Disabled.

Twenty-two

Twenty-two

One Week Later

Nadia pushed herself into the main office after hearing her name as it was announced through the PA system. She smiled once the secretary was in her sight as she pushed herself towards her desk.

"Hi Nadia, how's it going?" Mrs Johnson asked with a smile.

"Okay I guess," she replied.

"You're probably wondering why I called you over," the secretary said, causing Nadia to nod her head apprehensively. Mrs Johnson laughed.

"There's no need to look so scared, you're not in any trouble—"

"That's a relief," they both heard Mason's voice, causing both of them to turn towards him.

"Sorry, I didn't mean to interrupt. Please carry on." 

Nadia returned her attention to Mrs Johnson.

"It's about the skiing trip."

Nadia suddenly started to prepare herself for disappointment. It was ridiculous for her to have believed that she could attend the trip. So what if paraplegics were able to ski? It didn't guarantee her the chance of attending.

"The principal personally decided to bring up your situation to the board of education. At first, nobody wanted to take it seriously because no offense, you're the only physically disabled student at the school and they didn't think it would matter if just one student couldn't attend. However, you are aware that in this school, we strive to provide all our students with the best high school experience possible. And because of that, we have been able to gather the resources which would allow a physically disabled student to attend this trip." 

"What exactly do you mean by 'resources'?" Mason asked.

"We have been able to ensure that the special equipment that she or a future disabled student will need will be available. As well as an instructor," Mrs Johnson replied.

"Does that mean that I can go on the trip?" Nadia asked, still unsure of how to react.

"Yes it does." 

"That's great!" she heard Mason say beside her. She looked at him to find him grinning from ear to ear as he looked back at her, making it hard for her not to smile back as the news begun to finally register in her mind.

"Unfortunately, there is one bit of bad news," Mrs Johnson said, regaining their attention.

"Due to the short notice, we are unable to book a bus which will accommodate a person in a wheelchair so you will have to take your own form of transportation to and from the resort. However, because if this, the transportation fee will be deducted from your total fee compared to everyone else."

Nadia felt slightly disappointed by that but before she could feel anymore disappointed, Mason spoke.

"I'll go to the resort with you Nadia. I can ask my aunt to drive us if your mom can't drive you," he offered her with a smile.

- - -  

Nadia's eyes ripped open as soon as she felt the car come to a sudden stop while they were on their way to the destination for the ski trip. She looked around, wondering what had happened, only to find that they were in a secluded place.

"Are you okay Nadia?" Mason asked from where he sat in the front seat beside her mother as he looked at her in the rear-view mirror. She nodded her head silently.