Different Doesn't Mean Broken

Chapter 15 - Alex

Crutch Girl Mia is getting more and more irritating by the second.

After Michelle made me get up and go to the ropes course, she told me to sit under the tree she pointed at and then went over to talk to Caryn and Crutch Girl. A few minutes later, she was sitting beside me under the tree.

"You're sure you don't want to try?" Michelle asked. I looked ahead of me with my head resting on my arms, resting on my bent knees.

"I can't think of anything I'd rather do less," I mumbled.

"That's fine. You don't have to. I'm not a fan of heights, either. But Eden and Laura are great," Michelle said.

"I'm not afraid of heights," I argued.

"I didn't say you were," Michelle said.

Everyone was cheering Caryn, managing not to kill herself on the rope bridge, and then started shouting Crutch Girl Mia's name. Well, without the 'Crutch Girl' part. I looked up and saw she was climbing up to the platform. She doesn't walk so good. Should she be doing that? I kept my eyes on her and the instructors/counsellors/whatever they were. Were they transferring the belay right? Did they make sure her equipment fit properly? What about how she walks on the ground? She can walk kinda wonky sometimes. What if she slips?

What do I care? I reminded myself. I don't want to be here, and I don't care about these gimps and morons and droolers. Ugh. The droolers. But that doesn't mean I want anyone to get hurt. I wanted to ask Michelle if Mia should be doing that, but then she might think I care, and I absolutely do not!

But I watched. I just want to be sure she made it across okay or that they didn't drop her if she fell and they'd messed up the harness and belay rope. Oh god! What if they tied the wrong knot? She could probably die from a fall that high. I mean, she's kinda scrawny and could probably slip right through the harness.

I watched and saw Mia make it to the other platform with Eden right behind her. I smiled, but to myself. So no one else would see.

Once she was down and safe on the ground, I saw her get her crutches from Sally and start hobbling over to me, for god sake. I rolled my eyes.

"I did it!" she huffed out as she plonked herself down. "It was a bit scary, because I don't like heights, but I got across!"

"Whoot whoot," I mumbled, turning myself away from her.

When it looked like all the gimps had had their turn, Sally turned around and called out that it was my turn. No. Fucking. Way.

"It's really fun," Mia said.

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

I frowned. Fuck her. What the hell?

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

"Mia, need a hand up?" Michelle asked Mia.

"Yes please. Thank you," she said, extending her hand for Michelle to pull her up.

"Let's go, Alex," she said. I made a point of getting up without assistance and gave Mia a satisfied look, as if to say, 'I don't need help getting up.' Mia shrugged.

I trudged along following the group back down to the main camp. I was feeling a little dizzy but didn't say anything.

Once we'd reached the infirmary, Sally handed me my med card and indicated I should get in line.

"I don't have lunch meds," I frowned.

"You need to check your blood sugar before lunch, don't you?" Sally said.