(23) Mustang
Da leaned against the back of her couch, listening to the music on the radio that Xiao had turned on before she had left. It was hard to tell time when she was blind, but it really wasn't of any importance. She was going to fail this semester of college no matter what she did, she couldn't work at the coffee shop any longer, and so had little to do. It didn't really matter what time it was. But Da assumed Xiao had been gone for maybe two hours.
Xiao had moved in after the accident, determined to take care of her. Which was all fine, Da was especially thankful for it, until Xiao though fit to start moving the furniture in Da's apartment. Xiao hadn't meant to be mean, but it had left horribly bruises on Da's legs, if Xiao had been truthful. Moving around the apartment anymore wasn't difficult, the hardest part finding what she wanted from the refrigerator. She had a mental layout of the house and with her cane Da could find her way around without bumping into much. It was traveling outside that scared Da.
The landlord had yet to let them change apartments so Da still needed to go down stairs to reach the sidewalk. Xiao constantly complained about it. Da also could not drive, and that meant she had to walk. So even if she did want to go out, it really wouldn't have been a smart idea. So she was left being bored at home for hours alone. It was unnerving at first. Every sound had made her jump and her heart race. It was terribly not being able to see what was going on in her house. Xiao tried not to stay out more then necessary.
Their parents called often, and Da had to always carry her cell phone on her. They had visited in the first month after the accident, and planned to come down again soon. Da refused to move back in with them. She felt that was like admitting that the world had won. Standing up and grabbing her cane she made her way around to the kitchen. She was hungry. Thankfully she had never been an overly picky eater.
She was trying to find the milk when there was a knock at the door. She slowly closed the door to the refrigerator and tried to breath. With ease and care she made her way to the door. Reaching out with her hand she pressed her palm against the cool metal. She kept her breathing even and kept her limbs from shaking. "Who is it?" she called out, praying it wasn't loud enough.
"Da? It's Shang Xiang! C'mon open up!" The beating on the door stopped. Da stayed still. Did she trust the voice? It sounded like Shang Xiang. It was so hard to tell with the metal door. Da took a moment to marvel at how paranoid she had become since she had become blind. She was so pitiful. "It's okay. I'll call Xiao and…Shut up Ce! I do have Xiao's number!" Da stiffened at the name. Would it be okay to wait for Xiao to call and say it was them?
Chewing on her bottom lip, Da made her choice and opened the door. She fumbled with the locks and then swung the door open. "Shang Xiang?"
"Monkeys and motorcycles?" Shang Xiang said, her voice highly amused. Da, even though she couldn't see, glanced down at her PJs. It was one of the benefits of being blind. It was no longer her fault if she didn't match, or her hair was a mess, or anything else. Though it was still embarrassing with Ce there too. "It's cute," Shang Xiang said with a chuckle.
"I thought so too," Da said with a smile, praying her shirt was decent and covered everything. She then turned and made her way back to the couch. "What brings you here?"
"We're taking you out," Shang Xiang said. "After donuts. Ce brought donuts with him."
"He did?"
"Yep. I think he got the kind you liked. We never had deep conversations about donuts, so I'm not entirely sure. Do you like donuts with chocolate icing? Or glazed? Jelly filled?"
"You guys bought some of everything?"
"Only one's we'd eat too. Or ones we know somebody would eat. We are in college too. We don't have that much money to spend," Shang Xiang said with a laugh and plopped down on the couch.
"I'll take some of the jelly filled please."
"Strawberry alright?" Ce asked, and Da was reminded just how much she liked his voice.
"That's fine. Thank you." Da reached forward towards what she hoped was the box and somebody, she assumed Ce, put a donut in her hand. She found herself a seat, keeping quiet, and was shocked to find a napkin placed in her lap. She looked around, even though she couldn't see.
"So what do you do all day?" Shang Xiang asked, her mouth full.
"Nothing really. I listen to the TV or the radio usually. Xiao will sometimes walk with me. She'll read to me some of the work from college, simply so I don't fall too far behind. When we have the money she plans on getting me some of those audio books." Da shrugged. "If any of the jelly does fall on me, or I get something on my face, please tell me." Sometimes people thought it more polite to let her walk around with food everywhere, though Da wasn't sure why.
"Will do," Shang Xiang said with a laugh.
"So don't you guys have work or something?" Da asked.
"Quan has the shop today," Ce said, making her turn her head in his direction.
"Yep, he's working with the newbie. We finally hired new staff," Shang Xiang said with a sigh of relief. "His name is Lu Xun, a little freshman. You'd like him though. Intelligent little bugger."
Da nodded her head. "So why not give me call? And where do you plan to take me? I don't particularly want to go anywhere."
"I wanted to surprise you. I didn't eve think about… yeah," Shang Xiang said quietly. "And I can't tell you where. It's a surprise. Don't worry though. I'll help you dress and make sure Ce isn't a peeping tom. I'll protect you!" Shang Xiang said with a laugh. Da laughed as well, though was almost frightened that she was having problems remembering exactly what Shang Xiang's face looked like. She knew, and she knew she knew but she just couldn't see it. But she tried to keep the panic of her face.
"Hey!" Ce said, and Da guessed he swatted at Shang Xiang from the sound of it. "Don't put me on your level, Ms. Sneak into the boy's locker room sophomore year."
"You said you weren't going to talk about that!' Shang Xiang shrieked, and hit him back. Shang Xiang was known to take kick boxing and martial arts, so Da could imagine that it hurt since she probably didn't hold back like Ce would.
"I said I would probably not go around telling people. Though I still have Tung's number," he said thoughtfully.
"Don't you dare! I still talk to him!" Da felt the couch shift as Shang Xiang stood. Ce laughed, and Da decided it was a most wonderful laugh, and Shang Xiang gave a huff. She probably crossed her arms and put her nose in the air like she normally did. Da laughed, finishing her donut.
"So you will kidnap me?" Da asked, glancing from the two. She had to estimate where their faces were.
"You got it!" Shang Xiang laughed.
"Then help me dress, like you promised." Da stood and Shang Xiang grabbed her hand with a squeal. Shang Xiang dragged her into her room and Da found her bed to sit on.
"I've never seen your room before!" Shang Xiang said with a laugh. "Though, to be honest I've barely seen your apartment."
"I'm sorry," Da said with a frown.
"Oh don't worry about it. I'm not upset. Now come on lets get you dressed up all pretty like!"
"I though you were like The Tomboy?"
"I am. But you're pretty enough that I can play and you'll still look good," Shang Xiang said with a laugh, and Da was sure she was blushing. Her closet door was opened, and the sound of rummaging ensued. "Strip down."
"I'll need help actually with the underwear and bras. It's actually surprising how difficult they can be. I've gotten better," Da said. There was some silence, probably were Shang Xiang nodded, and then realized that Da couldn't see it.
"Right! Don't you worry none!" There was some more shifting of fabric, and then Shang Xiang dressed Da. It was a simple T-shirt, and some jeans. It felt right, so Da couldn't complain. Shang Xiang found her sandals and the two left the room after brushing Da's long hair. Shang Xiang was rambling about some doofus, her word, that was trying to get his wife columbines and daisy's which was apparently very bad in meaning. Da wasn't overly sure what the flowers symbolized, but Shang Xiang was apparently insulted herself that the man wanted to get them for the anniversary bouquet.
"So, you still aren't going to tell me where we are going?" Da asked one more time, reaching for where she hoped her purse was. She really was glad Xiao hadn't moved it.
"Nope," Ce said with a chuckle. Da sighed. The trio made there way out, Ce being nice and locking the door. Shang Xiang rushed down the stairs, two at a time. Ce took Da's arm though and walked with her. Da bit the inside of her cheek to keep quiet about it, using her cane to find the steps. "Hey, out of curiosity, do you remember anybody owning a bright red convertible mustang? Real sleek, the older kind?"
"Why?" Da asked, raising an eyebrow up at him.
"It's a beauty. We saw it driving in."
"It's mine," Da said, glad they were finally off the stairs.
"Yours?"
"What?" Shang Xiang asked.
"She owns the mustang."
"Damn! Lucky." Shang Xiang whistled.
"It was a gift from my grandfather. He was very rich. He liked to save his money. For graduating with honors and such, he bough me a car. Any car I wanted. Xiao got the same deal. She chose the canary yellow bug that's sitting in the parking space here."
"That really does fit her," Ce mumbled, and Shang Xiang hummed in agreement.
"Yes. It's sad, but I'm actually selling my mustang. I have no use for it." Da shrugged with a frown. "And I can't take the payments if I don't have a job."
"But… your eyes can get better!" Shang Xiang mumbled, grabbing Da's hand. Da herself shrugged.
"You can't," Ce declared, making Da jump.
"Excuse me?"
"I don't have the money for the beauty. So you need to hold it for me. If you need I can make the payments and all. I just don't have enough to actually buy it off of you. So you can't sell it to anybody else. If they make a deal, don't bother. I'll better it," Ce said. Da raised an eyebrow up at him, but smiled a little. "Can I drive her? Take her for a ride?"
Da closed her eyes, and smiled more. "Sure, I suppose." She stuck her hand in her purse and dug for what felt like the keys. Pulling them out, she handed them to him.
"You suck Ce," Shang Xiang said.
"What?" he asked with no shame.
"I have to take my car so that I can get to my class if it takes that long. You suck. I wanted to ride in it."
"Once he buys it you can," Da said. "Or even before that. I do hope you will visit more."
"Gosh Da, don't be so formal. We're friends. You can loosen up!" Shang Xiang laughed, and she got farther away. "And of course I'm going to visit. You're going to dread the thought of me coming over! I'm going to visit you everyday!"
Da laughed, and a car beeped. Shang Xiang was getting in her car. She glanced up at Ce. "Well, let's go then." She spoke quietly, and Ce gave a chuckle.
"Alright." He walked, and Da slightly followed. She wasn't exactly sure where her car was. They had agreed to let Xiao have the official parking spot. He rushed to open the door for her, and helped her into the seat. Da tried very hard not to glare at him as she buckled in her seat. It was funny, but she really wasn't afraid of cars. At first she dreaded them, but she wasn't scared of them. Ce got in, she could tell by the slam of the door, and started the car. "How do I get the top down?" he asked.
"There's a button-"
"I see it." There was a big smile in his voice, and then the top was down. Da smiled and reached for the glove box in front of her. She pulled out a bandanna and tied it on with practiced fingers. But she couldn't resist asking Ce if it was on right. "Looks fine," he said, a small question in his tone.
"It's to keep my hair from going everywhere," she stated simply. She figured he nodded. He drove fast. Da had no way of knowing how fast, but she knew it was past legal. She ignored it though, and simply sang to every song that came on the radio. She kept her eyes closed, even though it really didn't do anything, and bobbed her head to the beat. Ce sang along to some parts, once a whole song, but was more often silent. It was slightly unnerving having no way to tell where she was or where she was going, but she found she trusted Ce and Shang Xiang.
They came to a stop, and the top slowly made its way back up. Da unbuckled herself and reached for her purse at her feat. Her cane was in the back seat. She reached for the door, only to have it open already. Ce helped her out, and then got her cane before she could even move. She yanked it from his hands with a glare. "I can do things on my own!" she bit out, not sure if she wanted to cry or scream.
"I know," he said. His voice was quiet, and with no pity. "I'm sorry; I was just doing what I was raised to do. Mom always made me want to be a gentleman. She made sure me and Quan were gents. As much as she could anyway. I wanted to treat you with the respect every lady deserves. I'm sorry it came off… differently." She could guess he shrugged at that point. She almost felt foolish. She almost wanted to apologize in return. She almost did. Ce stopped her though. "Shang Xiang is waiting for us at the front door." Instead of taking her arm, like a gentleman, he took her hand. Da blushed.
"Where are we?" Da asked again.
"Sis!" A shrill voice said, and then a body latched itself to Da. Stumbling a little, Ce righting her, Da laughed. "I'm glad I got here before you guys! I was so worried I wouldn't be here!"
"What is going on?" Da asked, hugging Xiao in return.
"You guys didn't tell her?" Xiao asked, and Da assumed they shook their heads 'no' because she continued. "Good job! We're all chipping in Da, for your birthday present! We're getting you a seeing eye dog!" Da was speechless, and then the tears started to fall.
"Thank you guys. It means a lot to me that you would do this."
"Well, Mom and Dad actually got most of the bill, us being college students getting paid not enough. But we are chipping in too!" Xiao said with a clap. "Happy Early Birthday Da!" Da smiled, and blushed when all three gave her a hug.
A continuation of the Blind Da. Its rather long. Which wasn't bad. It gave me something to do. For those who don't know my internet died so I get limited access anymore. So yeah, hope you all like this one. Review please.
