Chapter 2 - An Honest Effort

Ozzy Osbourne's Mr. Crowley blared through my headphones, and I softly mimicked Randy Rhodes's guitar solo. It was the guitar solo that intrigued me to learn how to play guitar. I loved how intense and vibrant the solo was, and my goal was the learn how to play it. It took five years, but it was well worth it.

Any other typical family probably would have talked on the way and listened to the same music, but it wasn't as though we could have a normal conversation. It would have been too dangerous for dad to glance at me to see what I signed, and dad didn't enjoy being the only one who talked between us. Listening to our own music eliminated the guilt and anxiety of feeling the need to communicate, even if it was considered rude.

Since we would need to finish unpacking all the boxes once we got home, we stopped by P.D.Q. for a late dinner. Dad ordered me a chicken burger with fries and water without even asking what I wanted. He just knew. With him being my only friend and us spending a lot of our time together, he'd better know me.

It was on the brink of eight when dad pulled into a large driveway, and I slowly slipped my headphones off of my head and around my neck as he turned the car off.

I turned to face dad with wide eyes, and he smirked at me. What do you think?

It's beautiful, I replied. The base was a dark brown with oak doors and window frames, and there was a large yard with plants in the front. The porch had a swing bench and chairs, and a new Welcome mat sat in front of the door with a little gnome next to it.

"Your room is upstairs to the far right. You'll know it's yours," dad said as I exited the vehicle. I walked around to the back of the truck and pulled out my carry-on suitcase, rolling it up to the front door with my backpack in my other hand.

The moment I walked inside, I noticed how all our old furniture was set up nearly identical to how it was at the old place. The couches faced each other with a glass coffee table in-between. Two recliners sat beside each other and faced the TV with a little wooden table between the chairs. Bookcases carrying mom's old books leant against the wall next to the stairway, pictures I took hung on the walls or sat on little tables with trinkets.

Dad walked in with his carry-on, and I signed I thought there would be more unpacking to do.

"I figured I'd help get more of it out of the way while I was here. The new house should not be so crowded with boxes that will give you anxiety about needing to unpack them while you're at school." He placed his hands on my shoulders and kissed my forehead. "Have you seen your room yet?"

Shaking my head, I walked upstairs and down the hall to where he said my room would be. When I opened the door, I almost broke down in tears. The entire wall that contained my window was covered in black and white photographs I'd taken throughout the years. I'd always dreamt of having a photo wall, but I could create one at the old place.

All of my furniture was already set up, and I threw my backpack onto the bed. I huffed out a quick breath and placed my hands on my hips as I glanced at the setup. I had more space in my room than before, and I had no idea how to fill it up.

I framed my thumb and pointer fingers together to inspect the room, and I slowly spun around in a circle. Once I landed on the window, I froze.

The first time I ever saw Venus was a memory I'd never forget, because staring back at me through violet curtains was the most beautiful woman I had ever seen. She was tall and lean with wavy platinum hair that rested behind her ears and fell over her shoulders. Multiple piercings resided in her left ear while her right only had three. Her eyes were outlined in a sadistic black that shimmered like blue, and her lips were purple. She wore nothing but a plain black t-shirt, pleather leggings, and black, knee high boots.

Her hand gripped onto the border of the window, and her eyes stared back at me as though she was in a trance. A smile slowly crept up her lips as she unlocked the bar on her window and slid it up. Venus waved at me, and I blushed as I waved back.

She used her hands to motion for me to open the window. For the first time in my life, there was someone who actually wanted to talk to me. Due to premonition, I couldn't believe someone actually wanted to talk with me, especially one who smiled so radiantly and was basically a living goddess. Yet I found myself walking up to the window and opening it anyway.

"Hi, there," she spoke in a low, soothing voice as she sat on her window bench. "My name is Venus." The name suited her. It was as edgy as she looked. I nervously smiled back and entwined my hands behind my back. She cocked an eyebrow, and I knew she was expecting me to tell her my name, but I couldn't.

"What's yours?" she asked, still smiling. I didn't know how to respond. This had never happened before.

I noticed Venus's eyes travel behind me. I turned back to spot my dad with my guitar case. He placed it on the ground and smiled at Venus, who smiled back.

I see you're getting along with the new neighbor, he smirked.

Dad, I warned.

I looked back at Venus, but she disappeared. I flashed dad a sad grin.

Don't fret over it, he signed before leaving my room and shutting the door.

In the corner of my eye, I spotted a piece of paper fly across my window. I turned back to the window and saw Venus returned with a sketchpad in her hands. She held it up, and it read, 'I'm not the best at sign language, but I know how to write.'

Gazing back into Venus's eyes, my smile took over my face. For the first time, someone made an effort to communicate with me.