Janice’s heart raced every time Colin messaged her. They connected deeply, but she was hiding the truth—she was blind. As their first date approached, fear gripped her. How long could she keep this secret?

The soft glow of my screen lit up the room. Colin’s message came through: “Love is War is my favorite. What about you?”

I smiled and responded, “Good choice. But I loved The Princess’s Favorite. I cried for hours at the end.”

We’d bonded over books, but I’d never told him I was blind. Twice, he’d asked to meet, and I made excuses. I wasn’t ready to reveal my secret.

Colin messaged again: “Wait, you listen to books? I need to hold a book to enjoy it.”

I froze. He didn’t know. How could I hide my blindness?

I began to confess, but panicked and deleted the message. Instead, I kept it casual. But it was eating at me. I couldn’t keep hiding this.

Then Colin sent another message: “I have movie tickets. Want to join?”

My heart raced. Could I really face him now?

I arrived early, practicing my route through the mall with my white cane, the fear still gnawing at me. What if he noticed?

When we met, I wore sunglasses to hide my eyes. “My eyes are sensitive to light,” I explained.

The date continued, but I struggled to keep up. At the escalator, I panicked and asked for help. Colin didn’t question it. But I couldn’t keep lying.

During the movie, I fumbled for answers to his questions, hoping he wouldn’t realize.

When the credits rolled, Colin called me out, asking why I hadn’t looked at him all night. My heart sank. “Why are you lying?” he asked.

Tears welled up. “Colin, please—”

He stood up, walking away, leaving me in a panic. I stumbled out of the theater, calling his name.

A stranger helped me, but Colin was gone.

I collapsed on a bench, crying. Then I heard a voice.

“You’re blind, aren’t you?”

It was Colin. “Yes,” I whispered.

“Why didn’t you tell me?”

“I was scared. I didn’t want to lose you.”

“You wouldn’t have,” he said. “But lying almost did.”

“I’m sorry. Can we start over?”

He smiled faintly. “No more secrets?”

“Deal.” For the first time, hope sparked inside me.