Chapter 35: Creepy
Abigail’s heart slammed against her ribs as Jamal’s words hung between them.
She had spoken. Out loud.
And he had heard her.
She quickly reached for her phone, pausing her music, before snapping her gaze to him. His brown eyes held hers, sharp with surprise and something else— something lost between curiosity and amusement.
Her mind scrambled for an explanation, but she knew there was none. Instead, she exhaled sharply and raised her hands to sign, [I don’t share personal details with strangers.]
Jamal snorted, shaking his head. "That’s rich coming from someone like you that asks strangers personal questions. What kind of person pretends to be mute when they can talk?"
Abigail frowned at his bluntness but didn’t react beyond lifting her hands again. [It’s not your business. Just ignore me like you did earlier and focus on yourself.]
Jamal sighed and ran a hand over his face. "Unfortunately, I can’t ignore you just because you’re asking me to." He leaned back against his seat, turning his head slightly to face her fully. "You’re the one who bumped into me, ran after me to ask for my number, and then lied about being mute. I believe I deserve an explanation. Now you better speak because I’m not interested in reading your sign language anymore."
Abigail’s hands froze midair, her fingers curling into her palms. A hot rush of frustration swept through her. He was impossible.
But she wasn’t about to be drawn into a conversation with him no matter how tempted she was to talk to him. Not here. Not now. Not when she still didn’t know if her father had planted someone on the plane to watch her.
Without another word, she turned away from him, jammed her EarPods back in, and restarted her music.