As soon as Iggy walked into his Algebra class, he sensed something. Not an oh-crap-its-an-eraser something… just a something. His fingertips barely touched Fang's belt loop as he walked towards their seats. He hated this, having to follow Fang around like a dog or something, relying on him. But being in school, around tons of other kids, was so noisy and strange that he had no choice; he could hardly think straight. That's why this sudden, clear sense of something bothered him. What was it? He scratched the back of his neck absently, trying to push the thought of it out of his mind.

"Today's lesson will be about solving quadratic equations. These equations are formed…" the old algebra teacher bantered on in a nasally voice, while Iggy did his best to concentrate. Hate is a strong word. Iggy hated school. The noise, the confusion, with so many other people around him… it was so uncomfortable. Even from a purely academic standpoint, school wasn't working for him. Teachers lectured like automatons and handed out homework, la-di-dah… But they didn't seem to notice much, didn't seem to care much. Iggy was curious; he wanted to learn about quadratic equations and hydrogen sulfide and the War of 1812 and biomes. But sitting through eight lectures that nearly bored him to tears per day… that wasn't what he wanted. Sighing, he tried to focus, but that something kept nagging at him. On the edge of his consciousness, to the… right, he decided, was an aura, an energy. He could even feel it, vaguely; it made his fingertips tingle.

He snapped out of his reverie as he heard Fang, who was sitting behind him, shift to his right and whisper something. Iggy couldn't make out the words; Fang must have cupped a hand over his mouth. Then he jumped slightly as he felt Fang tap him twice on the shoulder. Iggy tensed. Incoming! Crap.

Though he had been warned, Iggy nearly jumped out of his skin as he felt a hand touch his right arm. He her a little gasp, then a girl's voice whisper, "Sorry! I'm Rae. I didn't know how else to… say hi… without speaking up, and then Mr. Snodworth…" She trailed off, but her hand was still touching Iggy's arm. "I'll talk to ya later?" Rae whispered.

"Yeah," Iggy whispered back, nodding. So that's what he was sensing. Rae must have been looking at him.

oOo

"Dude, she couldn't take her eyes off you." Iggy and Fang were sitting in the cafeteria, at the most unpopulated table they could find, poking at mushy blobs that were supposed to be chicken nuggets and sodden green beans. Normally they would have dug in without complaining, not knowing when or where they would get their next meal. But now, even Anne's burnt concoctions were better than this. "I mean, she kept trying to catch your eye, and stuff," said Fang, descriptive as ever.

"What does she look like?"

"I dunno, about a head shorter than you, with chin-length blondish hair... her eyes were… I dunno, hazel? Blue-gray? Why? What does it matter?"

"It matters!" Iggy shouted too loudly. Some girls at the next table looked up at him, giggling. "Okay, okay, sorry man." But Fang smirked. This could only mean one thing…

Fang tapped Iggy's wrist twice. Incoming! Iggy snapped to full alert. Someone was standing beside him. "Um, could I sit here?" It was Rae, and by the sound of her voice, Iggy could tell that she was a bit uncomfortable. "I mean, if not, that's okay…"

Iggy shook his head quickly. "No, it's cool. You can sit here."

"Thanks." Rae sat down next to Iggy, making sure to brush his arm as she did so. It was unnecessary; Iggy was aware of her every move. The way she tapped her index finger on the table in the awkward silence, how she brushed a strand of hair away from her eyes, even how she quickly licked her lips before speaking. "So, um, sorry about back there… in algebra. I… didn't mean to freak you out."

"It's fine. It's just tough." What was he saying?! How could he expect her to understand?! Fang was glad that Iggy couldn't see him raised a bemused eyebrow.

"Totally… I can't even imagine!" said Rae. "Were you… were you born blind?" She bit her lip. "I'm sorry, I didn't…"

"It's fine," Iggy said for the third time, "I was born sighted, but I went blind a long time ago."

"Oh wow, that's even worse, I bet." Iggy was relieved that Rae didn't ask how it had happened. But oddly, he didn't resent her questions. He stumbled inwardly, trying to find something cool, something funny to say… "So, the food here's pretty gnarly, huh?" Fang smirked, Rae blushed. Food?! thought Iggy. There were a million things he could've said, and he chose to talk about the freakin' cafeteria menu?!

"Yeah, pretty gross. I bring my own lunch. I'm a vegetarian."

"Huh." Rae was interesting. Iggy WISHED he could see her…

The bell rang. Iggy held in a sigh. "Well… I guess I'll see ya around?" Rae blushed again at her inconsiderate choice of words, but Iggy heard the smile in her voice.

"Uh-huh."

Iggy and Fang met Max in the hallway. "How are you guys doing?" she asked. That was Max; always looking out for her flock, even the members that were her own age. "Stupendous," Fang intoned sarcastically, then looked sideways at Iggy. "Especially Ig…"

"Shut up!" Iggy hissed before Fang could continue, throwing a light punch that caught Fang in the gut. Iggy heard him snicker, then start to walk away. Iggy started and worked to find Fang's footsteps in the sea of noise, stumbling to catch up with him.

oOo

Iggy couldn't concentrate. American Literature was one of his better subjects, but his mind was anywhere but on the life of Emily Dickenson. Rae was in this class too; two rows to the left, three seats in front of him. He knew; he had heard her answer questions every day since they had started here. Why hadn't he noticed her before? He cocked his head, trying to catch the sound of her tapping her fingers on her desk, the sound of her gasping quietly when she knew the answer, just like she did in Algebra. What was wrong with him?? He hadn't even felt like this with Tess…

Chapter 2 Preview:

How does a blind boy dream?