Hello Fascination

“This place is so beautiful, Mary-Anne.” Fran said. I couldn’t help but to smile.

“So, this is sand?” I asked, pointing to the stuff that I felt squishing in between my toes.

“Yup.” Fran answered.

“It’s a lot softer and smaller than the sand in Ft. Lauderdale, Florida.”

“Yeah. The sand there was more rocky and left friggin blisters on your feet because it was so hot. You know, I have a scar on my foot from when we went there.”

“I know, Fran. You always remind me every time we’re at a beach. I still don’t know what a scar is though.” I murmured, feeling myself frown slightly.

“Oh, that is so sad. Mary-Anne, you always put me in a sour mood with your total damper view on life.” Krisleigh, one of Fran’s friends, said. I heard the quiet swoosh as she flicked her hair over her shoulder.

I wanted nothing more than to slap her. She should try being blind for a day and tell me how she feels about it. I can’t text my boyfriend constantly like she does. I can’t even use a phone. I can’t do my own hair. I’ve never even seen my own hair.

“Enough with the pity party. Let’s flirt.” Marley, another one of Fran’s friends, insisted. I sighed and pulled my iPod touch out, just tapping the screen until music started playing. I stuck the headphones in and used the buttons on the side to turn the volume up.

Baby, I love you
I never want to let you go
The more I think about
The more I want to let you know
That everything you do is super fucking cute
And I can’t stand it

Can’t Stand It by NeverShoutNever filled my ears and I started to relax. I hadn’t had too many wonderful birthdays, but this would have to be close to the worst. When the song was over, I double clicked the home button and just tapped the screen again until I managed to hit the pause button and the music stopped. I felt around until I found the beach bag we’d brought and tucked my iPod into it.

“Fran, hun, can you find me the sun block?” I questioned. After a moment of no response, I called her name out again. Still no response.

“Are you looking for someone?” An unfamiliar voice asked me.

“Yes, my sister. Her name is Alex-Anne.” I said, suddenly feeling very lost and alone.

“What does she look like?” The person, most like a young woman, asked me.

“I don’t know. I’ve never seen her. I can’t see; I’m blind.”

“Oh, you poor thing. Come here.” She reached out and took my arm, helping me stand up.

“Gee?” She called out. “Gee! Get over her. We need to help this little girl.”

I sighed again. I’m not little.

“Why?” A male voice, that I’m assuming is Gee, questioned, scoffing. “Mikey get your ass back here with my beer!” He called.

“Because she’s blind and she can’t find her sister.” The young woman stated.

“Oh.” Was the response I heard from Gee. I heard light footfalls coming towards us and then a soft hand wrapped around mine. “I’m Gerard Way. This wonderful young woman here would be my sister, Elise Way, and that annoying guy that I was just yelling at is my brother Mikey Way.”

I paused, feeling my head tilt to the side. “I recognize the name.” I said quietly, trying to remember where I’d heard the names before. I snapped my fingers as it clicked. “My Chemical Romance!” I smiled.

“Yeah.” I heard a different voice say. This, I’m assuming was Mikey. “And you are?”

“Mary-Anne Parrish.”

“Oh, you’re the girl on that youtube video that can play the piano really good!” Mikey announced, making me blush.

“Oh, I can’t really play all that good. If I mess up one note it’s so hard to find the right key again. It ruins the whole rest of the song…”

“Alright, well, let’s find that sister of yours.” Elise said, linking her arm through mine. I’ve never been more happy to have to look for my sister in my entire life. I hate it when people bring up my piano playing.

“What’s your sister’s name?” Mikey asked, linking his arm through the arm that Elise wasn’t already holding onto tightly.

“Alex-Anne, but I mostly just call her Fran.”

“Alright. We’ll help you find her.” Mikey said.

“Are you smiling?” I asked, turning my head towards his voice.

“Yes.” He answered, brushing a loose strand of hair back behind my ear. “How could you tell?”

“I’ve learned to hear it in a voice. I can almost always tell when someone’s smiling,” I explained, feeling my lips curl into a smile themselves. “I just wish I could see them too.” I tacked on after a slight pause.

Silence fell over the group until Gerard spoke again.

“Does your sister look an awful lot like you?” He questioned.

“I’ve been told that.” I responded.

“Fran?” He called out.

“Mary-Anne! Where did you go?” Fran questioned. After a short pause I felt her hands on my shoulders.

“No where. You’re the one that walked off.” I stated, sighing.

“I did not.” Fran protested, scoffing. “Krisleigh, Marley, and I started talking to Conner, Braden, Matt, and Peyton. You were supposed to come with us, but you never followed us.”

“Oh, so I’m just supposed to feel around until I find you?”

“God, you’re such a fucking bitch! I’m so sick of constantly babysitting your ass. Why don’t you just fuck off?” Fran shouted, pushing me backwards.

I fell back and landed right on my bottom in the sand. “Happy birthday, Mary-Anne.” I stated, mocking Fran’s voice. I stood; glad when Elise helped me up.

“Do you want a ride home, sweetie?” She asked me and I nodded furiously. I wanted nothing more than to be home.