Peripheral Vision | ✓ [NOW PUBLISHED AS HUNTINGTON AVENUE]

Chapter 1

C H A P T E R  O N E

Zach's P.O.V.

"Are you sure that you don't want any help?"

I sighed, grabbing my book bag and climbing out of the car. "I'm fine, Hayleigh."

My sister has always been there for me. She's only seven, but she has a kind heart, and is always willing to help. In fact, all of my family is. They offer to carry things for me, tell me where everything is in this new town, and they even help me up the stairs to my room sometimes, but I can do those things on my own. They're always looking out for me, which I appreciate, but being blind doesn't make me helpless.

That's why I want to go to a normal school for a change, to do what normal teenagers do and to make some friends like everyone else.

I'm just a normal person with one simple flaw that people never seem to overlook. It's not even a big deal to me. People can't seem to see me for me, and that's what I'm hoping will change.

"Are you sure?" Hayleigh's sweet voice echoed in my ears.

"I'm sure," I replied, giving her a grateful side-hug in which she returned excitedly. "Thank you."

"I like hugs!" Hayleigh exclaimed with joy, her arms wrapped around me tightly. She wasn't letting go anytime soon.

"I know you do," I responded with a gentle smile, gently holding onto her arms and releasing her grip. This girl's much stronger than she looks. "But I need to get to class, it's starting soon."

"Aww okay," whined Hayleigh, and I barely was able to stiffle a laugh. "But you'll be gone all day!"

"I'll be home this afternoon. In fact, I think you're coming with Mom to pick me up," I retorted playfully, and I could literally hear the smile in her voice.

"Okay!" she bounced right back, and I gave her a small wave.

I shut the door behind me and turned around. Even though I wasn't able to see anything, I knew for a fact that there was a huge high school in front of me. There seemed to be someone at every corner because their voices reverberated off the walls of the building and into my ears. Since my sight is impaired, I find it much easier to use my hearing to find my way around.

I'm not sure what it is, but my hearing is apparently really strong. For example, I hear things that someone with vision, like Hayleigh, wouldn't. I call it a bit of a superpower.

"Bye, Zach!" my mom called before she drove off.

I turned towards her gentle voice and waved. I heard Hayleigh also yell to me and a smile crawled across my face. It meant the world that my sister cared so much about me. After the roaring of the car's engine faded away, I turned back around and began walking through the front gates.

A gentle breeze flew through the air and I could tell that the sun's beams were radiant. The warmth of a late summer day shone down onto the back of my neck, and I loved it.

Unfortunately, it had to be left behind as I had opened the front doors to the school. Luckily, my hand was in front of me, or I would've collided with the heavy door in between me and the massive hallway ahead.

Just like yesterday, which was my first day, I felt the stares of my peers latch upon me. Even though I was unable to see them, I felt them just the same, and I wasn't sure how to react, so I just kept on walking.

Living in a world of total darkness was a lot to handle, and being condensed to a building filled with other teenagers was a whole lot more. Once again, I attempted to weave around the crowds of people, but after a bit, that didn't go over too well.