Peripheral Vision | ✓ [NOW PUBLISHED AS HUNTINGTON AVENUE]

Chapter 24

C H A P T E R  T W E N T Y - F O U R

Zach's P.O.V.

I'll never get used to opening my eyes and actually seeing something besides the darkness.

I still feel like this is all a dream, but deep down, I know it's not. I reached for my phone, turning my school alarm off with a huff. Rubbing my eyes gently, my new vision came into focus in a matter of seconds.

This never gets old.

I sat up, my gaze suddenly landing onto my guitar. Its mahogany wood shimmered in the light ebbing from the nearby window and all six strings glowed a brilliant silver. I found myself walking up to it and gently grabbing it by the neck.

The wood felt smooth against my fingers as I adjusted its slender shape comfortably across my chest as I sat back down on the bed. I stared down at my fingers as I began to play.

I never realized how much effort I put into playing the guitar until I saw it with my own eyes. I felt my fingertips begin speeding across the frets until I couldn't play any faster.

The feeling was absolutely incredible. I never wanted to stop, but I had to eventually. After a few more minutes, I hesitantly stopped and put my guitar back on its stand in the corner.

I practically ran down the stairs since it took me a little while to get ready for the day ahead of me. I didn't sleep much the previous night since everything still is taking a long time to get used to. Seeing things isn't a big deal for most people, but it is for me.

It's a huge deal.

I never want to shut my eyes again.

"Morning, Zach," my mom exclaimed as I entered the kitchen.

"Morning," I replied while glancing around the room. I had gotten home late last night, so I haven't really gotten a proper look at the house.

The kitchen's theme was blue, white, and light gray. Everything looked extremely clean and tidy. It kind of reminded me of my old house which I vaguely remembered from a long time ago. Not that it mattered much, but I wanted to take a look since I was curious.

A moment later, I heard Hayleigh's loud footsteps from across the house. Honestly, it sounds a bit like a horse trotting around with metal horseshoes on the wood floor. I don't even know how she can amplify herself that much.

"Hi Zach!" she squealed as she rounded the corner.

"Hayleigh!" I exclaimed mustering up as much excitement in my voice as she had.

Without any hesitation, she jumped on me, practically tackling me onto the floor. This seven year old is extremely hyper this morning, even more than normal.

"Gentler please?" I asked while gently loosening her grip.

"Fine," she replied with a giggling sigh.

My lips twitched upward into a playful smirk as I stared Hayleigh in the eyes. It still gives me chills to just look at the people I've known for so long.

"Sorry, I'm staring again," I apologized while putting my hands in my pockets. "Am I being creepy?"

"No," laughed Hayleigh as she returned my smile. "Doesn't matter to me if you stare or not, I know I'm attractive."

"Hayleigh!" I burst out into laughter as I ruffled her long curly hair in a teasing manner. "That's true though, you are a very pretty second grader."