EmPATHETICally Blind (A skinny love story)

Chapter 4: Awkward Situations.

    Emilee's POV:

I sat at the Taylor's dining room table, fidgeting in the new top I got while shopping with Marcie today. She was muttering angrily next to me because mom made her cancel her plans with her friends, while complaining about it to them over text, holding her phone under the table. I tapped her leg with my foot under the table to stop her. 

My mom was sitting across from me, in deep conversation with Matt's mom. Our dad's were stereo-typically talking about their favorite sports teams and the scores from the last game. Who looked like Matt's older brother, was joining in with their conversation occasionally, giving his opinions. Finally the blind kid himself, was sitting right next to me. It was extremely awkward, since all the emotions radiating from him were a strong feeling of insecurity, resentment towards his mother about something, and last but not least that anger that always seemed to be there.

        I didn't know why it was constantly there, and I studied the way he was sitting, seeing if I could sense it better. He was leaning back in his chair, fists un-clenched but still made, and he was looking straight at the chandelier, unblinking. It was weird that he never blinked. I didn't know what to say. Was I supposed to talk to him about something? Since Marcie was busy texting, we were the only two technically not talking. 

        "So...what do you like to do for fun?" I asked, trying to get some ideas if we ever ended up hanging out. Well, not including this. His head turned towards me slightly as I asked. His brow furrowed and I realized he may not be certain if I was talking to him.

I lightly pulled on the sleeve of his shirt and he nodded to himself as if confirming that I was indeed talking to him.

        "Oh ya know, the usual. Listen to books. Play with my dog. Go on walks with him. Listen to music." He said in an undertone, as if he only wanted me to hear.

        "What books?" I asked. Maybe he shared my love for horror books. Or maybe he liked the same music as me.

        "Anything really. Adventure, action, even a few chick lits aren't that bad. Too cheesy though." He said.

        "What about horror books?" I asked. He grimaced and shook his head.

        "No way. Some authors are so descriptive, I can just picture it in my head. It's all I can well....I don't wanna say see." He said.

        "I get what you mean. I love horror books. For some odd reason I like being scared. Well, to a point." I say. He nods.

        "I used to play scary video games all the time."

        "Slenderman??" I asked, getting excited. He nodded, a smile breaking across his face. The room immediately seemed to light up.

        "Yeah! I used to scare Carter with that game so badly." He said.

I noticed out of the corner of my eye that his mom was watching us with a small smile on her face.

***

        I shifted my fork around on the plate, shoveling the food back and forth. It was lasagna, which used to be one of my favorite foods. I could feel my parents' eyes on me, so I raised my fork to my mouth, taking a small bite. I sensed around me for the different emotions coming through. Marcie's usual happy glow was back, she seemed to be enjoying talking to Matt's mom about something. Mom had little waves of worry coming towards me, but was in a generally good mood. Dad was his usual self, and only little lines of worry came towards me every once in a while if I ever put down my fork. 

Matt's whole composure had changed, and he was happily telling me about this book series he was finishing up, trying to get me to read it. The anger was well hidden now, and I wondered for the first time if he even knew how angry he was. I think he did.

        "...and seriously, the plot twists were awesome!" He said. I laughed, smiling at the two dimples appearing. I loved dimples. And collar bones as well. Although his were covered up by his shirt.

We spent the rest of the dinner telling cheesy jokes back and forth and throwing out bits of information about ourselves. Then I felt a hand on my shoulder and I looked around to see my mom looking at me with hesitancy.

        "You doing okay dear?" She asked me. I knew what she was referring to, but since Matt's hearing was super-duper good, I nodded curtly to her to show that now wasn't the time to bring this up.

It was never the time.