With Ears to See

I opened my eyes, welcomed by the small rays of sunlight shining through the closed blinds.
I sat up from my place on the couch and stretched my arms up into the air, popping a few bones in the process.

“I guess I better wake up Kellin. I have to make breakfast, too.”

I stood up and started to walk towards the kitchen but stopped at the sight before me.

Kellin was face down on the floor, asleep.

Or at least, I hoped so.

“Kellin?”
I knelt down next to him and nudged his shoulder.

He groaned and rolled over onto his back.

“Come on, Kellin. Wake up.”
He opened his eyes.

“Austin?”
“Yeah, it’s me. Why are you on the floor?”

He slowly sat up and tussled his hair around.

“I-I tried to get some water last night, but…I tripped and fell. So, I kind of just fell asleep here.”
He gave me a nervous smile.

“Why didn’t you say anything?!”
I helped him off of the ground.

“Y-You were still asleep and I didn’t want to bother you!”
“Well…Next time, please bother me. You could have gotten hurt.”

His cheeks were a slight shade of pink as a goofy smile appeared across his lips.

“Okay…”

I felt my cheeks heat up as well, but I quickly shook it off.

“What do you want for breakfast? And don’t say the whole ‘you don’t have to cook for me’ thing, cause I’m not gonna buy it.”

“Um, I guess whatever you want to cook. No meat, though…”
“How about some pancakes?”

“That sounds great! Let me help!”

My eyes widened a bit.

“Are you sure…?”
He placed his hands on his hips.

“Geez, Aus. I’m blind. Not handicapped.”

Aus?

“Besides. It’s the least I can do. Now, where are the eggs?”
I watched him feel around the kitchen until he finally got to the fridge.

Not going to lie. It was cute of him.

“Bingo!”
He opened the door and felt around for the eggs.

“How many?”
“Two.”
I got out a bowl and a pan while he was still rummaging through the fridge.

“Alright! Got them.”
He closed the door and slowly walked over to where I was, feeling for the countertop.

“Here, hand me the eggs.”
He did so and I cracked them, adding them into the bowl.
I grabbed the flour from the cabinet and handed it to him, positioning him so he wouldn’t make a mess.

“Okay. Now pour until I say ‘stop’.”
He slowly tilted the bag until the flour came pouring out.

“Alright. Stop.”
He did so and I grabbed the vanilla extract from another cabinet, pouring some into the bowl.

I gave Kellin the bowl and a wooden spoon.

“You can stir that while I heat up the stove.”
“Okay.”

I turned on the stove and grabbed a pan from the dishwasher.

Kellin was humming a small tune to himself and swinging his hips from side to side, whilst mixing the contents in the bowl.

Stop staring, Austin! Get a hold of yourself!

“I think I’m done mixing…”
I inspected the bowl and smiled a little.

“Looks good. Now we just have to cook them.”
He smiled and nodded in agreement.

So, we fixed breakfast, sat on the couch and watched cartoons.
I wasn’t paying attention, though.

I was too focused on how close Kellin was next to me.

I shouldn’t be thinking about this.

I shouldn’t’ be so worried.

So, why am I?

“Are you okay, Aus?”

My heart swelled at the nickname.

“Yeah…”
“Are you sure? Your heart is beating rapidly. It’s faint, but I can still hear it.”

I pulled my knees to my chest.

“It’s nothing. Really.”
He didn’t respond. He just rested his head on my shoulder.

He’s too close…

“Okay. Whatever you say…”

I didn’t try to push him off or move away from him.

It’s just a friendly gesture, right?

That’s how Gielle and I started. Look how that turned out.

And that’s when I moved away from Kellin, hugging my knees tighter to my chest.

I didn’t want to be like this while he’s here, but I couldn’t stop the tears from falling.

“Austin…”

Kellin was holding his arms out, sympathy written all over his face.

I didn’t move away again. I let myself be pulled into his warm embrace.
He comforted me in silence as I cried into his shoulder.

I guess all I really needed was a shoulder to cry on from a friend.

And Kellin happened to be that friend.