The boy in the wheelchair

10.The photograph

"Well done Simon. You keep getting better and better every day. I bet you will win that contest with eyes closed." said Victor.
"Thanks. I feel so ready about it. I'm really looking forward to it. "
"Well the competition is in less than two months. We have to be more than ready. Isn't that so Miss Brawn?"
"Yes. I can't wait too. I am so excited. I bet that this will be the best competition ever. " said Daphne smiling. Simon couldn't stop looking at her beautiful smile. It's had been some time since he last saw her smiling.
"So kids. I think that it was enough for today. Relax the rest of the day. You are going to need it. So I'm leaving now. Bye. See you tomorrow. "
"Bye Victor. Thanks for everything. "
"Simon you really need to stop thanking me every day." Victor said laughing.
And then he left leaving Simon and Daphne in an awkward silence.
"So we did pretty well today right Daphne?"
"Yeah we did. I'm going inside. Will you call your dad to pick you up?"
"No I actually wanted to go home by myself."
"Nice joke Simon. Are you going to call him now? "
"No I'm serious. I'll go by my own. I also told my dad. I'm not a baby. "
"I know but you are.."
"I'm what? "
"Simon you know what I mean. I know how much you try to live a normal life but you can't do everything on your own. Sometimes you need help. "
"Daphne you know nothing. You never tried to know me better. "Simon said angrily.
Daphne didn't say anything. Even though that Simon's words hurted he was right. She never tried to know him better. She had been avoiding him all this time because of her...No. She should stop thinking about it. Maybe she should give Simon a chance.
"Daphne are you there?"
"Oh yes sorry. I was lost in thoughts. "
"Maybe I shouldn't have said that. "
"No it's okay. You're right. I don't know you. I have been avoiding you all this time and I have made a big mistake. I'm really sorry Simon. But just know that there is a reason about it. "
"Do you want to tell me about it? "
"I'm sorry Simon but I can't right now and right here but I promise I will tell you some day. I owe you an explanation. "
"You sure you do Daphne. "
She smiled again. She looked so pretty. The sun was gone and the moon was showing up with its beautiful reflection. The stars were appearing as well and looked so nice in the dark sky giving it a polka dot look. It was a beautiful night.
"So Simon remember when you told me to hang out? "
"Yeah"
"Well umm.. I'd love to go out with you sometime. "
"Really? "
"Really. So will you call your dad now? "
"Nahh. I will stay in my word. I'll go by my own. "
"Simon, Simon . You and your stubbornness. Well it's late so I'm coming with you. I won't let you go around all alone in this hour. "
"Daphne you don't have to. "
"Shhhh no disagreements. I will come with you period. "
"Alright just wait for me to get changed and tell my mum. "
Daphne went running inside and Simon waited by the pool. He felt good. He was so happy that Daphne decided to stop avoiding him. Now they could start being friends.
"Ready to go Simon. " said Daphne. She was wearing light blue jeans, black sneakers and a blue checkered shirt. It was simple but cute. She came near Simon and started pushing slowly his wheelchair.
"Daphne what are you doing? "
"What? Is there something wrong? "
"No but no need to do that. I can do it myself. I don't have arms only for swimming. "
"Fine as you wish Mr. I do everything by myself. " she said winking at him.

The road were almost deserted. It were only them and few people there and there. So peaceful and quiet.
"So Simon. Tell me about yourself. "
"Well my name is Simon Johnson son of Mark and Jane Johnson and brother of an annoying sister called Alexandra."
"Don't say that. I think it's the best thing having a sibling."
"Trust me it's not. You're lucky to be an only child. "
"Yeah lucky me." She said with a sad voice.
"What's the matter Daphne?"
"Nothing. It's just that I have always wanted a brother or a sister. "
"Believe me. It's not that fun. "
"I believe you. So when did you develop this love for swimming?"
"Since a kid I had always loved water but I couldn't stay that much because of my condition. "
"Simon. You have been paralyzed since kid?"
"No. Birth. "
"Ohhhhh I.. I didn't know that. "
"It's alright. I actually don't really mind being like this. I guess I am just used to it. I try to live a normal life as much as possible and so far I have done well. I don't want anyone to feel sorry for me. I hate it. I love my life as it is. I know that it's not easy but Ithink that everyone has a strength inside them which makes them go on no matter what disability they have. The only thing you have to do is to find it. I found mine Daphne and my life has been great for me. "
"Wow that was a great speech. "
"Daphne I'm being serious. "
"I'm serious too. I am so proud of you Simon. You are a warrior and I am glad that I have met someone like you. "
"I'm glad too. You're not like those mean popular girls. "
"Simon that's just a myth. " Daphne said laughing.
The rest of the road went by with personal preferences,jokes and many laughs.

So now was the end of it. The streets were completely deserted and were lighten up by some yellow street lights.
"So here we are Simon. I had a great time with you. I should have never avoid you . I'm really sorry about it again. "
"Don't mention it. I get it that you had a reason about it and take yourtime about it. I can wait. "
"You're such a great person Simon. Thanks so much for understanding me. Not everyone would do that. "
"No problem Daphne. You're great too."
And now they were staying in front of Simon's house without saying any word but just smiling at each other. Just staying under the streetlight with a nice fresh wind cuddling them and making their hair messy. In that moment Daphne came closer and sitted on Simon's level.
"I probably shouldn't do this and maybe regret after but I don't care. I just have to Simon. " she said as she pressed her lips into Simon's. He was expecting it and kissed her back and grabbed her face with his hands putting her face closer and closing any tiny space between them. It was just like the kiss they had that day in the pool. A perfect one. Then she separated from him and said:
"Goodnight Simon. "
And just like that day she left leaving Simon with millions of butterflies in his stomach.

"Why so smily today? " said Sue
"Nothing. The sun shines everyone is happy. "
"It's Daphne isn't it? " asked Derek.
"Are you guys cool now?"asked Tom.
"We're fine. Really fine. "
"Awww Simon. I'm so happy for you because I totally ship you guys. "
"Sue we are not in some kind of teenage movie. "
"Whatever Tom."
"Simon look at you. You're as red as my grandma's tomato sauce. " said Derek joking.
"Guys do you know where Georgia is? asked Tom.
"Well now that you mention it I haven't seen her since morning. I mean she is the first who comes into our lunch table."said Sue.
"Oh look here she comes. " said Derek.
"Heyyyyy sorry I'm late but you won't believe what I found. "Said Georgia as she put a photograph in the table.
"What's it?" asked Sue.
"I found it in the hallway. It must have fallen from Daphne's locker."
"G I told you to not do that detective thing. "
"Simon it's not my fault that this photograph fell from her locker. But look at it. "
"G you are crazy. "
"Shut up and look at the photo. "
Simon looked at the photo. There were two people. A little girl with blond hair smiling. She must be Daphne but near her was a boy a paralyzed boy. He was smiling but it looked more like a fake smile. He had also Daphne's blond hair.
"Who do you think he is Simon?
"I don't know Tom"

"He's my brother. " said Daphne behind them.

I chosed Photograph of Ed Sheeran for this chapter because I named the chapter the same and it's also one of my favorite songs. :)