INPUT ARTICLE: Article: When communicating with a deaf person, try to keep your eyes at the same level as their eyes. You can sit down if they are sitting, or stand up if they are standing. You should be a little further away than the normal speaking distance (3-6 feet, 1-2 meters). This helps to make sure they'll see all of your gestures. If you're indoors, make sure there's enough light for them to see you clearly. If you're outside, face the sun so that there isn't a shadow cast in your face and the sun doesn't glare in theirs. Avoid placing anything in or around your mouth (chewing gum, your hands) while you are talking. As best you can, try to speak normally. Whispering or shouting will can distort your lip movements, making it difficult for a deaf person to follow your words. Similarly, if you exaggerate your mouth movements, you will be harder to understand than if you speak normally. Increase the volume of your voice only helps if the person asks you to do so. Speak a bit slower if the person asks you to do so. Your eyes and facial expression help to communicate the tone and demeanor of your conversation, so it is important to maintain eye contact. Do your best not to turn your head away while you are speaking. Also, try and make sure they are maintaining eye contact. For example, if you're teaching them how to use an object and they are looking at the object, wait for them to be done looking at it before you continue. If you have sunglasses on, take them off. If you can add facial expressions to emphasize a point (smiling, rolling your eyes, raising your eyebrows) do so, where appropriate. It can be helpful to incorporate some physical movement or props into your communication. You might point to (pointing is generally not considered rude in the deaf community) or hold up any items that you're talking about, or mimic actions (like drinking or jumping or eating) to help illustrate your words. You can hold up fingers to indicate numbers, scribble in the air to show you're writing a letter, and so on.

SUMMARY: Stay in their field of vision. Speak in a normal voice and tone. Maintain eye contact. Use gestures and visual cues.

INPUT ARTICLE: Article: Reach out to a third party to get their take about how you should move forward. Explain exactly what happened to the person and ask for their feedback. Choose someone who you can trust to keep your secret. Someone who is older and/or wiser often makes a great advisor. For example, if you have a coworker or friend who healed their relationship after cheating, they might be a good choice to confide in. Avoid confiding in someone who might feel guilty about keeping your secret or who might be overly judgmental about you hurting your partner. Go to the person and say, "I made a huge mistake and cheated. I know it was wrong, but I don't want it to ruin my relationship." Then, go on to explain the events leading up to the cheating and ask for specific advice, like whether you should break the news to your partner and how to do that. Look for support groups in your city or online that cater to people who have cheated. Here, you can talk to others who have dealt with guilt and find out how they overcame it. Guilt often intensifies when you put up walls and isolate from others. By opening up to people who can relate to your situation, you can work to overcome guilt. If you have spiritual or religious beliefs, try consulting with an advisor you respect. A spiritual leader will be able to listen to you without casting judgment and offer you practical solutions for overcoming the guilt you feel. Ask your spiritual advisor for an in-person meeting in which you can seek support and guidance about the dilemma. This person may be able to offer you valuable counseling on your own and with your partner, if it comes to that.

SUMMARY: Get the advice of someone you trust. Participate in an online or local support group. Seek spiritual advice.

INPUT ARTICLE: Article: Smile and be polite. You don't have to make a grand gesture because it will make her feel uncomfortable especially if other people see. Come up with one or two sentences and wait for her response. Speak from the heart and look into her eyes. Say something similar to "I really have fun with you and was wondering if we could hang out more?" or "We laugh all the time and I have such a great time hanging out. I was wondering if you'd go out with me?" Don't stare at the floor or read from a paper. Keep your emotions in check. If she says no, don't get angry and yell or prod. If she says yes, embrace her, smile, and plan out your date. Let her see your enthusiasm but don't go overboard to embarrass her. If she says no, that isn't the end of the world. Not only are there other girls you can meet but you also want to show her that you are mature. She may say no because she's embarrassed and not ready to have a boyfriend yet. She may ask you out later. Don't damage anything or lash out at her if you get rejected. She is entitled to her feelings. Middle school will often have several dances throughout the year. They are a great way to go out with her in a social setting as she expects to be asked out. This relieves any pressure. The vibe in a dance is more suited for you two to get to know each other as more than just friends. It may be difficult to hang out with her amidst all your friends watching and wanting to hang out. Make sure to have at least one or two dances to be alone together or schedule a time for a walk to just talk. If you are very nervous and find it overwhelming to talk to her, you may write her a note to get your thoughts and feelings organized. Make sure you give it to her directly so she knows it's from you and not a prank. Don't give it to her during class or the teacher may make you read it out loud. Don't be nervous about rejection because you won't see her reaction. You may ask her to respond with a note or a simple yes or no. No one is closer than her friends. They will know how best to approach her. Be friendly to them and ask them how you should ask her. As a final attempt, you may ask them to ask her on your behalf. You may also ask your own friends to ask her if they know her better or are more confident with you. Just make sure you rehearse what to say so that your friend is clear. Face-to-face conversations may be difficult so pick up the phone and call her. You may also text her but sometimes it's difficult to get the meaning across. Make sure you have an activity in mind before asking her out this way. You also have to get her number from her friends or directly from her so she'll probably know why you're contacting her. While you don't have to give her something expensive, a thoughtful gift may put you in her good graces. You may give her a cool notebook, a fun pen, a CD, or candy or chocolates. You may also place a note with your gifts so that she knows how you feel. Give the gift directly to her because if you give it to someone else, she may think it's from her and not from you. You may also try to give her her favourite treat. This shows that you have paid attention to her needs and want to make her happy.

SUMMARY:
Keep things simple. React appropriately. Ask her to dance. Write a note. Talk to her friends. Call her. Give her a gift.