Different Doesn't Mean Broken

Chapter 17 - Alex

I slammed back into the cabin when Sally found me sitting on the beach. I tried to argue I wasn't anywhere near the water, but nope. Can't even sit there. Alone. Doing nothing. Didn't reallze it was possible to drown on dry land.

I lay on my bed and turned up my music. A few minutes later Mia came back in looking worn out. She lay down on her bed and I turned my back to her.

About a half hour or so later, Michelle called us all to the front so we could go get the gimps their afternoon meds. Groaning, I got up and shuffled into the front room. Michelle looked around us all.

"Who's missing?" She asked. "Mia. Alex, can you go see if Mia's up?"

I rolled my eyes. Why me?

I went back to where Mia was still lying on her bed. She looked to be asleep. I kicked her bed to wake her up.

"Get up. Meds," I said, walking away once I saw her move.

Eventually she gimped her way to the front room and we left. All of us heading to the infirmary.

Because of my stupid dead pancreas, I had to go test and get a snack from the nurse.

"I thought you didn't have afternoon meds," Mia said to me.

"I'm diabetic, gimp," I said. "I need a test and a snack."

"My name," she said through clenched teeth. "Is Mia."

I looked Mia up and down then scoffed.

"Whatever," I said and went outside to wait for the rest of the gimps and morons.

"Alright, Thunderstorms!" Michelle called out once we were finally all outside. "Arts and crafts and then music!"

"Lame and lamer," I muttered as I started walking. I didn't notice at first that Mia was hobbling beside me.

"Hey, Alex," she said.. I didn't look at her, but I slowed just a bit. This should be interesting. What does the gimp want?

"I'm sorry if I got in your way after lunch."

I looked at her.

"When are you not in the way?" I snarked and sped up, leaving Mia at the back of the group.

When we got to Arts and Crafts, I heard Michelle tell one of the morons not to swear and then watched as she went over to Mia and talked to her for a second. She looked like she was checking on Mia. She didn't look good. Mia looked... like she wasn't feeling well, I guess. Whatever. Not my problem.

Michelle rubbed Mia's arm and she looked uncomfortable. Like that had hurt. Weird.

The Arts and Crafts counsellor told the group what the craft was for today. Some macrame bullshit. I just sat there watching the gimps tie knots.

"You're not making anything, Alex?" Mia asked me. God, she's so annoying!

"I'd rather have root canal," I sneered. What the fuck do I need knotted string for?

"Alex, you don't want to make the craft?" Amelia, the arts and crafts person said.

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

"Come on," Amelia said, putting her arm around me.

"Don't touch me!" I said, throwing her arm off my shoulder.

"Sorry!" Amelia said. "I'm sorry, Alex. I didn't know..."

"Just leave me alone," I said, turning away in my seat.

"Do you want to draw, maybe?" Amelia said, her tone quiet, soothing.

I shrugged.

"I'll leave some paper and pencils here for you. Use them, don't use them, it's okay, okay?" Amelia said.