Page 4 of Shrouded in the Dark
“Yeah, that helps.” I nodded at him as I placed the flashlight next to me but left it off. As long as I could see a little bit, I could ignore the shadows further out into the yard.
“You’re not really afraid of the dark.” Jasper sat next to me again. “It isn’t that dark yet.”
I sighed. Here came the explanation part. Most people find out and think I’m even weirder since I also suffered from severe anxiety. Which suited me fine.
Not being able to see at night sucked. It meant I couldn’t drive at night time, couldn’t go to the movies. I’d never gone to a dance because they were usually dark inside wherever it was held.
I ran a hand through my hair. I should have put it in a braid. “I can’t see at night. I have nyctalopia. I’ve had it since I was little. If it’s dark, I’m blind. Even with these lights? You’re pretty fuzzy to me. And no, you can’t catch it.”
Jasper scooted closer to me. My flashlight was the only thing separating his thigh from mine.
“Is that better?”
My nose scrunched again. “You’re taking this really well.”
He shrugged. “It’s not a big deal to me. Anyways, you were telling me about that sushi place that actually has a revolving bar?”
Just like that, we were back to talking. It was nice to meet someone, besides Felicity, who learned about my partial blindness and just moved forward not caring. It didn’t change who I was.
We’d moved onto where we’d grown up, when I heard my name being called. Felicity popped in the gazebo. Axel was right behind her.
“Becca! I’m sorry! I had no idea it had gotten so late!” She rushed forward, her face becoming clearer as she grabbed my hands in hers. Her lips looked swollen with her hair looking disheveled. Someone had had fun.
“It’s ok, Fel. We were just talking.”
She eyed Jasper before looking back at me. “You ready to head back?” She pulled out the bright pink flash light she’d bought shortly after she’d learned about my partial blindness. “Got mine ready!” She puffed her cheeks out proudly as I smiled.
“You’re done?” I glanced between her and Axel. He had his hands in his pockets, but I couldn’t really see his expression.
“Mhm. The party is still going, but now everyone is super drunk. I thought we could go get some dinner. Axel said he’s buying.”
“Well, if Axel is buying, I’m in,” Jasper interjected and stood.
Felicity, keeping her hand in mine, turned on her flashlight as I did the same for mine, and started to lead the way.
I trusted Felicity as we walked through the backyard, around the house that music still seemed to be pulsing louder from, and around to the street. Where my flashlight hit, I could see a lot more students along the street, most of them drunk. Axel was next to Felicity, judging by the large shadowed figure next to her. Jasper had decided to walk next to me and he’d turned on his cell phone flashlight. It made my heart warm. I hoped he’d want to talk again. He seemed like a great guy to know.
* * *
Jasper
When Axel had pulled me from studying in my room to join the loud party downstairs, I was annoyed as hell. I had been studying for my final next week in my Differential Engineering class that was kicking my ass this semester. I’d told him I’d stay for an hour with him, the damn bear was taking full advantage of college life while he could.
I couldn’t blame him, but it didn’t mean that I had to like it. My fox certainly didn’t like the noise. My hour had almost been up when Axel’s crush walked in, making a beeline straight to him. She was pretty hot, smart too, according to him. I wasn't thrilled to meet her, but it was inevitable if Axel liked her. I had run my eyes over her body, trying to see what he saw in her. Then she’d stepped back to introduce the friend who’d been behind her that I hadn’t noticed at first.
Her friend was taller than she was, coming up to my chin and probably Axel’s shoulder. When Felicity had introduced her, I’d been polite and offered my standard greeting getting ready to say goodbye when she’d shot back, knowing my Star Wars reference. I’d decided that talking to the friend might be worth the lost study time.
Her friend, Becca, had longer hair that was loose around her shoulders. It was a medium ginger color, straight, and reminded me of the sunset at home. My sister would have killed her for that hair. She had a round face that fit her body that she hid underneath clothes. Her hips were pear shaped. She was a little bigger than my last lay. Her eyes were a bright cobalt color that I had to blink for a second to make sure I was seeing correctly. My fox perked up in interest. Her body posture showed she was uncomfortable and it looked like she was getting ready to bolt.
Axel pushed his shoulder against mine when the two girls were talking. “Help me out here.”
I’d sighed but nodded. Felicity had recommended just a few seconds later that I keep Becca company. We’d gone outside to the gazebo where it was less crowded since it was loud and Becca looked like she might appreciate a location that would be less congested with people. The next few hours had flown by and before I’d known it, it was night. I’d enjoyed myself a lot more than I thought I would. So did my fox.
When the girl had gone quiet and looked dazed, I’d thought she was having some kind of episode. Her eyes had gone glassy as she blinked rapidly. When she’d explained she was basically blind at night, I’d taken a deep breath. I’d thought she was hurt and here she was, blind as a bat.
Now, we’d walked to a small pizza joint. Felicity had led Becca through the street as we’d all used our flashlights for her, even though it wasn’t that dark to Axel and me. We sat at a table near the back of the restaurant. Axel ended up next to Felicity and I sat next to Becca.
I was taking a drink of the water the waiter had left when Becca leaned into my side and whispered softly, “They kind of make you sick with the puppy eyes, don’t they?”
