Blinded by You

Chapter Twelve- Something Special

My brain told my arm to draw my hand away, but it stayed under his.

"Um," I cleared my throat. "Why are you doing all of this?"

"What?"

"This?" I asked, waving my hands in the air for emphasis.

"I like being nice to people."

"But why me?"

"You seem like a nice girl who deserves someone who can show her how she should be treated."

"And who would that be?" I asked, afraid of his answer.

"You're sitting here with him," Harry replied, his thumb running over the back of my hand. "Your hands are really soft. Do you put lotion on them?" I couldn't help but laugh to keep from crying.

"No," I chuckled. "I don't put lotion on them."

"What do you like to do in your free time?" Harry laughed. Other than listen to One Direction for hours on end? Other than fantasize about having sex with you?

"I like to listen to music."

"What type of music?"

"Really any type. I like to play the piano too. It's lethargic."

"Do you play the piano like Ray Charles did?"

"In a way, yes. My mother taught me when I was young and now I play almost everyday. I figured if I can't play basketball, I might as well play piano," I laughed.

"You're tall enough to play basketball, that is true. I'd love to hear you play on the piano sometime," Harry replied sweetly.

"I'm not any good," I lied. I'd been able to play Tchaikovsky and Beethoven since I was six.

"C'mon now, Ellen. If you play everyday, you've got to be great," he teased.

"You'll have to wait for all of that, Mr. Styles," I grinned.

"Gladly." I felt Harry's grip release from my hand and a plate was sat in front of me. The smell of steak filled my nostrils and I realized how hungry I was.

"Do you need some help?" Harry offered.

"No, I'm fine. I've done this before," I smiled. Poking at the steak with my finger, I picked up my knife and began to cut. Taking a bite, the flavor filled my mouth and I moaned.

"I take it's really good?" he laughed. Nodding as I took another bite with some asparagus, silence fell between us.

"So, Ellen," Harry started. "If you could wish for anything in the world, what would you wish for?" Taking a deep breath, I tried to think. Would I really want to be able to see? There was so many things I could wish for other than my sight.

"I think I'd wish for people in the world to be nicer."

"And why is that?"

"I mean, people tell me all the time that I have a great disposition about being blind and that no matter how many people are mean or treat me differently, I'm still a good person."

"So you wouldn't wish to see?"

"I don't let my blindness hinder me or consider it a disability as the majority of people would. I think it makes me who I am and without it, I know I wouldn't be the same person," I shrugged, finishing the remaining food on my plate and Harry was quiet.

"You really are something special."

"Nah. I'm really not."

"Yes you are, Ellen. You don't even realize it."

"How so?" I asked, feeling slightly annoyed.

"You're so positive and happy all the time. You never let anything get you down," he replied.

"Harry, I learned a long time ago that the world is only cold and cruel to those who are cold and cruel. If you have one person who is nice and warm to someone else, it may not make a difference in the world, but it makes a difference to that person. And maybe, just maybe, I've been that person to the people I've met."