Piano Man

First Day of School

“Mitch…stop jumping or you’ll fall,” Kirstie told him as the boy jumped up and down on the way to school.

“Sorry… but I’m so excited,” Mitch giggled as he held Kirstie’s hand. Kirstie laughed at her excited friend “Kirstie…I’m nervous,” he said.

“I bet you are, don’t worry…everything will be ok,” Kirstie reassured, hoping that she was right. Mitch giggled to himself as he skipped down the leaf filled streets.

“Kirstie …what are the colors of the leafs today?” Mitch asked with a bright smile.

“Yellow and dark orange,” Kirstie answered, holding tightly onto Mitch’s hand.

They must be beautiful,” Mitch giggled.

“They really are,” Kirstie smiled.

“When are we going to get there?” he whined in anticipation. Kirstie glared at the younger boy.

“Soon,” she told him, narrowing her eyes.

“You don’t need to get mad…all I did was ask,” Mitch said.

“I’m not mad,” Kirstie argued, raising her pierced eyebrow.

 “But you sound mad,” Mitch smirked.

“Mitchie, I promise…I’m not mad, I’m just nervous,” Kirstie said, almost in a whisper. Mitch’s face fell a little, hearing his best friend sound so sad.

“Why?” Mitch asked sadly.

“I’m worried about you and how others are going to treat you be-”

“Because I’m blind,” Mitch finished.

“Y-yes.” Mitch angrily let go of Kirstie’s hand and walked on his own, listening to the sounds and feeling the atmosphere around him to guide him. Kirstie stayed a foot behind him, to protect the blind boy.

“Why can’t any of you realize that I’m perfectly fine? I don’t need my sight…I feel like Kevin and... I can’t believe this…my mother are the only ones that understand me,” Mitch said, aggravated.

“Mitch…please, let’s not fight. I know, but I just want you to be safe,” Kirstie said. Mitch sighed and kept walking, not paying attention he almost ran into a large tree; thankfully he was saved by Kirstie.

“Now I know why I need you,” Mitch laughed as he held onto Kirstie’s arm.

“Told you so,” Kirstie giggled as she started to walk again.

      “We’re here,” Kirstie said, sighing as they stood in front of the large stone building with an amazing court yard.

“Omg! What does it look like?” Mitch asked excitedly as he gripped onto Kirstie’s sleeve.

“It’s a big stone building and it has stairs…and a big yard with pretty trees,” Kirstie described. He saw Mitch’s face get brighter. “Do you want your sunglasses?” Kirstie asked.

“No, I’m fine…let’s go!” Mitch laughed as he tried to pull Kirstie towards the large double doors. Kirstie smiled and led Mitch inside. Mitch smiled as he heard all the sounds; the lockers opening and closing, the gossip and the yelling of fangirls and rowdy boys…it was all so new and amazing to him.

“I can’t believe I’m in a real high school,” Mitch whispered to himself. 

“Come on, we need to get our schedules,” Kirstie said as she gently pulled Mitch towards the office.  Mitch couldn’t stop smiling…this was the best choice he could ever make for himself. He put his hand on the wood door frame as the two walked into the office.