Klein(SAO)x Reader

Chapter Thirty-One

(Time skip: A Few Weeks Later)

Some of our neighbors including mom helped us move some boxes of clothes and necessities to Klein's house, and we ready a spare room that's on the first floor for me since I won't be able to walk anytime soon. Now, it's around seven in the morning, since school has us up early. The doctors surprisingly didn't pay a fine for the wheelchair, probably because I'm going back to school, so they gave me one adjusted to my size for free. 

"Alright. You ready?" Klein mumbles, sliding his jacket on as I wheel myself up to the door, taking my own jacket and putting it on with a nod. 

"Yeah, I'm good," my backpack straps fit perfectly over the back of the wheelchair, and a small pouch is connected to the back for the supplies that I need in every class. My legs have been moderately realigned, but are still unmistakably maimed. He nods, opening the door, and helping me down the makeshift ramp our neighbors had given us out of empathy. I turn the corner, kind of unsteady, still getting accustomed to the weird controls, and then composing my route, making room for Klein to stroll beside me. He does so, partly steering me, but mostly leaving me to guide the wheelchair. We make it to the bus stop, and I grab the wheels, pulling to a stop. I had practiced getting onto a bus at the hospital, and the bus driver grumbles to himself, but gets out of his seat, then stomps to the back of the bus, and then lowering the ramp, holding it steady for me. I thank him, riding up the metal sheet, and when I find myself a nice crook in the back, he reels in the ramp, and then setting it to the side, waving Klein on as he unfolds the walk-in doors. Klein seats himself next to me, sharing a smile. I see some kids staring at me, some in awe, some in wonder, but most in horror. I ignore the looks in their eyes, waving to them. As little kids would, they nervously and self-consciously wave back, turning around. 

"Well, so far so good," Klein solaces. I nod, watching out the window at the pedestrians crossing roads or hailing a taxi. We make it to the school, and the same procedure, except backward, takes place, and I wheel myself off of the ramp, once again acknowledging the bus driver. I slip my braid out from behind me as I situate myself in the chair, then follow Klein up the ramp leading to the school. In the school, many eyes are on me, but most are shielded, somewhat in fright. I disregard those too, driving myself to my cabinet, and then pausing, not having thought the locker part out yet. I take out the materials required for all of my classes and store them in the pouch, then turn back to the closet.

"Um..." I mumble, eyes trailing up the towering locker. I reach up but am 'rewarded' with a spring of pain flaming through my lower back, making me flinch back. "Hey, Klein? Could you help, please?" 

"Yeah," he grins, taking my backpack from my hands and shifting the ring on the hook, moving over so I can arrange the unneeded elements in the locker. "So, are you gonna be okay alone?"

"I think I'll be okay. Thanks, Klein." I smile reassuringly, and he grins, nodding, and then walks off to his first class, Choir. Giggling to myself, I weave my chair through the crowd, and most of them part to let me through when I hear someone call out to me.

"Skylar? What're you do--" I warm when I witness Kirito shoulder his way through the group towards me, and I sense it evaporate when he glances down to my feet, then back to me. "What happened?" Concern pervades his eyes and laces his voice, returning my smile to complete.

"Someone big fell on my legs, and crushed them." I shrug and internally chiding myself for not inventing something to say rather than the truth considering the truth is horrifying. He looks back down to my legs.

"Do you need help getting to the first bell? You and I are in that class together, so it won't be out of my way," he volunteers, and I agree appreciatively, following the trail Kirito creates as he shoos people out of the way. We make it to first class in time, me seating myself next to my desk, and Kirito sitting in his desk. The teacher watches me out of the corner of her eyes for the whole class period, sending chills up my spine. The time seems to fly by, as I'm in my element here, as I'm a detective, and when the class is over, I'm both relieved and upset. I roll out of the room, Kirito following behind, and then ahead to clear another path for me. I get to the second bell in time, and Kirito has to leave, so I wave to him when he rounds the corner. Sighing, I settle my chair in front of my desk and see Klein sitting in the desk next to mine, confusing me. Since the bell hasn't tolled yet, I'm free to speak Japanese, so I lean towards Klein questioningly.