Finding beauty in negative spaces

Finding Beauty in a High School

It was currently 6:45 am, time to get up for school. My mom helped me shower last night and now I could hear my parents shuffling around. I was still in bed but I needed to get up and get dressed so I picked up my phone and quickly texted my mom telling her I was ready to get up.

This is every mornings routine, and every morning I wondered if my mom got sick of me being paralyzed. I heard her walk down the hallway and lightly knock on my door.

"Come in!" I spoke loud enough so she can hear me.

She came in with a light smile on her face.

"Good morning dear." She said as she picked me up and put me into the wheelchair next to my bed. She let me pick out the outfit I wanted to wear and then she put the pants on me and I put on my shirt. Then she left my room to go make breakfast.

This is every mornings routine, and every morning I feel worse and worse. My parents can't do this for my whole life, and there won't be a single guy who will ever want to be with me. I don't think I'm unattractive but no guy will want to be with a paralyzed girl. I wheeled myself into the bathroom and stared at the girl in the mirror.

Bright red, pin straight hair. Big brown eyes. Straight white teeth, curtesy of braces. Small round face.

I believe I am pretty, but I still feel like no one will ever want me. I closed the bathroom door and did my makeup with the mirror that is on the back of the door. Once I was done getting ready I opened the door and wheeled myself into the living room, grabbed my bag off the floor, and my dad drove me to school.

~

11:30 am

It is now halfway through my day, meaning lunch time. I grabbed my lunch out of my backpack which hangs on the back of my wheelchair. I wheeled to my normal spot outside. It's a little shady spot next to this big tree, I come here every lunch and read, alone.

I started to eat my apple and read the book I have for my English class. But before I get too interested in my book I see a figure walking towards me out of my perifrials. I tilt my head up.

Zach O'Brien.

What does this kid want? I would prefer for him to stay away. Once he gets closer I raise an eyebrow.

"Can I sit with you?" He asks looking hopeful.

I completely ignore his question, bite my apple, and read my book.

"Hello?" He asks.

"Are you ignoring me?"

"C'mon."

"Can't I be your friend?"

That one caused me to look up and I finally spoke.

"No one else has wanted to be, so why would you? And also we have gone to school together since elementary, you choose now to be my friend? No thanks." I ranted.

I continued to read my book and heard him lightly mutter.

"I won't give up that easy."