One Year(ish) Later

It was the first day of my sophomore year. I glided through the hallway without my hand on a wall, there was no need. Not any more. My footsteps echoed through the otherwise soundless halls. I got to go out of my classes early. When I heard the click that sounded before the bell, I pressed my fingers in my ears and started sprinting to my ex-least favorite class. It doesn't really have a name but, Eve, Mercy and I nicknamed it the Meteor Zone, on account of what I had said last year.

Mr. Meyers stood, with the door open, waiting for me. I reached inside just before the shrill ringing of the bell sounded. I inhaled sharply through my nose, and there were no candles lit today. I took one step forward and almost tumbled over a desk. Okay, that was new.

I waded through the desks and soon found where Eve and Mercy were sitting. I took a seat next to them. Almost as soon as I sat down Mercy jumped out of her seat and started signing into my hand, like she needed to do it to survive. Well then again, she liked to talk a lot, for someone who was mute.

Ashley! It's so good to see you! How was your summer? Did you have fun? She signed so fast I barely had time to catch the words. Mercy sometimes got a bit excited over things. Oh did I mention that over the last year we'd become friends? Well Eve, Mercy and I were practically inseparable now days.

Mercy, calm down. I signed back into her hand. We saw each other less than a week ago. I sighed at Mercy's excited attitude. My Mom had practically done a cartwheel when I told her that I'd made some new friends. So she let me have them over practically whenever I wanted, so long as we didn't stay up to late, on school nights, or trash the house.

Hi Ash. What's new? Another hand signed. Eve. Her and gestures were straighter, slower and rougher. I tried to think of something new to tell her but my mind drew a blank. I just shrugged and she got the idea.

"Good morning girls." Mr. Meyers said, and I heard his footsteps pounding to his desk. Mr. Meyers never walked light. I wasn't sure if it was natural, or if he was doing it for me. "I hope you had a wonderful summer." He added, before he reached his desk and pulled out the chair with a ear splitting screech.

I hate that noise. I signed into both Eve and Mercy's hands. I paused for a moment before asking, So... what was it like this morning?

It was foggy, Eve signed, but when the sun rose, it was all so mesmerizing. It hit the fog just right, creating an eerie, but beautiful look. The sky was painted pinks and oranges and there were still a few stars not yet hidden by the sun.

The birds and animals were awake, too. Mercy added, she lived in the country side so she saw plenty of wildlife.

"Girls!" Mr. Meyers snapped, noticing how our hands were moving. For most of the second semester he didn't realize it, but now... "You need to focus. I know it's the first day back, but that means we need to keep pushing ahead. So now where was I..." Mr. Meyers started droning on again and I sighed, picturing the sun rise.

I constantly had Eve and Mercy describing things for me. Whether it was the sunrise, or the way it looked when it rained, I loved it all. I guess that is the best part of being blind. I'm not so caught up in how I look, but I get to see the world through other people's eyes.

I felt my leg start to bounce up and down, with all the energy it had. You would think my body would be exhausted by just doing normal stuff? Nope. It was filled with the urge to run and sprint and tear down the field, no matter the weather. Most people would think I'd be satisfied by my little sprint down the halls. No, that only drove it more.

I longed for the ability to navigate the unpredictable cross country paths. Only I knew I'd never be able to do that ever again. Even if I could, I'd never go as fast as I once did. I couldn't feel the adrenaline pump through my veins because I'd become neck and neck with my competitor. No. Why?

I was blind. And blind people couldn't run cross country.