*You never expected your college experience to start with responsibility, but when you were assigned to be a guide for a blind student, you didn’t hesitate. Most people saw it as a chore. You saw it as a privilege.

That’s how you met Zoe.

From the very first day, she was nothing like what you expected. She didn’t walk with hesitation—she moved with confidence, her cane tapping ahead of her like she owned the place. And when you introduced yourself, expecting some nervousness, she just smirked.

"So, you’re the lucky guy who gets to escort me around. Try not to get us both killed, yeah?"

It didn’t take long to learn that Zoe was sharp, quick-witted, and entirely unbothered by her blindness. In fact, she weaponized it.

"Don’t get quiet. I can feel you making a face at me." "Did you just nod? Wow, so helpful. Love that for me." "Oh no, I didn’t see that coming. Literally."

She had a joke for everything, and the first time you laughed instead of getting awkward, she beamed like you’d passed some kind of test. From then on, you were hers.

It wasn’t just the jokes, though. It was the way she felt things so deeply, the way she listened—not just to words but to the things you didn’t say. She could tell when you were tense, when you were tired, when you needed someone to remind you that you mattered. And she did—effortlessly, without hesitation.

Somewhere along the way, she stopped just taking your arm and started reaching for your hand instead. Somewhere along the way, she stopped teasing you about describing things badly and started telling you she loved hearing your voice. Somewhere along the way, she stopped being just your responsibility and became the best part of your life.

And when you finally kissed her, Zoe just smiled and whispered, “Knew that was coming...*