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We move inside at a steady pace, and I try my best to ignore the nosy stares that I can feel on me.
Every year, just as classes were starting, I would get curious looks from people until they got used to the idea that one of their classmates was blind and had a guide dog.
Henry comes to a stop, and I reach out, making sure the place is empty before sliding into the seat and unhooking Henry’s harness, giving him the command to slide underneath the table.
You’d think people would tell you if they’re sitting in the spot you want to take, but you’d be wrong. Why do that when they can get a kick out of laughing at you when you unknowingly sit in somebody’s lap and make fun of you for the rest of the year for it? Seriously, kids are the worst sometimes.
I’m pulling out my things when a paper falls out of my bag. I pick it up, my fingers tracing over the top of the page.
Penelope’s bucket list.
1. Flirt with a stranger.
Enrique’s invitation flashes in my mind. Maybe I could tackle more than one item from my list today after all.
Before I can think more about it, our professor enters the classroom. “Okay, guys. It’s time to get down to business.”
Folding the paper, I slip it inside my lit book before turning on my computer. I listen intently as my professor talks about music’s language and the practices and structure that make music what it is.
He asks questions, and classmates around me join in with the answers as I try my best to keep up.
Before I can blink, the professor wraps up the class and assigns us reading material. Closing my laptop, I slide it along with my braille keyboard into my backpack. Grabbing the harness from the chair next to me, I call Henry so he can slip inside.
“Birdy.”
The hairs at the back of my neck prickle at the sound of his raspy voice.
Sebastian.
It feels like everything goes still for one long moment before the world finally starts moving again.
Or maybe it’s just me. Maybe I’m just breathing again.
What the hell is he doing here?
It made no sense. He was supposed to leave, not be here. Why would he be here?
Slowly I reach my full height, turning around to face him. He’s standing close enough so I can feel the heat of his body seeping into mine. I grab my book, clutching it to my chest with my free hand to create some kind of barrier between the two of us.
“I…” He clears his throat. The floorboard creaks as he shifts his weight. “I wanted to apologize.”
Apologize?
I just stand there quietly as I process his words, unsure if I heard him correctly. What does—
“About running into you the other day.”
My fingers clench around the book in my hand, thick pages digging into my skin as I let out a huff of air.
There it is.
“Ah.” There is a twinge of disappointment at his words, although I’m not sure why. “So you figured it out.”
I shouldn’t be surprised or disappointed. I guess it was only a matter of time; it’s not like I could hide the fact that I’m blind forever. Or that I wanted to hide it. I’m not ashamed of who I am. But… It felt good to be just a regular girl. If only for a moment.
“Figured what out?”
“Oh, please.” I roll my eyes. “Would you have apologized to me if you didn’t realize that I’m the blind girl?”
