Blinded by You

Chapter Seven- Does He Know

"What do you mean, Ash?" I breathed and felt my heartbeat quicken.

"In the video, when you said you're blind, he kind of melted a little. They all did, but Harry had this look on his face like you were a little puppy he wanted to adopt," Ashton chuckled and I felt the car come to a stop.

"Really?" I whispered, hoping he wouldn't see my tears.

"Aw, Elle Bell, c'mere." He pulled me into his arms in a tight hug and I couldn't hold back the tears.

"Why are you crying, princess?"

"Why me, Ashton? Why me? Why did God have to make me blind?" I sniffled. He had only seen me like this once before he left.

"Ellen, God made you beautiful, smart, intelligent, and funny for a reason. It doesn't matter that you can't see. Maybe you weren't meant to see."

"It does matter, Ashton. I won't ever be able to see the way Harry looked at me. I won't ever be able to look in your eyes and see you smile when or if I get married. I won't ever be able to see anything and it fucking sucks. Do you know how much I would love to play basketball? Or soccer? But, no. I get shitted on every fucking time I wanna do something I get a big ass reminder I'm blind and a complete disappointment!" I snapped. "Do you know how much I would kill to be able to see Harry? To just see what I look like? What we would look like together? I don't even know what the color green looks like. I don't know what brown is,or what a curl looks like. I will never fucking know." Here it was. My pent up anger and angst.

"Ellen." That was the first time in seven years he'd used my full name.

"Ash bash," I sniffled.

"We're gonna be okay. You're gonna be okay. If it works out with Harry, it'll work out. If it doesn't, it doesn't. You'll find someone."

"Ash, I'm kind of certain I won't. It's okay. Maybe I should become a lesbian or something."

"I don't think you want to do that," he chuckled.

"Why?" I asked with a slight laugh.

"Because you're beautiful and any guy or gal would be lucky to have you, but I just can't see you as a lesbian."

"Shut the fuck up," I laughed, punching his arm. "Where'd we stop?"

"I'm taking you to our special place," he squealed.

"Ash. Oh my god."

"We haven't been here since I left and I feel like we should have a nice lunch here." Hearing his car door open, I held back more tears.

"You're too much for me. How you're single is beyond me," I laughed, shaking my head as he wrapped his arm around me.

"Well, I just haven't found anyone that fits with me," he shrugged and I could already smell steak billowing from a grill.

"Do you have enough money?" I whispered.

"Elle bell, I've got more than enough. It's okay," he reassured me as we walked through the door. Walking inside, I could hear the distinct drip of lava-like, imported, French coffee as it filled a mug. Following behind Ashton, I could feel people staring at us and began to feel self conscious.

"Ashton?" I whispered.

"It's okay Elle, come on." Pulling my hands and helping me into the booth, I felt around for the menu.

"Were people staring?" I asked nonchalantly.

"They always do," Ashton sighed.

"Pricks." Hearing the jingling of change, keys, and purses, I had a hard time focusing on Ashton's voice as we caught up. The waitresses heavy perfume and loud smacking of her gum irritated me to my very core.

"What can I get you and your girlfriend?" she asked, her tone turning harsh.

"Actually, I don't know what my brother wants, but I'd like the ten ounce fillet, medium with the grilled asparagus and mashed potatoes," I replied in the same harsh tone.

"I'll have the same," he chuckled. Feeling around on the table for my phone as it vibrated, I handed it to Ashton.

"Who's it from?"

"It says Harry."

"Read it!" I squealed a little loud.

"It says 'Hi Elle, sitting here at sound check, bored out of my mind. What are you up to?'"

"Say 'Lunch with big brother, sound check sounds fun. Have you got a snapchat?'" I couldn't help but giggle and took a sip of my tea.

"He said 'I do.'"

"Username?" I laughed. We sat there for a few minutes in silence and I could hear my phone vibrate again.

"Thestylinator94," Ashton guffawed.

"That's really cute. Open up my snapchat and add him!" I snapped, stifling my laughter.

"Calm down, little sis. This is going to be fun."