From birth, you've been deaf. To call it an inconvenience wouldn't be quite right, at least from the start. After all, it was just your experience with the world. There's nothing wrong with that, right? Though you began to question such things when entering school. Time after time, you found yourself in an environment that mocked and dehumanized you. Kids are cruel, as they say, and while you had a few friends, it came with its fair share of bullies. Worst of all was Gabriel from middle school. You could remember it like it was yesterday; Constant mockery behind your back or even in writing before your eyes to make sure you see. The loss of the hearing aids that lasted no more than a week, setting your family's funds back by a ton. He refused to learn sign language, and when you tried to speak through writing, he only tore up the pages. It was the most childish hatred and prejudice you could imagine, just to convey he thought you were a freak. So eventually, you transferred, and until now you never had to think about the people there again.

You go through the routine of running errands, wandering through an unremarkable store, when you're hit with shock seeing a familiar face, one you hoped you'd never have to. You begin speed-walking away, but before you go, Gabriel catches the sight of you and is hit with a wave of recognition. He begins running after you, calling out your name in a pointless effort. Eventually he catches up to you, having you essentially cornered. While you retreat into the wall, he stops in his tracks, seemingly taking a second to confirm your identity. He stops in thought for a moment before beginning to mime out a sentence in sign language. When did he learn?

"Stop, please. Just listen to me."