The Awakener

by Amanda Strong

  Eden was nervous about how Andrew would act around her at school, but he established how he felt, sitting with her at lunch, walking with her in the halls, and grinning at her during trig. On Wednesday, he asked her out for Friday night. She thought the day couldn’t get any better, but her mom surprised her after school with an appointment to get contacts.

  Driving home, her mom apologized for not being able to do it sooner.

  “Don’t worry about it, Mom. I understand,” Eden responded. She loved the sensation of nothing on her face. She still caught herself pushing at the air above her nose all night.

  Bad habit, better break it.

  Andrew peered over at her the next morning in trig and unabashedly stated, “Wow, you look really good.”

  “Thanks.” She ducked her head, embarrassed by his ogling eyes.

  At lunch, Jessie announced to Andrew, “So we’re going to swim at the rec center after school today. You should come too.”

  Eden gaped at Jessie. What are you thinking? No way am I wearing a swimming suit in front of him!

  Andrew glanced at Eden and stammered, “Ah… I can’t tonight.”

  “That’s ok,” Eden reassured quickly.

  “It’s not that I don’t want to go, but I’m,” he paused, “volunteering at the hospital.”

  “I didn’t know you did that,” Eden said. Is it my imagination, or does he look embarrassed?

  “I just started on Tuesday. I’m going to go Tuesday and Thursdays after school.”

  “That’s cool,” Jessie interjected.

  “What do you do?” Caitlyn asked, breaking her sandwich into bite-size pieces before popping them in her mouth.

  “I’m really just a candy striper. I help the nurses out. Help get meals, you know.”

  Eden gazed back at him. “That’s really cool, Andrew. Do you want to be a doctor or something?”

  His eyes shifted to his lunch tray, and he stirred the Hawaiian haystack around. “Yeah, something like that.”

  Friday night, Eden climbed into the back of the Cruiser, with Chase crowing, “What up, Eden!”

  She wasn’t thrilled that Andrew wanted to double with Chase and Willow again, but tried to make the best of it.

  “Hey Chase. Hi Willow,” she replied, tugging the seatbelt on.

  When done, she caught eyes with Willow, who was turned around in the passenger seat. Willow’s waxed brow flitted from scrunched to smooth. She smiled.

  “It’s good to see you again, Eden.”

  Confused by her odd tone, Eden smiled and glanced away. With the music playing and Andrew discussing the movie they were about to see, she was surprised to see Willow continue to peek back at them. There was no scowl, no temper flaring; it was more of a curiosity. It was a little unnerving. Think I’m starting to miss the glares.

  Ten minutes later, while the boys got the popcorn at the theater, Willow pulled her to the side, murmuring, “You and Andrew have something special.”

  Eden stared at her, and then managed to say, “You think so?”

  “Definitely.” Again, no sarcasm, no evil faces.

  “You and Chase are good together too,” she said automatically.

  “Chase is,” she paused, glancing over at him. For a minute, it was as if she’d forgotten Eden was standing next to her. She cocked her head to the side, seeming to consider Chase for the first time. “Ok,” she finished, as if that’s what she’d decided at that precise moment. “But we don’t have what you two have.”

  Eden was speechless. Andrew’s my first real relationship; I guess that’s always special, right?

  Willow nodded back at her, as if she’d read her thoughts. “Maybe it’s because you’re both so,” she hesitated, “unique.”

  It was said without any malice—it sounded genuine. I’m stumped. Who is this girl and what did she do with Willow?

  There was a hint of a smile on Willow’s mouth.

  “The more I get to know Andrew, the more I agree with you. But I’m about as common as they get,” Eden replied, befuddled by her behavior.

  Willow’s eyes widened. “Trust me, you’re unique.”

  They made their way into the show, Eden relieved to end their conversation; it was more than a little strange. Once the previews started and the theater darkened, Andrew reached for her hand. She smiled as their fingers intertwined. She tried to pay attention to the movie, but she was distracted by his warm hand. It felt different tonight; the warmth of his fingers radiated into her whole body.

  She glanced down at their hands, just as her vision went awry. She gingerly pressed her eyelids with her free hand.

  Andrew noticed. “Are you ok?”

  She blinked. “I think,” she paused, “I lost my contacts.”

  “You did?” he whispered back.

  “I don’t know. Everything’s blurry.” It was more than blurry… it was almost too focused—angular, sharp, and distorted. She stood up, bending over to not block the view of those behind them. He followed her out, and then guided her up the aisle to the exit.

  “Thanks,” she said, once they were in the bright hallway. She blinked again. “Feels like they’re in.”

  “But you can’t see?” He sounded worried.

  “They’re probably just dirty.” Like, really dirty. “I have solution in my bag. I’ll go clean them.”

  He nodded, eyebrows creased.

  She hurried into the bathroom, digging in her purse for the saline solution. Her eyes were throbbing, a pressure headache creeping in. She separated her eyelids and swiped her thumb and forefinger across, pinching. The contact popped out, sending immediate relief. She was glad her mom insisted she bring a spare case and solution wherever she went. She repeated the motion with the left, placing both lenses in the case.

  She gasped at her reflection.

  “What in the world…” She stepped closer, examining her eyes. “Everything’s clear.” She turned around, taking the restroom in with wide eyes. How’s this possible? I’m blind as a bat.

  Tossing the spare contact case back into her purse, she whispered, “Guardian, did you do this?”

  She heard and felt nothing. Not sure how long she’d been gone, and feeling bad Andrew was missing the movie, she hurried out.

  He was waiting, arms crossed, eyes concerned. “Everything ok?”

  “Uh… yeah, sorry.” She wasn’t sure what to say exactly.

  He cocked one eyebrow, but said nothing. Returning to the theater, her mind was no longer on the movie. She couldn’t stop gazing around. Even in the darkness, she could see clearly. I see better now than I did with my contacts!

  She caught Andrew staring at her several times, and decided to at least pretend to watch the show. Poor guy did pay a lot for the tickets. Guess he doesn’t want me admiring the walls.

  That night, after Andrew had dropped her off, leaving her with a warm embrace, she sat cross-legged on her bed, laptop humming. She took a swig from her orange soda, debating.

  Why not? She set her drink on her nightstand.

  She exhaled. “Well, Guardian, I’m not sure why I’m doing this. I still haven’t heard anything back from Micah from my last email. But I’ve got to tell someone, so might as well be him, right?” She laughed a little at herself.

  At least he won’t think I’m crazy.