in a rush of genuine embarrassment. And there was something else, something more behind them. ‘Why would I think your wits are d…?’ I smiled. Ethan looked at me then. And his gaze hadn’t changed back – I could tell. He was still looking at me with the eyes of someone who could see me. Not a blind girl and nothing else. Not someone to be pitied or patronised or mocked. Not someone who was less than him. But a girl who could see without using her eyes.
‘Can I … can I touch your face?’ said Ethan. Surprised, I nodded. He moved to stand in front of me. A moment later his fingers were exploring my
face, starting from my forehead and working their way down, skimming my eyebrows, my closed eyes, my nose, my cheeks, my lips, my jaw, my chin. He leaned in closer. I could feel his warm breath on my face. He smelled of mints and chocolate. Was he going to kiss me? Ethan’s hands dropped to his side as he straightened up. ‘Why did you do that?’ I asked, wondering why I felt so disappointed. ‘I … I don’t know.’ He took my arm in his and we carried on walking. ‘What about Jacob and Harry? Didn’t you have to kiss me to win your bet?’ I asked. ‘Tose two can go …’ Ethan swallowed the next word, ‘… themselves. If I kiss you it won’t be to win some stupid bet.’ I smiled. ‘So where are we going for this pizza, then?’ Stunned, Ethan stopped walking and turned to look at me. ‘You still want to go out with me?’ ‘Course I do. I’m starving.’ Te sigh of relief that came from Ethan made me giggle. ‘D’you know something?’ Ethan looked around. ‘I never noticed it before, but everything around me is so … so …’ He shut up then. I raised my hand to touch his radiating cheek. ‘I could fry an egg on your face,’ I grinned. ‘A couple of rashers of bacon too.’ ‘Shut up!’ said Ethan. I
burst out laughing. ‘Come
on,’ I said. ‘Let’s go and watch my brother come last in the four-by- one-hundred relay.’ And we walked over the bridge together to join the others.
