dedicated to my Sugartits jtfashion
"A sunflower is a little drop of sunshine on a dark day," Emma told her little brother, dangling a sunflower over his head. She drags it across his cheek, making him giggle. She knew Dan couldn't see it, but why begrudge him the knowledge? "One day, you'll find your sunflower and everything will seem so clear."
"Emma?" Dan whispered, cuddling into his sister's side. They were lying in their backyard, next to their Mum's garden.
"Yes, Danny?"
"Have you found your sunflower?" Dan asked, sweetly, So sweet, Emma couldn't help but giggle and brush Dan's fringe.
"Yeah, Dan, yeah I have. It's you. You are my sunflower. Promise me, Dan, to always look for something brighter and never give up, always look for where your sunflower goes."
That was the last memory Dan had of Emma. He couldn't tell, but Emma was sick. Sicker than Dan knew, because he never saw.
So, every day, he remembered her sunflower. And he sought out his own. He made a promise to his older sister, his best friend, that he would find his brightness.
Which proved not to be easy when you were blind and bullied. He was starting his third school in two years that day, praying it would be different than the previous. He hoped he'd find his sunflower. He hoped he'd--
"Hey, watch where you're going, dumbass!"
Dan, stunned, stuttered out "O-oh, I'm s-so sorry! I didn't mean to..."
"Save it, what are you blind or something?"
Dan swallowed the lump in his throat. It never changed, it always was the same shit over and over again. He wasn't accepted, maybe it was time for Dan to accept that.
Dan opened his mouth to respond, but no words came, just leaving his jaw unhinged. The person gave a rude snort. "Can't talk? Didn't think so."
Dan heard footsteps retreat and he stood there, hurt and speechless. He felt a hand on his arm, causing him to nearly jump out of his skin.
"That was Phil Lester, he's the rich jerk of the school. Just ignore him. I'm Louise! I'm a year above you, the principal told me to show you around. He told me about your disability and--"
"You can say it," Dan said, shrugging. He felt comfortable around this new girl. "I'm blind."
Louise gave an easy laugh and Dan could tell she was smiling. "Alright, he told me you were blind. I've decided to introduce you to PJ, he's in all of your classes, except Maths, and he's really cool. He can show you around when I'm in class and watch out for you."
Dan awkwardly shifted the weight of his bag to his right shoulder. He hated the fact he needed a babysitter to make sure he didn't get into trouble. He didn't want this, he wanted normalcy. As long as I'm blind, Dan thinks, I'm not gonna get a normal life.
"Hey!" said a cheery voice. "I'm PJ!"
"Hey PJ," Dan said, trying his best to smile. The guy seems nice, why not show him a little kindness in return. He didn't want to be known as the blind asshole.
"Aw, look, best friends," Louise said. Dan could tell she was in a rush now, he learned how to pick up emotions with voice very well. He couldn't see their facial expressions, so he just listened to the pattern of their speech. "Well, I gotta dash, I'm late for Physical Science! If you ever need me Dan, PJ has my number. It was great meeting you, bye!!"
