Paths The Middle School Years

Chapter Eleven~ Where We Are Now

*Ring*Ring*

I wake up to the loud and obnoxious alarm clock. I slam my hand on the top of it, trying to find the off button, but instead, I turn on the radio.

"Stupid alarm clock," I say quietly with anger.

I finally turn it off and get up from my bed. It was 5:30 AM. I moved my legs to the side of my bed. I made a weird move where I put my legs down on the feet of the wheelchair and turn my body on the seat of the chair. Hehe. This wheelchair is terrible. I hate it so much, it feels like a curse. I push myself to my closet, where I get my uniform. I forgot to set it for today, and I couldn't stand up. My shirts were on the top shelves, and my pants were on the shelves underneath. Hehehe. I can see the pain of being short. I push myself out of my room, where I grab the backscratcher. It was long and was able to reach the top shelves. I head back to the room and use the stick to grab my shirt and pants. I changed and got myself ready for school. I finish changing and head to the kitchen.

"I can't cook anymore," I silently say to myself as I look at my anime apron. "I'll use you again in 4 weeks. Chef has to rest for a while. Thank you, though, for your service. It would be best if you had a break too," I say to my apron while putting it away in my drawer.

I roll my way to my brother's room. I yell, "Wake up! It's time for school! Get up and get ready!"

My brothers refuse to wake up, so I head to my parent's room. "Mother! Father! The boys won't get up! I can't stand up, so can you help me?" I ask my parents.

My mother gets up slowly from the bed and peaks at the time. "5:45?!? GUYS, GET UP NOW!!! IM GOING TO BE LATE TO WORK!" My mom tells. My father wakes up, and my brothers wake up. My mother kisses me on the cheek and says, "Get your bag and brush your teeth. I'll prepare your lunch. Bento?"

I nod in agreement. My mother pushes me into the living room and hands me a premade sandwich. I eat my sandwich as I watch my family gets ready for the day.

We hop into the van, and we head to school. My mother takes a separate car to work while my dad drops us off at school.

The whole trip there was noisy until my brothers left the van. My dad then used this as an opportunity.

"You liked her?" My father says out of the blue.

"Eh?!? What was the for? Why say it now when it's so silent!!??" I jump in shock.

"I just wanted to know. You kind of seem to have calmed down. You have a plan with that girl. First off, what her name?" My dad exclaims while questioning me.

"First of all, it's none of your business. Second...," I say, trying to prove my point, but slowly become quiet.

"Stuck, huh? Well, I'll shut up and drop you off at the front of the school. I hope they get someone to help you," my dad says while trying to place his hand on my shoulder to keep me happy.

The rest of the ride was silent. I kept thinking about the question my dad asked me. I wondered if I should just let them know. They will know eventually. Many things cross my mind as I angrily hide my emotions behind a smile.

"We're here," my dad says proudly while looking out the window. "I'll help you."

My dad goes to the trunk and pulls out my wheelchair. I waited until he opens it and leaves it on the side of the car. My dad helps escort me out of the car and into the chair. My dad grabs my bag that I left by my feet and places it on my lap. I grab a stick that had two edges. I held those two edges and placed them in front of me. We begin moving towards the school, and it felt like I was walking again.

"Kanoa, be safe at school today. Okay?" My dad asked me as we got closer and closer to the school.

"I will!" I said cheerfully.

We walk through the gate and into the office. My dad began to talk to the administrators there as I played around with the stick. I imagined being Harry Potter. I also pretended that I was in an anime, casting spells, and lots more.

The administrators then called for me and asked, "Who do you want as your escort?" They were ready to write down the name because I saw the end of the pen.

I then said in a delighted tone, "My best friend, Lala Ukita."

She writes down the name while also looking for it on the roster of the school.

"Okay. You are set. We will call her during...," the administrator said before being cut off by me, "No need. I already told her to meet me somewhere. Thank you, though."

"Oh. Okay then. Stay safe," the administrator said.

"I will!" I say cheerfully. I gave my dad my last hug and asked him, "You are picking me up today, right?"

My dad nods and waves goodbye to me.

I begin to roll away from the office and saying my last goodbyes before rolling away.

I then head towards the spot but noticed that it wasn't empty. There was one person there. I walked closer to them and asked, "Who are you?"

They turn around, and it was revealed to be Lala Ukita, crying. She collapsed down onto my lap and repeatedly said, "I'm sorry. I'm sorry. I'm sorry. I'm sorry."

I bend my back and hug her. She buries herself from me and wipes her tears away. Lala says quietly while pulling out a blanket and placing it on my lap, "So. Now that step one is done, what's next?"