negative_feedback | (no subject)

The weather is warming up, and it's been really nice. She's at the park to enjoy some of the fresh air while she does some homework, and she's even gone so far as to take off her sneakers and socks, toes curling and uncurling in the cool grass.

She's got a book in her lap, and a notebook at her side, which she uses to take notes in as she skims.

But, honestly, it's kind of boring. She's not even sure what it's about, at this point, and she has to write a report by the end of the week. With a sigh, Regan drops her head back, staring up at the sky. In her periphery, she sees movement, so she glances over — just to make sure it's not Richie about to prank her again, or something. She's still pulling glitter off her scalp and other places, and it's been weeks.

When she realizes it's Billy, she smiles a little. Things have gotten less tense with him, so it's actually kind of a pleasant surprise to see him there.

And it's a welcome distraction, besides.

She closes her book and sets it aside, then waves to get his attention.

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"Want me to carry anything?" he asks, staring at his hands a bit while he does it. He is determined; Regan's not wrong on the reasons or the cause for his consternation.

"How's school going?"

"I've got it," she assures. She has her bag, still, so she just piles everything in it, then hooks it on her shoulders. "It's alright. It's school. The novelty is sort of wearing off by now." She grins wryly as she says that, because, really, who gets excited about school?

She does. She's a nerd.

"Were you--" He pauses, trying to think of how to make the question work. "Were you home schooled before this?"

She talks about it like a novelty and Billy hasn't actually asked much about Regan's past before Frank started bringing her around. He knows she lives at the Home. That's all he needed.

"For awhile," she answers. He doesn't get the sign quite right, but she still understands his meaning. She isn't sure how she wants to explain her meaning, though, and she finds herself hesitating for an almost awkward amount of time. Then she says, "I used to go to a Deaf school. Then my parents homeschooled us before I got here."

There's more to it than that. So much more. But she isn't sure how much she wants to go into it — or if she even should, really.