Oh, Jerry, don't ask for the moon. We have the stars.
Now, Voyager
Clarissa tugged out her earphones and tapped the screen of her tablet. She blinked lazily and rubbed her eyes. She had been listening to the rendition of her favorite novel, A Tale of Two Cities. She reached forward and made a small noise when she caught the surface of her cane. Rising from her couch, she felt the nudge of her loyal dog, Simon, at her feet.
"Did you miss me, boy?" She asked with a small smile. She bent down carefully and let her arms widen. Simon understood the message and leapt onto her, a small heap of warmth that enveloped her quickly. His tongue ran swiftly down her cheek and she released a squeal of surprise.
The bathroom door creaking made her glance upwards. She knew it was her brother. He was silent as he came into the living room. Still, she called, "Jon?"
He answered gruffly."It's me."
She placed Simon on the ground again and heard him bark in protest. Slowly, she stood up and made her way to where she assumed Jonathon was. "I want to go somewhere today."
He sighed, an irritated sound. "Where?"
"The park. They're having a little festival tonight. Charlotte told me it'll be really cool. There should be fireworks too, I think." He tried not to notice the way she fidgeted nervously, as if she was nervous talking to her own sibling.
Jonathon tried not to allow the glee in her voice to sway him. To anyone remotely normal, going to see fireworks wasn't a big deal. To Clarissa and him, it was. Everything she experienced was a big deal. He dragged a hand through his hair gingerly. "Alright."
x
"I thought you were heading out in the morning?" Sebastian asked, throwing his feet on the small, wooden table they had just cleared of garbage.
"I've gotta go out tonight. Some event they're having." Jace skimmed through his phone absentmindedly. The television set was blaring with shows unknown, but the two didn't notice. Their apartment was dark and the air humid.
"What event?" Sebastian quirked his eyebrows, suddenly interested.
His friend scoffed, peering up from the light of his device. "You wouldn't want to go."
That only seemed to fuel Sebastian's curiosity. His dark eyes widened. "Tell me."
"It's some fucking celebration, you idiot. Not a party." Jace leaned forward, smirking slightly. "I'm pretty sure it's just a bunch of kids." He shrugged, nonchalantly. "But, if you swing that way-"
He didn't finish his statement, for Sebastian had tackled him football style to the hardwood. The thud of their bodies would surely annoy their neighbors, both in the lower and upper floors. All that mattered was Jace laughing, a melody that the two hadn't heard in a long time.
x
Before Clarissa had gotten blind, Jonathon wanted to be a pilot. He wanted to go to college. He wanted to major in aviation. He wanted to travel the world, and maybe get a few flight discounts for his family.
That was before.
Now, everything is different.
x
Before Clarissa had gotten blind, she wanted to be an artist. She knew that it was a dying occupation, but she thrived with paint brushes in her hands and colorful smudges on her skin.
That was before.
Now, everything is different.
x
Before Jace had cut ties with his family, he thought he was happy. He thought that perhaps his siblings cared for him. He even thought his adoptive parents loved him.
That was before.
Now, everything is different.
x
Alexander Lightwood knew he was in the wrong. He just didn't want to admit it. He knew he had scarred Jace, had crippled him with the news of what they had done. What they had kept from him. He knew that his family wouldn't ever be forgiven.
That was the price he had to pay for love. Severed ties.
x
Clarissa padded to the closet and reached down, ruffling for her shoes. She frowned, not able to feel her sandals.
"Here. I've got them right here." Her brother announced, from behind her.
She didn't notice the quiver in his words.
He was glad.
x
The park was filled with people. To his disappointment, the event wasn't just for kids. String lights covered the playground and stretched across large, set up tents. He saw tables laid out in rows, easily able to hold about a hundred people. He took the pill from his pocket, the one he was saving for when his headache reached its peak, and swallowed it without water.
Facing a bunch of strangers was something he dreaded.
x
"Sit here." Jonathon told her, taking her arm gently over a seat. "I'm going to grab us some punch. Anything else you want?"
His older sister was comfortably situated, her arms folded atop one another. She couldn't see anything, but her face was lit up in a way that confused and angered him. How could she act like she was witnessing something he wasn't? "No, thanks."
x
"Hello, Jace. How are you? Doesn't everything look utterly beautiful?" Charlotte waved her thin hands out in a circle. She looked a little fancier than usual. Her gray hair was placed in a low ponytail and the dress she wore was flimsy and light.
"Fine. What is it that I have to do?" He asked, not caring for the details. He wanted to get this done and head home.
Charlotte noticed his attitude and winked playfully, "Loosen up, will you? Today will be fun." She turned to a group of teenagers who were taking pictures and a few children who were chasing some sort of mascot that appeared to be a bear. "You're young. You don't have excuses."
He wished she were right. He wished he didn't have any excuses.
x
"I hear kids. What are they doing?" She asked, leaning into him.
Jonathon placed a hand on her shoulder. "They're running around the playground. Going down the slide." He looked back again, smiled, and continued. "One just tripped. I think he fell on his face."
At the observation, Clarissa's expression softened. "Aw, I hope he's okay."
Jonathon laughed. "I think he's fine." His gaze moved around again. He squinted, wondering if he was seeing things. "I'm pretty sure I just saw a bear."
"A bear? You're kidding, Jon!" She exclaimed, her eyebrows furrowed in worry.
"No, no. It's a costume. At least, I think it is."
He heard her release a breath. "It better not come anywhere near me."
Her brother grinned fleetingly.
x
"I need you in charge of the fireworks. We're going to be setting them off after my speech. With all the kids being rowdy, I don't want anyone getting hurt." Charlotte pointed to a few boxes. "The lighters are also in there."
Jace sighed. "Is that all?"
Charlotte feigned surprise. "Anything better than fireworks? No way, of course not!"
x
Apparently, it was the park's 25th anniversary. Charlotte was the manager of the area, so she sat at an exclusive table with the owners and city administrators. He was leaning against his stand, where he was supposed to man the fireworks. He occasionally texted Sebastian and sent lame pictures of what he had to go through.
The night was getting warmer and he caught the eyes of a few girls who had stopped to admire him. Clicking his tongue, he turned in a different direction.
x
"I bet Charlotte is so happy." Clarissa started, her head facing the podium. "This mean a lot to her."
"She's coming up to talk right now." Jonathon told her, watching as her head perked up slightly.
He took a sip from his plastic cup and made a face when he realized the drink was too sugary.
Charlotte began.
x
"I'm so happy to see everyone tonight. It's a great pleasure to know that many of us love this park and that it has remarkably lasted for twenty-five years. This celebration is in the honor of the pedestrians who walk amongst these fields and embrace these outdoor activities. We thank you for supporting Alicante." The old woman wiped her eyes a little, though she was smiling broadly.
"Please continue to enjoy this event as a token of our appreciation." She bowed her head slightly and the audience clapped. He even heard a few whistles from the back.
He waited for her to give him the signal. He flicked the lighter on and off.
"This night can only be finished off in the greatest of manners. Everyone, watch the sky!"
Jace lit the first of the rockets.
x
All hell broke loose when the first explosions took place. He listened to the awe of the people, their heads tilted up, their fingers pointing upwards.
Soon, many had started towards him, asking for sparklers and other bursting bombs. Jace gave them out carefully, making sure the kids were supervised and knew what they were doing. In the background, he heard some generic pop music playing. He bided his time.
x
"I have to answer this." Jonathon told Clarissa, lifting his phone to his ear and moving away from the bench.
She barely nodded, a grin gracing her lips.
x
Jace recognized her. She was the blind girl he had bumped into. She was sauntering slowly to where he stood. He watched her, his gaze sharp.
x
Clarissa hoped there were some fireworks she could hold. Even though she couldn't see the vibrant blasts, perhaps she could feel the vibration of the chemicals leaving her hands.
That would be enough.
x
"Hi." She told him. "I was wondering if there were some fireworks left." Her stick was at her side and her feet tapped rhythmically against the tarmac. Her hair was swirled in a bun, a few locks framing her face. Her eyes, to his amazement, were a churning green.
"Uh, yeah. We've got some." He replied, taking a small package out.
She hesitated. "Can I get one of the bigger ones?"
He thought about it, but gave in, switching out the small box for a larger one.
"Alright." He felt awkward talking to her. She was still human, yet her blindness made him feel like he was miles away from her. "Lay your palms out." She did, without reluctance.
"Good." He dropped the case onto her. "Hold on tight to it. I'm going to light it up." She looked excited, he noticed. "Can I trust you not to let go and seriously injure me?" That made her laugh, her small nose scrunching upwards.
"You can trust me." She said, her words earnest.
He nodded, even though she couldn't see him. He flicked the lighter on and watched as the string illuminated. When she heard the first small pop, she almost let go of the fireworks, but he took his hands and wrapped them around hers. "I'm sorry."
"That's fine." Warmth shot through his body at her touch. She didn't seem to mind. "Be careful, now. It's about to blow."
Crack. Bang. Snap. Pop.
At each sound, the girl jumped a little, her small shoulders rigid. "What do they look like?"
He was surprised at the question. He paused, then stared at the black sky. "Tiny sparks. Gold and red and green. They make up this big circle and then the embers die and fade." She was pleased with his description, her eyes crinkling.
When the package was as good as gone, Jace's hands left hers lightning quick. She didn't notice. "Thank you."
"Anytime." He replied, his breathing a little rapid.
Before she walked away, she whirled to face him. "I bumped into you the other day, right?" When he didn't say anything, she nodded. "I recognized your voice."
x
He still didn't know her name.
x
[ps] The stupid website was down. This update is a day late. Sorry! Next update will still be on Monday, hopefully without any issues. Review!
