Disabled.

Twenty-Four

*unedited*

Nadia smiled as she pushed herself towards her room, the sound of the elevator doors closing distant behind her. She felt herself chuckle slightly as she remembered what had happened earlier, just before she had started her skiing lesson. 

She and her instructor had just arrived at the equipment area when they heard footsteps. Curious to see who it was, Nadia had turned her head slightly to find Mason walking towards them. She looked at him with an expressionless face as she watched him walk towards her instructor and held out his hand.

"Hi I'm Mason and I'd like to join your lesson." 

Rick had looked at him, confused.

"I don't know if you're aware but this is a lesson for paraplegic skiers," Rick said to Mason. Mason simply smiled as he looked back at the instructor.

"I'm aware," was all he said. Rick didn't say anything as an amused expression took over his face as he nodded.

"You can do as you wish." 

Rick got the equipment that Nadia and he would need before they made their way towards the door which led towards the slopes. Nadia felt her heart beating quickly as she looked outside where some people were putting on skis before skiing away. She took in a deep breath as she watched Rick walk towards the door and opened it for her. 

She pushed herself out into a secluded area. 

"This is your monoski," Rick said as he placed it beside her. Nadia looked at it with her eyes wide, wondering how she was supposed to get onto it.

"Don't worry, I'll help you get on--"

"I can help her," Mason said, cutting Rick off. Nadia looked at him uncertainly as he placed his skis on the ground before walking towards her. Rick instructed him on how to help her and told Nadia what to do in order to transfer safely. And as she transferred from her wheelchair, she couldn't stop shaking, from fear of falling.

And just as she had feared, she felt her body going towards the ground as she was mid-transfer. But before she could fall, Mason placed both of his knees on the snow and reached out for her, catching her before she could fall. 

She could feel Mason's chest rising and falling as he breathed rapidly. 

"Aren't you glad I decided to help you?" Mason whispered into her ear, causing a shiver to run down her spine. She bit her lip to distract herself from thinking about how fast her heart was beating just from that. 

The sound of Rick clearing his throat caught both of their attention before he helped Nadia into the monoski. Shortly after, he sat in his and began the lesson. 

And throughout the lesson, even though she tried her hardest to pay attention, she caught herself remembering what had happened with Mason. And with every time that she remembered, she felt as if her heart was beating faster than the last.

---

Nadia was taking off her jacket in her room when she suddenly heard a knock on the door. She quickly removed her jacket and scarf before pushing herself to the door and opening it to reveal Mason, much to her surprise. She didn't suppress the smile that automatically took over her face at the sight of him.

"Hey," she said, causing him to smile.

"Hey," he replied. They stayed quiet for a few moments until Nadia said,

"What's up?" 

And almost as if he was caught in a daze, Mason continued to look at her for a few moments, causing her to wonder if there was something wrong with her appearance. She looked down at her clothes before looking back at him when she didn't find anything wrong. It was then that Mason cleared his throat and running a hand through his hair he said,