Page 110 of Clichés & Curses

Sometimes, we talk and catch up. Sometimes, we brush up on our ASL. But my personal favourite is when Colton lays his head down on my lap, taking a much-needed nap after a few long days, while I read a romance book, occasionally playing with his hair.

Because, sometimes, no talking is necessary; our presence was enough.

Our ASL class also gave me the opportunity to meet the reason why Colton had joined the class in the first place.

You guessed it, I got to meet Phillip.

The partnered-up assignment that Mr Albert gave the class was to meet up with the Deaf community and converse with them; it didn’t matter which age range it was. We decided upon meeting with the younger kids, and that was when I got to meet the sweet boy who was the catalyst for bringing Colton into my life.

Seeing the eyes of the kids lit up as we introduced ourselves in ASL was something I’ll never forget, and I knew I wanted to continue learning, which was how I ended up taking a class at the Deaf centre the next semester and levelled up when I entered my senior year.

It’s been one of the best decisions I’ve made. On par with the other decision that was currently serving up breakfast for me.

Once he was done, Colton placed a plate of spaghetti and meatballs in front of me. He put his plate next to mine, before settling into the only other kitchen stool in the apartment.

We both ate our breakfast in comfortable silence, as we always do in the mornings when he comes to stay over the night before. Content with each other’s company, our mind slowly wakes up to seize the day—with only the sweet sounds of ABBA hung in the air between us.

When we were done eating, I was about to stand up and grab both of our empty plates to put them in the dishwasher. But Colton stopped me before I could, engulfing my hand in his instead. ‘Dance with me.’

‘What?’ I said, amused by his request.

‘Come on.’ He got out of his stool and got me out of mine, pulling me into him as we softly swayed to the music. My hands around his neck and his hands on my waist.

It wasn’t until the chorus that I realized what song it was.

It was ‘Andante, Andante’. The song that I had dedicated to him on one of our dates at his aunt and uncle’s bar, just a little over a month ago. The date that I had surprised him by going onstage by myself to sing on my own. While I was extremely nervous, I thought Colton would appreciate the gesture. The awe-struck look on his face—forever captured in a photo, thanks to his aunt—made the whole thing worth it.

I could tell Colton was remembering the same thing from the fond look on his face.

‘Are you remembering my sweet serenade to you again?’ I said to him, my voice teasing.

He grinned back at me. ‘Can you blame me? It’s not every day your girlfriend dedicatesandsings a song to you at a bar.’

I just giggled at him, Colton joining me with a small laugh of his own.

As we continued to sway to the song, the playful look on his face started to sombre, replaced by a serious one instead.

I furrowed my eyebrows at him. ‘What?’ I said, suddenly nervous.

He shook his head, trying to avoid eye contact with me. ‘Nothing.’

I put my hand on his cheek and lifted his head to me. ‘What is it?’

Colton was quiet for a moment. Then, taking a deep inhale of breath, he gently grabbed my hands that were around his neck. Dropping it at my side as he took a few steps away from me.

I merely stood there, confused at what was happening.

And then he started signing. Slowly. Taking his time between each word.

There were only three.

Three words we’ve been floating around on but have yet to say to each other.

Just as he signed the last word, I was already launching myself into his arms. I wrapped my legs around him, as I placed my head in the space between his neck and shoulders. He stumbled slightly at the sudden impact, but with his arms around my waist, he held me tight.

I love you.

He signed ‘I love you’ to me.

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