Days passed; the holidays flew by, and, if I could see colors other than black, I would have called it a single blur. Phoebe and I spent the New Year together; Mike and Vic had invited us to spend it with them, but it turned out that we both weren’t feeling one-hundred-percent and wanted to lay low. The guys offered to come over or do something low key, but we insisted that they spend it with their families. And now that the year has turned, Phoebe and I were busier than ever—and so were the guys, prepping for their upcoming Southeast Asia tour.

Well, I wasn’t that busy. I couldn’t really do much myself—I spent a lot of time by myself. Phoebe worked part-time; while she worked I daydreamed about my job in North Carolina as a social worker. I missed it a lot, and I especially missed the kids I left behind. It made me feel a little selfish, leaving North Carolina for something that wasn’t even life threatening. However, my boss and Phoebe, of course, wouldn’t hear it, calling me foolish for wanting to turn away from this opportunity. They were right, but I still felt bad, no matter how much I really wanted this to work out. Phoebe had so much responsibility over me now, but, then again, once—if—I could see again she wouldn’t have to do as much. Maybe it was one of those “It’s darkest before dawn” kinds of things—everything was really difficult now, right before the operation, but if things go well then the entire weight would be lifted. I tried to focus on that fact, but I also didn’t get my hopes up.

After work, every Tuesday and Thursday, Phoebe drove me to my check-ups. They said that, if all goes as planned, I could have the operation by early March.

“That’s only, like, four months, Faye!” Phoebe cheered. I smiled and nodded while she shook my shoulders and patted my cheeks in excitement.

“Yes, yes!” I giggled, smiling as she sang in joy.

“I feel like I’m more excited than you!” she laughed.

“You probably are,” I said placidly, scratching the back of my neck. “Then you don’t have to—”

Before I could finish my thought, Phoebe slapped her hands over my mouth. “Don’t even go there, young lady,” she said seriously, pulling her hands away. I smiled softly and stepped forward, bringing Phoebe into a hug. I buried my head into her hair and sighed. “It’ll be great. You’re going to be great,” she reassured. I smiled and pulled away.

“Let’s celebrate!” Phoebe cheered.

“Celebrate?” I laughed, shaking my head. “Nothing has happened yet!”

“Yes! We had no idea it was going to happen so soon! We thought it would at least be a year! We sure as hell should celebrate!” she said enthusiastically. “Oh, hold on,” she murmured. “Vic’s calling.” I nodded.

“Hello? Yeah, hey! Here she is!” she chimed, nudging me. I furrowed my eyebrows until she placed her phone into my hand, then I nodded in recognition. I brought the phone up to my ear.

“Hello?”

“Hey, Faye. It’s me, Mike,” he said.

“Oh, hey, Mike,” I smiled and blushed a little, even though he couldn’t see—although, Phoebe could, and I was definitely going to get shit from her over that later. “What’s up?” I haven’t talked or hung out with Mike since, and the last time we talked was when they were trying to get us over for New Years. He and the rest of his band were busy practicing and planning their next tour, which was understandable, but I was anxious to hear from him considering what happened last time we met. I tried not to over think it, though. I didn’t even tell Phoebe about it, but I bet she knew from Vic.

Phoebe poked my stomach, causing me to jump in surprise—she definitely knew. I blushed more but turned my attention to Mike on the phone.

“I was wondering if you wanted to go out tonight? I’m sorry I haven’t come by to see you in a while. Things have been hectic here… I hope I didn’t hurt your feelings or anything. Shit, I didn’t really think of—”

“Mike,” I interrupted him with a toothy grin on my face. He was so flustered that I knew he had to be genuine. “It’s okay, honestly,” I reassured.

“Oh, oh okay. Yeah, uh, I’m a really bad communicator, sorry,” he continued to apologize and I rolled my eyes.

“Well you’re in luck, I am too,” I laughed. Although I tended to become attached to people I trusted easily, I wasn’t the clingy type. If someone needed their space, of course I’d give it to them. Maybe I had been a tad worried these past days, wondering if maybe he changed his mind about… about whatever we were… but I wasn’t in agony over it. I understood that we both had individual lives with a lot going on. Plus, I trusted that Mike would call eventually, I had a feeling he would—and that feeling just now proved to be correct.

“Heh, well,” he chuckled nervously. “So, uh, would you like to go out tonight?” He asked again.

I think Phoebe could hear Mike through the phone because she shook my shoulders, her breathing picking up with excitement. I smiled and responded, “Of course, yeah!”

“Sweet.”

“But, uh, where are we going?” I asked.

“I was thinking laser tag and then a movie,” he said easily.

“Mike!”

“I’m kidding, I’m kidding!” he laughed, and so did I. I liked how he took my whole “being blind” thing so casually. He wasn’t being offensive, it just showed me that it didn’t really bother him. “In all seriousness, I know a good place to take pretty ladies.”

Pretty ladies, I scoffed in my head. “Where is it?” I asked curiously while my pinky finger on my left hand started to subconsciously pick at my left thumb’s cuticle—an anxious habit.

“It’s a surprise!”

“In public?” I asked quietly, I hated that I sounded so insecure but being in public sometimes made me uncomfortable, being surrounded by so many people I didn’t trust and I couldn’t even see them or watch my own back. I didn't know where this lack of confidence was coming from, though—back in North Carolina I could go out without a second thought. Maybe it was because San Diego was such a big city, compared to where I lived in North Carolina.

“Well, yes, in public. Although I’m not sure many people will be there. Why? Is that going to be a problem?” he asked, not sassily but concerned.

“Oh, no, it’s fine,” I said quickly.

“Okay. I’ll pick you up at four,” he said.

Four? That early? I didn’t voice my questions out loud, shrugging my shoulders. “Er, okay then. See you Mike.”

“See ya soon! Oh, uh, don’t hang up. Vic wants to talk to Phoebe,” he said quickly.

I laughed. “Alright, here she is,” I said, passing the phone to Phoebe.

Phoebe patted my shoulder and I heard her walk away. I turned around and walked to my room, collapsing onto my bed, my mind racing. It was noon, so I had four hours until Mike was going to be here. My mind was buzzing so fast that I couldn’t pick out individual thoughts. Everything was just one big blur and I didn’t know why. Part of it was because of Mike, sure, but I think a lot of it was as a result of all of the appointments I’ve had so far, with more to come in the future. The little things they did each time were adding up—honestly I had no idea what they were doing, Phoebe did but I never listened when they explained. All I knew was that my head throbbed and I was exhausted. Doing nothing for several days straight was exhausting.

“Faye!” Phoebe pounced onto the bed next to me, causing me to bounce a little. I yawned, feeling disorientated. “It’s almost four! Mike’s going to be here soon!”

“Oh, shit,” I yawned again. “I fell asleep. Oops,” I mumbled.

“Aw, that’s okay. I lost track of time, too. C’mon, let’s get you ready,” she said tugging me up. I stretched my limbs out and slid out of my bed.

“Make me look cute,” I grinned, sticking my tongue out at her.

“You’re always cute, sweetie,” she reassured. I heard her going through my closet for a few moments before she stuffed clothes into my hands. “It’s a pair of dark washed jeans and your favorite cream sweater.”

“Ah!” I laughed. “I wore this last time I saw him. I can’t,” I laughed again.

“Oh, that’s funny,” she laughed. “Okay, uh, here!” she chirped, throwing another shirt at me, hitting me in the face for a moment until it fell into the pile in my hands. “It’s a loose, plain white t-shirt, and…” Phoebe paused for a moment and another article of clothing hit me in the face, followed by a giggle from Phoebe. “…a black and red checkered flannel. And here’s a necklace to girl-ify it,” she said, placing a necklace in my hand.

I laughed. “Thanks, Phoebe,” I smiled appreciatively.

“Anything for you, buddy. Now go get changed quickly!” she ordered. I nodded and immediately turned, setting the clothes on the bed while I changed out of my nightwear. Just as Phoebe instructed, I changed quickly. I walked over to my closet and felt around for my shoes. The ones three from the left were my red vans. I pulled those out and slipped them on. Then, I jumped up and ran my fingers through my hair.

“Do I need to put makeup on?” I asked Phoebe.

“I personally think you look kickin’ with out it,” she said.

“Eh…” I thought for a moment. “Maybe just a little eye liner and mascara?” I requested, not that I could tell the difference but I knew it looked good—at least that was what Phoebe said.

“Of course. Your skin is flawless, anyway,” she mused, stroking my cheek briefly with her thumb as she passed. I smiled and then stood still as she applied my make up. “Your hair is fine, too. I don’t know how you do it, man,” she said, running her fingers through my hair. I laughed and shrugged my shoulders, trusting that she was telling the truth and I didn’t have to do anything special with it.

Not that I would have time, though—I heard the doorbell ring and Phoebe squealed. “Mike’s here,” she stated the obvious. I stuck my tongue out at her and stood up.

“Thanks for your help, Phoebes. You are the best, I love you,” I said, hugging her quickly.

“Nonsense. I love you too. Have fun with Mike!” she called. I smiled again and headed to the door.

I opened it shyly. “Mike?”

“Yeah, hey, it’s me,” he murmured. “Ready to go?” I nodded and stepped into the late afternoon air. Mike nudged my arm a little and I took it, allowing him to guide me to his car.

“So can you tell me where we are going now?” I asked.

“Yes,” he said as he helped me into the car. Once he got into the driver’s side he spoke again. “Sunset cliffs, San Diego,” he said happily. “It’s a beachy, nice area. Calming,” he added. I smiled and nodded.

The ride to Sunset Cliffs was short, but it was also pretty silent. My mind continued to buzz and I found that I was happy we were going to a calming area. It was as if Mike could tell exactly what I needed. We sat in comfortable silence, though. I was a little nervous about tonight, considering the terms we had previously left on, but I also felt at ease. I felt safe with Mike.

When we got there, Mike held my hand as we walked to wherever we were going. After a few minutes of silent walking, I smiled as the sound of waves crashing soothed my mind.

“Did you bring me here to drown me, Fuentes?” I grinned.

Mike laughed and put an arm around my shoulder, pulling me into his side. “Of course I did, silly,” he joked. “I heard you liked beaches,” he added lowly before planting a kiss on the top of my head. I blushed a little and smiled.

“You heard correctly,” I said softy. Mike turned and I knew we were now facing each other because he delicately placed his hands on my waist. We were quiet for a few moments, the sound of the waves crashing in the distance, Mike’s breathing, and his heart beat swirling in a melody in my ears. The smell of the sea mixed with Mike's scent lingered pleasantly.

“Why are you smiling?” he asked quietly.

“Oh,” I blushed. “I just feel happy, that’s all,” I shrugged my shoulders. “It’s really calm out here. Thank you.”

“Me too,” he said. “I needed to take a break from my brother and the band stuff… I wanted to be alone but not lonely,” he added, giving my waist a squeeze, telling me that he wanted to be alone with not himself, but with me. I smiled again wrapped my arms loosely around him, so I wasn’t just standing there dumbly with my hands by my side.

He brushed back my hair on the right side of my head, exposing the scar that ran down my face. From my right temple, down my jaw, all the way down to my collarbone (according to Phoebe) was a faint scar from the plane crash. It would have been a fatal wound if I hadn’t have “gotten so lucky”. Phoebe said that it was only noticeable when looked for, especially because my hair usually hid it. I normally forgot about it and didn’t worry about it, but not when people saw it—like Mike, now.

His fingers suddenly traced down the scar. I shivered. “Wh-what are you doing?” I asked, the tingling sensation heightening more and more as he got closer to my jaw and neck with his fingers.

“You’re beautiful,” he whispered.

“A blind girl with a scar. How beautiful,” I scoffed.

“It is, though,” he whispered. His fingers stopped where my scar apparently ended, his hand flattening out and slowly traveling up and around to my shoulder blade.

“I don’t believe you,” I muttered under my breath.

“Don’t you trust me yet?” he asked lowly. His breath was a mix between mint and cigarettes—intoxicating—and blew softly on my face.

“I…” I whispered. I didn’t know.

“Faye.”

“I—yes, I guess I do. I’m here, right?” I nodded as if I was trying to convince myself. It sounded right, though. I did trust Mike. I trusted him a lot.

“Then believe me when I tell you that you’re beautiful. More beautiful than the sunset behind me,” he said. “And I brought you here to talk to you about something, Faye,” he added randomly.

I furrowed my eyebrows. “Want to sit?” he asked, leading me over to somewhere. “It’s just a rock,” he said. I nodded, once again putting trust into the man I have never seen before but, strangely, felt like I could see. Mike sat down first and I knew this because he grabbed my hand and gently tugged me down with him. I sat down on the rock close next to him. “Don’t worry, we’re surrounded by a lot of flat rocks. You won’t fall into water or sharp pointy rocks or anything,” he chuckled a little.

“Oh, good,” I laughed.

“So…” he began. “I wanted to talk to you about what happened a couple weeks ago,” he said lowly. My heart started to thump in my chest. Despite everything that he has said all night, I still prepared myself for the worst. He was going to say it was a mistake, that he didn’t want to get involved with a blind girl who’s emotional stability has, in all honestly, started to waver more and more the longer she has been in San Diego.

“Hey. Don’t go all starry eyes, yet,” he scolded teasingly, breaking me out of my thoughts. “If you want me to be honest I haven’t stopped by in a while because I was nervous, Faye.”

“Nervous? What for?”

“Nervous about what you’re doing to me…” I frowned. “I’ve never felt this way for a girl before. Wow this is so fucking cheesy. But it’s true! You bring out the best in me! And I’m always thinking about you, I think you’re so wonderful and strong and you amaze me in so many ways. Even from the first day I met you, I knew you were something special. I didn’t realize it would lead me to this, exactly, but it has and it makes me nervous. I’ve been thinking about this for the past week and a half, I didn’t know what to say. I felt something when we kissed. I needed time to process it. God, that’s so cheesy! When did I become so cheesy?”

I chuckled a little. “Well, uh, I like… cheese?” I stammered. I face palmed immediately. I like cheese? What the fuck! “Sorry I didn’t really know how to respond to that,” I blushed heavily. Mike chuckled.

“Mike I don’t really know what’s happening, either, but my head is spinning. I’ve never let anyone in like this before. This is all so new to me,” I said more seriously.

“This is all so new to me, too. In a different way, I guess, but also in the same way,” he said. I nodded, understanding. “And I just… I like new things, I like to give new things a shot… can we give this a shot?” his voice was quiet and uncertain.

“A shot…” I repeated in a murmur.

“Yeah,” he replied breathlessly. “Will you be my girlfriend?” He held my hand gently in his, running his thumb across the back of it.

I was quiet for a moment, I didn’t know why and I wanted to jump up and scream yes at the top of my lungs, but I was quiet. The wind whipped my hair around and I lifted an arm to tuck my messy hair behind my ear. I chewed on the inside of my lip and stared into the space that Mike was sitting in. I wasn't expecting this, but, then again, what was I expecting? Everything about Mike was unexpected—who knew that I would meet someone like him here in San Diego? This was supposed to be an in and out trip, but life was never that easy.

Life was never that easy. Life was never fair. But, strangely enough, life could also create some magical and wonderful things, even in the midst of hard and unfair times.

“Yes, Mike,” I said softly. I leaned forward, somehow knowing as if by instinct that he was too (and hoping that he was, otherwise that would be painfully awkward). And he was. Not even seconds later our lips were together for the third time and one of his hands was holding the side of my head, his fingers curling into my hair, while his other hand was still holding mine.

“Mission success,” he mumbled. I laughed lightheartedly, but it was cut short when he kissed me again. “You’ve turned me into a hopeless romantic, good job.”

“Now I can destroy you!” I cheered with a giggle, removing my hands from him and attacking his rib cage with my fingers, catching him at his most vulnerable moment.

“Nuh-uh, girl friend!” he said playfully, snatching my hands. I giggled because although I knew he was using the phrase to be sassy, it was also true—I was his girlfriend. It felt weird to think, but I liked it. I liked having someone like this. “I lied to you. I’m double-crossing you.” Suddenly, the air rushed around me and Mike swung me over his shoulder.

“Not this again!” I laughed. He started to run with me—in what direction, I obviously didn’t know.

“Mike!” I yelled mid-laugh, kicking my legs and weakly punching his back. “What are you doing?”

“I told you, sweetheart. I lied. I didn’t bring you here because you like beaches! I brought you here so I could drown you!”

Notes

Hola. Enjoy the most corniest thing I've ever written ever! I hope it doesn't make you cringe. Normally I write things that aren't this fluffy, but I've been feeling "eh" lately so writing something happy for a change is helpful actual.
Anyway, I hope you enjoyed this! Please let me know what you think, and don't forget to check out my new Jaime story, We Can Run--two chapters out currently! Yay!

Thanks guys, love you all <3