Stand Up

Chaper 12: Almost Time

I found my self in mid May. I sat on my bed and wondered how time flew so fast. I gazed out the window as the morning sun rose. Today was going to be the same boring old day.

I had a doctor's appointment today. I had to get ready and be there by noon. I groaned as I brushed my teeth. I really was not in the mood for this today. I just wanted to lie down and watch a movie.

I wheeled into the cold doctor's office. My mom talked to the lady at the front counter, because I couldn't see that high in my wheelchair. We sat down in the waiting room and waited for the nurse to call my name. It feels like I've done this a million times.

The same baby blue wallpaper was on the walls. The same aquarium in the room was there too. There was a little girl, probably about four years old, sitting patiently in the chair. She looked over at the aquarium and was memorized by a fish. There was also a boy about thirteen years old. He was playing on his phone the whole time, until the nurse called his name.

The door then opened again. "Isabel," the nurse said walking out into the waiting room. I wheeled towards the door with my mom.  She led us to a small room.

"Hello, Isabel. How are you doing today?" The nurse went up to a computer and clicked a few times.

"Good." I responded feeling awkward.

"Are you having any problems?" She glanced over at me.

"Nope." I replied.

She typed more into her computer and asked me more questions. "The doctor will be with you in a moment." She left the room.

Within a few minutes, a familiar face entered the room. He had the same professional look. He wore his hair combed back.

"Hello, Isabel." Dr. Green greeted me. I just waved. "We have an update on your legs. They appear to be getting better. I am still unsure when they will come back, though. They might be back tomorrow. They might be back in a year." This gave me hope. They are getting better! They could come back soon.

Dr. Green talked about other things to my mom. I wasn't really listening. I was too busy thinking about the situation. I was too excited about my legs. I almost couldn't contain my excitement.

Then a sense of dreariness came over me. What if they didn't come back? Now I almost cried. I looked down at my legs. They were the same as they'd been for a while. Still and unmoving.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

School was still the same. I noticed at lunch, Haley wasn't there. She wasn't at our usual table. I looked around the whole lunch room. She wasn't at any of the tables. I know I saw her in third period. Where is she now?

"Hey, Mark." I asked Mark who was sitting diagonally across from me. "Where's Haley?" That's when I heard a loud screech from the microphone. Every cupped their hands over their ears. Mark pointed up at the stage.

A group of people stood on the stage. The student body president stood in front of the mic. He was surrounded by people, including Haley.

"Hello." He said enthusiastically. "Prom is right around the corner. I hope you're all excited. I would like to thank every who volunteered to help us set up and clean up for prom. So can we give then a big round of applause."

Clapped filled the room. Haley blushed on the stage. I clapped as Mark shouted "Haley! Whoo!" She definitely heard it because she directed her stare towards us. I couldn't help but laugh. As the clapping quieted, the student body president began to speak again.

"If anyone else would like to volunteer, it's not too late to sign up." He gestured to the table beside the stage, as he did before. "I hope this can be a great prom this Friday!" He and the other volunteers exited the stage. Haley came speed-walking back to our table and sat down right beside me, across from Mark.

"I was so nervous up there." She said her voice shaky. She took a few deep breaths.

"Why? All you did was stand up there. You didn't even have to talk." I glanced at Mark then back at Haley. She was giving him the evil eye.

"I heard you yell my name up there." She said directly at Mark. He gave a friendly laugh.

"Is it so bad that I am cheering for my girlfriend." He leaned over and gave her a quick kiss on the cheek. She blushed even more than on stage.

"Sorry." She giggled. We all went back to eating our lunch, just like normal.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

I sat in my wheelchair and looked at myself in the mirror. I was in my lavender prom dress, that Greg had bought me. I put in some cute earrings and a dazzling necklace. I added blush and eyeshadow to make myself look beautiful.

Greg had always told me I don't need makeup. He says I have inner beauty that is being covered up with makeup. I don't really know? I guess I'm just insecure.

I added some light pink lipstick. When I finished I put a thin layer of clear lip gloss over that. I admired my reflection. I felt like a princess in one of the movies I would watch as a kid. I looked glamorous.

I couldn't wait for prom. Sadly, Greg couldn't pick me up. It's not because he didn't want to, it's because I couldn't get the whole wheelchair thing. My car has special things on it so I can get in easily.

I smiled in the mirror. "This is going to be the best night of my life." I told myself. I hoped it would be true.

I went to the front door, bid my parents goodbye, then got in the car and headed off. I was more nervous than you could imagine. I took deep breaths as I pulled into the school parking lot. I got out of my car and entered the school.

I sat in my wheelchair in the hallway. To my right was the lunchroom, where the prom was held. I heard them playing my favorite song. I smiled and bobbed my head to the beat. I wished I could tap my feet.

I looked down at my feet. Go on! I urged my feet to move, but nothing. All I ever wanted was to dance the slow dance with my boyfriend. Please!

I saw a twitch. I blinked my eyes a few times. My toes twitched. I saw it! I know what I saw. I begged them to twitch again. I waited. Nothing. Then there was another twitch. They are moving. Now they began moving to the music. I had gained control of my toes on both feet.

My knees began to move a little. I tried kicking my legs. It worked. Now I tried the extreme. I tried to stand up. I held onto my wheelchair and pushed myself up. I wobbled everywhere, then fell back down. I tried again. I balanced then attempted to step forwards, almost falling over. I lean against a nearby wall and made my way to the lunchroom.

I edged closer and closer. I let go off the wall, confident in myself. I began to walk. I walked slowly and wobbly, but I was walking. I had never felt so happy. I entered the lunchroom.

I walked into the prom.