Different Doesn't Mean Broken

Chapter 14 - Mia

"Welcome to ropes, everyone. I recognize a few of you from last year or the year before. I'm Laura, the Ropes Leader. Our goal today is to lead everyone from this side of the course, over the balance beam, through the swing and to the other side of the ropes course. This will require lots of teamwork and patience. Now, before we start, is everyone here."

"Yes ma'am." Caryn said just as I was about to speak up. "Everyone who matters, anyway."

She mumbled that last bit and I didn't think Laura heard her. I frowned at Caryn.

"Great, so everyone line up and let's get you in harnesses and helmets. No one does the course without both. Ever."

"Except Alex who will probably try to throw herself off it," Caryn muttered again.

"Caryn," I said, a sort of warning tone in my voice.

"What? Am I wrong? She's trying to break every rule and get sent home. I wish they would already," she said to me.

"Wish we would what?" Michelle asked, coming up behind us with a very unhappy looking Alex behind her.

"Nothing," Caryn said, turning around.

"You okay, Alex?" I asked. She rolled her eyes and ignored me.

I watched as Michelle pointed to a spot under a tree that was close to the course. Arms crossed and eyes rolling, Alex went and sat under the tree. Michelle spoke to the counsellors and then went and sat under the tree with Alex.

"Alright, Mia, right?" Laura got my attention. "I remember you from last year, Danger Girl."

I grinned. Last year I had asked to try the high ropes course at the end of session. I had wound up asking to be brought down, because I wasn't *quite* ready for it, but I'd tried. My goal this summer was to do at least one high ropes course by the end of session. I knew we were safe, with the helmets and the harnesses, but I am not the biggest fan of heights. The thing is, I am always going to challenge myself and push myself. There may be a lot of things I can't do, but I won't be defined by that.

Laura helped me into a harness and fit a helmet to my head. I wasn't going to be the first to go. It looked like Caryn was, but I was excited. Even though we were doing a mid-level course, I was excited and nervous. We'd only done the low ropes courses last year, except the one time they let me try the high course.

I watched as Caryn carefully climbed, listening to Laura's directions and the counsellor up at the top of the ladder, standing on the platform.

"Okay, Caryn!" Laura called up. "Eden will help you up onto the platform and switch your belay to her harness, okay?"

Caryn made a thumbs up and completed her climb. They were maybe 10 feet off the ground on the mid-level ropes. The high ropes were 20 feet up.

We all shouted our encouragement to Caryn. I looked back at Alex and Michelle. Michelle was watching. Alex was sitting back against the tree, staring ahead of herself.

When it was my turn, I climbed the ladder up to where Eden was, hearing my cabin mates cheering me on. When I got to the platform, and Eden helped me up, I looked down at my cabin mates. Everyone was cheering. I chanced a look at Alex and even Alex was watching. I don't know if she was hoping I'd fall or something, but she was sort of watching.

Eden tied my belay onto her harness and explained how to cross the rope bridge.

"I'll follow right behind you, but you've got this," she smiled at me. I smiled back.

With Eden's guidance, I stepped out onto the rope. It swung and I felt out of control for a second, but Eden encouraged me to keep moving

"Movement is balance. It sounds contrary but trust me, Mia. If you move, it won't sway as much," Eden said. I tried moving a little faster and saw she was right. If I took small, tentative steps, the rope swayed more. If I took quicker, slightly longer steps, the rope still swayed, but less than it did the other way. Before I knew it I was across on the other platform.

"Whoot!!!" I heard from below me. "Right on, Mia!!"

My cabin mates were cheering. Even Alex looked, well, not unhappy. Almost relieved.

Eden unhooked my belay and connected me back to Laura's and I carefully climbed down with Laura holding just a little tension so I knew she was in control.

Back on the ground I did a little dance, proud of myself for doing the ropes course. I got high fives from everyone, counsellors included.

I noticed Alex was alone under the tree while Michelle was helping get Rykel fitted.

"I did it!" I said, as I sat beside her. She shifted away from me and turned her back. "It was a bit scary, because I don't like heights, but I got across!"

I heard Alex grumble something but what I did notice - I didn't hear the word 'gimp' for once. Small miracles.

I stayed beside Alex while the rest of the cabin had their turns. I cheered along with everyone else as everyone got a chance to try the course. Everyone crossed the rope and everyone cheered for everyone. Except Alex, of course.

"Alex, your turn!" Sally called out. She didn't acknowledge her.

"It's really fun," I said.

"God, Mia. Leave her alone!" Caryn said. "If she wants to be a miserable lump, let her."

I looked over at Alex. I thought I saw just a flash of hurt at Caryn's words. But then she set her jaw and kept staring ahead.

"Okay, Thunderstorms! Meds and lunch! Let's get a move on!" Michelle called out as she approached Alex and I.

"Mia, need a hand up?" She asked me.

"Yes please. Thank you," I said, extending my hand for Michelle to pull me up.

"Let's go, Alex," she said. Alex made a point of getting up without assistance. She gave me a satisfied look, as if to say, 'I don't need help getting up.' I shrugged. Sometimes, it's nice to have a hand to help.