Chapter 2

I felt really groggy. Like, groggier than the first day of school groggy. I started to open my eyes which for some reason were in a lot of pain. I noticed opening my eyes did nothing for the darkness. It was darker than anything I'd ever seen before.

"Oh good you're up." I heard Phineas's voice through the darkness. "How are you doing?" Still waking up I tried to sit up and I felt someone helping adjusting the pillows behind me so I could.

"Pretty good, why is it so dark in here?" There was no way it was actually this dark.

"You have bandages from landing on the glass and getting it in your eyes." Phineas was clearly holding something back. He hated doing that so it was always evident in his voice.

"What aren't you telling me?" I could make out a barely audible sigh. He wanted to say something but he was having some trouble.

"You got some glass in your eyes so they don't know if you'll be able see when they're healed and the bandages come off." He had taken my hand and gave it a light squeeze, almost to reassure me he was right there.

"You mean I might be blind?" It was a lot to take in. It's hard to find words for that moment when your life changes dramatically and without warning in a way you can't imagine. There was a pause. I'm pretty sure Phineas was nodding silently before he realized it didn't work

"Yea. It's possible." His normal cheerful voice was missing almost entirely.

"Well is there anyone else here at the moment."

"No they're at home sleeping. It actually is dark out."

"How long have you been here?" I asked wondering why he would stay.

"Since you got here." I made a questioning face which hurt a little "It's been 3 days. They wanted to make sure you weren't in pain so you were well medicated."

"You stayed here for 3 days?" Again I think he nodded before he said

"Yea and I hate to say but the hospital food is absolutely horrible. I know what I'm going to do sometime this week." I smiled. There's Phineas making everyone happy as usual. We sat there in silence for a couple minutes thinking. Finally Phineas decided to say what I knew he was going to at some point "I'm sorry for.."

"Stop you didn't do anything so don't blame yourself. I tripped these things happen. If anything blame Newton for make things fall towards each other." I wasn't going to let him blame himself just because I tripped. But I knew he needed more than that for this pep talk to work. "Also other than getting glass in my eyes that was the absolute best birthday ever."

"Speaking of your birthday you never got to see my present." I could hear him regret his choice of wording. Or maybe he regretted I hadn't been able to see it. I took a rectangular object from him. I unwrapped it and found it was beautifully carved. It had a smooth glass center rectangle. I guessed it was a picture frame but I wasn't sure

"What is it?" I asked. I didn't like asking but he knew I had too

"It's actually a picture of us. I carved the frame myself." I smiled. It's the thought that counts not the afterthought.

"I love it Phineas."