Chapter I

Stop and Stare

"We come to love not by finding a perfect person, but by learning to see an imperfect person perfectly."

Stop and Stare

I think I'm moving but I go nowhere

Yeah I know that everyone gets scared

But I become what I can't be

Stop and Stare by One Republic

Life is dull.

Everyday will be the same as it was yesterday or the other day.

Seconds, minutes and hours will be filled with useless, if not, bitter memories that a brain refuses to remember.

For nineteen years, Chase lived this kind of life. A life that was isolated from the smiles and laughter of everybody. He could even see raindrops amidst the radiance of the summer sun. He had been to joyous celebrations but none of them made a difference. At the end of the day, he would still find himself drawn into the darker part of the room, the chamber where he had been hiding himself from everybody, to every possibility of happiness.

It was one of his usual days, the one that he had in mind before he closed his eyes last night. This time, he was having his back leaned on his father's car. He sighed as the looked around and once again noticed the dullness of things: the rough winds of May, the trees on their brightest green colors, the town's silent streets, the chirping of the wandering birds, and the mild heat of summer. For someone who appreciates nature, this would be a special picture but to Chase, it was not. For him, all of it resembled as it was last year. It was like watching a film that you already watched several times. You know how it began and eventually how it will end.

Later on, his father emerged from their house. The man was on his late forties and his unshaved beard visible on his face. His feature was an output of lonesome years' hardships. It was just him and his dad who lived together, the rest were vanished amidst time and tragedy. Chase got the keys from his father and directly slipped his body inside the car.

"Make sure you'll have these tires delivered to Mr. Rivas on time." he heard his dad instruct. However, he was not in the mood to answer, as always.

"Hey! Do you hear me?" the seriousness present on his voice.

"I'm not deaf," he retorted as he threw him an irritated glance.

The father wasn't shocked of his son's sarcasm. Everyday they would have this kind of conversation, and sometimes would lead to argumentation, slamming of the front door, and not going home for a night or two. They were not close, they never were.

Chase left the house and started to drive. His father was known in town to be a good mechanic and sometimes when things are done, he would ask him to deliver them to their owners. There are even times, when he would get to drive other people's car to their houses.

Twenty-five minutes passed and he was still having his hand pressed on the steering wheel, his attention focused on the road. He passed by the town's small park where people get to enjoy these kind of days. Summer is close to an end and most of the people are savoring the best of it. He smirked and moved his head side wards.

"Shallow people". He mumbled under his breath.

It an easy ride, he thought. He had everything under his control as he drove into the deeper part of the town. Tall trees were on either side of the road while the radiance of the summer sun struggled to find way amidst the mass of green leaves of the trees above. He slipped his left hand on his jacket's pocket and fished for the piece of paper where the Rivas' address was written. And maybe, just maybe, he wasn't careful enough that it flew outside through the open window. He was distracted; his gaze followed the paper to where it wandered.

"Crap!" he muttered still having his attention on the paper. It was a moment after that he returned his attention the road, not expecting what he saw. He forcedly pushed the breaks hoping that he would stop the vehicle on time.

* * *

Any minute from now, Lizzie was about to let herself cry. She could not stand it anymore. She didn't know where to go or even where her weary feet were taking her. For eighteen years, she had never been alone like this. She would always have someone beside her; helping her in every step that she makes. She pondered that this was all her fault and she couldn't blame anybody else.

She got tired of everything and exhaustion had fully wrapped her like a tight blanket that she could not even breathe anymore. She was tired of her mother's demand to do this and not do that. All she wanted was just a break from her suffocating world and now she was lost and currently in the middle of nowhere because of her unexpected trek.

Earlier this morning, she was told by her guardian not to vacate her place on a specific bench on the park but when she had a chance, she journeyed until she found herself totally lost. She didn't have any clue of where to go or where she came back. Moreover, if it was that easy, she would just turn around and walk back but then things were excessively different for her.

She finally stopped by the sound of the rustling of the leaves from the trees, the birds, and the gushing of the wind. All were so vivid to her ears. She closed her eyes in hopelessness of finding her way back. She stood there for quite sometime and just listened to everything that she hears.

Most of which were of nature.

The fresh air scattered everywhere; the summer breeze, it freely embraced her. Then her ears were distracted by a different sound. This time it was a noise. She could tell that it was still far but she also knew that it only will only take seconds for it to get to her. There it goes…it was coming closer, closer. The sound, it was getting loud, louder.

She panicked but she could not move. For some reasons, she could not move her legs. Her feet were glued on the road. She could not even utter for any word.

The end's near.

She could not do anything now and she was not even blinking. She just stood there, plainly standing while her arms hang lifelessly on her sides. She was expecting it to hit her any moment from now. She waited…then it stopped. There was a stop yet she fell on her knees as they were shaking. Her legs suddenly felt the roughness of the road. A car almost hit her and she could have been killed. But she wasn't; she's still alive and all that she could hear were the pounding of her heart and her heavy breathing.

* * *

He was petrified and it took him awhile to gather his thoughts. When he had already taken charge of his senses again, he immediately jumped off the car. He was breathing in difficulty with the thought of hitting someone. When he finally saw the person, he was dumbfounded. He didn't expect to see a girl…especially her.

She was on her knees and her hands were trembling. He could not see her face for she was looking the other way and her black, straight, shoulder-leveled hair covered her face. The thin green sweater that she was wearing fell on her arms and revealed her seemingly delicate shoulders.

Lizzie could not control the trembling of her hands and her head suddenly ached. She sensed someone's presence. She was sure that someone was staring at her. She's still catching her breath and she could not manage to stand.

"Did I hit you?" a concerned sounding voice of a guy asked.

"A-are you okay?" he asked once more, his tone painted with concern as well as nervousness.

But then again, she did not reply for she's too busy dealing with the dizziness that she's feeling.

Chase thought that she looked so fragile and he was afraid that he broke her.

"I hope I didn't hurt you…" he said once again.

She still did not respond; she even refused to turn where his was standing. He searched the part that he could see; there was no trace of blood but it wasn't an assurance. Not unless she utters a word and tells him that she's really fine. He went on the other side, the side where she's facing. He stretched out his hand to help her but she did not acknowledge it; so, he ended up withdrawing it instead.

She finally had the strength to stand. She helped herself and prayed that her knees would not give up this time. She had finally got on her feet. She patted her palms on her knee – leveled dress and at the same time pulled her sweater back to her shoulders. She lifted her right hand to hang her hair behind her ears.

"I – I'm sorry…I didn't see you" she heard him apologized.

His voice signified that he was troubled. She hadn't said anything since the incident happened. She was still feeling dizzy and it was just taking over her already. She strive for words to come out and she was finally able to respond.

"I can't see you too," she said in a voice that was a bit louder than a whisper. She lifted her right hand to her forehead. She could feel her body becoming limp.

* * *

She had beautiful, soothing voice, he thought.

"What?" he mumbled, this time trying to clarify what she meant.

"I can't see you," she repeated.

He jumped to a conclusion and there's one way to find out if he's right. He waved his hand closer to her eyes; she didn't blink.

"You're--" He got his statement cut by the sight of her falling. He immediately caught her on his arms. This time, his face was closer to her that he was able to stare at her. She was beautiful, he thought but it was her beautifully shaped lips that caught his attention. When her arm lifelessly fell on her side, it was then he realized that she was unconscious.

He had a glimpse on his watch after he placed her on the passenger's seat.

"Crap!" He muttered realizing that he was late with the delivery plus the fact that he lost the address. However, he went inside the car and drove all the way having no choice but stopping at every house that he passed by to ask for the Rivas' residence.

It was past twelve noon when he finally stopped by the Rivas' house. He tried to apologize for being late for almost an hour. He was somehow thankful that they understood.

Chase drove all the way back with her on the passenger's seat.

After twenty minutes of driving, he stopped the car at the edge and tried to think of what to do with the situation. He glanced at her; she was wearing a calm expression. He unintentionally removed the strands of hair that fell on her face.

He had a long wait before she finally woke up. He watched her slowly move.

"Where am I?" she asked.

"You're inside the car," he answered. "You were unconscious for almost two hours" he added. He saw her suddenly tilt her head down.

"Sorry for bothering you, it's my mistake." He gazed at her and to her eyes, they were light brown and upon looking at them, the thought of she being blind slipped off his mind.

"I have my mistakes too." he replied.

It was silence that filled them for the next seconds.

"Do you mind if I ask you something?" Chase spoke breaking the silence.

"No…go on." She responded.

"If you can't see, then what are you doing in the middle of the road alone?" he asked cautiously. "It wouldn't be safe for you…" he was trying to weigh her reaction. "Don't you have any companion?" he finished.

Lizzie was starting to like his voice.

"I have, I am with Janice. She's the one who took good care of me since (she paused as she recalled a painful memory) since this happened to me." She stated.

Chase traced the sadness in her tone.

"So how did you get here?" he queried once more.

She sighed before answering. "We were at the park and she told me not to vacate my place on the bench while she gets something from the car." She paused and shrugged. "But then I did, and I just felt the need to go…so I walked and walked until you found me," she explained.

"I'm sure she's been looking for you. It's been nearly two hours." Chase informed as he was listening carefully.

"Yeah maybe. She really cares for me, a lot. She cares more than my mother." She muttered tilting her head down.

He was taken by curiosity but he chose not to ask her anymore. He saw her playing with her fingers. She had long candle-like fingers and he wondered how it feels to touch them. And on her ring finger was a beautiful plain silver ring.

"Can I ask you a question too?" she stated.

He let out of a soft laugh. He thought that she would never notice his interrogation.

"Go on" he simply answered.

She turned to his place hoping that she's not staring on an empty space. "What's your name?" she queried.

He chuckled in response.

"What's wrong?" she asked wondering.

"Nothing, it's just that I thought you would ask something important" he responded still gazing at her seemingly innocent face.

"It is important" she relied in a calm but confident tone.

"I'm Chase." He finally said.

"Chase…" she repeated. "That is a wonderful name," she added.

"Is it?" he asked back.

She nodded in response. It was his turn ask this time.

"I'm Elizabeth…it's so ordinary, isn't it?" she told him.

"No…it's in fact legendary, remember Queen Elizabeth of England?" he reminded.

"But Queen Elizabeth's brave." She reasoned out.

"And so are you." He delivered. After seeing her confused expression he added "well, walking all alone in the middle of a place you don't know and seeing nothing but endless darkness is bravery." Chase explained.

"Just call me Lizzie." She said smiling.

"Okay…Lizzie." He replied.

"So where do you plan to go now?" he asked as he took glance on his time. It was ten minutes passed two.

"Can you just drop me by the park? I'm sure Janice's still there," she said.

"Yeah" he replied nodding.

"Thanks" Lizzie uttered.

He started to run the vehicle once more and drove all the way to the town's mini park.

***

It was a fast drive, now they were approaching at the park's entrance. He finally stopped the car on the parking lot.

"We're here." Chase announced. He got down and immediately opened the car for her. It was another different feeling when he got to hold her hand as he helped her to press her feet on the ground.

"Thanks" he heard her say.

He walked ahead of her and realized how stupid he was to leave her. He turned back and saw her standing hesitantly beside the car, so he went back.

"Sorry I don't know which way to go." She told him.

"No, I'm sorry, I owe you that…I forgot." He responded and so they both chuckled. "Here," he said as he slipped his left hand with her right one.

She was shocked by his action but was somehow thankful for his help.

"Sorry to bother you this much." She apologized as they walked ahead.

"It's nothing… I'm to glad help." He responded.

Lizzie later on explained to Chase how Janice looked like and before Chase could even see her, a middle-aged woman came calling and running towards them.

"Lizzie!" the woman exclaimed.

Chase suddenly let go of Lizzie's hand as the woman hugged her.

"Oh dear…you don't know how worried I am." Janice told her when they broke up.

"I'm sorry Janice." she apologized.

"Where have you gone? Why did you even go? I told you not to go anywhere, didn't I?" Janice interrogated.

Lizzie remained calm despite of Janice's interrogation.

"Janice…I know what I did was horrible and really absurd but let's just be thankful that I'm fine, nothing bad happened to me." She explained.

Janice nodded as she turned to look at Chase.

Lizzie sensed the sudden silence and immediately remembered Chase.

"Who is he dear?" Janice asked just in time.

"He's Chase. He's a new friend." Lizzie introduced.

"Thank you Chase…I'm glad Lizzie met you," the woman told him after throwing him a scrutinizing stare. Chase acknowledged her word by giving a polite smile.

"Did you tell mom?" Lizzie interjected.

"No, I just don't know how to tell her Lizzie so I waited for a few hours before telling her…but here you are!" she enthused.

"Good…she doesn't need to know." She said a bit sternly.

Chase was sure that there was a touch of sarcasm on her voice.

"I think we need to go Lizzie…you haven't eaten anything for lunch yet." Janice told her.

"Okay…" she replied as she glanced back to where Chase's voice comes from. "We'll be going ahead…thanks for everything, I appreciate everything you've done for me and I think I'll never forget about you." She said with a sweet sounding voice.

Chase could not help but smile.

"That's wonderful to hear from you…you take care Lizzie." he replied. He saw her nod in response; Janice also waved goodbye at him. He thought that Janice was a wonderful woman. She had the looks of caring and love for Lizzie.

While he saw them walking away, he rather felt sad seeing her leave with the thought of not seeing her again. Big Possibility, he thought. He finally took a step back towards his car.

* * *

His sort of melancholic mood was startled by the sound of Lizzie's voice calling for his name. He slowly turned her way and saw her accompanied by Janice as they approached him. When they were already a foot away from where he stood, Janice stepped a meter away.

"What is it?" Chase asked.

"Are we going to see each other again?" she paused to smile. "Well, in my case it's not really 'see'," she stated still smiling.

He also let out of a chuckle.

"I honestly don't know," he answered looking directly to her light brown eyes.

"You know summer's already close to an end and I'm leaving anytime soon, so I was wondering if we can meet tomorrow." She proposed. "Uhm, I just want to spend time with my new friend before I leave…that is if it's okay with you of course," Lizzie explained.

He knows she's waiting.

"What's taking you so long?" A voice on his head asked.

"I am not sure If can…I have lots of things to do," he reasoned out.

"Do you know what you're saying?" the voice argued. He was lying, if he wanted to come, he can freely come tomorrow; maybe it was just his stupidity that's winning over him right now.

"Oh." Lizzie muttered.

"I'm sorry" he apologized.

"It's okay…" she replied and smiled at him but not as radiant as he seen it before.

"I guess I understand…well, if that's the case, then let me just give you this." He was not sure of what she's doing. She removed the silver ring on her finger and directly gave it to him. For a moment or so, he was left by words.

"What's this for?" he asked with his eyebrows adjacent.

"A present for parting," she stated. "This ring was given to me by my dad when I was a little girl (she smiled as she refreshed the memory) and I remember how long I've waited for it to finally fit my finger," she added.

"So why are you giving it to me?" he continued to ask.

"So that you'll have something that will remind you of me…" She responded as she smiled at him lightly.

"No. That is very important. I can't take it away from you." He reasoned out.

"I insist…accept it, please?" She pleaded.

This time, he had nothing else to do but accept the ring from her. He also glanced at Janice to see how she reacted; she was also smiling.

"Great." Lizzie muttered the moment he got the ring from her. "I will be here tomorrow morning if ever you changed your mind, though if you can't really make it, can you please take good care of the ring?" she asked him.

"Yeah…I will," though he knew that she cannot see it, he nodded.

"So, this could be our last meeting. Goodbye Chase." She bid. He suddenly wondered why he did not like the sound of her saying goodbye.

"Goodbye Lizzie." He too bade oddly.

He saw her turned around to leave and as Janice guided her again, the woman threw him one last smile. This time he waited for them to enter their car before he took his way back once more. He departed the place as he opened his hand and on his palm, he saw her ring.

He got in the car and he wondered why he was not shocked to know that he was thinking of Lizzie once again. He's sure she's different from those girls he met. He dated few girls since high school but he never involved himself into a relationship. He thought, it was not worth his time, he's not the relationship-oriented type of person. Girls he met were typical: Lizzie's different. Yes, she's blind but somehow she was able to see a part of him that nobody ever dared to take glance of. Chase once again recalled her statement when his gaze fell on the ring.

"A present for parting."

He later on found himself smiling once more. Now, he smiling was a new discovery. As he looked at his reflection on the rear view mirror, he saw a quite different him. He then found a safer place for the ring, his pants' pocket.

***

"Why did you give him the ring? I know how much it means to you." Janice could not help but ask her while they were still inside the car.

"You are right Janice, the ring's very important for me, but I know he'll take good care of it..." Lizzie replied with her usual placid tone.

"You like him, don't you?" Janice queried smiling.

Lizzie chuckled by the thought.

"Why? Is it not possible?" the woman asked once more.

"He's one of the few persons who showed me kindness Janice, and I want to have a better memory of him, and him of me." She explained.

Janice nodded in contentment.

Another smile escaped from Lizzie's lips as she thought of Chase's voice once more.

Stop and stare
You start to wonder why you're 'here' not there
And you'd give anything to get what's fair
But fair ain't what you really need
Oh, can u see what I see…