Him and Her

Twenty-one

Twenty-one

Ana

- Monday morning, 6:58 am -

"Are you ready?" My mom asks me as I wheel myself over to the door.

"I guess." I sigh.

We get to the car, and she helps me into the front seat. I close my door as she puts my wheelchair in the back seat. I pull my backpack up front and it sits on my lap. "Are you forgetting anything?" My mom asks.

I go through everything in my head to find everything present. "No, I'm all good." I answer.

"Alrighty then. Let's go!" We pull out of the driveway and get onto the road.

Today is my first day back to school since my accident. It's not really a big deal, but I can't help but be nervous.

- 7:07 am -

My mom pulls up to the school lot in the front and gets my chair ready. Once it is she opens my door and grabs my backpack and puts it on the back of my chair before she reaches for me. After a small struggle, I pull my hood over my head and we wheel into the school building.

The amount of eyes that land on me, scares me. It makes me more nervous. Everyone that looks at me is curious, and probably judging me. Then the whispering starts.

"Mom, can you go a little faster?" I whisper.

"Sure." She answers. And we do.

The Principle meets us at the door and we go in. I am given a key for the elevator. My mom bids me a good day and leaves. PrincipleRimming makes small talk with me on the way to my locker. He keeps talking until I open my locker, wishing me good luck on my first day back.

As soon as Principle Rimming rounds the corner, I take advantage of the empty hallways and remove my winter gear, stuffing it inside my locker. I have to reach up to set my coat on the hooks, same with my backpack. My first class today is Art. Thankfully it's on the first floor like my locker so no elevator yet. Although I don't want anyone to see me going into the elevator. I don't know why.

Once I am about to close my locker, the halls begin to fill with students. I keep my attention down and study the floor as I walk— wheel down the hallway. After what feels like hours, I finally make it to the Art room and when I arrive, Mrs. Kive greets me with a large smile.

"Hey, kiddo!" She smiles walking towards me.

"Hello, Mrs. Kive." I respond.

"We will get you all set up!" She gets behind me and pushes my chair to my normal area.

Mrs. Kive lowers my easel and makes everything set for me so I can easily reach it. When she is done, I thank her. She nods her head and walks back to her desk. A few minutes later, Emma walks in and says hello to the teacher and sits at her easel next to me. We make small talk until more students show up. I get uncomfortable under their eyes. But soon enough, class begins and we all mind our own business.

- Few minutes before next class -

Emma helps me out of the class and we head to the next class, Chorus. When we arrive, Mrs. Kay greets us and asks me what happened. I tell her the truth and she blesses me with good luck and a healthy recovery. I thank her. She tells me to just be in the first row so it's easier. She puts me in the spot that will be right next to Josie. Great.

The room is silent until the class arrives. The only time I look up, Eric is in my sights. For some reason I blush. He smiles and I return it. But the smile leaves my lips when Josie takes her spot next to me. I hear her groan when she sits down.

"Wow." She laughs. "Now you're literally a 'broken loser'." She cackles.

"Real original." I mumble.

"What did you say, rat?" She questions, looking me down.

I look up at her. Right into her eyes, challenging her. "I said, 'real original'." I sneer.

She doesn't say anything. Just blinks twice before looking away. I smile at my mini victory.

I have had quite a few ups lately I guess. I've received lots of "Get better" gifts. Eric came over. And hugged me. I've been able to read a lot which is really good for me. My mom has been hanging out with me most of the days when I'm not sleeping— not that she doesn't hang out with me. But it's been less work and we've just been being girls, watching movies and such. It's been fun.