ‘twice’ just by reading her lips. She seemed to realize her mistake and quickly typed on her phone,before showing you ‘wanna hang out?’ You nodded ‘and could you please teach me some sign language?’ You hadn’t expected her to ask that,but it made you smile.
A few hours later you sat across from her at a cafe,teaching her the basics and making sure you wrote down what they meant. One phrase you made sure to teach her was ‘I don't understand’ you knew she'd need it a lot at the start.
***
The next day you woke up to a text from Imogen
‘hey,we’re throwing a birthday party for one of our friends. I was wondering if you’d like to come?’ You smiled at the words.
‘I’d love to,where and when?” She quickly texted you back with the hotel's address and the time. You rummaged through your closet for an outfit,nothing too fancy but you didn’t wanna show up in just a hoodie and jeans. The party was later that night so you had enough time to get ready,you were putting on some makeup when your sister came in. you turned to look at her and she looked shocked
“What? Where are you going?”
“A party”
“A party” She repeated “You don’t go to parties willingly,what’s going on?” She could see right through you.
“There’s this girl”
“I knew it,” She exclaimed,interrupting you. She was speaking out loud as she signed,probably not realizing. “So what’s she like?” You didn’t describe Imogen the only thing you found yourself signing was
“She asked me to teach her”
“She did?” She moved closer to you “That’s great,go get her” She was about to leave when you waved to get her attention.
“What did you want anyway?” She thought for a moment.
“I don’t remember,bye”
***
You texted Imogen when you arrived and she immediately came down to the lobby to get you. She smiled as she looked you over.
“You’re beautiful” You hadn’t thought her that,so she must’ve learned it on her own and the thought of it made you blush.
“You too” as you walked you asked “did you learn that for me?”
“Yes,I learned a few more stuff” You corrected her,showing her to proper sign for ‘things’ she signed back “Yes,i learned a few more things”
“Who’s birthday is it?” She signed back,separate letters this time.
“T-A-R-A” You made it to the door before you could ask anymore questions.
*
The party went well,until they wanted to play truth or dare. You decided to call it a night,and said your goodbyes. Imogen walked you out,you were in the hallway when she moved to stand in front of you.
“How about we play a round,just the two of us?”
“Sure,you first. Truth or dare?”
“Truth” You thought for a moment.
“Why did you wanna learn?”
“Because I wanna talk to you”
“But you’re only here for three days”
“I wanna keep talking to you,if you’d like too”
“I would”
“Your turn,truth or dare?” You could tell she was a bit unsure about the signs,she was trying to remember the signs.
“Dare” Her eyes lit up for a second,she stepped closer.
“I dare you to kiss me” You pushed her back against the nearest wall,leaning in closer. She wanted a kiss and you were going to give her one she wouldn’t forget.
