Auren, Vivi, Dax, Nyra, and Nova sat around the table. Nova was quiet, his gaze fixed on the table as if the wood itself carried answers.
Dax waved his hand.— Hello? Say something, yeah? It's been a while, you're just sitting there, not saying a word.
Then his eyes widened with realization.— Wait… are you deaf??
Nyra tilted her head, and Vivi muttered suddenly, almost out of nowhere: Ahh… I see now, he's deaf. Sorry from us.
Nova's lips trembled, and then - I'm not deaf, he said softly.
The words slipped out before he could stop them. He quickly covered his mouth, as if regretting every syllable. Why did I speak? Why did I let it fall out?
But it was too late. Everyone around the table lit up with a smile, a smile of relief.
Auren leaned forward.— So… why were you acting deaf all this time?
He had always sensed that Nova was suffering something inside.
Vivi broke the silence with a bright tone.— Say something! You're so secretive, you know?
