Blind Date

The Morning After

I slowly open my eyes, the rising sun peaking over the country side hills. The truck is pretty warm, but part of that goes to Grace, who's snuggled up to my body. Our fingers are twisted together and her glasses are poking a hole into my shoulder bone. The only thing to take my mind off the piercing pain is to watch her sleep. Her body rising and falling, and the little mumbles that slip out of her mouth every now and then. Before long I'm hypnotized by her, and I don't want it any other way.

••|••

I feel a yawn expand my mouth and the noise follows. My head is sunk into a nice, soft pillow and I snuggle farther down into it. There's a jacket laying over my top half, surprising me that my sweater didn't keep me warm enough. Then I remembered who I was out here with last night. I sit straight up, wondering where that boy could be. Searching through the darkness, I move my arms around in front of me.
"Matt?" I scramble around getting desperate. "Matt!" Tears start to fill my eyes, realizing that I'm alone in the middle of nowhere with no eyes to see for me. Suddenly I hear his voice, one of the most wonderful sounds I have ever heard.
"Grace, you're okay! I'm right here." It's distant but at least I know I'm not alone. I lay back down, knowing I can't just hop out and track him down by his scent, so I wait for his return. I hear his footsteps and I sit back up, hoping the tears that ran down my cheeks left no proof of their existence.
"I ordered a pizza." His tone is innocent and I smile.
"Pizza for breakfast?" I casually laugh while trying to hide my sudden fear. Matt grips my hand in his before I reach the box.
"I'm sorry I scared you... again...."
"It's okay. I'm fine, I just freaked out for a minute." I take a slice of pizza from the box. I lean against the back window of the truck, and I feel the whole thing move as he climbs up next to me. "You do have a tendency to freak me out." I sigh.
"Sorry...." He gently brushes my hand and I, not so casually, pull away. "I promise I'll work on that."
"Um... Okay...." I try to brush it off. I hear my phone vibrate and I quickly answer it.
"Hey, missy. Surprised you answered; you ditch work, thought you're ditching me too." Kyle plays unfair.
"I went out with Matt last night."
"Now, Grace, you know better than to lie to me." Kyle's voice bubbles over with pure disbelief.
"Okay, well, you're going to believe what you want." I grouch, showing that I'm still mad at him for ditching me last night for some girl.
"Well, kitty with sharp nails," he pouts at my rough comment, "boss lady wants you in here as soon as possible." With that I hang up.
"Matt, I'm sorry to cut this short, but can you drive me home? I'm needed at work."
"Of course." He says cheerfully. I close the pizza lid and the truck moves as he jumps down to the ground. I stand up, stretching and pulling my clothes into their correct positions. I place both hands onto the side of the truck, but before I prepare to jump, Matt interrupts. "Here, let me help you." I'm grateful for the offer, but I can do this. I'm not useless.
"Oh, I got it." Before he can lay a hand on mine to help, I jump. Of course I struck the landing, but for a few seconds I felt bad for turning down an offer from Matthew Davidson. Then I snap out of it, turning towards the car door. I feel for the handle and open before Matt can offer another helpful move. Yeah, it may seem rude, but I can do things that any normal person can do. If you treat me like I'm handicap, then I'll feel handicap; and I hate feeling handicap.

***

"She finally decides to show up." Kyle sneers as I come trough the front door.
"Quit whining." I snap, walking pass the desk. Samson leads me to my office, and I hear Kyle behind me.
"You really was with Matt." He lifts his voice higher, showing his kind side.
"Yes, but you didn't believe me." I sit down in my chair, collecting the papers around my desk.
"I'm sorry."
"Yeah, well, that's only half of it." I mutter.
"We on for a movie? You can invite pretty boy." He laughs, his voice leading towards the door. I huff at the ignorance this boy has.
"No, I'm not inviting Matt."
"Why not?" His interest is finally on me.
"Because I can't." I pause, "I won't."
"Is that-"
"It won't work."
"Is Grace crushing?" Kyle sits in one of my chairs. I stop moving, feeling his eyes on me.
"I can't." I repeat, trying to suck in air. "Last time I had a crush on a seeing-man, he played me, and I do not want to go through that again."
"Matt's different."
"But he's also the same! He's constantly helping me, or leaving me. I can't deal with it. I can't risk getting attached to him and then be ripped away like that." My throat tightens, "My dad left because my eyes... Because I can't see. I can't handle that with Matt... And the way he touches me, and speaks to me... I just can't." I feel his hand touch my arm and I refuse to cry.
"Grace, I have another client who wants to speak with you." Mrs. Penny interrupts, which I'm grateful for.
"Of course." I clear my throat, blinking the water out of my useless eyes.
"Grace, this isn't over." Kyle grabs my hand gently before I walk away. Not any time soon are we having that conversation; I'll make sure of that.
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Thank you for reading!

Cute drawing, right? I thought so... 😁
No one really comments, but I hope some of you read this....
That song that I chose for this chapter, Surviver by Destiny's Child, that's an oldie, isn't it? I personally think 2009 was the best year of music. 😉👍💯

- Emuna_Jasmine