Accepting the Blind

Chapter 1- I'm Blind, but Happy

"Mom I just don't feel comfortable going to a public school, much less Martin Cass. Do I need to remind you of its large population? That's like asking for me to enter a dungeon." I can't believe my mom would even consider withdrawing me from St. Dennis and into Martin Cass. I know she wants me to have everything that any other teenager has, but I'm comfortable with just being me. I don't need the whole 'teenage experience'. I like hanging out with my friends Elijah and Issac. I don't like getting drunk and screwing a new girl every week.

"Jonah, you're life is just getting started and I feel as if you are getting comfortable with just being around St. Dennis and the house. If you join Martin Cass you could have a great new experience with new people. I mean you've learned tons of ways to deal with you're surroundings. This new school could open you up to challenges and allow you to interact with more people and places." After her little speech, I hear the turning signal come on, telling me we have arrived home. I just shrug my shoulders at mom's comment and take my seatbelt off before opening my door and heading up to the front door.

"Don't forget we have a meeting later today at Martin Cass. So make sure that Issac has you at the school by five," Mom shouts from the car. I just nod and head in the house and up to my bedroom on the second floor. As I'm changing into a diffrent sweater for the slight chilled weather, I call my Issac.

"Eyyo," a cheeky slight British voice answers.

"Hey Issac. I'm almost done getting ready. You about to head over?" I grab my loafers and run my fingers through my short brown hair. 

"Yeah. I already got Elijah and we are about to turn onto your street." I nod and quickly give a goodbye before slipping my phone in my pocket and heading down to the living room.

"Bye Mom. I'll see you at five!" I hear her shout a quick reply before heading out of the house.

Usually my dog, Verona, would be by my side everyday I come home. A few days ago I had come home and she was not in our fence. We have put up fliers and even called the Humane Society to keep an eye out for her. Its been hard waking up without her by my side, but I know she will come home.

By the time I get in Issac's truck the music is blaring through the speakers and I can hear Issac tapping his hands on the steering wheel. "So heard anything about Verona?," Issac asks. I just shake my head and look towards the window.

"Jonah, are you sure she can find her way back? I mean she couldn't have memorized the whole city." I could hear Issac hesitate as he spoke in fear of making me angry. I knew he was only being sincere, but he didn't know Verona like I do. Yes she is blind, heck I was too, but I know she wouldn't have gone far from the city. She knew her way around. We both do, even without our sight. 

"She will come back." I cut the topic off with that and turn towards the back off the truck where Elijah was sitting. Elijah was also blind and we both attend St. Dennis School for the Blind. I have been attending since I was ten, but Elijah joined two years ago after a car accident left him blind. He isn't use to being without his sight unlike me. He don't know exactly where everything is, which just makes it harder for him. He use to attend Martin Cass with Issac and when Elijah became frineds with me, he brought along Issac and bam. We are all best friends since two years ago. Issac is a really great guy with a killer game of basketball. He is often recognized hanging out with us in town and we support him at his games even though we can't exactly see him play. 

Elijah was very popular before his accident and was a basketball player too. Although he can't play he still has his basketball goal outside his house and is finally getting the hang of shooting free throws again. Yeah he still has to stay in a certain spot, but it's enough for him to keep his sanity.

As of me, Jonah Dawson, I was adopted by my mother at the age of five and started attending St. Dennis at the age of ten. I'm able to write, type, workout, do my chores, and even walk around school without help. Now if things are moved around then I get confused but luckily Mom keeps all the furniture and items in the same spot since I became blind. 

When I first became blind, Mom got me Verona and said that she was blind too. I remember we immediately became friends. She would stay by my side everyday and although she couldn't see, she was very good at navigating.

"So are we going to Friar's?" I turn back to Issac and nod once. Friar's is our favorite hangout resturant. They have wicked milkshakes in many flavors. Issac drives us there probably four times a week.

"Yeah, I have to be at Martin Cass by five though." I can hear the volume of the radio up as we drive down the road listening to our favorite song.