Numb to Words by Plumsy

*Chapter 1*
Jackie sat on the floor in front of the fire. She was surrounded by her family. Since her brother died when he was ten, there wasn't a lot of talking. Its not like Jackie could talk anyways. She was one of the few
people who had to use sign langauge. She was dumb. Not stupid, but dumb as in she couldn't speak. It wasn't always like that. Before her brother died she could talk just fine. In fact she had dreamt of becoming a singer when she got older.

But that all changed when Christian had died. He had gotten in the way of a moving car. But not on purpose, he was being bullied and was pushed. The kids that did it seem pretty sorry for it. It wasn't really their fault in the first place.

However, since then Jackie had just shut up. She couldn't speak. She had tried so many times and all she could do was make little whimpering signs.

She had overcome that though, she had made her way to college and was one of the top in her class. Actually she was so smart that she was in her fourth year and she was only 19. She hadn't had many friends and since she couldn't talk she wasn't distracted.

She was pretty but people didn't notice that because she was dumb. She had long red hair and warm brown eyes. She didn't go out much and her skin was a milky white colour. Like a doll, fragile. She wasn't thin either, on the contrary she was a little plump. But it didn't last for long, in college she had lost over twenty pounds and now was a size eight. Her face was freckled and she blushed easily making her an easy target for jokes.

But she had surpassed most of them. Somthering all her time in Shakespare and old movies. Jackie really liked musicals. In fact she had gone to see Moulin rouge and was in love with it. However during most of the movie she cried. They had such beautiful voices. She hadn't heard hers in nine years.

That is right her and christian were twins. Born only a few seconds from each other. So they had a close bond like no other. As much as her mother and father tried, Jackie just couldn't find another to replace christian. And that is were we start off today... Jackie's graduation at N.C. State.

She had majored in fashion Design and was doing very well....

*brrriiiinnnnngggg*
the alarm went off as Jackie fumbled around on her bedside table to shut it off. Jackie Shelia Jackard was valedictorian of her school and was prepared for her speach. From what she knew a young lady or man would stand at the podium as she "signed" them her speach. They would translate it and then tell it too the entire class. Jackie wasn't nervous at all why should she be? she wasn't the one standing in front of at least a million people!

Smiling to herself Jackie got up and went to the bathroom to get ready.

Since she was wearing a gown Jackie just picked up a pair of jeans and x - men t - shirt. Jackie was used to being the odd bird so she was used to wearing weird clothes. Setting her black converse at the door of her bedroom , Jackie left to get anything else she might need. Notecards,.. where were her note cards???

Sighing to herself as she found them next to her alarm... on the floor. Picking them up she put them in her shoes and finally got in the shower. Coming out of the shower Jack was ready to go. By the way, that is what she is usually called Jack. She didn't like jackie it was too feminine. Walking down the stairs looking at her black painted nails. She had spent the night with her mum and pa.

Probably no the best choice but there was free breakfast so she was in.

Smelling eggs and bacon Jack made her way down the stairs faster then before. Jack had a thing for bacon ( sorry to you veges) she had always loved it. It had been a source for giving Jack chores when she was younger 'cause if ya did your chores you would get bacon. And until then it would tempt you. Which was never good for Jack.

Grabbing a plate of mostly bacon and a small side of eggs Jack started hogging down her food. Her mother smile and her father just chuckled to himself and read some more newspaper. Jack looked at her parents they had been through nine years of consuling dealing with jack's dumbness and christian's death. They still had a while to go, but they tried hard to understand.

" Get your robe and cap together and lets go!" Jack's mom squealed with delight. That was another thing special about Jack. She could hear langauge just not imitate it enough to learn it. It had been to long for her mouth. Jack silently wondered alot about what would have happened if she hadn't lost her voice. She probably wouldn't be where she was today that's for sure. Nineteen and already graduating from college. Dream come true or at least one of them.

Jack's other dream was to become a famous designer and have her design clothes for a major motion picture. That probably wouldn't happen tho. Going back up to her room Jack turned on Miles davis and started to play along on her drums. She had gained extra credits with band that also helped with the
speedy process of getting through college.

A car horn honked and Jack finished putting on her robe and brushed her hair one last time took her cap and was down and out the door. While in the car her mother and father turned to her and gave her their I'm - so - proud - of - you speech. But something happened Jack didn't expect to happen. Her mother handed her a brown envelope," it is something special for you... for after you graduate." Jack gave her mother a confused look. Shrugging jack opened the package to find two tickets to New Zealand and a packet along with a letter. Opening in the letter she found it was requesting her to design the costumes for a major motion picture. Lord Of The Rings . Jack wanted to scream but instead she bounced up and down in her seat and signed * oh my gosh and thank you soooo much* Tears went down her face. She was so
happy! Now she only had two more wishes...

*and no I won't reveal them now!*