This is super short, I just wanted to set you up for what's coming next. :) REVIEW because my dropping reviews are making me so sad :(.

Chapter 10

SPOV

She pulled her graduation gown over her thin frame and smoothed it down. It didn't matter what she looked like. This was a day that she never thought would come, and she couldn't be more excited or proud of herself.

She tilted her head down, turning her face away from the angry voices. She just wanted to learn to play the piano.

"Excuse me? You thought a blind girl would be the typical student? She can't see! How is she supposed to do anything?"

How is she supposed to do anything. How was she supposed to do anything? She couldn't see. She couldn't even see. A hot tear trailed down her cheek, but she brushed it away almost as quickly as it appeared. No one else needed to know how upset she was.

She could hear her mother's angry response, but she wasn't listening. She kept her face trained down.

How was she supposed to do anything?

She might have only been 8, but she never forgot those words. When it stopped hurting it quickly became motivating. How was she supposed to do anything? Sit back and watch her destroy every obstacle that crossed her path. She would succeed. She would prove everyone who doubted her wrong. She would accomplish everything she set out to do, both for herself and for every other blind kid that was ever told that their disability defined them.

And today she was one step closer to doing it.

"Spencer!" Hanna sang from somewhere behind her. "It's time to make you beautiful!"

Emily sighed. "Run, Spencer! Playing Barbie with Hanna is about the exact opposite of fun."

She shrugged. It was the last chance she had to impress the plebeians she went to high school with. And it never hurt to look good for her boyfriend. "Why not?"

Hanna's hands were almost immediately on her arms, pushing her against the bed. She yelped as she yanked on her hair. "Ouch!"

"Stop whining," she laughed. "You know that Toby will like it."

She never thought that she'd be the kind of person that primped for a boy, but Toby was shattering everything that she had originally believed about herself. For the first time in her life she felt strong. She felt wanted, and maybe she felt a little beautiful. It was all because of him. So if Hanna was right she could handle a little discomfort. She owed Toby everything.

She curled up on her bed letting her glasses slide off of her face. Tyrion curled up next to her, licking her tear stained face. "Shh," she murmured. But she couldn't bring herself to push him away. At least someone gave a shit about her.

"Why would you possibly think that it was okay to say something like that?"

She cringed. She hadn't even realized that Toby was still there.

"I don't understand why you always insist on getting involved in things that are clearly no your concern, Toby." Melissa's voice was significantly less angry, but it was still much more harsh than the situation called for.

"Not my concern?" Toby characteristically employed a calm demeanor, but he sounded livid. "I'm not going to sit back and listen to you destroy my best friend. And the pathetic thing is, I'm having to tell you not to say unkind things to your sister. You should be the one defending her, but apparently basic sibling responses are lost on you."

She heard her door squeaking, and she felt Tyrion shift as he looked up to see who was coming in. She didn't move, slowing down her breathing, hoping that she could make him believe that she was asleep. Because there was literally no one else in the world it could be besides Toby.

His hand gently enclosed around her shoulder. "Spencer, I know you're awake, but I'm not going to force you to talk to me. But I just wanted to tell you one thing. No matter what she says to you, no matter what anyone tries to make you feel, you're an incredible person. And- you're never alone. Not even for a second."

At 16 she should have known that there was no one else in the world for her besides Toby Cavanaugh. But she had him now, and she was never letting him go.

"Perfect," Hanna sighed, stepping back. "It's a french braid down the sides, up in the back, and some curls framing your face. And your dress is red. You look perfect!"

"Guys," Emily whispered. "We're really graduating."

Hanna snorted. "Don't get sentimental, Em. We're also all going to Hollis."

"Yeah, but..." Emily's words trailed off. "Toby we told you to wait downstairs. You've officially shattered the illusion."

She perked up at Toby's name. He didn't respond to her, but she felt his hands on her arms, confirming his presence. She couldn't see him, but she would always know his touch. His loving, gentle hands on her skin was one of her favorite feelings in the world. It was funny. She always knew that she would show everyone how wrong they were about her. She was blind but that wasn't all that she was. She knew that she was more than blind, but it took Toby's loving her for her to realize that maybe she was actually worth that love. "Hi," she whispered, her lips stretching into a soft smile.

He brushed his nose over hers in his signature Eskimo kiss. "You look beautiful."

"Okay," Hanna laughed. "That's my cue to get out of here. Come on, Em."

She assumed that Toby's drawing her closer meant that Emily and Hanna had vacated her room. "What are you wearing?" She whispered into his neck.

"Khakis and a blue button down. My mom said that it brought out my eyes." He murmured, ducking down to kiss her lips. "I'm doubtful."

She laughed quietly. "I think your crayon colored eyes would look good in anything, if I'm being honest." She paused. "Toby, I love you."

"I love you too," he whispered before kissing her again.

She could practically feel his tension, so she reached up and brushed a gentle hand over his cheek. "What's wrong?"

"Hmm," he hummed. "That's actually a perfect opening. I have to ask you something, and I'm not sure how you'll react."

"Ask," she encouraged, squeezing his hand.

He was still tense, but she felt him nod. "I was wondering if maybe- do you maybe want to find a place together next year?"

Now she was tense, but not because she was appalled. Living with Toby would actually be a relief. She didn't want to be a burden on Hanna and Emily, but Toby had proven to her that he would love her no matter what. She didn't think that she could make him stop if she tried. But if they lived together he would see her bed head in the mornings. He would find her tampons in the cabinet, and he would see her when she was at her best and her worst. Was she ready for that?

He took her silence as a negative response. "If you don't want to it's okay. I just thought that maybe it could be good, but I'm okay if-"

He was the most adorable human being on the planet. She reached up and covered his mouth with her cool fingers. "Yes."

"Really?" He sounded both happy and disbelieving. "Are you sure? If you'd rather live with Hanna-"

She cut him off with a kiss this time, leaning in and losing her fingers in his hair. "I'm sure," she whispered as she pulled away, smiling against his lips.

College was going to be great.