The boy in the wheelchair

14.My champion

The day came. After a lot of training,a lot of tiredness, lot of sweat,lot of effort and lot of determination the race day finally came.
Now Simon was laying on the bed with Daphne who was resting on his chest and sleeping peaceful. He still couldn't believe what happened last night with her. It still looked like an amazing dream how they were kissing,how they were touching each other, how they were whispering I love you to each other and the moment they became one. It was just amazing. Simon opened his eyes wishing it wasn't a dream even though he knew it wasn't and seeing Daphne laying on his chest made him smile. He  kissed her forehead and then Daphne opened her eyes too.
"Morning Simon. " she said while kissing him.
"Morning sunshine. "
"Sunshine?This is new. "
"Well because this morning I realised that you are my sunshine. "
"Simon,what have I done to deserve someone such wonderful as you?"
"I ask the same thing everyday Daph."
"You know what? Let's just stay like this all day. You're so comfortable Simon. "
"I wish we could but today is race day."
"Oh yeah.... OH MY GOD!It's race day!"
"Did you forget it? "
"Of course not. We have to get up. Quick. What time is it?"
Daphne got up from bed and quickly got changed. Simon just wondered himself why she was in such a rush. It was 10 o'clock of the morning and the race was at 16:30. They had time until then. Daphne put Simon's wheelchair closer to him and helped him sit down on it. Then they went downstairs to eat breakfast.
"Morning kids. Breakfast is ready. " said Veronica with her sweet voice.
"Morning mum,morning dad. " Daphne said while kissing her parents on the cheeks.
"Good morning Mr and Mrs Brawn. "
"Oh hey Simon. How are you? Did you sleep well?"asked Fred.
"Yeah I slept just like a baby. "
Daphne looked at him with a devilish smirk and Simon just smiled. Fred wasn't understanding anything while Veronica asked Daphne to come with her to the kitchen smiling.
"So Miss?"
"What mum?"
"Hey don't play dumb at me young lady. Got something to say?"
"Mum I don't know what you are talking about. "
"Really? Then why are you blushing? Sweetie I've been a teenager too. So I want you to be open with me. "
"Well I you know Simon we..."
Veronica just laughed and hugged Daphne.
"Awww my pretty little girl isn't little anymore. "
"You're the best mum. "
"Thanks darling. Let's go eat breakfast. "
"Yeah I need all of my energy for today's race. "
"You're going to be great. Just one question.   Did you like "it"?
"Mum!"
"Okay sorry. " she said laughing.

The breakfast went by so fast and Simon's heart keeps beating faster as the time of the race got closer. Mark picked him up at noon where Jane and Alexandra had prepared a small party. There were also his best friends. There was also a yellow banner where was written "My champion"
Just as he saw his he felt so happy that he was struggling to hold his tears.
"Oh guys. Seriously you didn't have to do this. "
"Simon honey this is the least we can do for you."
"Thanks mum. I really love what you all have done. "
"Hey Simon. Just to know that I will be screaming your name there. "
"Please Alex don't. You'll leave someone deaf. "
"I'm going to take that as a thank you Sim."
"Good luck in there son. "
"Thanks dad."
"Hey bro. " said Tom.
"Hey guys. I really appreciate that you are here for me. "
"We will always be Simon." stated Sue.
"This is what friends are for. " said Derek.
"Just to know that you are our champion whatever happens in the race. " said Georgia.
"Hey guys now that we are all here let's put our hands together. " said Sue.
"Nice idea. " said Tom.
So they put their hands together except Derek.
"Derek put your hand on mine. "
"No Georgia. These things are just so girlish. "
"Shut up and do it. "
"Whatever. "
1..2..3..FRIENDS FOREVER. They said as they throw their hands upon the air. Simon had never felt so happy with his friends before. This was a friendship that would last forever and indestructible.

The warm up session ended. Soon it was time for race. The first would be the girl race than the boy's one. Before the race Victor gathered Daphne and Simon to wish them luck.
"You have done a great work both of you. I am proud that I've been your trainer. "
"Thanks Victor. We also want to thank you for everything you did for us. " said Daphne.
"Yeah thanks very much. You have helped me a lot. "
"It's my duty Simon. Oh they are announcing the girls now. It's your time to shine Daphne. Good luck out there. "
"Thanks Victor. "
"Good luck Daphne."
"Thanks Simon. " she said as she leaned to give him a quick kiss.
There were 10 girls who were racing. The style was free-style for 100m. They got in position and when the little gun fired they jumped into the water. They were all fast but Daphne was swimming faster than the others. The audience was screaming and Simon had clenched his fist so hard but he couldn't feel the pain because he was so focused on Daphne. There were only a few meters left. The girls were so close to each other but there could be only one winner and the winner was....Daphne Brawn.
"That's my girl,that's my girl!"her mother screamed through the crowd.
Daphne got out from water and greeted her parents who were so happy for her. There would be a 5-minute break before the boys race.
"Congrats Daph. I knew you could do it. " Simon said and kissed her wet face.
"Thanks Simon. But it was pretty tiring. Those girls can swim."
"But you won anyway. "
"Yeah right and so will you. "
"I don't know Daphne. It's really hard."
"Rubbish. You are as good as the others. Just believe in yourself Simon."
"Thanks Daphne. Oh they are announcing the boys name now. We have backstroke. "
"It's a piece of cake for you. Go and tell them who Simon Johnson is."
"Hey Daphne,congratulations out there. Simon ready to go? "
"Ready Victor. "
Victor pushed his wheelchair near the pool and helped him get into the water. Some boys when saw this laughed like idiots. Simon got a bit angry but Victor told him to let it go.
Now it's time for start. Now or never.
3,2,1 gunshot. The race started. Simon was breathing hard and moving his arms fast. It was hard for him because he could use only his arms but the good thing was that his arms were stronger and muscular than the others. Maybe he got a chance. He was so focused on the race and hearing his family,friends and Daphne shouting his name was giving him strength. He could do this. He would show that he could, that no one should leave their disability to stop them from dreaming,that everyone no matter what should never give up their dreams. Thinking of this made him moving faster.
"Come on Simon. " he thought. There were only a few meters left but they looked like forever. He was getting a bit tired but he wouldn't give up. Not now. He swam with the left energy he had and when he touched the finish and got out of the water he saw the results. Second. He was second. It was unbelievable. He the paralyzed boy had just arrived in the second place. He was so happy he couldn't imagine.
He saw his mother crying tears of joy his father clapping,his sister doing some dance moves and saying "He's my brother. ",his friends jumping all together. He couldn't believe it. It was just like he had won the race. Daphne came running to him and helped him get out of water and then kissed him.
"Oh my God Simon! You did it. You did it!"
"No Daphne we did it. "
She smiled and kissed him again. It seriously  was the best day of his life. He was a champion.