Accepting the Blind

Chapter 3- Elijah's Antics

The next morning I'm woken up by the dreadful sound of Elijah's snoring. I swear that boy has the lungs of a lifelong smoker. Funny how it's only when he's sleeping. Issac, Elijah, and I always workout together in the evenings and Elijah's lungs seem to be perfectly fine then. I don't know why I continue to sleep over at his house when I know I can't sleep past seven. I guess I can just blame it on Mrs. Thomas' amazing hamburgers she makes. I could live off of them if I had to.

I flip the sheets off of my body and feel for my phone on the night stand. It's a phone with Braille and voice control, much like Siri. I always hate the voice because everyone can hear it so I just keep my headphones plugged in to avoid the stares I can feel drilling into my head like a screw driver.

Siri: Time is 7:47 am. The 29th of September. Sunday. One new message from Issac.

Issac- Hey man. I'm picking you and Elijah up around 11. Maybe play some ball and head over to Friar's for a snack. Let me know if that's cool.

I take out my headphones and sit my phone back on the nightstand before reaching over and slapping Elijah's shoulder. He jerks up into what I believe is a sitting position. "Dude, what was that for?" I just laugh and get up from the bed.

"Issac is picking us up at eleven for some basketball. Unless you want to be a lazy ass and sleep all day." I know that Elijah would jump at any chance to play basketball and I stay corrected when I hear the frantic ruffling of bed sheets as Elijah shoots up from the bed.

Having two blind teenagers together alone can be pretty chaotic. You know, since we both can't see and we're trying to get ready. Eli has his clothes tagged with braille so he knows what he picks out to wear. I do the same at my house but since I slept over at Eli's my outfits are in separate bags. It took awhile to get used to having to organize everything, but as time goes on being blind you learn what needs to be done to insure you don't go crazy or make a fool out of yourself.

"Hey man," I turn my head to Elijah's voice waiting to hear what he has to say. " since you're going to Martin Cass this year I was thinking maybe I should. My dad was telling me if I can prove I remember braille and can keep my school work organized on my own, he will see if I can join Martin Cass with you and Issac." Although Elijah's voice was hopeful, he seemed to already be doubting himself and I wish he wouldn't. Eli has learned so much in two years, especially for someone who grew up with his sense of sight. I remember even for me at the age of ten, learning braille took me many years and even longer to manage simple everyday tasks on my own.

I struggle to slip my sweats on my legs cause i kept tripping over something on the floor. I turn toward Elijah, "Dude, you can do it. Don't worry about that. But if you think you would benefit from another year at St. Dennis do it. Being there helped me a lot." He stayed silent for a few seconds, probably pondering on the thought of joining the school he once knew so well.

"Thanks man, maybe I will." I nod and curse when I knock my phone off Elijah's nightstand.

"I swear Elijah, clean your room and maybe you wouldn't have so many issues." I sigh and pick up my phone before muttering seriously under my breath as I walk over to the bedroom door. I hear Elijah's cocky chuckle from behind me and wait for him to lead the way.

"Jonah, you are way too uptight. Live a little." He laughs once more before leaving the room. My glare following him as I wonder how in the world this guy is my best friend.