When Sharon graduated high school she was so happy that there wouldn't be any more PE classes in her life. And yet, her she was, running through the hallways of the school as if her life depended on it. All the doors looked alike and she had been in this part of the school only twice before which made it hard for her to find the right class room. Three years ago she dated one of those talented musicians and now she was cursing the guitarist for not bringing her to this part of the school.
She was out of breath when she saw the room she was looking for and a relieved sigh rolled over her lip. As she stood in front of the door while trying to catch her breath, Sharon saw Tarja sitting in one of the chairs, the dog laying next to her as her fingers stroke the paper she was reading. As confident as possible she tried to enter the room, the other students didn't watched her as she sat down next to the blind girl.
'You sound like you've been running.' The girl said before Sharon had even opened her mouth.
'I'm the girl that ran into you yesterday.'
'I know, I recognize your... voice.'
'I was looking for you.' For a moment it was quiet between them while Tarja read the text that was invisible for Sharon, who looked up when the other girl sighed.
'Do I really have to ask you why you were looking for me or are you going to tell me?'
'Oh, eh... I wanted to apologize again for yesterday, and I wondered if you wanted to join me for coffee.' Another sigh escaped Tarja's lips as she put down her paper, never turning her head in Sharon's direction.
'Look, I might be blind, but I'm not helpless nor friendless. I don't need your apologies, I don't need your sympathy and no, I don't want to join you for coffee or whatever. I don't even know your name.' She grabbed the guide dog's bar and rose, but Sharon grabbed her wrist before she could walk away.
'Sharon.'
'What?'
'My name is Sharon. And I don't want to apologize for running into you, I did that yesterday. I want to apologize for... threating you different, and I really want your company for coffee. I even ran from the other side of the school to ask you.'
Tarja didn't move, just stared into emptiness as Sharon hopeful glanced at her. She could feel the girl's muscles as she slowly loosened her grip on the iron bar in her hand, but did not fully relax. The dog's brown eyes looked at his owner before eyeing the stranger, looking back at the blind girl when she sighed again.
'Okay, fine, I'll join you for coffee, but only if you pay. The table in the far right corner of the cafeteria in two hours.'
Even though Tarja couldn't see it, Sharon smiled as she let go of her wrist. The blind girl walked towards one of the pianos and the dog lay down next to her as she sat down on the stool. Sharon watched as Tarja's graceful fingers put the headset on before resting on the keys. Fascinated she watched as the skilled fingers danced over the black and white keys and even though she couldn't hear a single note, Sharon knew it had to be beautiful.
Two hours later Sharon sat in the far right corner of the cafeteria with two coffee's in front of her. She watched the vapor rising from the hot liquid until her attention was pulled towards the door. She already raised her hand as she saw Tarja entering, realizing just in time that it wouldn't help finding her. To her surprise the dark haired girl smoothly made her way to the table without bumping into anything and Sharon placed her coffee in front of her as she sat down.
'Vanilla? Thanks.' Sharon stared at her for a second, wondering if this girl was playing a trick on her.
'Wow... It's so cool that you can do that...'
'What? Smelling the flavor of the coffee?' Tarja asked before taking a sip of it.
'Yeah, I mean... Look, I'm not really good at making friends so... Can we please start over?'
'Fine, whatever. Tarja, first year Piano.' The girl smiled as she stretched out her hand, which Sharon happily shook.
'Sharon, last year in Fashion, and amazed by your talent. Does it help? I mean, being blind, does it help you hearing the right note or something?'
'Yeah, a little, that's one of the few advantages. There are way more disadvantages though. For example, I can't live on my own, not even with Nemo.' Her fingers stroke the head of the Labrador that lay next to her, looking up when he heard his name.
'Don't worry, I also still live with my parents.' Sharon smiled, but Tarja shook her head.
'I don't. My twin brother and I moved here so I could come to college. I often feel guilty for it, you know... Tuomas works as a garbage man so he has money to take care of me, it's my fault he isn't in college too.'
'But it's not your fault your blind, is it? I mean, there's nothing you can do about it...'
'I know, and I also know that I shouldn't be complaining. I'm very lucky that my brother is doing this for me and that the world gave me 13 years to see everything I needed before I turned completely blind. So, don't worry, I know the colors and I know what the sky and the stars look like.'
Tarja was interrupted by a beeping noise coming from her watch and Sharon saw Nemo standing while a sigh rolled over his owner's lips. She emptied her coffee and gave Sharon an apologizing look.
'I'm sorry, I have to go. My next class starts in 5 minutes.'
'Can I walk you this time?'
Even though the blind girl couldn't see it,Sharon hopefully looked at her. Tarja seemed to think about it, but after justa few seconds a smile crawled up her lips and held out her arm. With one armhooked in Tarja's and the other one holding her coffee, Sharon guided Tarja toher classroom, the eyes of the dog following every move she made.
