Under The Stars

Hayden

I was blind.

It was hard to take in. I would never see a single sight ever again. And to think that my last sight in the world was a big blue truck hurling towards me.

Someone walked through the door.

"Hey sis," Someone said. It was Liam. I got up off the hospital bed and walked to where his voice was coming from. I put my hands in front of me, and when I felt his leather jacket brush against my hand, I leant in to hug him.

He hugged me back.

"Are you okay?" He asked, pulling away. I didn't know what to say. Was I okay? I nodded softly and asked him where Dad was.

"I'm right here honey."

Dad took my hand and hugged me tight. I hugged him even tighter.

"I'm blind, Dad." I said. I felt tears in my eyes.

"I know, but that's okay." He said. It was not okay.

"You'll get through this." Dad continued. I wasn't so sure I would. How would I do school? Or learn to drive? Or even walk down the street, without falling over.

"Where's Hayden?" I asked. I felt a tear run down my cheek. Mum and Dad sighed.

"He was alright, so the doctors let him go." Mum said. I felt her hand on my shoulder. "He went home darling."

Home? Why would Hayden go home? Did he not want to see me?

"You mean he didn't want to visit me?" I asked, another tear fell down my cheek. Mum and Dad sighed again. Liam put his arms around me.

I pulled away. I felt around for my bed and lay down. I turned and faced the wall. At least I think was the wall.

I couldn't believe Hayden didn't want to see me. After everything we've been through together. Friends for more than a decade, and he didn't want to see me.

Maybe his parents wouldn't let him see me. That was it. Maybe he did want to see me but his parents thought I would be busy with my family.

Maybe Hayden really did want to visit me.

I was released from the hospital a few days later. They ran some more tests, but they said I had only really injured my eyes.

Dad drove me home. Liam and Mum were already at home, waiting.

The drive home was long and silent. There was nothing to say and nothing to be heard. I fumbled around the car door, looking for the he button to wind the window down.

Maybe if I listened closely I could hear the birds. Or the passing cars. Or the loud kids that always seemed to be at the park across from our house.

That's when I knew we were close.

There were shouts of joy, yelling. Kids feet thumping the basketball court, and the basketball bouncing with a thud of each dribble down to the hoop.

I smiled. I had heard those kids yelling and shouting for years, since they were little. They always used to annoy me but now I'm happy they're there.

Dad opened the car door for me and took my hand and led me to the front door.

I heard his keys jingling in he lock before opening it. When I stepped inside the house it was dead silent.

"SURPRISE!!!" I heard people yell. There were people laughing, and shouting.

"Welcome home Harlyn!" They said, and "How ya doing?"

I smiled in shock. I heard Mum shuffle over.

"Hey baby, how are you?" She asked. I just smiled.

"What is this?" I asked. Lots of people were next to me, patting me on the shoulder, and hugging me.

"Your surprise welcome home party of course!" Mum said happily. I couldn't really hear her over the sound of everyone else but I still understood.

All I could do was smile. I had never had a surprise party before.

Dad, still holding my hand, led me over to the table where there was food and drinks.

"Where's Hayden?" I asked, feeling around the table for a bag or bowl of chips.

"Uhh.." Dad sighed. "He's not here."

"What do you mean?" I asked confused. "Is he coming?"

"Well we invited his family but they said that Hayden wasn't really up for it." Dad said. I felt sick.

Dad continued, "I'm sorry sweetie."

I felt like throwing up. I pushed past dad trying to find my way up the stairs. It was almost easy.

All those years of me and Hayden putting on blindfolds and stumbling across he house pretending we were blind finally paid off.

I grazed my hand along the wall waiting to feel the touch of my bedroom door.

I opened the door and walked straight forward. My bed should be right on my left.

I sat down. I felt hot tears running down my cheeks. Why did Hayden not want to see me?