My New Eyes Saw His True Lie

my eyes. For years, I believed him, my dark world revolving around the boy who described every ray of

e screen, I was just the "little blind girl" he had

humiliate me, and when she faked an injury, he forced m

e rising tide and the pitch-black darkness, leaving me to face th

s promise.

turned for my first solo art exhibition, and when I saw his face in the cr

pte

an any shard of glass. On his phone screen, I was just his "little blind girl," a burden he was tired

ara. Soon, you'll be able to see the whole world." I'd worked for hours, adapting to the thrilling and terrifying sti

had all fused into an eternal darkness before my eyes. Leo was there. He'd pulled me from the wreckage, his arm broken, his face sm

ss wasn't my choice; it was a cage built from fear and grief. And Leo, I thought, was the key to that cage. He seemed to navigate the world with ease, the handsome, popular arch

low, arduous, and often frustrating. But the thought of finally seeing Leo with my own eyes, really seeing him, telling him how much he meant to me, kept me going. I had a secret, a picture painted

acing softly by the window. More restlessly than usual. I heard his characteristic soft laugh. My heart jumped. He must

ne. The screen's light stung my eyes, but in that instant, a

one of concern, but of deep impatience and exhaustion. He was typing, a flippant sm

in my throat. I froze,

ndow on the screen, the name at the top was Sophia. "Stil

The words felt li

placating smile on his face, "don't be like th

e, my knuckles white. My eyes, just having regaine

. Everyone knows you're just doing

's reply was rough,

e can't even see. What's so complicated? You guys are ti

pact. Was that

as a hammer blow against my fragile hope. "I am tired. God, Sophia, you have no idea. Every social event, every

spun before my eyes, each

was triumphant. "I k

entment. "I just... I want to be normal. I want to have fun without constantly

im. An unseen, burdensome spect

ia suggested, her tone dangerously sweet.

Mark. "You're the star of the architecture department.

reaking of my heart. "I know, I know. It's just... after

's not stupid, just... blind. Tell her you need space. Tell her you're mo

uder than any shout. It was his agree

etending to still be asleep. My legs trembled uncontrollably under the covers, and I pressed my hand over my mouth to stifle the sob that clawed its way u

. But now, the only thing I could do was lie in this self-deceiving darkness, swallowed by the deafening roar of my own heartbreak. All tho

me he had been my "eyes." It wasn't love. It was pity. It was obligation. It was a prison for him, and I had b

scent moons into my palms. My skin was broken. It was a physical manifestation of th

e them that satisfaction. I wouldn't be the "poor li

ars from my face with the back of my hand. The quiet in the suite was

myself, taking a deep breath. When Leo finally leaned over and whispered in his usual "loyal boyfri

le too loud, a little too cheerful. He reached ou

. Chen said you did great today. Real

vision was still blurry and adjusting. My throat a

his pockets. "Ready to get out of here? S

yes that now seemed hollow. He was still the popular architecture star, but to me, he

en pointed to my eyes, feign

ring in his eyes. "No worries. We can just chill at

e him a small, tight smile. Blinked again. Then I turned my head, pretending to look out

ater, okay?" he called over his s

and began to type. These new eyes, the light I was finding, wouldn't be for him.