Bleakly opening my eyes, the air felt hot and stuffy as I seated myself up. My mouth stretched into a yawn as I fumbled for my glasses. My fingertips brushed against the bedcovers.
Dread chilled my insides. There was no familiar feeling of the metal frame running along my fingertips. It hit me-I had foolishly smashed them and they were withering away in some drawer or other.
I would have to go blind for the day.
I fumbled my way downstairs, yelping as my foot slipped every now few steps. Thudding down the stairs half awake was not pleasurable. I felt as if I was a newborn deer stumbling to the kitchen, but at least I could utilise my other senses.
"Morning!" My mother chirped as I stumbled into the kitchen, squinting. The view was almost indiscernible but the room was redolent of fatty fried bacon and eggs, the silverware clinking as she resumed what I guess was the washing up. The blurry blob hunched over the sink shuffled over. The same convivial tone floated in my direction.
"Oh, right, you broke your glasses."
I almost scoffed-the lack of remorse in her tone! She must have been livid about buying new glasses.
I blindly scraped my plate, almost stuffing a forkful of scrambled eggs into the corner of my mouth.
"Don't laugh," I snapped as I felt my parents chuckle in my peripherals.
Four times I had splattered toothpaste all over the floor trying to get it onto my toothbrush. Feeling utterly vacuous as I stared at the blob in the mirror, my anxiety and dread mingled in my stomach, leaving an unsettling taste. How was I to survive a whole school day half blind?
Putting on my jacket for the fifth time after wearing it backwards, I could feel tears obscuring my already blurred vision. How was I to walk to the bus stop? Could I even cross the road? What would my peers even say?
Storming out of my room (albeit cautiously), I slammed the door. I trudged down the hallway once I knew I was going in the right direction. My dad murmured a greeting. I haughtily tossed my head in what I assumed was the opposite direction-I had no time for those who didn't need to suffer just to see.
"Wait up!" My mum sang from behind me. "Forgot something?"
Halfway out the door, I whipped my head around to give the coldest glare I could muster. "What?"
A weathered, warm hand gently clasped mine and I felt a cold object drop in my palm. I ran my fingers along it, my face twisting into exasperated confusion. The familiar, smooth texture of spectacle lenses immediately made my tensed shoulders collapse. I heaved an immense sigh.
"It was fun watching you fumble about all morning," my mum teased. "Be glad I felt bad enough to remind you we got spares."
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