Whisper by Chrissie Keighery

right,’ says Cam. ‘As if Star would use her voice even if she could!’
    I raise my eyebrows at him, asking wordlessly what he means.
    â€˜When Star is around we do things her way. We bow and scrape,’ Cam explains. I gather that Star must be Stella’s deaf name.
    I still don’t really know what Cam’s on about but it seems that Stella has some serious power around here.
    â€˜I can’t wait to see her,’ Erica says. ‘She’s very cool,’ she says to me.
    â€˜Icy even,’ Luke adds with a grin. His broken heart seems to have mended.
    The teacher on yard duty signs to us that lunchtime is over. When Luke gets up, Keisha hurries over to join him.
    I can see what she’s signing, even from a distance, because she’s half-facing me, walking backwards in front of Luke. It’s public, even though she probably doesn’t want it to be. All I have to do is look, and I guess that’s worth remembering for the future, in case I ever want to say something private.
    But I’m glad I can see this. I’m glad I’m not locked out.
    It’s so cute.
    â€˜I like your eyelashes,’ she signs.

chapter 9
    It’s Friday afternoon. I’ve had an OK week. In fact, it’s been better than OK. I’m starting to feel settled.
    Erica and Keisha are loading books into their bags for weekend homework. I do the same.
    â€˜What are you doing now?’ Erica asks.
    â€˜Why don’t you come with us?’ Keisha adds.
    I heave my laden school bag onto my back so I can sign.
    â€˜Come where?’ I ask.
    â€˜We’re going to have a Coke and a look around – ’ ‘I wish I had money,’ Erica interrupts. ‘I can’t buy anything.
    You’re lucky, Chatter.’
    â€˜I’m not lucky,’ Keisha argues, rolling her eyes. ‘I earn my money by working. You know that.’
    I wonder what Keisha’s job might be. What job could a deaf teenage girl get? But it’s hard to get a word, or a sign, in.Finally I manage to ask.
    â€˜I work in a cafe,’ Keisha signs. ‘I love it.’
    â€˜How do you do it?’ I ask. ‘I mean, how do you know you’ll get the customer’s orders right? Or explain things to them?’
    Keisha mimes handwriting. ‘It works fine,’ she signs.‘Everyone in town knows I’m deaf, so they’re used to it.’
    I realise I’m staring at Keisha. She’s so … I don’t know.She’s just seems so fine about being deaf. It’s as though getting her customers to write down their orders is no big deal. That’s just the way it is.
    â€˜You’re lucky that you’re allowed to work,’ Erica signs, looking at me like she wants me to agree. ‘Mum reckons I’ve got enough on my plate without working as well. But my clothes are crap and she never buys me new ones.’
    I’d like to ask Keisha more about her work, but she’s pulling a magazine out of her school bag.
    â€˜I want something like this, only cheaper,’ Keisha signs.
    She shows me a page of celebrities who have been marked out of ten for their outfits. She points to a photo of a blonde, skinny model in a summer dress that probably cost thousands of dollars.
    â€˜They only gave her a seven!’ she signs, throwing her hands up in disgust. It’s funny seeing Keisha get all worked up about the ranking of some celebrity in a magazine.
    â€˜This is nice too.’ Erica leans over Keisha’s shoulder as Keisha points to some model wearing a tiny pink dress.I’m worried Keisha’s about to move on to the actress in the next photo, who has scored a measly three for her tie-dyed bikini top, denim short-shorts and stilettos. I agree with the judges on this one. I’m not a fan of the look or the girl.
    I wave my hand in front of Keisha’s face, because I have a feeling this could go on for a long time. ‘Where are you