This morning before classes began at my High School I found myself sitting in front of my locker alone adamantly reading Heinlein's Starship Troopers, a fun, fascist book of adventure at the very least. Three weeks into school and several of my friends decided to take the day off, so that was all I really had to occupy myself with. I had managed to become reasonably interested in the book to forget where I actually was, however I guess ten minutes into reading out of nowhere a friendly girl I hardly ever talk to named Sara appeared and said to my face "Excuse me, this girl is trying to get to her locker." I looked to her side, and to my surprise there was the new freshman who now uses the locker right next to mine. She could have been standing there for at least five minutes and I would not have known it.

To describe her, I guess what comes to mind most is the adjective dwarven. She's short, round, relatively unnattractive with long, black hair. And I haven't heard her say a word to me. Ever. Of course I said sorry, moved to the side, feeling somewhat estranged. But this thing has happened before, with her. While I'm getting ready to leave, just packing my bag, minding my own business, I'll turn around by accident to see that she's patiently waiting for me to get out of the way. And of course I'll move, mumble something about being sorry, but...gahhh..she doesn't talk at all.

The locker next to mine is occupied by a mute! A mute!

Later on a few of my friends joined me there, they suggested that I take her by the shoulders, shake her and scream into her face "why won't you speak? Speak to me! Say something!" But I don't really want to do that. I'm more of a passive personality. Once I saw her walking alone in the hallway. I didn't say anything. I'm not really sure if I should take action or just let it go. And plus, a confrontation might result in my speaking to her, her saying nothing, my saying something more, asking her "are you a mute?" her not doing anything, my grumbling a swear and then my going away. I do not want defeat!

So yeah it's a pretty wierd situation. Any advice?

Well if she is mute I would imagine she would attend some kind of disability school, like the school for the deaf and blind or something. Or do you know if your school has a special section for catering to people with those kinds of problems?

If she is mute I would imagine she knows some kind of sign langauge like someone who is deaf would; but I could be wrong. She may simply write everything down on paper and show it to people.

Why not just say something normal rather than grabbing her by the shoulders and screaming? Just ask "Excuse me, but do you talk" ? I suppose that could come off as a bit rude, but you don't know if she is mute.

If she is, I'm surprised that she hasn't tapped you on the shoulder or something all of the times she has wanted to get into her locker.

Three weeks into school and several of my friends decided to take the day off

I salute such hard working youth.

Later on a few of my friends joined me there, they suggested that I take her by the shoulders, shake her and scream into her face "why won't you speak? Speak to me! Say something!

Being serious or jestful?

just leave the poor girl alone.
she obviusly doesnt want to be botherd by you, or bother you, so why not just leave well enugh alone?

If she is, I'm surprised that she hasn't tapped you on the shoulder or something all of the times she has wanted to get into her locker.

Yes it's possible that she's just incredibly shy. I discussed this with one of my lockermates and he agrees with the possibility of her being mute, but being mute in such a way so that she does not even attempt to communicate. Not with signs, not with facial expression. Nothing.

I salute such hard working youth.

Well it turns out that one of them was sick and two of them were busy banging each other the night before, so they decided to at least sleep in and miss first period.

Being serious or jestful?

Come on man, I'm no Jerry Seinfeld. I'd never do something like that.

just leave the poor girl alone.
she obviusly doesnt want to be botherd by you, or bother you, so why not just leave well enugh alone?

Because I can't avoid her! I can't leave her alone! I want to be polite, I really do, I am polite, I'm a nice guy, quite cocky but not seriously so, but...but...gahhh! She has the locker next to mine...and...and....

I have no idea why you've become so very exasperated over such a trifle, Pollux, but I suppose I will give my own genial contribution in hopes that you might extricate yourself from this "weird situation" of yours. No doubt these hopes will be dashed to jetsam like Ulysses' ships at Laestrygonia, but I'm a pig-headed dolt who remains undaunted by such futilitarian groanings, be they even his own. My recommendation is that you ask her Do you ever speak? whilst smiling with teeth, tilting your head quizzically, and furrowing your eyebrows like you just heard something funny but peculiar. Whatever rudeness you fear to show will likely be softened by such motions.

I have no idea why you've become so very exasperated over such a trifle, Pollux, but I suppose I will give my own genial contribution in hopes that you might extricate yourself from this "weird situation" of yours. No doubt these hopes will be dashed to jetsam like Ulysses' ships at Laestrygonia, but I'm a pig-headed dolt who remains undaunted by such futilitarian groanings, be they even his own

*nods arbitrarily*

My recommendation is that you ask her Do you ever speak? whilst smiling with teeth, tilting your head quizzically, and furrowing your eyebrows like you just heard something funny but peculiar. Whatever rudeness you fear to show will likely be softened by such motions.

Yeah, all in all that's probably the most logical thing to do. But it's still pretty scary. Who wouldn't be scared when confronting a possible-mute with their possible-muteness?

. . . only you, Pollux, could possibly get so ruffled over something like this.

Who wouldn't be scared when confronting a possible-mute with their possible-muteness?

I think I speak for myself when I say that this is the quote of the day. Why, humdidly, I do believe I shall start an archive!

Don't ask her "Do you speak?"
You end up looking like an ass.
Ask her what her name is.
Ask her what she thinks about whatever.
Tell her about the forum.