Love Should Always Be Blind

Apparently my nose was broken. Once Mom and I went to the ER, they had to re-break my nose to reset it in place. The whole situation was a bitch. We got home late that night. Sunday morning and all day I just lazed in my bed, considering my nose was tender and I guess both my eyes were black. Incidentally that happens when you break your nose. Who knew. So anyways, all in all I was a bump on a log. Saturday was drama filled enough, though for a whole week in itself. I considered calling Frank, but I thought it might be too early, and I decided not to.
Monday, everything went as normal. Sarah went to college, Matt went to school, and Mom went to work once my tutor got to the house, Dr. Toro. He was a cool, fun teacher. Wicked smart and the most caring person I'd ever meet. He didn't care one bit I was blind either. I've known him since before I went blind and he's really more like an uncle than a tutor. Toro's more like a older brother to me really. We talk about more things than just school. He plays guitar, and after lessons he tries to fit in guitar lessons too. I'm not very good though. I'm better at singing and drawing.
He was obviously instantly shocked to see my state, that I was in; considering my broken nose and two black eyes. I told him I'd explain after lessons. That it was a long story and he agreed. Ray's cool like that, (that's his first name by the way) he doesn't press for answers. Around three O'clock however, when we finished for the day I then proceeded to tell him everything that happened on Saturday. The mall, meeting Frank. David and Frank coming over for dinner. The sunglasses. Then the whole getting hit in the face with a flying baseball. Ray laughed at that, but not in a mean way. Never in a mean way. I laughed too though.
“So do you like this Frank?” He wondered, gently. I sighed, mulling over the thought.
“I think so. He makes me nervous and happy at the same time. When I hear his voice my heart goes fast and my stomach drops all at the same time.” I explained in a rushed manner, feeling embarrassment for saying all those things aloud.
“Well I'm no love expert, but I think you might have a crush on this kid.” Ray concluded, a smile in his voice. Ray always had a permanent smile in his voice no matter what, weather it be a sympathetic smile or a happy one.
“What do you think I should do about my Mom, though? What's if she get's mad.” I asked. Ray brought a hand to my shoulder.
“I think being honest is the best way to go. Lying only makes things harder in the long run.” He spoken wisely. I nodded.
“Thanks, Ray.” I smiled.
“No problem, kiddo. Anytime.” He said, then got up off his chair to gather his things. “Same time tomorrow?” He clarified.
“Duh. As always, since the past ten years.” I joked. Ray chuckled.
“Alright, Gee. I'll see you then. Have a good evening.” He concluded, ruffling my hair.
“See ya, Ray.” I called, as I heard him make his way to the door.
“See ya. And remember you can always call me if you need me. School related or not.” I nodded and waved with a small smile. Then the door clicked closed. I sighed once Ray was gone, closing my books then made my way to lie on my bed. Closing my eyes in peace I let my mind drift. I guess I was pretty tired, because the next things I knew Matt was shaking me awake.
“Gee! Get up!” He yelled.
“Hmm. What?” I groaned.
“I brought Frank over.”
“WHAT?!” I yelped, shooting up. Matt laughed.
“Yeah. Sine we found out we go to the same school, Saturday we planned to meet up, and I brought him home to play video games. Wanna join? We're in the lounge.” He explained.
“Uhm...” I hesitated.
“Oh c'mon on Gee.” He whined, then I felt him lean in his breathe on my ear. “I invited him over just for you.” That instantly made me blush a deep warm color.
“Well, thanks.” I mumbled, in embarrassment. Matt just laughed again. I sighed, but swung my legs over and got off the bed, then grabbed my white cane. Matt then proceeded to take my hand and we walked down the upstairs hallway to the lounge. I could already hear the music to a video game menu playing on repeat.
“Oh hey, Gee.” Frank chirped as we made our way through the threshold.
“Hey.” I smiled meekly. Matt lead me over to the couch.
“Alright I'm going downstairs to get chips and soda.” Matt declared once I had sat down. A moment later I heard the sounds of the door click close as Matt left. Then I felt a body shift it's weight from the foot of the couch.
“Why are you sitting on the floor?” I giggled.
“Because it's comfy.” Frank shrugged, the movement moving the fabric on the couch. I shook my head.
“You're weird.”
“Speak for yourself.” He chuckled back. “Oh shit!” Frank then exclaimed all in the same breath.
“What?” I panicked.
“Your face...” Frank whispered, heaving himself onto the couch beside me.
“Oh...right.” I blushed, ducking my head down. Frank put two fingers under my chin though, forcing my head up.
“I'm so sorry. That looks like it hurts like Hell.” I laughed a bit dryly.
“It does.”
“Shit, I'm sorry.”
“No, no. It's okay. Really.” I smiled softly.
“Well if I were you, I'd be pissed at myself.” Frank pointed out. I giggled at that. “Hey, do you have a black eye?”
“Yeah. That happens when you break your nose I guess.” I explained with a shrug.
“So it was broken?” I nodded. “Can I see your black eyes?” he asked.
“No!” I immediately panicked, shooting my hands onto the arms of my sunglasses. “I mean...uhm...I don't like taking my sunglasses off.” I shifted uncomfortably.
“Why? I'm sure you look just as beautiful without them.” Frank calmly said, as if he were saying that the sky was blue. I forced out a short laugh and squirmed at the statement.
“What? You don't think so?” Frank asked, concern filling his voice at my reaction to his words. I shrugged.
“I don't really know what I look like.” I pointed out. Frank sighed, lifting a hand to stroke my jaw. I flinched at the sudden touch but then relaxed into it.
“Well, you're damn beautiful. I am going to make you fall in love with me you know?” Frank announced matter of factually yet jokingly at the same time. I barked out a loud laugh.
“Is that so?” I challenged, Franks hand stopping it's stroking but resting on my shoulder.
“It is.” He smirked, his voice dripping cockiness. Before I could reply though, the door was pushed open.
“Okay, break it up.” Matt teased. “I'm back bearing food and refreshment.”
“Sour cream and onion chips and two cokes for me and you, Frank.” Matt said, throwing a soda to Frank. “And a diet coke for Gee...I better not throw this.” He joked, laughing at his own joke. I rolled my eyes, reaching my hand out. Once I felt the cold can, I wrapped my fingers around it, then felt for the lip and popped it open.
“Diet?” Frank sneered.
“Yeah, what's wrong with that?” I demanded, taking a sip.
“Are you drinking diet because you think you're fat, because you could totally drink regular soda if you wanted to.” Frank joked, causing me to spit out my drink.
“Did you really, just reference Napoleon Dynamite?” I squeaked. Matt laughed, sitting down at out feet.
“Yeah, why not?” Frank challenged, nudging my shoulder.
“And you say, I'm weird.” I smirk.
“Okay, okay. Enough flirting. Are we going to play some video games or not.” Matt cut in. I blushed, but Frank just laughed.
“Yeah, right. I'm going to kick your ass anyways.” He announced.
“Pff. Whatever.” Matt said. Once Frank and Matt were done bickering, they eventually began to play, throwing snide marks and curses back and forth. After about fifteen minuets I got bored of just sitting there listening, and grabbed a book off from the side table. We usually always kept a book around in every room for me to read, in cases such as this. Lucky for me it was one of my favorites, not one that Mom chose. It was Catcher in the Rye. Feeling the braille lines, I soon was sucked into the story, I hardly heard when Sarah made her way into the lounge room.
“Gerard!” She hollered, from the door way. I snapped my head up in her direction.
“What?” I jumped.
“I've been saying your name over and over...I was asking why you were in here. You hate video games.” Sarah wondered. I squirmed slightly.
“I don't hate them. I just can't play them...I'm hanging out with Frank and Matt.” I defended. “Is that bad?”
“Well...no.” Sarah struggled to find the right words. “I was just wondering. If you get bored you know you can just hangout with me right?”
“Yeah, of course.” I waved off. Sarah didn't reply, but only with the click of the door closing.
“Y'know your sister kind of scares me.” Frank muttered after a moment. Both me and Matt laughed.
“Yeah, well she's super protective over me and Gee.” Matt sighed. I felt Frank's shoulders shrug against mine. “But I'm bored with this.”
“That's only because you're losing.” Frank teased.
“Shut up...what time is it.” Matt replied.
“Uh...” Frank hummed, digging into his pocket for his phone. “Fifteen passed six.”
“Holy shit! It's that late already! Do you wanna stay for dinner.” Matt offered.
“Yeah, sure.” Frank agreed, throwing his controller onto the floor with a thud.
“Sweet. I'll go let Mom know.” Matt said, making movement against the couch as he picked himself up off the floor and left the room. The room was silent for a moment, my body hyper aware it was only Frank and I, and he was extremely close to me. I could feel, him shift his body to face me.
“What are you reading?” He asked, sounding genuinely interested.
“Uh, Catcher in the Rye. It's my favorite.” I confessed, lowering the book onto my lap.
“Really? Mine too!...So you read it in braille?”
“Yeah, no other way, that I can.” I chucked lightly. Frank scooted closer, trying to lean over into my lap to get a look.
“Here.” I said, lifting the book slightly out. “Give me your hand.”
“My hand?” He repeated.
“Yeah.” I smiled, and with that, I took Frank's hand in mine, peeling his index finger away from the rest, to bring it to the raised dots on the paper.
“Feel that?” I murmured just above a whisper, while dragging his fingertip over the braille.
“Yeah.” He breathed back, his breath warm on my skin. “What does it say?” ⠠⠇⠊⠋⠑⠀⠊⠎⠀⠁⠀⠛⠁⠍⠑⠂⠀⠃⠕⠽⠲⠀⠠⠇⠊⠋⠑⠀⠊⠎⠀⠁⠀⠛⠁⠍⠑⠀⠞⠀⠐⠕⠀⠏⠇⠁⠽⠎⠀⠁⠉⠀⠞⠕⠀⠮⠀⠗⠥⠇⠑⠎
“This sentence here says, 'Life is a game, boy. Life is a game that one plays according to the rules.'” I explained.
“Wow.” Frank muttered. I smirked. “That's so weird.” He whispered, his hushed breath fanning over my cheeks. “I love that part actually. The whole books full of great quotes, though.” Frank commented.
“Isn't it though?” I gushed, glad Frank and I had something in common. Frank chuckled.
“You know my bands named Pencey Prep after Holden's school.” He informed me. I felt my eyebrows shoot up on my forehead.
“Really?” I squealed, feeling like a fangirl “You're in a band named Pencey Prep?”
“Yeah. We all actually like Catcher In The Rye, so we figured it was a cool name for a band.” Frank explained.
“I'd like to hear some songs...if you don't mind.” I muttered out the last part shyly.
“I don't mind at all! I'll bring you one of our demo CD's next time I'm over. Sound cool?” He offered excitedly. I grinned showing all my teeth. It was cute how enthusiastic he was being.
“Sure. I'd love that.” I beamed, and then we were quiet a moment. I could feel Franks gaze wondering all over me.
“Have you ever dated anyone?” Frank randomly spoke. He always seemed to find the exact things to say to make me blush like a tomato.
“Uh. No. Not exactly.” I confessed.
“I find that hard to believe.” Frank scoffed.
“Why? It's not like I can really get out of the house. I don't really see people out side of the house. And if I do, they don't want to date a blind guy.” I defended myself.
“Hey, hey!” Frank soothed, as my voice got louder and louder, “I didn't mean it rudely. I was just curious. Really. I think you're great. And they're missing out.” I rolled my eyes, even though I knew he couldn't see them behind my sunglasses.
“Whatever. Have you dated anyone then?” I countered.
“A few people. I dated this girl in 7th grade. She was my first kiss and it was horrible.” He paused to chuckle and I giggled too. “That's when I realized I was gay. Then I dated this guy throughout my freshman and sophomore year. We broke up though, obviously. Everything else has just been nothing too serious.”
“Oh.” I mumbled feeling suddenly inadequate, twiddling my thumb in my lap nervously.
“Yeah, but that's all the past.” I nodded, still fiddling.
“What's wrong?” Frank asked, picking up in my nerves.
“It's just...well I dunno, “I shrugged, “I've never even kissed anyone. I'm kind of behind.” I confessed, squeezing my eyes shut and expecting Frank to run out the room. Instead, however, I felt his hands wrap over mine.
“Well, I'm just going to have to fix that then, aren't I?” He said as smooth as ever. I couldn't help but let the corners of my mouth lift. Damn Matt, always seemed to interrupt whenever me and Frank would get to talking, though, as he bust through the door. I flinched, jumping at the unaccepted noise, but Frank sat unfazed, hands still on my own.
“Dinner's hamburgers and fries. Mom said she'd whip you up a grilled cheese, since you don't eat meat.” Matt explained.
“You don't eat meat?” I asked
“Well not that kind of meat.” Frank a smirk and wink in his voice. “I prefer the term vegetarian. It clears things up more.”
“God. You're so immature.” I laughed, giving a shove to his shoulder.
“Alright. Enough with this. Dinner's ready.” Matt grumbled. Dinner that night, was much better than Saturday night, even with Sarah was sending off her mother bear vibe. Frank sat next to me that time and Sarah and Matt sat next to each other. Mom was glad that Frank was making nice with us, and she took the opportunity to get to know him more. After dinner, Frank and I went back up to the lounge but Matt decided to just go the his room, declaring he had 'homework'.
“Your brothers cool.” Frank commented, while he and I sat back down on the couch.
“Yeah, Matte's the only one who's calm in this house. Like on Saturday when everyone was freaking out, notice how he was calm. He's always like that.” I explained.
“And he doesn't care if you date a boy? He seems like a fetus jock.” That made me laugh.
“No he doesn't care. Matt might be a jock but he isn't a jerk.” I said, my laugh dying down.
“Hm. Good to know...But your Mom doesn't, like know?” Frank clarified. I nodded shyly.
“Well that's going to be a problem. How am I supposed to take you on a date.” He hummed nonchalantly.
“What makes you think I'll agree to this date?” I challenge. “Plus, “ I added, “My Mom makes a big deal out of me leaving the house with Sarah. It was pulling teeth to go to the mall Saturday. How do you think my Mom will let you take me out?”
“Well first. I have my ways of wooing you to say yes.” Frank began, nudging my shoulder playfully. “And secondly. I'll find a way. I always do.” I smiled genuinely, feeling butterflies swarm my stomach.
“But it is getting late. I think I should probably get going...I promise to see you later.” He promised, standing up. I followed, standing a few inches taller.
“Okay, yeah.” I answered awkwardly. Without warning I felt Frank's arms wrap around my waist in a hug. I stood frozen, but relaxed once I realized what was happening, and put my arms around his back. We stood together comfortably for a moment, Franks nose nestling into my neck. I was almost positive he could hear my hammering heart beat. Eventually he pulled back and sighed.
“See ya, Gee.” He said, making his way out the door.
“See ya.” I repeated timidly. And with that he was gone. I thumped down onto the couch and sighed going over the afternoon in my head. God, I didn't know how Frank got me already wrapped around his finger, but I knew I was falling for him. It both excited me and scared me. I mean I had read about romance, but never experienced it myself. It was thrilling and new, and it made me feel like goo.
That night before I went to bed, though, I made a stop into Matte's room.
“Hey, Matt?” I asked, popping my head in the door.
“Yeah, Gee?” his voice came from across the room.
“Thanks...for bringing Frank over.” I admitted, ducking my head down.
“Oh, yeah. Anytime, Gee.” He insisted. I nodded and left with a grateful smile that I hoped conveyed just how much I appreciated Matt. Once I made it to my bed, however, I found that falling asleep had never been so hard with those damn butterflies refusing to digest. I was convinced I was going to die from acid reflex brought on this butterfly movement.

Notes